More than three in four Australian households are now using streaming video services, reflecting a significant shift in the nation’s online habits. This trend is highlighted by recent data from NBN Co, which reveals that streaming video is consuming a growing portion of screen time across the country. Meanwhile, Australia is making strides in global broadband speed rankings, showcasing an evolving digital landscape.
The latest report from NBN Co, released on Friday, provides a comprehensive look at Australia’s online behavior. It indicates that while children are gradually stepping away from social media, broadband downloads are on the rise. Notably, Queenslanders are leading the nation in data usage, outpacing users in all other states and territories.
Streaming Dominates Data Usage
The findings from NBN Co come after a transformative year for internet connectivity in Australia. Thousands of households have been offered free speed upgrades and fiber installations to replace outdated copper technology. Additionally, increased competition from satellite providers like Starlink has further spurred changes in the market.
According to NBN Co’s chief technology officer, Guy Scott, these developments have encouraged more Australians to stream entertainment. Currently, streaming accounts for 48 percent of all data downloaded via the National Broadband Network. By 2035, this figure is expected to rise to 59 percent.
“When the kids are off school, the network tends to get busier – in April, July, September, and January, they’re all busy times for us,” Mr. Scott explained. “What doesn’t change is the busy hour – the busy hour stays consistently between 9pm and 10pm.”
Broadband Usage Trends
Despite the surge in streaming, NBN Co anticipates a dip in downloads on New Year’s Eve, marking the lowest daily peak demand. Currently, more than 76 percent of Australian households utilize streaming services, with platforms like Paramount+, Stan Sport, and ad-supported subscriptions experiencing growth in 2025.
On the flip side, broadband uploads remain dominated by communication platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, which accounted for 24 percent of traffic in 2025. Uploads increased by 12 percent, while downloads saw a 10 percent jump, reaching an average of 508 gigabytes per month—double the data downloaded in 2019.
Queenslanders downloaded the most data on average for the third consecutive year, followed by Western Australia and the ACT, while Tasmanians downloaded the least.
Infrastructure and Speed Improvements
Australia’s broadband infrastructure has seen significant enhancements, with download speeds improving across the nation in 2025. This progress is largely due to the NBN’s free speed tier upgrades for 2.7 million users in September and free fiber upgrades for eligible premises starting in January.
Each week, approximately 12,000 households transition to faster and more reliable fiber connections. “We absolutely expect to see traffic continuing to grow,” Mr. Scott stated. “We’ve built out the fiber network now to 3.5 million premises and we’ve got another 622,000 premises to build between now and 2030.”
Australia recently ranked 42nd in the Ookla Research global broadband speed tests, surpassing the United Kingdom for the first time and rising from 82nd place in February.
This upward trajectory in broadband speeds and the increasing reliance on streaming services underscore a significant shift in Australia’s digital habits. As technology continues to evolve, the nation’s online landscape is poised for further transformation, with implications for both consumers and service providers alike.
