Here is a real-world breakdown of NBN 25, 50, 100, 500, 750, 1000, and 2000 speeds including what they mean for streaming, gaming, working from home, and how many people can use them at once.
TL;DR – Quick Takeaways
- nbn 50 is the sweet spot for most households — handles 3-4 people streaming, browsing, and video calls
- nbn 500 replaced NBN 100 in September 2025 for FTTP and HFC customers – 5x faster at the same price
- nbn 750 replaced NBN 250 for FTTP and HFC – 3x faster at the same price
- FTTN/FTTC customers max out at NBN 100 (unless you upgrade to FTTP for free*)
- Upload speeds differ: NBN 2000 gives 200Mbps upload on FTTP vs 100Mbps on HFC
- Your connection type determines which speeds you can get – check before choosing
- Upgrading is easy with MATE, change plans anytime, no contract penalties
NBN Speed Tiers: Quick Comparison
Here’s what each NBN speed tier actually delivers in real life:
| Speed Tier | Download/Upload | Connection Types | Best For | Users |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBN 25 | 25/5 Mbps | All | Light browsing, email, SD streaming | 1-2 |
| NBN 50 | 50/20 Mbps | All | HD streaming, video calls, casual gaming | 3-4 |
| NBN 100 (Legacy tier) |
100/20 Mbps | FTTN/FTTC/FTTB only | 4K streaming, gaming, WFH | 4-6 |
| NBN 500 (Replaced NBN 100) |
500/50 Mbps | FTTP/HFC only | Multiple 4K streams, fast downloads | 4-8 |
| NBN 750 (Replaced NBN 250) |
750/50 Mbps | FTTP/HFC only | Heavy usage, large households | 6-10 |
| NBN 1000 | 1000/100 Mbps | FTTP/HFC only | Zero slowdowns, instant downloads | 8-10+ |
| NBN 2000 | FTTP: 2000/200 HFC: 2000/100 |
FTTP/HFC only | Professional content creation | 10+ or pros |
September 2025 Speed Upgrades: What Changed?
In September 2025, nbn Co launched the “Accelerate Great” program, dramatically increasing speeds on FTTP and HFC connections at no extra cost:
nbn 100 → nbn 500 (FTTP/HFC only)
- 5x faster downloads (100 → 500Mbps)
- 2.5x faster uploads (20 → 50Mbps)
- Same price as old nbn 100
- If you had nbn 100 on FTTP/HFC, you were automatically upgraded
nbn 250 → nbn 750 (FTTP/HFC only)
- 3x faster downloads (250 → 750Mbps)
- 2x faster uploads (25 → 50Mbps)
- Same price as old nbn 250
- Automatic upgrade for existing nbn 250 customers
nbn 1000 upload boost
- 2x faster uploads (50 → 100Mbps)
- Download speed stayed the same (1000Mbps)
nbn 2000 launched (new tier)
- 2000Mbps download
- FTTP: 200Mbps upload
- HFC: 100Mbps upload
Important: If you have FTTN, FTTC, or FTTB, these upgrades don’t apply to you. Your maximum speed is still nbn 100/20. However, you might be eligible for a free upgrade to FTTP (see below).
nbn 25: Basic Speed
What You Get
Download speeds up to 25Mbps, upload speeds around 5Mbps.
Real-World Performance
Streaming: One HD stream (Netflix, Stan) works fine. Two streams might buffer occasionally.
Downloads: A 1GB file takes about 5-6 minutes. A 10GB game download takes around an hour.
Gaming: Online gaming works (latency matters more than speed), but downloading new games is slow.
Video calls: One Zoom call is fine. Multiple people on video calls at once will struggle.
Working from home: Email, documents, and light cloud work is fine. Large file uploads are slow.
Who Should Get nbn 25
- Single person or couple
- Light internet users (browsing, email, occasional streaming)
- Retirees or people on tight budgets
- Not streaming regularly or working from home
Honest take: nbn 25 is cheap, but most households find it too slow. If you can afford it, nbn 50 is a much better experience for only a few dollars more per month.
nbn 50: The Sweet Spot
What You Get
Download speeds up to 50Mbps, upload speeds around 20Mbps.
Real-World Performance
Streaming: 2-3 HD streams simultaneously without buffering. 4K streaming works for one device.
Downloads: A 1GB file takes about 3 minutes. A 10GB game download takes 25-30 minutes.
Gaming: Online gaming works great. Game downloads are reasonable.
Video calls: Multiple people on video calls at once — no problem.
Working from home: Cloud apps, video conferencing, file uploads all work well. Good for one person WFH.
Who Should Get nbn 50
- Families with 3-4 people
- Regular streamers (Netflix, Disney+, Stan)
- Casual to moderate gamers
- One person working from home
- Typical Australian household usage
Honest take: nbn 50 is the most popular speed tier in Australia for good reason. It handles everything most households do without slowdowns, and the price is reasonable.
nbn 100: Legacy Tier (FTTN/FTTC/FTTB Only)
What You Get
Download speeds up to 100Mbps, upload speeds around 20Mbps.
Important: As of September 2025, nbn 100 is only available on FTTN, FTTC, and FTTB connections. If you have FTTP or HFC, you get nbn 500 instead (5x faster for the same price).
Real-World Performance
Streaming: Multiple 4K streams at once. Everyone in the house can stream different things without issues.
Downloads: A 1GB file takes about 90 seconds. A 10GB game download takes 12-15 minutes.
Gaming: Perfect for serious gamers. Fast downloads, smooth online play, game updates finish quickly.
Video calls: Multiple video calls happening simultaneously — no lag or quality drop.
Working from home: Excellent for WFH. Large file uploads, cloud backups, video conferencing all run smoothly. Good for 2+ people WFH.
Who Should Get nbn 100
- FTTN/FTTC/FTTB customers (this is your maximum speed)
- Families with 4-6 people
- Households with multiple people working or studying from home
- Serious gamers
- Heavy streamers (4K, multiple devices)
Honest take: nbn 100 is good, but if you have FTTP or HFC, you should be on nbn 500 instead (5x faster for the same price). If you’re on FTTN/FTTC and nbn 100 is too slow, check if you’re eligible for a free upgrade to FTTP.
nbn 500: The New Sweet Spot (FTTP/HFC Only)
What You Get
Download speeds up to 500Mbps, upload speeds up to 50Mbps.
This tier replaced nbn 100 for FTTP and HFC customers in September 2025. If you had nbn 100 on FTTP/HFC, you were automatically upgraded to nbn 500 at no extra cost — that’s 5x faster downloads and 2.5x faster uploads.
Real-World Performance
Streaming: As many 4K streams as you want. 10+ devices streaming simultaneously without slowdowns.
Downloads: A 1GB file takes about 15-20 seconds. A 10GB game download takes 2-3 minutes. A 100GB game takes about 25-30 minutes.
Gaming: Game downloads are extremely fast. A 25GB Fortnite patch downloads in about 7 minutes (vs 36 minutes on nbn 100).
Video calls: The entire household could be on video calls and you wouldn’t notice any impact.
Working from home: Perfect for multiple WFH setups. Large file uploads, cloud backups, video conferencing — all run flawlessly.
Who Should Get nbn 500
- Anyone on FTTP or HFC (this is the default fast tier now)
- Families with 4-8 people
- Multiple people working from home
- Gamers who hate waiting for downloads
- Households with heavy streaming usage
- Content creators with moderate upload needs
Honest take: nbn 500 is incredible value. It costs about the same as nbn 100 used to cost but delivers 5x the speed. If you have FTTP or HFC and you’re still on nbn 50, the upgrade to nbn 500 is only $20-30 more per month and gives you 10x the speed. For most households, nbn 500 is the “never worry about it” tier.
nbn 750: Superfast Speed (FTTP/HFC Only)
What You Get
Download speeds up to 750Mbps, upload speeds up to 50Mbps.
This tier replaced nbn 250 in September 2025. Existing nbn 250 customers were automatically upgraded to nbn 750 — that’s 3x faster downloads and 2x faster uploads at the same price.
Real-World Performance
Streaming: Unlimited 4K streaming. You could run a small streaming service from your house.
Downloads: A 1GB file takes about 10-12 seconds. A 10GB game download takes 1-2 minutes. A 100GB game downloads in about 15-20 minutes.
Gaming: Game downloads are nearly instant. Updates finish before you notice them.
Video calls: Not relevant — even nbn 100 handles unlimited calls. nbn 750 is about raw speed.
Working from home: Excellent for professional work. Large file uploads, video rendering, cloud syncing — everything happens fast.
Who Should Get nbn 750
- Large households (6-10 people with heavy usage)
- Power users who hate waiting
- Professional content creators (video editors, photographers)
- Small home businesses
- People who regularly download or upload massive files (50GB+)
Who Shouldn’t Get nbn 750
- Most people. nbn 500 is already extremely fast.
- If you’re not regularly moving 50GB+ files, nbn 500 is probably enough
Honest take: nbn 750 is fast. Like, genuinely fast. But the jump from nbn 500 to nbn 750 is less noticeable than the jump from nbn 100 to nbn 500. For most households, nbn 500 is the better value. Get nbn 750 if you know you need it (professional work, huge household, hate waiting) — otherwise, stick with nbn 500.
nbn 1000: Ultrafast Speed (Gigabit)
What You Get
Download speeds up to 1000Mbps (1Gbps), upload speeds up to 100Mbps.
Upload speed was doubled in September 2025 from 50Mbps to 100Mbps.
Real-World Performance
Streaming: Literally unlimited. The internet won’t be the bottleneck for anything streaming-related.
Downloads: A 1GB file takes about 8-10 seconds. A 10GB game download takes 1-2 minutes. A 100GB game takes about 10-15 minutes.
Gaming: Game downloads finish before you’ve made a cup of tea.
Video calls: The entire street could video call from your house and you’d be fine.
Working from home: Instant cloud syncs. Massive file uploads happen in minutes. Perfect for professional creative work or running multiple businesses from home. The 100Mbps upload (doubled from 50Mbps) makes a real difference for large file uploads.
Who Should Get nbn 1000
- Very large households (8-10+ people with heavy usage)
- Tech enthusiasts who want the absolute best
- Professional video production or high-end creative work
- People who regularly move hundreds of gigabytes
- Anyone who values their time and hates waiting
Who Shouldn’t Get nbn 1000
- Most people. nbn 500 or nbn 750 is already extremely fast.
- If you’re not sure whether you need nbn 1000, you probably don’t
Honest take: nbn 1000 is overkill for most people, but it’s amazing if you can justify the cost. The jump from nbn 750 to nbn 1000 is noticeable but not life-changing for typical use. The real value is the 100Mbps upload if you’re uploading large files regularly — that’s double nbn 500/750’s 50Mbps upload.
nbn 2000: Next-Level Speed (2Gbps)
What You Get
Download speeds up to 2000Mbps (2Gbps).
Upload speeds depend on your connection type:
- FTTP (Fibre to the Premises): Up to 200Mbps upload
- HFC (Hybrid Fibre Coaxial): Up to 100Mbps upload
This is a critical difference if you upload large files regularly.
Real-World Performance
Streaming: You could run a streaming service from your house. Not relevant for residential use.
Downloads: A 1GB file takes about 4-5 seconds. A 10GB game download takes 40-50 seconds. A 100GB 4K movie takes about 6-8 minutes.
Gaming: Game downloads are essentially instant. Not actually faster for online gaming (latency matters more).
Video calls: Not relevant — even nbn 100 handles unlimited calls.
Working from home: This is where nbn 2000 shines for professionals:
- Video editors: Upload finished 4K projects in minutes, not hours
- Content creators: Upload YouTube videos, livestream backups, Twitch VODs incredibly fast
- Photographers: Sync massive RAW photo libraries to the cloud instantly
- Designers: Upload large design files to clients without waiting
Upload Speed: FTTP vs HFC — Why It Matters
FTTP: 2000/200 Mbps
- 200Mbps upload means a 10GB file uploads in about 6-7 minutes
- Perfect for video editors, content creators, professional photographers
- Significantly faster cloud backups
HFC: 2000/100 Mbps
- 100Mbps upload means a 10GB file uploads in about 12-13 minutes
- Still fast, but half the upload speed of FTTP
- Same upload speed as nbn 1000 on HFC
Bottom line: If you need nbn 2000 for downloading (massive game libraries, 4K media collections), HFC is fine. If you need it for uploading (video production, content creation), FTTP’s 200Mbps upload is significantly better than HFC’s 100Mbps.
Who Should Get nbn 2000
- Professional video editors uploading 4K/8K footage daily
- Full-time content creators (YouTube, Twitch streamers)
- Households with 10+ people all using internet heavily
- Tech enthusiasts who want the absolute bleeding edge
- People who move hundreds of gigabytes daily
- FTTP users who need the 200Mbps upload for professional work
Who Shouldn’t Get nbn 2000
Honestly, most people. nbn 2000 is overkill unless you:
- Upload massive files regularly (50GB+ files daily)
- Run a professional creative business from home
- Have genuine use cases for 2Gbps speeds
If you’re not sure whether you need nbn 2000, you probably don’t. nbn 1000 is already incredibly fast for 99% of users.
Honest take: nbn 2000 is a specialist speed tier for professionals and extreme power users. The download speed difference between nbn 1000 and 2000 is noticeable, but not life-changing for most tasks. The real value is the upload speed if you’re on FTTP — 200Mbps upload genuinely saves hours for video editors and content creators.
Which Speed Should You Get? Quick Recommendations
| Your Situation | Recommended Speed |
|---|---|
| Single person, light usage, tight budget | nbn 25 |
| Couple or small family (2-3 people) | nbn 50 |
| Regular streamers, casual gamers | nbn 50 |
| Family of 4-5 people | nbn 500 (FTTP/HFC) or nbn 100 (FTTN/FTTC) |
| Working from home (1 person) | nbn 50-100 |
| Multiple people WFH | nbn 500 (FTTP/HFC) or nbn 100 (FTTN/FTTC) |
| Serious gamer | nbn 500 (FTTP/HFC) or nbn 100 (FTTN/FTTC) |
| 4K streaming on multiple devices | nbn 500 (FTTP/HFC) or nbn 100 (FTTN/FTTC) |
| Large household (6+ people) | nbn 750 |
| Content creator (video editing, uploading) | nbn 750-1000 |
| Power user who hates waiting | nbn 750-1000 |
| Professional video editor uploading 4K/8K daily | nbn 2000 (FTTP preferred for 200Mbps upload) |
How to Know What Speed You Need
Check Your Connection Type First
This is critical: Your connection type determines which speeds are available to you.
FTTP (Fibre to the Premises):
- Can get: nbn 25, 50, 500, 750, 1000, 2000
- Cannot get: nbn 100 (automatically upgraded to nbn 500)
- Best upload speeds (200Mbps on nbn 2000)
HFC (Hybrid Fibre Coaxial):
- Can get: nbn 25, 50, 500, 750, 1000, 2000
- Cannot get: nbn 100 (automatically upgraded to nbn 500)
- Good upload speeds (100Mbps on nbn 2000)
FTTN/FTTC/FTTB:
- Can get: nbn 25, 50, 100
- Cannot get: nbn 500, 750, 1000, 2000 (unless you upgrade to FTTP)
- Maximum speed: nbn 100/20
Check your connection type at nbnco.com.au/connect-home/check-your-address before choosing a plan.
Count Your Users
As a general rule:
- 1-2 people → nbn 25 or 50
- 3-4 people → nbn 50 or 500
- 5-6 people → nbn 500
- 7-10 people → nbn 750 or 1000
- 10+ people → nbn 1000 or 2000
Think About Peak Usage
What happens in your house during the busiest internet time (usually evenings)?
- If multiple people stream different shows while someone games → you need nbn 500+
- If everyone’s just browsing or watching one show → nbn 50 is fine
Consider Work From Home Needs
Working from home changes your requirements:
- Video conferencing all day → nbn 50 minimum
- Large file uploads (design files, videos) → nbn 500+
- Multiple people WFH → nbn 500 minimum
- Professional video editing with 4K/8K uploads → nbn 1000-2000 (FTTP preferred)
How to Upgrade Your nbn Speed with MATE
Upgrading your nbn speed with MATE is straightforward:
- Log into your MATE account: Go to your account dashboard
- Select ‘Change Plan’: Choose your new speed tier
- Confirm the change: The upgrade usually happens within 24 hours
- Your new speed activates: No technician visit needed, no service interruption
No penalties, no fees: Because MATE plans have no lock-in contracts, you can upgrade or downgrade anytime without exit fees or penalties.
Pro tip: If you’re unsure which speed you need, start with nbn 50 and upgrade if you find it too slow. It’s easier to upgrade than to realize you’re overpaying for speed you don’t use.
Can’t Get Faster Speeds? Free FTTP Upgrade Available
If you’re on FTTN or FTTC and stuck at nbn 100, you might be eligible for a free upgrade to FTTP. This gives you access to nbn 500, 750, 1000, and 2000.
How the Free Upgrade Works
- Check eligibility: Go to nbnco.com.au/residential/upgrades and enter your address
- Order nbn 500 or faster: From a participating provider like MATE
- nbn Co upgrades your connection: They install full fibre (FTTP) at no cost to you
- You get faster speeds: Once upgraded, you can access nbn 500, 750, 1000, and 2000
imeline: Over 10 million homes were eligible by the end of 2025. If you’re eligible now, the upgrade is triggered when you order an nbn 500+ plan.
Benefits of upgrading to FTTP:
- Access to nbn 500 (5x faster than nbn 100)
- Access to nbn 750, 1000, and 2000
- Better upload speeds (200Mbps on nbn 2000)
- More reliable connection
- Future-proof technology
Is It Worth Upgrading?
Upgrade to FTTP if:
- You’re on FTTN getting slow speeds (under 50Mbps)
- You want nbn 500 or faster
- You’re planning to stay in your home long-term
- The upgrade is free (most locations now)
Maybe wait if:
- Your nbn 100 speed is fine for your needs
- You’re renting and might move soon
- You only use internet lightly
For most people: If the upgrade is free and you’re eligible, do it. nbn 500 on FTTP is significantly better than nbn 100 on FTTN.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to nbn 100 and nbn 250?
They were upgraded in September 2025: nbn 100 became nbn 500 for FTTP and HFC customers (5x faster), and nbn 250 became nbn 750 for FTTP and HFC customers (3x faster). If you had nbn 100 or nbn 250 on FTTP/HFC, you were automatically upgraded at no extra cost. FTTN/FTTC customers can still get nbn 100 (it’s their maximum speed).
Can I still get nbn 100 if I have FTTP or HFC?
No. nbn 100 was replaced by nbn 500 for FTTP and HFC customers in September 2025. You now get nbn 500 (5x faster) for the same price nbn 100 used to cost. This is a good thing — you get much faster speeds for the same money.
Will I actually get the maximum speed advertised?
It depends on your connection type: FTTP usually delivers 95-100% of maximum speed, HFC usually delivers 90-100% of maximum speed, and FTTN varies (50-100% depending on distance from node). Your provider should tell you your estimated speed during signup.
Why is my WiFi slower than my nbn speed?
Your nbn connection might be fast, but WiFi speed depends on your modem, distance from the modem, walls, interference, and how many devices are connected. To test your true nbn speed, plug a device directly into your modem via ethernet cable.
Does nbn speed affect gaming lag?
Not much. Lag (latency/ping) is more important than raw speed for online gaming. Even nbn 50 has enough speed for smooth online gaming. That said, faster speeds help with game downloads and updates.
Can I get nbn 500 on FTTN?
No. nbn 500 requires FTTP or HFC. FTTN maxes out at nbn 100. However, you might be eligible for a free upgrade from FTTN to FTTP, which would give you access to nbn 500. Check nbnco.com.au/residential/upgrades.
What’s the difference between download and upload speed?
Download speed is how fast you receive data (streaming, browsing, downloading files). Upload speed is how fast you send data (uploading files, video calls, cloud backups). Upload speed comparison: nbn 50: 20Mbps upload, nbn 100: 20Mbps upload, nbn 500: 50Mbps upload, nbn 750: 50Mbps upload, nbn 1000: 100Mbps upload, nbn 2000: FTTP 200Mbps / HFC 100Mbps.
Is nbn 500 enough for 4K streaming?
Yes, easily. 4K streaming needs about 25Mbps per stream. nbn 500 can handle 15-20 simultaneous 4K streams. For most households, nbn 500 is more than enough.
Will a faster nbn plan improve my WiFi coverage?
No. nbn speed and WiFi coverage are separate things. A faster nbn plan won’t extend your WiFi signal or fix dead spots. For better WiFi coverage, you need a better modem/router or a mesh WiFi system.
Can I downgrade if the speed is too fast?
Yes. With MATE’s no-contract plans, you can downgrade to a slower (cheaper) speed anytime without penalties. If you find you’re overpaying for speed you don’t use, just switch to a lower tier.
What’s typical evening speed?
nbn providers report ‘typical evening speeds’ — the speed you’ll actually get during the busiest time (7pm-11pm). Good providers deliver 90-100% of the maximum speed even during peak times. MATE’s typical evening speeds are consistently high because we don’t oversell our network capacity.
What’s the best nbn speed for a family?
For most families: 3-4 people: nbn 50 or nbn 500 (depending on connection type), 4-6 people: nbn 500 (if you have FTTP/HFC), 6+ people: nbn 750. nbn 500 is the ‘never worry about it’ speed for typical families on FTTP or HFC.
Is nbn 2000 worth it for content creators?
It depends on your connection type and how much you upload. If you have FTTP: nbn 2000’s 200Mbps upload can save hours daily if you upload 50GB+ files regularly (4K/8K video editors, professional photographers). If you have HFC: nbn 2000’s 100Mbps upload is the same as nbn 1000 — might not justify the cost jump. If you’re primarily downloading: nbn 1000 is probably enough. For full-time professional video editors uploading multi-gigabyte projects daily, FTTP + nbn 2000 genuinely saves time. For hobbyists or occasional uploaders, nbn 750 or 1000 is usually sufficient.
Why does HFC have slower upload than FTTP on nbn 2000?
HFC uses coaxial cable (old pay TV cable) which has technical limitations on upload speeds. FTTP uses pure fibre optic cable which can handle much higher upload speeds. On slower speed tiers (nbn 500, 750), the difference is smaller (both 50Mbps upload), but on nbn 1000 and 2000, FTTP’s upload advantage is significant: nbn 1000: FTTP 100Mbps upload / HFC 100Mbps upload (same), nbn 2000: FTTP 200Mbps upload / HFC 100Mbps upload (FTTP is 2x faster).
Do I need a new modem for nbn 500/750/1000/2000?
Maybe. If your modem is more than 3-5 years old, it might not support the faster speeds. WiFi 4 (802.11n) modems: Definitely upgrade — they can’t handle speeds over 100Mbps. WiFi 5 (802.11ac) modems: Should handle nbn 500-750, might struggle with 1000+. WiFi 6 (802.11ax) or WiFi 7 modems: Handle all speeds including nbn 2000. For nbn 500 and above, a WiFi 6 modem is recommended. For nbn 2000, WiFi 7 is ideal.
Ready to choose your speed? Check out MATE’s nbn plans and pick the speed tier that fits your household. All plans have no lock-in contracts, so you can upgrade or downgrade anytime.
Want to know more about your nbn connection type? See our complete guide to nbn connection types (FTTP, HFC, FTTN, FTTC) to understand which speeds you can get.
