In an increasingly connected world, remote work is no longer just a trend—it’s the new normal. Today, more Australians than ever are enjoying the flexibility and convenience that working from home offers. But with this shift, the need for a reliable and robust internet connection has become essential. As a leading Australian internet service provider, we understand the nuances of this digital revolution and the importance of having a good internet connection for your work from home needs. Let us clue you in on the ins and outs of home internet and why it’s an indispensable part of remote work.

The growing popularity of remote work

Remote work has been on the rise for some time now, with more and more businesses transitioning to flexible working arrangements. This shift offers several benefits, such as increased productivity, reduced commute time, and better work-life balance. However, the convenience of working from home can quickly slump if you’re struggling with slow internet speeds.

Why internet speed matters for remote work

To keep up with the demands of remote work, a good internet connection is vital. It affects everything from the clarity of your video calls to the speed at which you can send and receive large files. You might have even experienced firsthand the frustration of a dropped call or a frozen screen during an important online meeting due to a poor WiFi connection. To avoid such situations, understanding what is a good internet speed for home and how to achieve it is crucial.

Understanding download and upload speeds

Before we delve into specifics, let’s clarify two important terms related to internet speeds—download speed and upload speed.

Download speed:

This refers to how quickly your internet connection can retrieve data from the server to your device. This speed is essential for tasks like loading web pages, streaming video, or downloading files.

Upload speed: 

Conversely, upload speed is how fast your connection can send data from your device to the server. It’s crucial for tasks like sending large files, video conferencing, or live streaming.

These speeds are generally measured in Megabits per Second (Mbps). The higher the Mbps, the faster your internet connection.

Internet speed requirements for common remote work applications

Different applications and tasks require varying internet speeds. Here’s a look at the minimum download and upload speeds for some commonly used tools and activities.

Microsoft Teams

Activity	Min. Upload Speed	Min. Download Speed
Audio (One-to-one & Meetings)	10kbps	10kbps
Video (One-to-one)	150kbps	150kbps
Video (Meetings)	200kbps	150kbps
Screen sharing (One-to-one)	200kbps	200kbps
Screen sharing (Meetings)	250kbps	250kbps

Zoom

Activity	Min. Upload Speed	Min. Download Speed
1:1 Video (High-quality)	600kbps	600kbps
1:1 Video (720p HD)	1.2Mbps	1.2Mbps
1:1 Video (1080p HD)	3.0Mbps	3.8Mbps
Group Video (High-quality)	800kbps	1.0Mbps
Group Video (720p HD)	1.8Mbps	2.6Mbps
Group Video (1080p HD)	3.0Mbps	3.8Mbps

Slack

Activity	Min. Upload Speed	Min. Download Speed
Voice	100kbps	200kbps
Video (2 participants)	600kbps	600kbps
Video (3 participants)	600kbps	1.2Mbps
Video (5+ participants)	600kbps	2Mbps

Skype

Activity	Min. Upload Speed	Min. Download Speed
Calling	30kbps	30kbps
Video calling/Screen sharing	128kbps	128kbps
Video calling (High-quality)	400kbps	400kbps
Video calling (HD)	1.2Mbps	1.2Mbps
Group video (3 people)	128kbps	512kbps
Group video (5 people)	128kbps	2Mbps
Group video (7+ people)	128kbps	4Mbps

Outlook 

Standard email services like Outlook don’t require high-speed internet. However, if you’re sending or receiving emails with large attachments, faster speeds will make the process smoother.

Code Editors 

Online code editors such as GitHub require a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps and an upload speed of 1 Mbps. However, for more extensive projects involving large files, higher speeds may be needed.

Speed required for web browsing

Web browsing may seem like a simple task, but depending on the complexity of the web pages, it can demand significant internet speed. For general browsing, a download speed of 1 Mbps is usually sufficient. However, if you’re loading media-heavy pages, a faster internet speed may be needed.

One way to improve your browsing speed is to minimise the number of tabs you have open. Each open tab uses up a portion of your device’s memory and processing power, which can slow down your browsing speed, especially if you’re using multiple devices on the same internet connection.

Internet speed for video meetings and conferences

Video meetings and conferences have become staples of remote work, requiring good internet speeds to function without hiccups. For high-quality video calls, a download and upload speed of at least 3-4 Mbps is recommended. However, if you’re hosting large meetings or webinars, you might need faster speeds.

Internet speed for sharing large files

Whether it’s sending design files or sharing a presentation, transferring large files is a common task in remote work. For this, a good upload speed is crucial. A minimum upload speed of 10 Mbps is generally recommended for large files, but the faster, the better.

There are several strategies you can employ to send large files more efficiently. One option is to compress the files before sending, reducing their size and thus the upload time. Alternatively, you could use a cloud storage service like OneDrive to upload the file and share the link with the recipient.

What to do if your internet isn’t great

If you’re experiencing slow internet speeds, don’t despair. There are several steps you can take to improve your situation.

First, conduct an internet speed test. This will give you a clear picture of your current download and upload speeds. MATE offers an easy-to-use speed test that you can use to measure your internet speeds. Ideally, your internet speed should align with the requirements outlined in this guide.

If you’re struggling with slow internet speeds during video calls, consider setting up your home office closer to your WiFi router.

If your speed still isn’t up to par, consider reading our previous MATE blogs for more in-depth advice on dealing with slow internet speeds. Upgrading your internet plan or switching to a different internet provider may also be worthwhile.

Choosing MATE for your internet needs

When it comes to internet providers, MATE is one of Australia’s best. We’re committed to providing high speed internet that keeps you connected when it matters most. With a range of unlimited data nbn plans to suit different needs, we’ve got you covered whether you’re a casual browser, a video-streaming enthusiast, or a remote work professional.

At MATE, we’re here to help you navigate this digital landscape and ensure that you’re getting the best internet for remote work. Because when it comes to what is a good internet speed for home, we believe you deserve nothing less than the best.

Choosing the right MATE nbn plan for your work from home needs

If you’re working from home, a reliable, fast internet connection is essential. MATE offers a range of unlimited data nbn plans tailored to meet diverse work from home requirements. Whether you’re attending regular video conferences, sharing large files, or running complex online operations, there’s a MATE nbn plan suitable for you. Let’s take an in-depth look at what each plan offers and their suitability for different types of work from home activities.

• Crikey nbn 25/10 ($65/month): Designed for a small household of 1–4 individuals, Crikey provides typical busy period download speeds of 25Mbps. This plan is suitable for light internet activities such as browsing, engaging on social media, and streaming HD content on a single device.
• Ripper nbn 50/20 ($75/month): Tailored for a medium-sized household of up to 6 individuals, our Ripper plan offers average evening speeds of 48Mbps. With increased capacity, this plan supports streaming, gaming, and all-around internet usage.
• No Worries nbn 100/20 ($85/month): Boasting typical evening speeds of 95Mbps, No Worries is meant for larger households with over 6 users. This package is excellent for online gaming, streaming three HD videos simultaneously or a single 4K video, along with routine internet tasks like browsing, emailing, and music streaming.
• You Beaut nbn 100/40 ($95/month): Comparable to the No Worries 100/20 plan, but with double the potential upload speed (up to 40Mbps instead of 20Mbps), this package is ideal for those who regularly upload content to platforms such as YouTube and social media.
• Fair Dinkum nbn 250/25 ($110/month): Geared towards heavy internet users, with average evening speeds of 202Mbps, this plan covers all basic internet needs and supports simultaneous 4K video streaming and high upload speeds for seamless video calls.

What is a good internet speed in Australia?

When it comes to evaluating internet speeds, what’s deemed ‘good’ can vary significantly based on factors like your specific online activities, the number of connected devices, and where you live. But in general, what is a good internet speed in Australia?

A desirable internet speed is around 50Mbps. This is often adequate for most online activities like sending emails, browsing social media, streaming video, and even participating in video conference calls. An NBN 50 plan, such as MATE’s best mates plan, can comfortably accommodate a household of three to four individuals concurrently using the internet without any noticeable slowdown.

For some perspective, here’s a rundown of how much speed you might need for typical online tasks:

• Streaming video: For a single device, Netflix recommends 5Mbps for HD quality and 25Mbps for Ultra HD quality. If multiple devices are streaming simultaneously, the required speed would need to be multiplied accordingly.
• Online gaming: Online gaming typically requires speeds between 3 to 6Mbps for a single player. However, if there are multiple gamers in your household, or if you’re streaming gameplay online, then you’d need a higher speed.
• Video conferencing: Platforms like Zoom recommend a minimum of 3.8Mbps download and 3Mbps upload speed for group video calls in 1080p HD. For one-on-one calls, it’s a bit lower (see table above).
• General browsing and emails: These activities usually require minimal speed, around 1Mbps.

Remember, these are the bare minimums. If you’re asking “how many Mbps do I need?”, it’s often better to err on the side of having a bit more than you think you might need, especially if there are multiple devices in your home.

While these speeds may sound sufficient, it is important to consider the “peak hour” effect. This is when many people in your area are using the internet simultaneously, usually in the evenings, and it can affect your internet performance. If your household is particularly internet-heavy, you might want to consider our soul mates or even our elite mates plan for faster speeds.

Keep in mind that these are download speeds. Upload speeds, which are crucial for tasks like video conferencing and sending large files, are typically lower but can be improved with a high-quality internet plan. Our soul mate Home Fast+, for instance, offers a whopping 40 Mbps upload speed!

So, what is a good wifi speed? It’s all about balance. The best internet for remote work, streaming, gaming, and more, is one that provides a reliable, steady speed that meets your specific needs. MATE’s range of unlimited data nbn plans caters to all kinds of users, ensuring you get the right balance between cost and performance. If you’re unsure what nbn speed you need, our team is always on hand to help you make the best choice for your situation.

WFH with a MATE nbn plan

A good internet speed for home is one that matches your lifestyle and internet usage habits. Australia’s average internet speed has been steadily increasing, and with providers like MATE, you can be sure to find an internet plan that suits your needs perfectly. Whether you’re a casual browser or a power user, we have a plan that will provide you with the speed and reliability you need to get your work done effectively.

At the end of the day, the question of “what is good internet speed Australia?” has a different answer for everyone, but with the right information and a trusted provider, you can find the perfect match for your needs.

Frequently asked questions