Studying in Australia for the First Time? Make Your Internet One Less Thing to Worry About

Stuff to know so you can get online with ease 🙌

This article is in partnership with nbn. 

So, you’ve started studying in Australia and there’s probably a lot you need to organise.

Things like where you’ll live, learning how public transport and bills work here – even going grocery shopping can be confusing. One important thing to help you get set up is reliable internet.

Whether you’re studying, watching lectures online, gaming, or video calling family and friends, having the right setup with nbn helps make life easier.

Getting connected can seem overwhelming at first, but it doesn’t have to be.

We’re here to break down how the internet works in Australia and what you need to do get online. 

How does the internet work in Australia? 

Internet in Australia primarily runs through the nbn® network, which is government-built broadband infrastructure. 

Retail Service Providers (RSPs) use the nbn network to deliver internet to your home through your Wi-Fi router. Then your devices connect to the internet by Wi-Fi or Ethernet – and you’re online.

So, what exactly is the National Broadband Network? 

The nbn is responsible for the technology connecting your home to the nbn network.

It’s a wholesale network, which means you don’t buy an internet plan directly from nbn.

Instead, Retail Service Providers sell internet plans and help get you connected.

Think of the nbn network here like a highway. nbn builds and maintains the highway and your service provider is the car driving on the highway.

Things to check before moving. 

Before moving, check what internet options are available at the new address.  

If you’re moving into homestay or university housing, ask:

1. Is internet included?
2. Are there data caps?
3. Are there rules about streaming?

How you access nbn can depend on where you’re living. Check what type of nbn connection may be available at your address and more on the nbn website. 

Choosing a provider that’s right for you. 

To use the nbn network, you need to sign up with an internet provider and select a plan.  

To get the best experience, check your address and talk to the provider about the plans available in your area that match your needs.

Ask about the right speeds for you, depending on what you plan to use it for.* 

• Lower speeds (12-25 Mbps download): Browsing, email, calls, and streaming for a single person or small household
• Standard speeds (around 50 Mbps download): Video calls, online gaming, and streaming for smaller households
• Faster speeds (100+ Mbps download): 
  Consistent gaming, large downloads and streaming for multiple users or larger households

There are a wide range of providers in Australia that offer internet plans using the nbn network.

You can check out the full list of providers on the nbn website.

* Your experience depends on your nbn® technology, and factors outside nbn’s control (like your internet provider and plan, usage during busy periods, your equipment, setup and number of concurrent online devices at your premises). For nbn wholesale Satellite users, you may also experience latency.

Having issues? Contact your provider. 

Contact your provider if:  

• Your internet connection stops working
• You can’t get connected
• Equipment is missing or not working
• You have service connection delays  
• Your internet speed is too slow

Save yourself the headache and get a reliable internet source. 

Reliable internet is key for a good experience studying in Australia. A lot of what you do for university is online, including:

• Accessing digital course materials and online libraries
• Reading e-books and academic journals
• Using student portals

Plus, you’ll need a stable connection for:

• Watching live-streamed or recorded lectures
• Participating in online tutorials and group work
• Submitting assignments and completing online exams

No one wants to be that person in a group project who can’t submit their part of an assignment because their internet is constantly playing up.

Save yourself the stress with a nbn connection that’s right for you – helping you stay connected when it matters most.