how do I optimise my home setup for fast nbn plans?

If you’re on one of our faster plans (like the You Beaut nbn 250/25 or the Flamin’ Fast nbn 1000/50), your in-home setup can make a big difference to your experience.

Here’s what you need to know to make sure you’re getting the best out of your connection.

Why does your home setup matter?

Even with a top-speed nbn plan, factors inside your home can affect performance:

• Where your router is placed
• The age and quality of your devices
• Interference from walls, furniture or other electronics
• Whether you’re using Wi-Fi or Ethernet

These can all impact things like streaming, online gaming, and video calls.

1. Router placement tips

• Put your router in a central, elevated position.
• Avoid placing it near fridges, TVs, microwaves or behind furniture.
• Keep it off the floor and away from enclosed spaces (like cupboards).
• Make sure it’s in the same building, room or level where you need internet the most.
• For larger homes, consider using a mesh Wi-Fi system to extend your coverage.

2. Use the right equipment

• Your router should support Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 Mbps) on both LAN and WAN ports.
• For wireless, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) is ideal, or at minimum Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). Remember, speeds may be lower over Wi-Fi.
• Use CAT6 or better Ethernet cables to support faster wired speeds.

Cable type	Max speed
CAT6a	Up to 10Gbps
CAT6	Up to 5Gbps
CAT5e	Up to 1Gbps

Read more information on what type of router you need for fast nbn plans.

3. Device compatibility matters

• Not all devices are created equal. Older phones, laptops or tablets might not support higher speeds.
• Check that your devices support Wi-Fi 5 or 6. Remember, speeds may be lower over Wi-Fi.
• Use Ethernet for gaming consoles, smart TVs or desktops when you can.
• For laptops and desktops, make sure the network card supports Gigabit speeds.

To check your Ethernet speed:

On Windows

• Go to Start > Settings > Network & Internet
• Click ‘Change adapter options’
• Double-click your Ethernet connection
• Check if the ‘Speed’ says 1.0 Gbps

On Mac

• Open Network Utility and look for ‘Link Speed’ (should show 1 Gbps)
• MacBooks may need a Thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter

4. Avoid peak-hour slowdowns

• Internet speeds can dip between 7pm and 11pm due to high usage across the network.
• Schedule big downloads or updates outside these hours for better performance.

5. Wi-Fi performance tips

• Use the 5GHz Wi-Fi band for faster speeds and less interference (instead of 2.4GHz).
• Avoid having too many devices connected at once where possible.
• Keep firmware on your router up to date.

6. Need even more help?

• Check out our Flamin’ Fast nbn 1000/50 FAQs for plan-specific recommendations.
• Chat to our support team for help with setup and speed optimisation.

Optimising your home network helps you get the speeds you’re paying for, especially on our fastest plans. If you’re not sure where to start, just reach out to our support team – we’re here to help!