By: Yomojo Editorial Team
Posted: 26 May 2026
Last Updated: 29 Jul 2026
Running a speed test is the easiest way to check your nbn® performance, but many people do it incorrectly.
A speed test can quickly show whether your connection is performing as expected, but inaccurate testing methods often lead to misleading results. Before assuming your internet, provider is the issue, it is important to understand how to test your connection properly and what the results mean.
If you are comparing different nbn® plans or checking whether you need faster speeds at home, following the right testing process makes a big difference.
A speed test measure how quickly data moves between your device and the internet. It usually checks three main things:
Download speed
Upload speed
Latency (ping)
These are typically measured in Mbps (megabits per second) and milliseconds for ping.
measures how fast your connection receives data from the internet. This affects activities like:
Streaming Netflix or YouTube
Downloading files
Browsing websites
Downloading game updates
Higher download speeds generally mean smoother streaming and faster loading times
measures how quickly your device sends data online. This matters for:
Video calls
Uploading files
Cloud backups
Livestreaming
Households with multiple people working remotely often need stronger upload performance.
measures response time between your device and server. Lower latency is important for:
Online gaming
Video conferencing
VoIP calls
Real-time applications
A lower ping usually means a more responsive connection.
Many users run a speed test without realising outside factors can heavily affect the results.
Wi-Fi is convenient, but it introduces interference, signal loss, and congestion. Walls, furniture, and distance from the router can reduce speeds significantly.
Software updates, streaming services, cloud syncing, or gaming downloads running in the background consume bandwidth and affect test accuracy.
Internet speeds can fluctuate during busy evening periods when more households are online. This is especially common between 7 pm and 11 pm.
According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), broadband speeds can vary during busy evening periods when more households are online.
Outdated routers or incompatible equipment may not support higher speed tiers. In some cases, the issue is hardware rather than the internet plan itself.
You can learn more about compatible hardware and setup options on Yomojo's nbn® modem page.
Choose a trusted speed testing website or app, such as Speedtest.net. Reliable tools typically connect to nearby servers and provide consistent measurements.
For best results:
Use the same testing tool each time
Close unnecessary browser tabs
Restart your modem beforehand if needed
Consistency helps you compare results more accurately over time.
A wired Ethernet connection provides the most accurate speed of test results.
Wi-Fi performance can vary depending on:
Router placement
Device capability
Signal interference
Household congestion
Connecting directly to your modem or router removes many of these variables and gives a clearer picture of your actual internet performance.
Every connected device shares available bandwidth.
Before testing:
Pause streaming services
Stop downloads
Disconnect unused devices
Close cloud backup software
This ensures your speed test reflects your connection rather than overall household usage.
Internet performance changes throughout the day.
Run multiple tests:
Morning
Afternoon
Evening peak hours
This helps identify whether congestion is affecting your speeds during busy periods. Consistent slow speeds across all times may indicate a plan limitation, hardware issue, or network problem.
One speed test alone does not tell the full story.
Instead:
Run several tests over multiple days
Compare averages
Look for patterns
If results regularly fall well below expected speeds, it may be worth reviewing your current setup or exploring faster nbn® plans.
Yes. Your nbn® technology type can significantly affect achievable speeds.
Different technologies include:
FTTP (Fibre to the Premises)
FTTN (Fibre to the Node)
HFC (Hybrid Fibre Coaxial)
FTTC (Fibre to the Curb)
Some technologies support higher and more stable speeds than others.
Different nbn® technologies can affect the speed and stability available at your address. You can learn more about how each technology works on the official nbn® network technology guide or Yomojo’s guide to nbn® technology types.
You may benefit from upgrading if:
Video calls regularly lag
Streaming buffers often
Multiple users share the connection
Speeds consistently fall short of household needs
Comparing current usage against your speed tier helps determine whether an upgrade makes sense.
Yomojo’s nbn® plans page provides options for different household sizes and internet needs, while the nbn® pricing guide explains what affects plan costs.
Testing your nbn® speed properly helps you understand whether your connection is performing as expected.
For the most accurate results:
Use a reliable testing tool
Test via Ethernet
Disconnect unused devices
Compare results across different times
Understanding download speed, upload speed, and latency also makes it easier to identify whether the issue is your setup, hardware, or current plan.
If your household has outgrown its current connection, exploring Yomojo’s nbn® plans could help improve your internet speed and reliability.
About this article
Written by
Yomojo Editorial Team
Reviewed by
James Linton, CEO, Yomojo
Published by
Yomojo
Editorial Standards
This article was created by the Yomojo Editorial Team and reviewed by subject matter experts to help ensure it is accurate, up to date and aligned with current Yomojo products and Australian telecommunications information.
Running a speed test is the easiest way to check your nbn® performance, but many people do it incorrectly.
A speed test can quickly show whether your connection is performing as expected, but inaccurate testing methods often lead to misleading results. Before assuming your internet, provider is the issue, it is important to understand how to test your connection properly and what the results mean.
If you are comparing different nbn® plans or checking whether you need faster speeds at home, following the right testing process makes a big difference.
A speed test measure how quickly data moves between your device and the internet. It usually checks three main things:
Download speed
Upload speed
Latency (ping)
These are typically measured in Mbps (megabits per second) and milliseconds for ping.
Many users run a speed test without realising outside factors can heavily affect the results.
Wi-Fi is convenient, but it introduces interference, signal loss, and congestion. Walls, furniture, and distance from the router can reduce speeds significantly.
Software updates, streaming services, cloud syncing, or gaming downloads running in the background consume bandwidth and affect test accuracy.
Internet speeds can fluctuate during busy evening periods when more households are online. This is especially common between 7 pm and 11 pm.
According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), broadband speeds can vary during busy evening periods when more households are online.
Outdated routers or incompatible equipment may not support higher speed tiers. In some cases, the issue is hardware rather than the internet plan itself.
You can learn more about compatible hardware and setup options on Yomojo's nbn® modem page.
Choose a trusted speed testing website or app, such as Speedtest.net. Reliable tools typically connect to nearby servers and provide consistent measurements.
For best results:
Use the same testing tool each time
Close unnecessary browser tabs
Restart your modem beforehand if needed
A wired Ethernet connection provides the most accurate speed of test results.
Wi-Fi performance can vary depending on:
Router placement
Device capability
Signal interference
Household congestion
Every connected device shares available bandwidth.
Before testing:
Pause streaming services
Stop downloads
Disconnect unused devices
Close cloud backup software
Internet performance changes throughout the day.
Run multiple tests:
Morning
Afternoon
Evening peak hours
One speed test alone does not tell the full story.
Instead:
Run several tests over multiple days
Compare averages
Look for patterns
If results regularly fall well below expected speeds, it may be worth reviewing your current setup or exploring faster nbn® plans.
Yes. Your nbn® technology type can significantly affect achievable speeds.
Different technologies include:
FTTP (Fibre to the Premises)
FTTN (Fibre to the Node)
HFC (Hybrid Fibre Coaxial)
FTTC (Fibre to the Curb)
Some technologies support higher and more stable speeds than others.
Different nbn® technologies can affect the speed and stability available at your address. You can learn more about how each technology works on the official nbn® network technology guide or Yomojo’s guide to nbn® technology types.
You may benefit from upgrading if:
Video calls regularly lag
Streaming buffers often
Multiple users share the connection
Speeds consistently fall short of household needs
Comparing current usage against your speed tier helps determine whether an upgrade makes sense.
Yomojo’s nbn® plans page provides options for different household sizes and internet needs, while the nbn® pricing guide explains what affects plan costs.
Testing your nbn® speed properly helps you understand whether your connection is performing as expected.
For the most accurate results:
Use a reliable testing tool
Test via Ethernet
Disconnect unused devices
Compare results across different times
Understanding download speed, upload speed, and latency also makes it easier to identify whether the issue is your setup, hardware, or current plan.
If your household has outgrown its current connection, exploring Yomojo’s nbn® plans could help improve your internet speed and reliability.
About this article
Written by
Yomojo Editorial Team
Reviewed by
James Linton, CEO, Yomojo
Published by
Yomojo
Editorial Standards
This article was created by the Yomojo Editorial Team and reviewed by subject matter experts to help ensure it is accurate, up to date and aligned with current Yomojo products and Australian telecommunications information.
