How Much Internet Does a Small Business Need in Australia

Most small businesses know they need “good internet,” but very few know how much speed they actually need to run smoothly. And with the mix of NBN plans, fibre options, cloud apps, video calls, and remote work, it’s easy for owners to feel unsure about what’s truly required. This question how much internet does a small business need in Australia comes up often because every business uses cloud tools differently.

This guide breaks things down simply so you can understand how much internet does a small business need in Australia, and whether your current connection is helping or holding you back. If you’re comparing providers, you may also find The Complete Guide to Choosing the Right NBN and Internet Provider for Your Business in Australia helpful.

1. Why Small Australian Businesses Need Reliable Internet

Today’s small businesses rely heavily on cloud tools, online payments, VoIP phones, and video meetings. Even a small team with 5–10 staff often uses more bandwidth than they think. A slow or unstable connection leads to:

• Video call dropouts
• Slow cloud software
• Delayed uploads
• Unreliable EFTPOS
• Poor VoIP or Teams Calling quality

NBN Co also notes that more businesses are shifting to cloud-based systems every year:

This shift means internet performance is now directly tied to business productivity.

2. Key Factors That Determine How Much Speed You Need

When deciding how much internet does a small business need in Australia, these factors matter most:

Number of Staff

The more people using the network, the more bandwidth you need. Even basic tasks email, web browsing, CRM access multiply quickly as staff numbers grow.

Use of Cloud Software and Storage

If you use cloud tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Xero, MYOB, or online CRMs, you need steady download and upload speeds.
Microsoft explains how cloud-based collaboration relies on consistent bandwidth, and their Microsoft 365 for business page gives a clear breakdown of how these tools work.

Use of VoIP or Teams Calling

VoIP phones and video meetings need low latency and stable upload speeds. The ACMA provides a clear overview of VoIP performance factors:

Upload Speed Requirements

Upload speed is now just as important as download speed, especially for:

• Video calls
• File sharing
• Cloud storage
• Remote backups
• CCTV uploads

Businesses relying on Microsoft Teams Calling or cloud PBX systems need strong uploads to avoid lag or call distortion.

3. Recommended Internet Speeds by Business Size

Here’s a simple guide for choosing the right speed based on the number of staff. These recommended tiers make it easier to understand how much internet does a small business need in Australia based on team size and daily workload.

Recommended Speeds by Business Size

Business Size	Staff Count	Recommended Speed
Micro business	1–5 staff	50/20 Mbps or 100/40 Mbps
Small business	6–15 staff	100/40 Mbps or 250/100 Mbps
Medium business	16+ staff	250/100 Mbps or Fibre 400/Fibre 1000

These ranges work well for typical workloads. If your business uses heavy cloud platforms, you may need more.

4. Business NBN Compared to Fibre for Small Businesses

Many small businesses start with standard NBN plans, but eventually outgrow them. Here’s a simple way to compare business NBN and fibre options:

Business NBN vs Fibre

Feature	Business NBN	Business Fibre
Speed consistency	Moderate	High
Upload speeds	Lower	High
Best for	Small office setups	High-demand teams
Latency	Varies	Low
Scalability	Limited	Excellent

Small business nbn speed plans like 100/40 Mbps work well for small teams, but businesses using VoIP, CCTV, and cloud storage often prefer business fibre speed options like Fibre 400 or Fibre 1000. When comparing business NBN and fibre options, understanding how much internet does a small business need in Australia helps you avoid paying for a plan that’s too slow or unnecessarily large.

5. Why Upload Speed Matters More Than Ever

Upload performance plays a big role in figuring out how much internet does a small business need in Australia, especially for teams using video calls and cloud storage.

Upload performance affects:

• Video calls
• Sending large files
• Cloud backups
• Syncing shared drives
• Remote access
• CCTV streaming to the cloud

If your business regularly uploads content or runs online meetings, upload speed should be a priority when deciding how much internet does a small business need in Australia. These differences in cloud usage are a big part of working out how much internet does a small business need in Australia on a daily basis.

6. Signs Your Business Internet Needs an Upgrade

Many small businesses stay on outdated plans without realising it. Here are the most common signs that you need to upgrade:

• Your video calls freeze or drop
• Staff complain about slow file uploads
• Shared cloud folders sync slowly
• EFTPOS runs slowly or disconnects
• VoIP calls sound distorted
• Remote staff experience lag
• Your NBN plan can’t keep up with growth

These issues often show that your connection isn’t matching your internet requirements for businesses in today’s cloud-based environment.

If you’re noticing several of these, it may be time to upgrade your business internet speed Australia options.

7. Conclusion and Call to Action

When we talk about how much internet does a small business need in Australia, the answer depends on staff size, cloud tools, and how heavily your team uses uploads.
It depends on your staff size, your cloud usage, and whether you rely on VoIP or video meetings. Most small businesses need more upload speed and reliability than they think, especially as more tools move online.

Broadconnect helps Australian businesses choose the right internet plan based on real usage not guesswork. Whether you need NBN, fibre, or a mix of both, we can help you find the best option for your team.

We would love to help you find the right business internet and phone solutions. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram or reach us at hello@broadconnect.com.au | Call: 1300 880 330