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Best nbn plan for Twitch and YouTube streaming

Streaming to Twitch or YouTube? Upload speed makes or breaks your stream. See the upload you need and the best nbn plan to game and stream at the same time.

Everyone bangs on about download speed. But if you're a streamer, upload speed is the MVP.

Every second you're live on Twitch, YouTube Live or Kick, you're sending video to your audience. If your upload can't keep up, neither can your stream. Cue dropped frames, buffering and the dreaded, “Mate... are you lagging?”

The fix? More upload headroom. It keeps your stream steady, even if you're gaming, chatting on Discord and someone's smashing Netflix in the next room.

That's why Superloop's high upload nbn™ plans are built for creators. On eligible FTTP and HFC connections, higher upload tiers help keep streams smooth through peak hours. Add an awarded Australia's fastest fixed network* and low peak-hour latency, and you're ready to hit “Go Live.”

What upload speed for streaming do you really need?

ACCC Measuring Broadband Australia Report 33 (June 2026, data collected March 2026) recorded Superloop delivering 91.0% busy-hour upload performance and 8.5ms peak-hour latency.

Superloop was awarded fastest fixed network.* If you’re streaming regularly, start with nbn 500 (500/45Mbps typical evening speed).

Upload speed is the most important internet metric for Twitch, YouTube Live and Kick streaming.

Twitch 1080p at 60fps typically needs around 10 to 12Mbps upload including recommended headroom.

YouTube Live 1080p typically needs 15 to 18Mbps upload, while 4K streaming generally requires 40 to 60+Mbps upload.

Only FTTP and eligible HFC connections can access nbn’s highest upload tiers. Many FTTN and FTTC services are limited to around 17 to 20Mbps upload.

* Based on Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® data for 1H 2025, 2H 2025 and 1H 2026. All rights reserved. Speed testing method is different to ACCC's Measuring Broadband Australia program.

Which Superloop plan is best for your stream?

Plan

Typical evening speed

Best for

nbn 500

500/45Mbps

Twitch 1080p60, YouTube 1080p while gaming

nbn 1000

860/85Mbps

YouTube 1440p, 4K streaming, busy households

nbn 2000

1700/170Mbps

4K60, dual PC streaming, multistreaming, uploading VODs while live

For streaming, upload speed is the number that matters

Your viewers don’t see your download speed. They see your upload speed.

Every live stream relies on a steady upload. And because nbn is built with much lower upload than download speeds, that's often where things fall apart.

If your upload can’t keep up with your stream’s bitrate, your software starts dropping frames. Your audience gets buffering, blurry video or the dreaded “your stream froze” message.

A good rule of thumb? Only use around 50-70% of your available upload for your stream. That leaves enough headroom to keep things smooth while you're gaming, chatting on Discord or sharing the connection with everyone else at home.

So, when you’re comparing internet plans, don't get distracted by big download numbers. For streaming, upload speed is the stat that really matters.

How much upload do you need for Twitch and YouTube Live?

Different platforms recommend different bitrates, but every streamer should allow additional upload headroom.

Platform

Recommended bitrate

Comfortable upload

Twitch 1080p 60fps

About 6Mbps

10 to 12Mbps

YouTube Live 1080p 60fps

9 to 12Mbps

15 to 18Mbps

YouTube Live 1440p 60fps

9 to 18Mbps

25 to 30Mbps

YouTube Live 4K 60fps

20 to 51Mbps

40 to 60+Mbps

Those figures assume you’re streaming while gaming and want enough spare upload capacity to avoid sudden bitrate drops during busy periods.

Gaming and streaming at once means you need headroom both ways

Streaming is rarely the only thing happening on your internet. You’re probably gaming, chatting on Discord, downloading updates and keeping an eye on chat — all at the same time. Your connection has to juggle it all.

When your upload gets maxed out, everything starts to feel it. Your stream can lose quality, your game can become less responsive and the whole experience gets a little messier.

That’s where upload headroom makes the difference. With extra capacity, your stream stays smooth even if someone else starts a video call, uploads a bunch of files or fires up Netflix in the next room.

Connection type matters

Only FTTP and eligible HFC connections can access nbn’s highest upload tiers. Many FTTN and FTTC services are limited to approximately 17 to 20Mbps upload, regardless of download speed. While that’s often sufficient for casual streaming, it limits higher bitrate broadcasts, 1440p, 4K and advanced creator workflows. 



If you’re serious about content creation, check whether your address is eligible for an FTTP upgrade before choosing a plan.

Why streamers choose Superloop

Streaming performance depends on upload speed, and Superloop’s higher upload tiers are designed for creators who stream regularly.

Family Max

nbn 500 (500/45Mbps typical evening speed) comfortably supports Twitch 1080p60 and YouTube 1080p while gaming.

Lightspeed

nbn 1000 (860/85Mbps typical evening speed) provides additional upload capacity for YouTube 1440p, 4K streaming and busy households.

Hyperspeed

nbn 2000 (1700/170Mbps typical evening speed) is built for demanding creator workflows including dual PC streaming, multi-streaming and uploading edited content while you’re still live.

Consistent peak hour performance

According to ACCC Measuring Broadband Australia Report 33 (June 2026, data collected March 2026), Superloop delivered 91.0% of busy-hour upload speeds and recorded measured 8.5ms peak-hour latency, helping creators maintain stable streams while gaming responsively.

Awarded fastest fixed network

Superloop was awarded Australia’s fastest fixed network by Ookla Speedtest for three times in a row.*

Built on a large fibre network

Superloop connects directly to all 121 nbn Points of Interconnect and operates >100,000 fibre route km across international networks (owned, IRU and leased fibre). That network helps provide efficient routing to streaming platforms and gaming services across Australia and overseas.

Static IP available for advanced setups

If you have specific gaming needs such as hosting a game server, advanced port configuration, or a preference for a dedicated IP address, you can contact Superloop to discuss your options, or a static IP is available for $5 per month and can be added or removed at any time.

Industry recognition

Superloop was recognised as Best nbn Provider for Gaming in the 2026 TechRadar Australian PC Awards.

* Based on Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® data for 1H 2025, 2H 2025 and 1H 2026. All rights reserved. Speed testing method is different to ACCC's Measuring Broadband Australia program.

Ready to upgrade your stream?

Choose an upload speed that matches the quality you want to broadcast.

No lock-in contract. Find the fastest Superloop plan available at your address.

Related guides

This guide explains how each nbn connection type works, sets FTTP and FTTN head to head on the metrics that matter for gaming, and shows how to check what you have and upgrade if you are on the weaker one.

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Whether you are on FTTP, HFC, FTTC or FTTN, grinding ranked on a competitive shooter or just trying to finish a raid without dropping, follow the steps top to bottom and stop at the one that solves your problem.

September 17, 2026

FAQs

A Twitch 1080p 60fps stream typically needs around 10 to 12 Mbps upload including recommended headroom. If you're gaming at the same time, additional upload capacity helps maintain a stable stream.

YouTube Live 1080p generally benefits from 15 to 18 Mbps upload, 1440p from 25 to 30 Mbps, and 4K streaming from 40 to 60+ Mbps.

Yes. Choose a plan with enough upload headroom and low latency. For most streamers, nbn 500 (500/45 Mbps typical evening speed) or faster provides a comfortable starting point. Learn more about nbn for Gamers.

FTTP and eligible HFC unlock nbn's highest upload tiers. FTTN and FTTC connections typically offer around 17 to 20 Mbps upload, limiting higher quality streaming.

Dropped frames usually indicate insufficient upload bandwidth, Wi-Fi interference or background uploads. Use Ethernet where possible, stream using constant bitrate, keep your bitrate below about 80% of available upload, and choose a plan with sufficient upload capacity.

Most streamers should begin with nbn 500 (500/45 Mbps typical evening speed). Choose nbn 1000 (860/85 Mbps typical evening speed) for higher bitrate YouTube streams or busy households. nbn 2000 (1700/170 Mbps typical evening speed) is best for professional creator setups, multistreaming and dual PC workflows.

Yes. A static IP is available for $5 per month and can be added or removed at any time, via the app.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. (2026). Measuring Broadband Australia program (Report 33). https://www.accc.gov.au/by-industry/telecommunications-and-internet/telecommunications-monitoring/measuring-broadband-australia-program

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. (2026). Measuring Broadband Australia Report 33. https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/measuring-broadband-australia-report-33-june-2026.pdf

Ookla. (2026). Awarded fastest fixed network in Australia. https://www.ookla.com/research/reports/award-report-2026-q1-q2-fastest-fixed-network-superloop-australia

Superloop. (2026). Awarded fastest fixed network in Australia. https://www.superloop.com/blog/three-in-a-row-superloop-named-australias-fastest-fixed-network-by-ookla-r-again/

Superloop. (2025). Residential nbn Services Key Facts Sheet. https://files.superloop.com/terms/SL-Residential-nbn-Services-KFS.pdf

Twitch. (2026). Broadcasting guidelines. https://help.twitch.tv/s/article/broadcasting-guidelines

YouTube. (2026). Choose live encoder settings, bitrates and resolutions. https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2853702

PC Gamer. (2026). Superloop took out the Best NBN Provider for Gaming in the 2026 Australian PC Awards. https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/networking/superloop-took-out-the-best-nbn-provider-for-gaming-in-the-2026-australian-pc-awards-heres-why/

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