A new NBN Co–commissioned study by Ember Advisors shows that access to world-class broadband is delivering measurable benefits to Australians in employment, education, health, and overall wellbeing.
Key Findings (FY24)
- Life Satisfaction: 76 % of NBN users said having the network at home improved their overall life satisfaction.
- Employment: 78 % of people working from home or job-seeking reported positive impacts on employment outcomes.
- Education: 85 % engaged in formal or informal learning online saw better education outcomes.
- Health & Wellbeing: 77 % using telehealth or online medical resources reported improved health outcomes.
- Community Connection: 75 % felt more socially connected; nearly half reported feeling less lonely.
- Sustainability: 88 % believed fast internet helped reduce emissions by cutting travel for work, study, or healthcare.
Broader Upgrades and Inclusion
- Ongoing fibre, fixed-wireless and satellite upgrades will enable 10 million+ premises—about 90 % of the fixed-line network—to access NBN’s fastest wholesale speeds by the end of 2025.
- First Nations Connectivity: 111 community Wi-Fi services are now active across 100+ First Nations communities, with 23 more locations funded for expansion.
- Smart-home adoption is rising: 26 % of users now connect smart appliances such as air conditioners, EV chargers, and solar systems.
NBN Co says these investments are critical to lifting Australia’s digital capability, boosting economic participation, and supporting 20 million daily users as demand for high-speed connectivity grows.
Source: NBN Co media release, 20 March 2025 – https://www.nbnco.com.au/corporate-information/media-centre/media-statements/nbn-social-impact-measurement-fy24-report
NBN Report Highlights Broadband’s Social and Economic Impact