The best place for internet access since millions of Australians began working from home during the coronavirus crisis is Perth, according to data supplied exclusively to the ABC.

Key points: Australians are accessing the internet from home in record numbers, causing up to an 80 per cent increase in demand

Australians are accessing the internet from home in record numbers, causing up to an 80 per cent increase in demand Canberra and Melbourne are experiencing the worst average internet congestion, according to a report from Monash University

Canberra and Melbourne are experiencing the worst average internet congestion, according to a report from Monash University The NBN says it has been preparing for the increased demand, and its network is "performing well in all cities"

The research, by the Monash University-linked company KASPR datahaus, assessed the internet congestion of Australia's major cities from February up until March 30, with the data exposing huge differences in the speed from city to-city.

Canberra and Melbourne are experiencing the worst average internet congestion in the country, thanks to the sudden demands of the new work-from-home reality.

The nation's capital is seeing on average 6 per cent more congestion since the move to self-isolating, with Melbourne not far behind.

"[The increase] is significant," KASPR datahaus co-founder and Monash professor Klaus Ackermann said.

"And there's a noticeable difference in quality in Canberra and Melbourne [compared to other cities].

"Having such a huge average shift, for some it will be pretty bad, for others it will probably be fine."

KASPR developed a method of measuring, in real time, the most basic unit of data that can be sent over the internet, known as a "ping".

A ping is the time these units take to travel back and forth to the US, from locations around the world, indicating the demands on online infrastructure globally.

The company's analysis took a baseline reading from mid-February, and compared the time the pings took to travel up until March 30.

While there is some stress on Australia's online infrastructure, the data indicates the country is managing its congestion, particularly compared to other parts of the world.

Compared to other parts of the world, Australia sits in between Ecuador and Croatia, with a rating of 4.

Malaysia is second-last, with Argentina experiencing the most pressure.

"Malaysia is not doing so well, also Italy, while the US is mostly fine," he said.

NBN sees 70 to 80 per cent increase

Australia's internet infrastructure has been heavily discussed over the past decade, with Australia ranking 54th out of 63 nations in communications technology and 38th for internet speeds, according to the World Digital Competitiveness rankings.

However, according to the NBN, the network is holding up when Australia needs it most.

The NBN, which is now available to 95 per cent of Australian households, has seen data demand increase by more than 70 to 80 per cent during daytime hours, compared to figures calculated at the end of February.

Prior to COVID-19, the NBN network processed about 5 terabits per second (Tbps) from 8am to 5pm. On Friday, March 27, data demand peaked at 9.2Tbps.

"It's a significant lift, [but] it still remains well below the evening busy hours when data consumption on the network is at its highest," an NBN spokesman said.

"Between 8pm and 10pm, it has increased by around 15 per cent to 12.4Tbps, as of 9pm on Friday."

The Australian Government-owned corporation said it had been preparing for "this type of scenario" and had been watching the response from countries such as Telecom Italia, which recorded a 40 per cent increase in data consumption since the start of the outbreak.

Professor Ackermann said the demands on the internet when working from home were different to the usual at-home use, with more upload data needed.

"Netflix is only download, but working from home such as Skype or Zoom meetings, requires upload also," he said.

Internet infrastructure from a wholesaler such as the NBN is only one of many elements needed for a reliable internet connection.

They include the capacity and network speeds of the retailer, such as Optus, TPG or Telstra, as well as the backbone networks, such as subsea internet cables.

Other elements include the traffic — light or heavy — being experienced by the website or streaming service being accessed, such as Netflix, while an internet user's in-home set up and router is another factor.