Control your lights with your voice. Activate the vacuum using your phone! Discover all the essentials, from Wi-Fi advice to security tips.
The National Broadband Network (nbn®) continues to play a key role in enabling smart homes across Australia. As high-speed internet becomes more widely available, it is easier than ever to connect devices throughout your home.
This 14-point guide explains how to set up a smart home and create a connected living environment.
TLDR summary:
Quick tips to extend your Wi-Fi:
1. Choosing a smart home platform
7. Automating temperature control
14. Integrations
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Enter your addressWhy internet speed matters for smart homes
Modern smart homes often run 20–50 connected devices, from cameras and speakers to TVs and appliances. Because these all rely on your home network, strong internet speeds and reliable Wi-Fi are essential.
Faster plans such as nbn® 1000 (gigabit internet) provide the bandwidth needed for streaming, security cameras and automation to run smoothly at the same time.
1. Choosing a smart home platform
Tip: Choose a smart home platform that works with the devices you already own or plan to buy.
Popular platforms include Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Apple Home. These systems allow you to control lights, cameras, appliances and other devices from a single app or voice assistant.
Many newer devices now support Matter, a smart home standard designed to improve compatibility across platforms. Choosing devices that support your preferred platform helps ensure everything works together smoothly.
2. Setting up your smart home control hub
Tip: A central control system lets you manage lights, thermostats, locks and cameras from one place.
Many smart homes use a smart speaker, display or mobile app as the main control hub. Devices such as Google Nest speakers, Amazon Echo devices or Apple Home systems allow you to control multiple smart devices through voice commands or a single app.
In some cases, a dedicated hub may still be used for certain devices, but many newer products connect directly to your home network.
To get started, download the platform’s app, add your devices and follow the setup prompts to connect them to your smart home system
3. Connect to Wi-Fi
Tip: Check that your Wi-Fi network is robust and reliable, and centrally located in your home or business to maximise connectivity.
Ensure your Wi-Fi network is robust enough to handle multiple smart home products. You might need to upgrade your router or invest in a mesh Wi-Fi system to extend coverage throughout your home.
You can check out our guide to extending your Wi-Fi range here, or our guide to speed up your Wi-Fi here.
4. Choose the right router for a smart home
A modern router can significantly improve how well your smart home performs.
If you have many connected devices, consider upgrading to a router that supports newer Wi-Fi standards (like the eero 7) such as:
- Wi-Fi 6, designed to handle dozens of connected devices efficiently
- Wi-Fi 7, the newest generation offering faster speeds and lower latency
- mesh Wi-Fi systems, which extend coverage across larger homes
These technologies help reduce network congestion and keep smart devices connected reliably.
5. Smart speakers
Tip: control other devices in your home with just your voice and place the smart speaker in a central location.
More than just a speaker for music, a smart speaker will answer your questions, tell you the news, traffic and weather, schedule diary appointments, and act as a hub to operate other compatible devices.
For example, using a Google Home, you might say, “OK, Google, turn on the lights”.
6. Install smart lighting
Tip: Before buying smart bulbs, check they are compatible with your smart home platform.
Smart bulbs are an excellent starting point for your smart home.
Smart bulbs, or smart lighting, refer to advanced LED bulbs that can be:
- controlled remotely through a smartphone app
- controlled via voice commands
- automated through your smart home system
- set on schedules, and
- even adjusted for custom colour and temperature.
Replace your standard bulbs with smart bulbs and pair them with your smart home platform.
7. Automate temperature control
Tip: You can create an automation to lower the temperature when no one is home, using your system’s presence detection.
Smart thermostats learn your schedule and preferences to optimise heating and cooling, saving energy and money.
Install the thermostat following the manufacturer’s guide, then connect it to your smart home system for remote control and monitoring.
8. Smart refrigerators
Tip: by adding your refrigerator to your smart hub, you can conveniently place grocery orders when you run out of something!
A smart refrigerator connects to Wi-Fi and offers functions like alerting you to foods nearing expiry date, a camera so you can see what’s in there while you’re at the shop, and the ability to search Google for recipes featuring ingredients you have.
If the kitchen is the heart and soul of your household, a smart fridge can be equipped with screens that serve as an information hub in your kitchen, displaying news, weather, or even streaming music and videos. You can also display family calendars, notes, and photos.
9. Voice activated vacuums on stand by
Tip: ensure your vacuum comes equipped with HEPA filters to trap allergens and fine dust particles, promoting a healthier indoor environment.
Voice-activated vacuums represent a leap forward in the integration of smart technology into household cleaning. These innovative devices, always on standby in a smart home environment, are ready to spring into action at a simple voice command, making floor cleaning an effortless task.
You can program your vacuum to do the vacuuming while you are out, or set your vacuum to clean at specific times on certain days, ensuring your home is cleaned even when you’re busy.
A great feature is to set no-go zones, which are virtual barriers in the app to prevent the vacuum from going near pet bowls or delicate rugs.
10. Enhance smart home security
Tip: utilise motion detection features to customise alerts.
Smart security cameras, doorbells, and locks can improve your home’s safety.
Select products compatible with your smart home platform, then install them at key entry points. Most smart security devices offer motion detection with adjustable sensitivity settings, which can be tailored to minimise false alarms caused by pets or passing cars.
By configuring these settings, you can ensure that you receive alerts for only the most relevant activities, keeping you informed without overwhelming you with notifications.
11. Adding smart plugs and switches
Tip: Group related appliances so they can be turned off together to save energy.
Smart plugs and switches allow you to control everyday appliances such as lamps, fans or coffee machines through your smart home system.
Many apps allow you to group several smart plugs together so you can control multiple devices with a single command. This is useful for controlling all the lights in a room or setting the scene for activities like a movie night or dinner time.
Once connected, you can turn devices on or off remotely, group them together, or set schedules.
For example, you might schedule lights to turn on at sunset or program your coffee maker to start just before you wake up
12. Create routines and automations
Tip: streamline your busy morning or evening with automations that create routines.
Most smart home platforms allow you to create routines or automations that trigger multiple devices with a single command or action. Use the platform’s app to set up routines like “Good Morning” to turn on lights and adjust the thermostat, or “Good Night” to secure doors and turn off appliances.
Most smart home platforms allow you to create routines or automations that trigger multiple devices with a single command or action. Use the platform’s app to set up routines like “Good Morning” to turn on lights and adjust the thermostat, or “Good Night” to secure doors and turn off appliances.
13. Ongoing maintenance and updates
Tip: keep your smart home devices up to date and running on latest versions.
Keep your smart home devices updated with the latest firmware to ensure they remain secure and function correctly. Regularly review and adjust your routines and automations to match your changing needs and preferences.
14. Integration with your smart home system
By connecting your smart devices to popular smart home platforms such as Google Home, Amazon Alexa, or Apple Home, you can control multiple devices from one place and create automations across your home.
Many newer smart devices now support Matter, a universal smart home standard designed to improve compatibility between brands and ecosystems. This makes it easier to connect devices regardless of which platform you choose.
Below is a general guide to linking smart devices to common smart home platforms.
For Google Home
- Open the Google Home app, tap “+ Add”, then select “Set up device.”
- Choose “Works with Google Home”, find your device manufacturer in the list and follow the prompts to link your accounts.
For Amazon Alexa
- Open the Alexa app, select “Devices,” then tap the “+” icon.
- Choose “Add Device,” select the device type or brand and follow the prompts to connect it.
For Apple Home
- Open the Apple Home app, tap “+” to add a new accessory.
- Scan the HomeKit or Matter setup code using your iPhone camera, then follow the prompts to assign the device to a room and complete setup.
What internet speed do I need for a smart home?
The right speed depends on how many devices you have and how you use them.
Small smart home
A few devices such as smart bulbs, plugs, a thermostat and a smart TV.
Recommended speed: nbn® 50 Mbps
Advanced smart home
Multiple streaming devices, smart appliances, security cameras and gaming consoles.
Recommended speed: nbn® 100 Mbps (now upgraded to 500 Mbps for the same price) or more
Extensive smart home
4K streaming, several cameras, gaming, cloud backups and many connected devices.
Recommended speed: nbn® 1,000 Mbps
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Ready to make the switch?
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- Awesome value internet, 30 day money back and no lock-in contract!
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