How to get American Netflix in Australia? Netflix is one of the most prominent streaming platforms available in more than 190 countries around the world. It has a subscription base of 158 million (and there are more) thanks to shows like House of Cards, Stranger Things, Orange Is the New Black, The Crown and many more. However, your content library will differ from country to country, as different countries have different requirements for specific content.
In addition, Netflix’s US content library is the best of all other content libraries. But due to licensing restrictions and other restrictions, American Netflix is inaccessible in Australia. Smart DNS can come in handy if you want to get around these annoyances. That said, a VPN service should be your preference.
This means that you cannot access US Netflix media content while living in Australia. Basically, you rely heavily on a VPN service that provides a US IP address.
So you can fake your online locations and access the US Netflix media library on a wide variety of devices without any problems.
Keep reading this guide to find out how to get American Netflix in Australia safely and anonymously.
How To Get American Netflix In Australia – Quick Guide
To watch US Netflix in Australia, all you need to do is:
- Subscribe and download a VPN service (ExpressVPN is my first choice). It changes your Australian IP address to a US IP address and gives you access to US Netflix.
- Open the ExpressVPN app on your device.
- Connect to the US server from the list of available servers.
- Log in to your Netflix account and start watching US Netflix in Australia with ExpressVPN.
Finding a VPN that works with US Netflix isn’t easy, of course. There are many VPNs available in the market that claim to unblock US Netflix from Australia. However, most are not good. Especially since 2016, Netflix has become increasingly wary of users trying to access foreign versions of Netflix through a VPN. The company began to remove these services. You may see the following error on your screen when trying to connect to Netflix through a low-level VPN:
So you need a reliable VPN provider if you want to watch US Netflix in Australia.
No problem. I’ll walk you through the best VPNs to stream US Netflix from Australia and answer all your questions about the streaming service here.
4 Best VPNs to Get US Netflix in Australia (Updated Feb 2023)
#1 NordVPN – The Best Netflix Streaming Solution
Most important features:
- SmartPlay technology
- Unblock Netflix from any country
- OpenVPN protocol with AES-256-bit encryption
Pros:
- Free trial
- Money-back guarantee
- zero registration policy
Cons:
- Speed can be quite inconsistent at times
NordVPN has always been at the top since it began. With more than 5,000 servers worldwide, NordVPN has covered a huge geographic area spanning 6 continents, providing services to anyone who needs protection.
With its proprietary SmartPlay technology, most, if not all, 5,000 servers can access US Netflix and other Netflix and stream without experiencing any errors. You don’t get this with any other VPN provider
NordVPN is slightly more expensive than many of the paid VPNs. However, when you start looking at the plans available, you will realize how much you start to save when you look at the longer terms.
In fact, the monthly costs drop so low that they end up being one of the cheapest VPN plans you can get when you look at the 3-year plan.
Month to Month – $11.95 per month.
Yearly – $83 per year, or $6.99 per month.
2-Year Subscription – $95.75 for two years. This works out to $3.99 per month.
3-Year Subscription – The deposit is $107.55, or about $2.99 per month.
Best of all, all NordVPN plans come with a 7-day free trial. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you don’t like what you see for the first thirty days, you can turn it off and get all your money back.
You can rest assured that NordVPN will keep your privacy private. That may not be such a big deal when it comes to the movies you watch on US Netflix.
However, it can be a bigger deal when it comes to other online activities.
NordVPN has been audited by accounting firms and these companies affirm the fact that when they say they don’t keep records, they don’t keep records.
#2 Surfshark – The cheapest Netflix streaming solution
Most important features:
- Above industry-standard encryption
- Zero registration policy
Pros:
- Cheap
- Unblock Netflix from any country
- Easy to use
Cons
- Fewer servers than other options
NordVPN is well known in the Netflix streaming arena for its sheer number of servers. Having so many servers makes it difficult for Netflix to block them.
NordVPN costs quite a bit of change compared to our second pick on this list. Surfshark has no problems accessing Netflix and costs about half the price of NordVPN.
With Netflix occasionally raising their prices, it’s good to use a VPN that doesn’t cost nearly as much as the Netflix plan itself.
When choosing a newer company to run a service as important as unblocking geo-restrictions when using Netflix, it makes sense to be sceptical. Going for the new kid around may seem like a dangerous move. When it comes to Surfshark, it’s actually quite safe.
Surfshark is a fantastic choice for those looking to get around geo-restrictions without actually paying another Netflix subscription. It’s only fair that other VPNs charge a premium for their service, as they’ve been providing high-quality encryption tunnels for years.
It’s also only fair that Surfshark came along and offered the same quality service for a fraction of the price.
We highly recommend that you visit Surfshark’s websites to see their current introductory prices. If you’re still sceptical about this VPN, check out Surfshark’s full review for more information.
#3 ExpressVPN – Great Balance of Speed and Security
Most important features:
- Works with US Netflix
- Works on most platforms
Pros:
- High speeds
- Strong encryption
- Phenomenal support
Cons
- You can only connect three devices at a time
- Slightly more expensive, even on your long-term plan
- Irregular connection to Netflix Australia
If for some reason NordVPN isn’t a viable option for you, our next recommendation on the list is ExpressVPN. This is a VPN service from the British Virgin Islands. It offers plenty of great features and has phenomenal power.
Like NordVPN’s reach, ExpressVPN also has a huge network, currently with 3,000 servers in 160 cities across 90 countries. For anyone interested in watching Netflix in the US, you’ll be happy to know that the US has some of the best coverage for this VPN.
One of the drawbacks of ExpressVPN is the fact that you can only connect three devices with one account. But even this is not such a big drawback. Think about it, how many devices do most people need to connect to a VPN at the same time?
Usually just one. And if you need to connect your whole house, ExpressVPN supports a VPN router.
Another downside is the price. ExpressVPN is one of the most expensive VPNs you will find. If you buy their service monthly, you will spend $12.95 per month.
If you use the six-month service, you will pay $59.95 upfront, which is the equivalent of $9.99 per month. If you choose the 15-month program, you will pay an initial fee of $99.95. This works out to $6.67 per month.
Two more things we love about ExpressVPN are the customer service and the 30-day money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN is so confident in its product that even after you pay for the product, you have 30 days to get your money back with no questions asked.
The customer service at ExpressVPN is some of the best we’ve seen. We’ve had several conversations with technical support and have always found them knowledgeable, helpful and very approachable.
To add one more penalty to ExpressVPN’s limit, their privacy policy is impeccable. Governments have tried time and again to access information about their customers. However, because ExpressVPN delivers on its promise, it keeps no records of its customers.
So when governments or other institutions try to get these logs, ExpressVPN can honestly say they don’t exist.
#4 VyprVPN – Great Functionality + Speed and Security
Most important features:
- Works with US Netflix
- chameleon protocol
Pros:
- Proven no-registration policy
- Live chat support
- 3 days free trial
Cons
- No money-back guarantee
- Connection problems in China
- Windows client issues
VyprVPN is a Switzerland-based VPN that focuses on privacy. They offer 700+ servers and 70+ server locations. A big plus of this VPN is that they own and manage all their own servers. They do not use third parties.
Their service works on multiple platforms, including Apple TV and Android TV. The independent audit found that VyprVPN keeps no logs.
VyprVPN has relatively simple pricing plans. These plans allow you to choose whether to pay annually or monthly.
Choosing the basic monthly plan costs $9.95 per month. This allows three devices to connect to the service at the same time. If you pay for the whole year, you get the same service for $60 a year, or $5 a month.
If you opt for the premium plan, you have the option of paying $12.95 per month each month or subscribing for a year at $80 per year, which equates to $6.67 per month.
The premium plan lets you connect five devices and take advantage of the proprietary Chameleon protocol, designed to bypass services designed to block VPNs while streaming.
Why should you use a VPN?
When you use a VPN to bypass Netflix geoblocking, you have the added benefit of being able to connect your device to a server or other device over a secure connection. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Washington or Melbourne.
You can continue to browse and transmit with the knowledge that all information sent online is encrypted and cannot be intercepted. The three VPNs we reviewed offer excellent speeds and services, and go above and beyond to help you maintain your privacy.
Best of all, they have been tested and shown to work with US Netflix.
Is a VPN my only option?
For your money, getting a VPN is your best option to bypass Netflix geo-blocking. However, it is not your only option. Smart DNS proxies are designed to redirect geolocation-aware traffic.
This means that when your traffic is blocked outside of the US, it will be redirected to the US. Traffic routed with Smart DNS proxies is not encrypted. This can have some advantages when it comes to streaming.
Since only a small portion of your traffic is redirected, bandwidth speed is preserved.
It is very easy to set up even if you are not good with computers.
The service works by replacing the DNS address assigned to you by your ISP with a new one that does not contain any information that reveals your real geographic location.
How smart DNS works
Your connection request with the website you want to visit is being intercepted.
Any information that could leak your geolocation will be replaced with new data pointing to the location from which you want to access geo-blocked content.
For the sake of our discussion, any information indicating that you are located in Australia or another country will be replaced with information that makes it appear that you are located in the United States.
As feasible as this may seem, it doesn’t always work. Sure, you can access it, but only after trying to change location multiple times, each time you try to look.
US Netflix is not a “global” Netflix
Travellers to the United States are often surprised when they want to watch American Netflix in Australia and don’t see many of their favourite shows. The reason for this is that US Netflix is geo-blocked in Australia.
Sure, you can watch Netflix, but if you’re in Australia, you’re missing out on a lot of content. You also get a lot of content depending on how you view it.
Netflix Australia has a generous library of movies. Australians have access to Netflix’s original content. This includes TV shows, movies, children’s programs, documentaries and comedy specials.
As a bonus, Australian users have access to Australian titles that US viewers have not seen and in most cases never heard of. Finally, in some cases, Australian viewers will be able to stream shows when new episodes arrive, while US subscribers will have to wait for the entire season to finish.
The biggest difference you will see is when you look at licensed content. Friends, the wildly popular American TV series, can be seen on American Netflix. But it is not available on Netflix Australia. The same goes for shows like:
- Criminal minds
- Breaking bad
- Living dead
- Supernatural
You can indeed see some shows on competing streaming platforms. Just not Netflix. That also applies if you watch Avengers: Infinity War and The Incredibles 2.
Cost Comparison: US Netflix vs Australia Netflix
An interesting fact is that Australians don’t pay much less than US residents for Netflix. Australian residents can purchase the starter pack for $9.99 per month.
For $13.99 a month, they can stream at great depth. For $17.99 a month, Aussies can get the best package Netflix has to offer in the area with all the extra bells and whistles.
In the United States, 2020 will bring an 18% price increase on the standard Netflix package. It goes from $10.99 per month to $12.99 per month. The premium plan goes from $13.99 per month to $15.99 per month. And the basic plan goes from $7.99 per month to $8.99 per month.
To be fair, Netflix is working hard to make its content global. However, there are several licensing issues. So the question is, how can Australians who want to watch Netflix in the US get access to the US library? There are several options.
How does Netflix block content geographically?
Geo-blocking, in a nutshell, is when the content you want to watch is blocked in your geographic location, similar to how websites are blocked. Netflix uses geo-blocking as a way to segment the world into segments.
This allows them to sell their products at different prices, increasing their profits instead of having a price and policy around the world.
Netflix isn’t the only streaming company doing this. And it doesn’t always work in America’s favour. For example, UK residents in the US might be shocked if BBC iPlayer doesn’t work.
How does Netflix know which country you are in? Based on your IP address. Every computer or device that is connected to the Internet has an IP address. So when you visit websites, the IP address tells the Internet where to send the information.
Another great example here is YouTube, which also blocks content depending on your geographic location. Youtube US is not Youtube Australia, even though it looks like it. (Read more: Unblock YouTube)
Your IP address is provided by your ISP or Internet Service Provider. In the same way that a physical address tells the world where you are, your IP address shows your location, making tracking easier.
Streaming services may use this information to decide what content users are allowed to watch based on their location.
Trying to connect to a blocked IP address will give you the dreaded Netflix error screen.
This happens even if you pay for a service like Netflix. Americans travelling on vacation or for business have seen this firsthand.
Unlimited access to Netflix
The bottom line is that you have to find a way to trick the streaming service into believing you’re in a different geographic location. There are a few workable ways to do this, but we are only going to focus on the best working solution to get US Netflix.
Remember you want the right tool for the right job. For example, having the best password manager won’t do anything to keep your logins from falling into the wrong hands.
So spending money on the wrong solution to bypass geo-blocking will only frustrate you or worse, hurt your online privacy.
It doesn’t matter if you’re in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane or any other Australian city, we’ve tested the services below and they all work with Netflix and offer high speed – all while being completely legal. Basically, get one of the VPNs below. These are the best VPNs for Netflix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is a VPN legal in Australia?
A: Yes, VPNs are legal in Australia. When you use a VPN to bypass geo-blocked content, such as US Netflix, you may be doing so against the wishes of the rights holders.
However, getting around geo-restrictions isn’t the same as sneaking through the best home security system around and breaking into a house.
As with most online technologies, Australian law is a bit vague about what is and is not allowed. At the moment no laws are preventing you from using a VPN in Australia. It is also not illegal to circumvent geo-restrictions.
Q: Which free VPN works with Netflix?
A: no. Free VPNs are not worth it. Their service is slow, so even if they manage to get around Netflix’s geo-restrictions, you won’t be able to stream the video. Free VPN services see you as a commodity. They steal your private information and often use this information to make money for themselves.
Q: Can I watch US Netflix in Australia without a VPN?
A: Smart DNS can make it possible for you to watch US Netflix in Australia without using a VPN. That said, the safest and most secure way is to use a VPN such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or VyprVPN.
In 2012, Netflix made the leap across the ocean and became available in the UK. Soon after, Netflix became available in most markets around the world.
- TL;DR – Get a VPN (Virtual Private Network).
- TD; LR – The only real solution to getting a permanent working solution for Netflix access is to use a VPN.
While some sites recommend using proxies or even TOR, they don’t tell the full story. Proxies lack the encryption and security that a VPN provides, while TOR completely reduces the speed to a maximum of just Kb/s.
But please, please whatever you do, avoid “free” VPNs. Even the best free VPNs cost a dime.
We highly recommend staying away from free VPNs as they are generally not the best solutions for Netflix. Their security policies are often atrocious and can leave your device vulnerable to attacks.
Their speeds are very slow. They have a terrible logging policy so they keep track of which sites you visit and what you do while online.
If you want the best VPNs, we recommend one of three:
If budget is less important, choose ExpressVPN. They are slightly faster than Nord and SurfShark and have a nicer user interface in their mobile and desktop apps.
To be blunt, you can’t go wrong with any of the above three VPN services. They all work pretty much the same and let you watch your favourite Netflix shows anywhere in Australia.
Conclusion
Netflix has a lot of great content. American Netflix is not available in Australia due to licensing restrictions. If you’re frustrated with these limitations, there are options. Smart DNS might work.
For our money, however, it is best to use a VPN. A VPN hides your IP address while encrypting the information you send and receive.
Of the four VPNs we reviewed, NordVPN is the best for accessing Netflix. However, the other two are also doing well. We would like to hear from you. What steps have you taken to get US Netflix streaming in Australia?
Let us know in the comments below. Also, check out the FAQ section for answers to some of your frequently asked questions about How To Get American Netflix In Australia. Thank you for reading.
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