Disney+ Hotstar is an ultra-popular Indian streaming platform offering access to hundreds of thousands of hours of international and local video content. The content ranges from trending Disney+ content to Indian TV shows and major/local live sports. For instance, you can watch popular Disney, Marvel, and Nat Geo content, Western "Originals," and even exclusive Indian shows and Indian sports, among other content.
As a viewer in Australia, you can't access the Indian version of Disney+ Hotstar, which offers one of the richest streaming content libraries in Asia. The reason is geographical broadcast restrictions in India.
This platform is also offered in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, but these non-Indian versions primarily offer domestic Indian shows and movies. The Indian version, however, allows access to the widest range of international content.
In this article, you'll learn how to get past these restrictions by using a premium VPN service.
How to watch Indian Disney+ Hotstar in Australia with VPN
- Choose a fast and reliable VPN with Indian servers. We recommend NordVPN, now 74% OFF
- Download and install the VPN
- Launch the app and connect to an Indian server
- Go to the Disney+ Hotstar website and subscribe/sign in to your account
- Watch Disney+ Hotstar content like a local
- Note: To register on Disney+ Hotstar, you’ll need an Indian phone number to get an OTP (one-time password). You can use a virtual phone number service for this, but to subscribe, you will also need a credit card issued in India. So if you already have an Indian Disney+ Hotstar account, a VPN will be enough to access it. If you don’t, you’ll need to get a phone number and a credit card issued in India.
Why do you need a VPN to Watch Disney+ Hotstar in Australia?
Users physically located in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand can access Disney+ Hotstar (though content libraries differ significantly between the nations).
However, users outside of these countries (such as Australia) can’t do so due to location restrictions. If you’re outside of these countries and try to access Hotstar, you will most likely see an error.
For a local user in India, the site will open regularly.
A top VPN service like NordVPN can bypass this problem for Australians. This is because a VPN can simulate an Indian IP address, so the website won't know the difference.
Not only can you remove geo-blocks with a premium VPN, but you are also adding a layer of privacy and security to your existing connection with it.
Another benefit is that a good VPN will allow you to access Disney+ Hotstar from anywhere in the world, not just Australia.
Can you sign up for Disney+ Hotstar in Australia?
There's no way to access the Indian version (or any Asian version) of Disney+ Hotstar from Australia without a VPN and an account. And, if you don't have an account with the streaming service, you need to try some workarounds.
The key challenge is that Disney+ Hotstar in India has an access policy where you need to provide an Indian phone number to verify your registration. You need the phone number to receive an OTP (one-time password) from the provider. Without an Indian phone number, this can be tricky because you'll need someone in India (a friend or family member) to lend their number for the verification process.Unfortunately, Disney+ Hotstar does not offer free trials as such, except for eligible users in India through connected TVs. So, the only way to access the full Indian content library is via a paid subscription through the OTP method.
If you don't have anyone in India to help you out, you could try receiving OTP codes via a virtual Indian phone number service, such as Quackr.io.
On the other hand, if you do have an account with Disney+ Hotstar, it's much easier. All you have to do is connect to an Indian server with your VPN and simply log in with your details.
Best VPNs to watch Disney+ Hotstar
It's important to note that not every VPN is capable of bypassing Disney+ Hotstar's geo-blocks effectively. Due to recent laws, several VPN providers have removed their physical servers in India, and just a few have advanced virtual servers capable of bypassing geo-restrictions.
To help you, we've identified three premium VPNs with a history of good performance and transparent business practices that will easily bypass these geo-blocks:
- NordVPN – the most advanced VPN to unblock Disney+ Hotstar in Australia
- Surfshark – a solid VPN with virtual servers in India
- CyberGhost – a transparent VPN provider with smooth access to Indian servers
What can you watch on Disney+ Hotstar
Disney+ Hotstar is one of India's most popular streaming platforms. As such, there's an extremely wide and diverse library of international and local Indian content to watch.
Disney+ content
The Disney+ content on this platform includes international favorites like Marvel series, Pixar films, Star Wars titles, National Geographic documentaries, and classic Disney movies.
Specifically, you can watch the Marvel series Loki and Wandavision. You also get Pixar movies like Toy Story and Soul. Star Wars epics include The Mandalorian. Also, content is regularly updated, so you’ll always have something new to watch.
Hotstar content
You will find exclusive and popular Indian TV series as well on this platform, thanks to Hotstar content.
Namely, you can watch TV series like Anupama, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Big Boss, various Bollywood films, soap operas, and regional cinema. You can also watch original Hotstar Specials such as Criminal Justice and popular films like Munjya and Kill.
Sports events on Disney+ Hotstar
Disney+ Hotstar also provides a good amount of sports content. You can watch an array of events like cricket, football, MMA, tennis, and other sports.
For instance, you get major sporting events like the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup, EPL football, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Pro Kabaddi. You can even tune into sports like powerboating and baseball.
Final Thoughts
Disney+ Hotstar definitely stands among the top streaming services in India and is one of the best in the world.
For viewers in Australia, access to this India-specific platform requires a high-quality VPN service, such as NordVPN, capable of bypassing geo-blocks that arise as a result of company streaming policies.
This guide has shown you how to use a VPN to bypass these restrictions, connect to an Indian server, and access Disney+ Hotstar to unlock the full offerings available.
Though you'll need an Indian phone number if you don’t have an account with the platform, it is worth trying that and the alternative methods in this guide.
FAQ
Is Disney+ Hotstar available in Australia?
No, Disney+ Hotstar is not available in Australia. However, you can access it from Australia by using a VPN, such as NordVPN, to hide your IP address and make the platform think you are in India.
Why can't I watch Disney+ Hotstar in Australia?
You can’t watch Disney+ Hotstar in Australia because the platform blocks IP addresses outside of India from accessing it. Disney+ Hotstar also has completely separate content libraries for different regions (e.g., Thailand and Indonesia). Therefore, the licensing system is also different there.
Do I have to pay for a VPN to access Hotstar in Australia?
Yes, it’s safer to pay for a premium VPN to access Hotstar in Australia. Free VPNs may sell your personal data to third parties or won’t be able to bypass Hotstar’s geo-restrictions at all.
Will using a VPN to access Disney+ Hotstar affect streaming quality?
No, using a high-quality VPN to access Disney+ Hotstar will not affect streaming quality. The loss of speed with the premium VPNs featured in this guide, such as NordVPN, when connecting to a server in India is negligible and won't affect streaming speed or quality.