Australia has incredible sights like the Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Blue Mountains. But there’s one thing you normally can’t access – Hulu. Fortunately, there is a way to watch Hulu outside the US, including Australia.
Hulu restricts access to US users because of certain licensing agreements and restrictions. Nonetheless, Hulu has earned a reputation for delivering great content, which is why access to the platform is seeked across the globe. And if you live in the US but decide to travel, you may want to continue accessing Hulu from abroad. Thankfully, a robust VPN can help access Hulu from anywhere.
In this guide, I demonstrate how to watch Hulu in Australia, why using a VPN is a great solution to the problem, and which top VPNs are best for Hulu streaming. So, let’s get to it.
How to watch Hulu in Australia with a VPN
- Choose a trusted VPN – I recommend NordVPN, now 74% OFF
- Download the app on a compatible device, create your account, and log in
- Connect to a server based in the US
- Stream Hulu in Australia or any other country
Can you subscribe to Hulu in Australia?
Yes, you can subscribe to Hulu in Australia. However, note that Hulu is restricted outside the US, which means that if you want to access the platform in Australia, you have to overcome a few obstacles first.
A reliable VPN can help you connect to a server in the US and make it appear as if you are connecting from one of the US states. If you successfully connect a US server, you can then set up your Hulu account and pay for the subscription.
To pay for Hulu while in Australia, you have two methods of payment. First, you can use a US credit card. Of course, note that when setting up the account, the billing ZIP code must match the card's state. So, this is perfect for US travelers or expats. If you do not have a US credit card, you can use Hulu gift cards as a form of payment.
Why do you need a VPN to get Hulu in Australia?
You need a VPN to access Hulu in Australia because of the platform’s licensing agreements. Hulu has agreed to restrict most of its content to US viewers. So, if Hulu sees you’re not in the US, it restricts your access.
Without a US IP address, Hulu can easily figure out you’re not in the right location, and it won’t let you stream its rich content library. Thankfully, with a US-based VPN, you can hide your real location and appear to Hulu as a US resident.
Additionally, a VPN can enhance your experience in many other ways:
- Browse safely using public Wi-Fi because your data is encrypted.
- Access restricted content from other popular platforms, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, or HBO Max.
- Stop your ISP from throttling your internet speed and ruining your streaming experience due to lags and buffering.
Best VPNs to watch Hulu in Australia – shortlist
- NordVPN – best Hulu VPN in Australia in 2024
- Surfshark – great Australia VPN for streaming Hulu on unlimited devices
- IPVanish – budget-friendly Hulu VPN for Australia
Best Hulu VPNs to watch in Australia – detailed list
To find the best Hulu VPN for Australians, I joined Cybernews experts to research, test, and analyze the top VPN providers of 2024. First, we looked into VPNs with extensive server fleets in the US. We also paid attention to streaming capabilities and available features. Once we selected the top providers, we performed in-house tests to see how they fare in terms of performance.
I am confident I’ve found the best and most reliable VPNs to watch Hulu in Australia. These are the results.
1. NordVPN – best VPN to watch Hulu in Australia overall
| US servers: | 1970+ servers in 16 locations |
| Hulu download speed: | 454Mbps (500Mbps baseline) |
| Supported devices: | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | Get 74% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free |
With a vast US server network, a proprietary tunneling protocol for top Hulu speeds, and excellent pricing, NordVPN is my top choice for streaming Hulu in Australia.
Servers. Thanks to NordVPN’s SmartDNS feature, your DNS automatically changes if Hulu blocks you. But with 1970+ servers in the US, obfuscation, and dedicated IP options, chances are that NordVPN will connect you to Hulu in Australia on the first try.
Performance. NordVPN consistently delivers high speeds and reliability. During in-house tests, I found the NordLynx protocol to offer a great Hulu streaming experience with no buffering or lag. Compared to a baseline of 500Mbps, NordVPN achieved a connection speed of 454Mbps while accessing Hulu, which resulted in 90% speed retention.
Pricing. NordVPN’s Basic plan starts at just $2.99/month (around CA$5.36/month). This is great value, considering you don’t have to worry about data caps. Plus, a single package covers 10 simultaneous connections. To test NordVPN for free, register for a 7-day free trial on Android – you can then connect your account to any compatible device.
2. Surfshark – Hulu VPN that ensures buffer-free streaming
| US servers: | 600+ servers in 22 locations |
| Hulu download speed: | 469Mbps (500Mbps baseline) |
| Supported devices: | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | Now up to 87% OFF Surfshark + 4 months FREE |
With top-tier download speeds, dependable anti-detection technology, and fair pricing – Surfshark is another excellent choice for Hulu streaming in Australia.
Servers. Although smaller than NordVPN, Surshark’s pool of servers in the US is not disappointing – you can choose from 600+ servers in 22 major US cities. During in-house Surfshark tests, I was able to unblock Hulu without any problems, and none of the IPs were blocked by Hulu. I expected this, given Surfshark's excellent reputation for unblocking streaming platforms.
Performance. While connected to a Surfshark server in the US, I achieved a connection speed of 469Mbps, which is an excellent result. Surfshark even surpassed NordVPN by maintaining nearly 86% speed retention, which ensures you can stream Hulu content in HD without any disruption.
Pricing. Surfshark costs as little as $1.99/month (around CA$3.27/month). Aside from the wallet-friendly price, Surfshark also supports unlimited simultaneous connections, which means you can connect as many devices as you want using the same account. Plus, there’s a 7-day trial, so you can test it on Hulu yourself for free.
3. IPVanish – a budget-friendly Hulu VPN for Australians
| US servers: | 1100+ servers in 20 locations |
| Hulu download speed: | 418Mbps (500Mbps baseline) |
| Supported devices: | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | Now up to 83% OFF IPVanish |
When you subscribe to IPVanish, you can set up split-tunneling for Hulu and watch your favorite shows and movies from anywhere in Australia. That said, while this provider has plenty of servers in the US, during in-house testing, it failed to connect to Hulu on several occasions, and I needed to try new servers.
Servers. IPVanish has an impressive list of US server options – overall, there are 1100+ servers in 20 locations, which allows you to access Hulu shows from Australia and other countries. I also appreciated that IPVanish offers dedicated US IPs, which should offer more stable connections.
Performance. During an in-house speed test, IPVanish performed really well. The connection speed while connected to a server in the US was 418Mbps (80% speed retention). Overall, IPVanish was not as fast as NordVPN or Surfshark, but it should provide you with a decent streaming experience. Just keep in mind that you may need to try several servers before you connect successfully.
Pricing. IPVanish offers excellent value for money with prices as low as $2.19/month on a 2-year plan (around CA$3.27/month). Plus, you can use your subscription on an unlimited number of devices. As per usual, there’s also a 7-day free trial you can test on mobile devices.
Conclusion
NordVPN is my top pick for watching Hulu in Australia. With 1970+ US servers, it offers a large IP pool that minimizes the chance of blocks. Plus, with advanced anti-detection technology, a proprietary protocol built for speed (NordLynx), and a range of advanced privacy features, you’re guaranteed a smooth streaming experience.
If 10 simultaneous connections aren’t enough, you may want to consider Surfshark or IPVanish – both of these providers allow you to use one subscription on as many devices as you like. Fortunately, all three providers come with 7-day free trials, so you can test them and choose your favorite provider risk-free.
FAQ
Does Hulu work in Australia?
Yes, Hulu works in Australia, provided you use a US IP address. Hulu blocks all non-US visitors, but you can make the provider believe you’re connecting from the US using a reliable VPN. The best option I could find for Hulu in 2024 is NordVPN.
Can you watch Hulu in Australia with a free VPN?
Yes, you can watch Hulu in Australia with a free VPN. However, free VPNs are known for being less reliable. They usually have limited server networks, security features, and other benefits. Moreover, providers may sell your data to make money. If you don’t want to invest in a premium VPN immediately, you can try the free trials that NordVPN, Surfshark, IPVanish, and other reliable providers offer.
Why isn’t my VPN working for Hulu in Australia?
Hulu may detect your VPN due to IP leaks or blocks. Note that if one server doesn’t work, you can always try another one. Keep trying different US servers, and if none of them work, consider switching to a more reliable streaming VPN like NordVPN.