How to watch Australian TV online for free
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Aside from spectacular nature and worldwide boxing heavyweights kangaroos, Australia also offers outstanding streaming content. The hits like Wakefield on ABC or Halifax: Retribution on Nine Network are well worth attention, yet unavailable to worldwide viewers.
That's because they are geographically restricted to that region due to copyright laws and licensing agreements. Even if you're a native Australian, you cannot access them while living or traveling abroad; however, you can use a VPN to watch the best streaming services in Australia worldwide.
With a reliable VPN, you can connect to an Australian server and get a local IP address. Streaming websites like ABC, Seven Network, 9Gem, and others will think you're browsing from there and grant access to their content.
Moreso, a VPN provides outstanding online safety and privacy protection features, which are highly beneficial when online cybercrime is rampant. Without further ado, let’s see how to use a VPN to stream Australian TV online for free and, of course, a list of the best options!
How to watch Australian TV with a VPN
- Subscribe to a VPN service with fast Australian servers. We recommend NordVPN, now 75% OFF
- Download the app and install it on your device
- Log in and connect to a server in Australia
- Head over to your chosen free Australian TV channel
- (If asked) Create an account with a legitimate Australian postcode
- Log in to the channel and enjoy the content!
Ways to Watch Australian TV online overseas for free
There are a few ways to enjoy free streaming of Australian exclusive content from overseas.
Firstly, you can utilize VPN services with a free trial or money-back guarantee. Choose a robust VPN provider that offers these features and has speedy Australian servers. A friendly reminder: don't forget to unsubscribe before the money-back guarantee period ends if you choose this method.
Using a reliable free VPN is another possibility, but we wouldn't recommend it. Free VPNs often lack sufficient connection speed for a buffer-free experience, lack servers in Australia, might collect user data, or all together!
Some Australian TV channels like Kayo Sports or Foxtel run on a subscription basis, so you'll have to apply similar steps. Verify their free trial or money-back guarantee policies and use a VPN to access them.
Top 3 best VPNs for Australian TV
- NordVPN – best VPN to watch Australian TV abroad
- Surfshark – top-notch VPN to unblock Australian TV
- IPVanish – secure Australia VPN
In order to watch Australian TV, first you need to figure out the best VPN for this job. It should be safe, fast, and have all features that you might need. Let’s dive into our comparison to see which of these VPNs suits the job the best.
1. NordVPN – best VPN to watch Australian TV overseas
| Based in: | Panama |
| Servers/countries: | 9,500+ servers in 149 countries |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more |
| Current deal: | Get 75% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free |
NordVPN is our top VPN to watch Australian TV online overseas for free. With 190+ servers in five Australian locations, it easily bypasses geographical restrictions and unlocks local content.
Its SmartPlay feature is integrated into the app without additional setup, which uses SmartDNS technology to provide the fastest streaming experience.
The starting price is $3.49/month. However, you can use NordVPN’s 3-day free trial together with a 30-day money-back guarantee to test the service risk-free.
2. Surfshark – unlocks Australian TV on multiple devices for free
| Based in: | The Netherlands |
| Servers/countries: | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more |
| Current deal: | Now up to 85% OFF Surfshark + 3 months FREE |
If you want to watch Australian TV online overseas for free on all your devices, then don't hesitate to check out Surfshark!
This service doesn't limit concurrent connections and allows account sharing between family members. It also offers SmartDNS, but unlike NordVPN, you have to set it manually.
The WireGuard protocol guarantees a smooth streaming experience on its 40 Australian servers in five locations.
The starting price is $2.49/month. Nevertheless, Surfshark’s free trial and a money-back guarantee gives you 37 days of free premium service.
3. IPVanish – reliable VPN with solid streaming capacities
| Based in: | 112 |
| Servers/countries: | 3,400+ servers in 112 countries |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu, and more |
| Current deal: | Now up to 83% OFF IPVanish |
If you’re looking to watch Australian TV online while overseas, IPVanish is a fantastic option with over 50+ Australian VPN servers. This affordable VPN impressed us with its reliable streaming speeds and consistent ability to unblock Australian TV shows.
With its extensive server coverage in Australia, finding a fast and stable connection is effortless. Starting at just $2.19/month, IPVanish provides great value for streaming enthusiasts.
Plus, with its easy-to-use apps available on all major platforms and unlimited device connections, you can enjoy your favorite Aussie content seamlessly.
How we rated VPNs for Australian TV
Picking a solid VPN to watch Australian TV channels for free takes some testing. Here's what we scrutinized to compile our list.
- Australian servers. We wouldn't consider any VPN without speedy Australian servers. Furthermore, there must be enough servers to avoid overload and speed drops.
- SmartDNS. This technology improves streaming quality and geo-block evasion. We considered Smart DNS feature a significant advantage.
- Cybersecurity. We wouldn't want you to sacrifice online safety and privacy for a TV show, so we only picked VPNs that provide robust cybersecurity features.
- Price. VPNs that provide outstanding quality for competitive prices are the best for Australian television streaming for free.
Free online Australian TV channels
There are many local Australian TV channels you can watch online. Here's a list of free Australian TV streaming websites:
- ABC
- SBS
- Seven Network
- Nine Network
- Ten Network
- 7Mate
- 10Bold
- 9Gem
Paid online Australian TV channels
Sadly, some of the best TV streaming in Australia is locked behind a paywall. Here are services that require a subscription.
- Foxtel ($59/month for Movies HD, $88/month for Premium)
- Fetch TV ($6/month for base package, $15/month for Fetch Mighty)
- Kayo Sports ($25/month for Kayo One, $35/month for Premium)
- Netflix Australia ($10.99/month for a basic plan, $19.99/month for the Premium)
Using a VPN to watch Australian TV Online overseas for free
Watching Australian TV overseas for free via a VPN is straightforward, but for VPN beginners could get slightly tricky. Below is a concise step-by-step guide on accessing Australian TV channels online.
- Pick a VPN with Australian servers. NordVPN offers a nice Australian server fleet
- Subscribe to the service, download, and install the app
- Log in with your credentials
- Choose a server in Australia and connect to it
- Go to your chosen Australian TV channel online website
- (If required) Create an account with a legitimate Australian postcode
- Log in with your credentials and start binging!
If your chosen Australian TV service requires a paid subscription, you can utilize its free-trial or money-back guarantee to watch it for free. However, set a reminder for the last day of the free trial or money-back guarantee to get your funds back!
Watch Australian TV on your devices
Now that we've figured out how to access Australian TV streaming services for free from wherever you are, here's how to watch their exclusive entertainment on different devices.
But before we go, keep in mind that some Australian channels provide free-to-air TV apps, meanwhile others do not. Likewise, some Smart TVs support VPN apps, and some have to be configured via a router, making the process slightly different.
Watch Australian TV on smart devices
Australian TV channels ABC, SBS, Seven Network, Nine Network, and Ten Network provide smart TV apps. If your Smart TV supports a native VPN app, follow the instructions below to access Australian streaming services:
- Subscribe to a VPN with fast Australian servers. NordVPN is an excellent choice that's 75% OFF!
- Download the app on your Smart TV and launch it
- Connect to a server in Australia
- Download your chosen Australian TV channel app
- (If required) Create an account
- Log in with your credentials and pick a TV show!
Watch Australian TV on streaming devices
Most streaming devices do not support VPN applications. However, that doesn't mean you can't use VPNs to access Australian TV channels with streaming devices. You can set up a VPN on your router to which you connect the streaming device.
This method works if you want to stream Australian TV channels on Roku, or if you’re wondering how to get Australian channels on Kodi. Here's the breakdown:
- Pick a VPN with an easy router setup. NordVPN has an excellent router setup guide
- Subscribe to the service and install it on a router
- Connect to a server in Australia
- Choose an Australian TV channel and access it via your streaming device
- Create an account if the service requires it
- Log in with your credentials, and you're all set!
What if you can't watch Australian TV with a VPN
There are several reasons why you can't access Australian TV even if you utilize VPN technology. Luckily, there are straightforward solutions to fix such errors. Here's a list of the most common problems.
- Verify IP address. On rare occasions, a VPN may fail to connect to a server and change your IP address. Check your IP address on sites like Whatismyip, and if you notice your original IP address reconnect to a different server.
- Turn off the ad blocker. Many popular streaming sites use ads and popups to generate revenue, and some deny content access if ads do not load. For example, 7plus didn't work for us with NordVPN's Threat Protection enabled, but it granted access once we turned it off.
- Clear browser cache. Streaming websites store user information, including IP address, in the browser cache. Follow these instructions to clear the browser cache to solve the issue.
- Update the apps. Sometimes applications fail to load on older versions, so ensure your VPN or streaming site apps are up-to-date.
Conclusion
Australia has numerous exciting free-to-air local TV channels, and you can enjoy their exclusive content for free with a VPN. NordVPN is the best choice to watch Australian TV online overseas for free. It provides lightning-fast Australian servers and SmartPlay technology to bypass even the toughest geo-blocks.
Furthermore, VPNs protect your online privacy while some even neutralize threats like malware, trackers, and fraudulent websites. Considering they cost less per month than one Starbucks Frappuccino, you get a multi-function tool that will ensure online safety and provide hours of exclusive entertainment – now that's a bargain!
How do I get international TV channels in Australia?
You can use a VPN to connect to a server outside of Australia to access international TV channels. For example, you can connect to a server in the UK to access BBC iPlayer, which would be unavailable otherwise due to geographical restrictions.
Can I watch ABC internationally?
Yes, but you must use a VPN to acquire an Australian IP address to access ABC. Choose a VPN service with speedy Australian servers like NordVPN and connect to one of them. Websites like ABC will think you are browsing from there and grant access.
Is there an app to watch Australian TV?
Some Australian TV channels provide Smart TV and smartphone apps to stream their content. These channels include ABC, SBS, Seven Network, Nine Network, and Ten Network. You can use them with a VPN app to access the content for free from anywhere around the globe.
