Looking for an Australia VPN? VPN use is widespread both inside Australia and with Australians traveling abroad. Whether you want to connect to Aussie TV or protect your online privacy when using unsecured public wifi connections, a VPN can help.
Whether you want to hide your online activities from your ISP and hackers, or find the best VPNs for streaming blocked content abroad, we’ve got you covered.
We’ll discuss each of the best VPNs for Australia in detail, but if you don’t want to stick around, here are our top picks:
Best VPN connections for Australia:
- NordVPN: Our #1 choice VPN for Australia. Best in class on security, with thousands of very fast, secure VPN servers to choose from. Works great with streaming sites like Netflix and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Surfshark: Best budget option for Australia. This quick and easy-to-use VPN allows any number of connections and unblocks a huge range of services.
- ExpressVPN: Servers in 94 countries, all optimized for speed. Offers a wide range of security features and strong unblocking abilities.
- CyberGhost: Another low-cost option. Easy-to-use option with blazing fast servers and the ability to unblock Netflix and other streaming sites.
- PrivateVPN: Highly secure, no logs VPN. Fast speeds. Works with over 20 Netflix regions. Port forwarding and split tunneling for torrenting.
- IPVanish: Plenty of fast server locations to choose from, no logs policy, and torrent-friendly.
- AtlasVPN: Solid no logs policy. A good option for Australians who want to stream. Fast WireGuard protocol.
A VPN, or virtual private network, encrypts a device’s internet traffic and routes it through an intermediary server in a location of the user’s choosing. This can allow Australians to access blocked content that’s geo-locked in their own country. It can also provide a private tunnel through which to use P2P filesharing applications.
There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn’t right for you and you’ll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.
The VPNs in this list also have servers with Australian IP addresses so you can connect to your favorite Aussie TV when abroad in addition to accessing geo-locked content (like US Netflix or BBC) from inside Australia.
Best VPNs for Australia – at a glance
We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Australia.
Best VPNs for Australia Criteria
You may find choosing a VPN a little difficult with so many options available. However, not all are worth your time and money. To make your decision that little bit quicker and easier, we sought out VPNs that fulfill the following criteria:
- Servers in countries worldwide (including Australia)
- Fast, unthrottled connections for streaming lag-free
- Secures your internet traffic with high-end encryption
- Protects privacy by not keeping any identifying logs
- Live chat and email support are available 24 hours a day
- Allows a minimum of five simultaneous connections
Best VPNs for Australia
Based on these criteria we’ve compiled a list of the top VPN service providers for Australia:
1. NordVPN
Jan 2023
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- Background
- FireTV
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs around, and operates servers in 60 countries with multiple locations in the Asia-Pacific region. Meaning you have plenty of choice when it comes to Australian servers. This VPN excels at unblocking geo-restricted services and can bypass the Netflix proxy firewall in the US and Australia alike. It keeps zero logs of any kind and is based in Panama, where it is not subject to any data retention laws. NordVPN puts personal privacy first with AES 256-bit encryption and secure VPN servers.
NordVPN also offers special servers optimized for privacy and high-speed downloads, such as ultra-fast streaming, double hop VPN, Tor over VPN, and anti-DDoS.
BEST VPN FOR AUSTRALIA:NordVPN is our #1 choice. Comes packed with security features and a zero-logs policy. Unblocks most major streaming platforms abroad. Excellent connection speeds. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros:
- Top VPN contender for Australia
- Unblocks foreign Netflix libraries and streams at good speeds
- No compromises on privacy and security features
- Purpose specific servers available (streaming, torrenting, P2P etc.)
- Australian servers give access to Aussie content abroad
Cons:
- Desktop app takes some getting used to
Our score:
Read our full review of NordVPN.
2. Surfshark
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Surfshark allows P2P file-sharing on all server locations and keeps no logs of your online activity. Encryption is strong, and an automatic kill switch prevents unprotected traffic from leaving your device if the VPN secure connection drops. Live chat support is available 24/7.
Apps (or browser extensions) are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Linux.
Generally solid speeds
Fantastic set of security features
Great at unblocking popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer
Allows torrenting and P2P file-sharing
Unlimited simultaneous connections
Global server network is smaller than most other VPNs
Occasional slow server
Read our full Surfshark review.
3. ExpressVPN
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
ExpressVPN operates more than 2,000 worldwide servers across 94 countries, with more than 20 in APAC alone. Torrenting is allowed on all servers. It’s consistently performed well in our unblocking tests and our speed tests so is a good option for streaming content. It can unblock both the US and Australian Netflix catalogs in a browser and the Netflix app.
It keeps no traffic logs and is based in the British Virgin Islands, where it is not subject to any user data retention laws. ExpressVPN makes apps for Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Linux (command line) and some wifi routers.
Exceptional for Australian use and accessing Australian content while abroad
Fast servers are great for high-quality streaming and downloading
Gets around torrent tracker sites blocks without compromising privacy
Nullifies mandatory ISP data retention
Apps have sound digital security and privacy features
Not as configurable as some power users would like
Doesn’t come cheap, use a coupon for discounts
Read our full ExpressVPN Review.
4. CyberGhost
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
Operates servers in Australia, great for accessing local content while abroad
Beginners find their apps easy to set up and use.
We were impressed by their server speeds during testing
Solid privacy and security features enabled by default
Lack of configuration options will frustrate power users
No dedicated apps for routers
Read our full CyberGhost VPN review.
5. PrivateVPN
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
PrivateVPN is a service based in Sweden that was launched with the backing of activists who support consumer rights to torrent privately. True to its name, this service has a watertight no logs policy. It also provides apps for all platforms that come with AES encryption, a kill-switch, DNS leak protection, port forwarding, and obfuscation. You can install it on up to 5 devices with a single account. Very fast speeds, and works with around 20 Netflix regions. 30-day money-back guarantee.
STRONG ON PRIVACY:Based in Sweden. Secure bare metal servers. No logs policy. Servers located in 63+ countries. Allows torrenting. Has a Kill-switch, DNS leak protection, and obfuscation. Perfect for streaming Netflix or accessing restricted websites. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Allows torrenting throughout
Servers in 63 countries
Solid no logs policy
AES encryption, killswitch, and port forwarding features
Excellent speeds
Fewer servers in each country than our other recommendations
Read our full PrivateVPN review.
6. IPVanish
Website: www.IPVanish.com
IPVanish operates hundreds of server locations in 60 countries, including 12 in APAC. It owns all of its own physical servers resulting in some of the fastest download speeds available from any VPN. Those speeds cannot be put toward streaming Netflix, however, as IPVanish is currently not able to unblock Netflix. It’s a good option for P2P filesharers. Torrenting traffic is allowed on all servers. The company is based in the US but has a strict no-logging policy.
Own and operate server locations in Australia
Impressive speeds and reliable secure connections
Torrenting is allowed and they keep no internet traffic logs
Secure unlimited devices
Look elsewhere if you need to unblock Netflix
Can’t signup with Bitcoin
Apps don’t work in China
Read our full IPVanish review.
7. AtlasVPN
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Background
- FireTV
Website: www.atlasvpn.com
GREAT FOR STREAMING:Fast WireGuard connections. Works to access Netflix US, iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Max, and many more. No logs policy. Robust AES encryption (IKEv2 protocol). Malware filtering for added protection. Allows unlimited connections with a single account.
Fast WireGuard protocol
Easy-to-use apps for all major operating systems
No logs policy
Solid security features
30 day money-back guarantee
Fewer advanced features for power users
Servers in 30+ countries only
Check out our full Atlas VPN review for more info.
Australia VPNs to avoid
One of the biggest motivations for using a VPN is to increase your online security and the privacy of your digital footprint while online. Unfortunately, not all VPNs do this, and some can even inhibit or reduce your privacy.
Hola
Israel-based Hola isn’t a traditional VPN in which customers connect to a network of centralized servers owned by the VPN company. Instead, Hola users connect to each other, using other internet users’ idle bandwidth as part of a large peer-to-peer network. Obviously, this comes with some pretty big security and legal concerns. Users could use each other’s internet access for illegal activity, for example. In 2015, Hola used its user’s computers to create a botnet and perform a massive distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. The abuse of customers’ trust happened entirely without their knowledge.
HideMyAss
In 2011, a LulzSec hacker was arrested for his involvement with an attack on the Sony Pictures website. Cody Kretsinger used HideMyAss VPN to conceal his online identity, but the company complied with a court order to hand over evidence that led to his arrest. This occurred despite the company’s pledge not to keep any logs of user activity. HMA says it does not log the contents of its users’ internet traffic, but it does keep detailed metadata logs that include users’ real IP addresses, which was enough to charge Kretsinger with a crime.
Now that the UK has passed the Snooper’s Charter, which requires service providers to maintain detailed logs of what their users do online, UK-based HideMyAss seems like the last service any privacy-conscious person would want to sign up for.
How we found the best VPNs for Australia: our methodology
There are a number of reasons why you may wish to use a VPN. For example, this may be to access geo-blocked content, secure your data, or bypass ISP throttling. Whatever the case, the best VPNs for Australia are strong all-rounders that allow you to do all of this and more. Below, we go into a little more detail regarding the key criteria and our methodology.
- Servers: All major VPNs have servers covering dozens of countries including the US, UK, Canada, and of course, Australia. In the case of the VPNs listed in this post, thousands of servers are available in most cases. As such, you shouldn’t have any trouble bypassing restrictions or finding a fast connection.
- Speeds: Some VPNs are simply too slow, particularly for more bandwidth-intensive activities such as streaming and torrenting. We conduct speed tests across servers in multiple locations of each VPN. That way, we can find the fastest VPNs on the market, all of which include unlimited bandwidth.
- Unblocking: Copyright and even government censorship means that many websites and services aren’t available everywhere. Some VPNs struggle with this but the best VPNs consistently find ways around blocks. We make sure this is the case by regularly testing them with the likes of BBC iPlayer, Skype, and Twitter.
- Security: At a minimum, we look for the VPNs we recommend to provide 256-bit AES encryption, protection from DNS leaks, and a kill switch. However, many of the best VPNs for Australia offer extras such as Double VPN servers, a password manager, or an ad-blocker. As such, you’ll enjoy more comprehensive protection.
- Privacy: A VPN should encrypt your data and change your IP address so you can browse anonymously. Some fail to provide a sufficient level of encryption while others may keep logs by which you can be identified or even log and sell your browsing data. We’ve looked at 140 VPN logging policies so we could find the very best.
- Ease of use: Beginner-friendly apps can make all the difference as to whether you enjoy using a VPN. Having tested dozens of VPN apps for ourselves, we know which are the quickest to set up and the easiest to navigate. Better still, all offer 24-hour live chat and email support should you have any trouble.
- Value: Despite offering all of the above, the best VPNs for Australia remain affordable, particularly if you commit to a long-term subscription. Furthermore, all come with money-back guarantees of at least 30 days. To save even more, be sure to take advantage of our VPN discount coupons!
Our VPN testing methodology goes into even greater detail about how we analyze VPNs. It’s with this hands-on approach that we can offer the most accurate and up-to-date information available.
Free VPNs often have data caps, bandwidth limits, and even queues. Server selection is limited. Some will inject advertisements into your browser and use tracking cookies to monitor your behavior. This actually reduces your privacy and defeats the purpose of a VPN.
If you insist on using a free VPN, make sure to read through the company’s privacy policy. Ensure they use strong encryption standards and have no-logs policies. However, we recommend you opt for the stronger security, unlimited bandwidth and access to geo-locked content that can only be offered by a paid VPN provider.
Using a VPN to bypass region-locked services might break those services’ terms of service. These are not laws, however, and are generally not enforced with punitive action.
Google is full of articles claiming that a VPN will prevent ISPs from gathering metadata, but unfortunately that is not true. A VPN hides the contents of your internet traffic and your location from the outside world, but you still have to rely on your ISP’s network to get there. Strictly speaking a VPN cannot prevent an ISP from logging your geolocation, device details, and traffic volume.
We’ve explained this in greater detail in our article on the Australian data retention law. There you can also find other means of avoiding the data retention policies.
See also: Australia Freedom House report
However, there have been attempts to crack down on torrenting with mixed success. A “three-strikes” rule in which ISPs would notify torrenters on behalf of copyright holders was canned in 2016 due to disputes over implementation costs.
In 2016, a federal court in Australia ordered ISPs to block BitTorrent tracker sites including ThePirateBay, Torrentz, TorrentHound, IsoHunt and SolarMovie. This has proven to be somewhat effective as visits from Australia to these sites have dropped by 53%. This doesn’t take into account VPN users – the sites can still be accessed with any of the VPNs we listed above.
In 2017, another 59 pirate sites were added to the list of blocked sites, bringing the total to more than 160.
In late November 2018, the Australian Parliament passed the Copyright Amendment to the Copyright Act. This amendment forces ISPs to block proxy servers and mirror sites—duplicates of censored torrent sites that show up after the original site is blocked—without the need for multiple court orders. Second, the new law will force search engines like Google to remove or demote links to infringing sites, as well as their proxies and mirrors.
Comparitech does not condone or encourage piracy. Please stick to legal torrents.
However, using a VPN to access another country’s video streaming library is against Netflix’s terms of use, which state:
Netflix enforces this rule by blocking connections from most VPN providers, but it does not penalize users who attempt to watch through a VPN. We’ve not witnessed Netflix banning, suspending, or taking legal action against VPN users beyond simply blocking streams.
“You may view Netflix content primarily within the country in which you have established your account and only in geographic locations where we offer our service and have licensed such content. The content that may be available to watch will vary by geographic location and will change from time to time.”
But social networks will still require you to log in to your account, so a VPN won’t hide your identity. Many social media sites also place tracking cookies on your device, which VPNs have no effect on.
But identity theft can occur under many different circumstances, so a VPN cannot protect you from every scenario. It won’t stop data breaches, phishing attempts, or thieves from digging through discarded documents in your garbage.
You can also check out WatchAFL.com to stream AFL Premiership games from abroad, but it’s more expensive with monthly subscriptions starting at US$33 per month. If you’re outside of Australia, you won’t need a VPN, but viewers in Australia will need to connect to a VPN in another country to use WatchAFL.com.
It would probably be cheaper to subscribe to NordVPN and Kayo than to just pay for WatchAFL.com.
- Install the VPN on your wi-fi router, or purchase a pre-configured VPN router. ExpressVPN is our favorite option for this thanks to its custom VPN firmware. Any device you connect to the router will use the VPN.
- Use a laptop or phone as a VPN-enabled wi-fi hotspot. By connecting your phone or laptop to the VPN, then tethering your smart TV to that device, you can route your TV’s internet connection through the VPN. More on how to set up VPN-protected wi-fi hotspots from a laptop here.
- Use a smart DNS proxy. Although they don’t support VPNs, many smart TVs do allow customers to set custom DNS servers. For example, ExpressVPN gives all subscribers access to its MediaStreamer DNS service. This doesn’t have all the protections of a VPN, but it does unblock Netflix and other streaming services.
A VPN can bypass some bandwidth throttling implemented by your internet service provider. If your ISP throttles BitTorrent downloads, for example, a VPN’s encryption will hide that activity so that your ISP cannot discriminate against it. However, a VPN will not bypass indiscriminate throttling, such as when you exceed your monthly data cap.
In some cases, a VPN connection can use a less congested route or fetch data from a less congested source, which can increase speeds. In most instances, however, that is not the case.
The idea behind a VPN is that in connecting to a server, your internet traffic is encrypted. You can then browse anonymously as a result. Of course, you can only be sure of this with quality paid VPN providers such as the best VPNs for Australia. Free VPNs, for example, may not properly encrypt your data and may keep logs of your activity, compromising your identity.
It’s also worth noting that your ISP can see you’re using a VPN. It can only see the VPN IP address in question and the amount of traffic traveling to and from your device – not your online activity. As such, if authorities were to contact your ISP and request this information, they too would know you’re using a VPN. They could request logs from the VPN provider but, as long as you’re using a no-logs service, there should be no identifying logs for the VPN to provide.
