5 Best VPNs for Australia in 2024 for Streaming and Privacy

Australia is a member of the intelligence-sharing 5 Eyes Alliance, and ISPs must record and keep your data for up to 2 years. Plus, much international content, like online banking apps and streaming services, is blocked when visiting Australia due to geo-restrictions.

My team and I tested 40+ providers and found the best VPNs for Australia. The shortlisted VPNs all have a global network of servers, making it possible to securely stream Australian content, like 9Now and Netflix AU, from anywhere. Plus, top-grade encryption, kill switches, and no-logs policies protect your privacy from hackers and online surveillance.

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Australia. It has a vast network of fast servers (including in and outside Australia) to stream and torrent without delays. Its military-grade security features also keep your data safe. You can try ExpressVPN without risk, as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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Short on Time? Here Are the Best VPNs for Australia in 2024

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Best VPNs for Australia — Full Analysis (Updated 2024)

1. ExpressVPN — Fast Speeds to Game, Stream, and Torrent in Australia Without Delays

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested November 2024

Available on:

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Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN gave me the best speeds for high-bandwidth activities like torrenting and gaming. Testing Australian servers near me, I barely noticed a speed drop. Options in my city stayed consistently close to my base connection of 245.30Mbps — a 5GB copyright-free file took me less than 3 minutes to download. Whether streaming live TV on 10Play or playing Warzone, my online activities remained smooth.

Clicking the power button will connect you to the fastest nearby server

With servers throughout Australia, ExpressVPN enables safe access to local streaming services from anywhere. It's even possible to get a specific Australian city IP address with servers in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, and Woolloomooloo. ExpressVPN frequently updates its server IPs to avoid geoblocks. So, streaming Netflix Australia or watching Black Snow on Stan from overseas won't be an issue.

Your online activity and identity are secured with military-grade encryption and DNS/IPv6/WebRTC leak protection. I didn’t detect any leaks during my tests. Additionally, its perfect forward secrecy function changes the encryption key each time you log on or every 15 minutes, whichever comes first, preventing anyone from intercepting your data.

On the downside, I found the VPN a bit pricey, starting at $4.99/month. However, ExpressVPN frequently offers generous discounts to help you save. I got 82% off and 3 extra months free on the long-term subscription. Plus, you can use ExpressVPN on up to 8 devices risk-free, as it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.

Useful Features

• 24/7 live chat support. I could typically reach an agent in under 2 minutes, and they were always helpful and courteous.
• Automatic obfuscation. This feature masks your VPN traffic as normal internet traffic, helping you bypass restrictions and avoid deep packet inspection, even from your ISP.
• Router support. I mostly watch Australian TV on Roku, which doesn’t support VPNs, so I like ExpressVPN's dedicated router app with a visual interface for major brands like Netgear. It’s easier to set up and use than most VPNs, which require manual configuration.
• Threat Manager. This automatically blocks ads, malware, and trackers for a cleaner and safer online experience, making it harder for third parties to profile you.

2. CyberGhost — Dedicated Servers to Securely Stream Australian Content From Anywhere

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost has servers dedicated to various popular Australian streaming platforms, including 9Now and Stan. This makes it easy to stream securely from anywhere with just a few clicks. To find these servers, simply expand the app and click For streaming, then type “Australia" into the search bar. There are also optimized servers for many other international platforms, including 10+ Netflix libraries, Disney Plus, and Hulu. During testing, these servers always connected within seconds and provided HD streaming quality.

CyberGhost also has dedicated servers for torrenting and gaming

Your data is kept private with virtually uncrackable AES 256-bit encryption and multiple security protocols (including OpenVPN and WireGuard). Plus, a verified no-logs policy and RAM-only servers mean your personal information, like your IP address and the websites you visit, won't be collected or shared with anyone, even if a government requests it.

Turning on its Block Content feature, CyberGhost filtered malicious links, ads, and sites while I browsed and torrented in Australia. Its Smart rules were also helpful, allowing me to configure it to automatically connect if I use certain apps or potentially unsafe WiFi networks.

One drawback is that monthly plans are expensive and only have a 14-day refund period. However, a 45-day money-back guarantee on its long-term plans gives you ample time to test CyberGhost in or outside of Australia. Prices also only start at $2.03/month.

Useful Features

• 7 connections. You can use CyberGhost on multiple devices simultaneously, and it's compatible with all popular operating systems.
• Yearly transparency reports. While it has a strict no-logs policy, it gives you extra peace of mind by seeing how they deal with government data requests.
• Privacy Guard. This feature is available to Windows users and blocks background services from sending data for tracking purposes.
• Fast servers. While slower than ExpressVPN, my average speed drop was at most 10% when testing nearby servers in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Tailor Your Connections to Balance Speed With Security in Australia

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

With PIA, you can customize your Australian IP address to enhance security or speed. I tried various options, and WireGuard consistently gave me the best speeds with only a 9% drop during tests. While WireGuard is very secure, I recommend OpenVPN with AES 256-bit encryption for anything requiring top-level security, such as online banking.

You can also adjust MTU packet size if you’re experiencing network issues

A global network, with many servers in Australia, means it's possible to securely access streaming sites. PIA even has specialized streaming servers in Australia for watching Aussie content uninterrupted from anywhere. The VPN is also a good option for torrenting in Australia, as all its servers support P2P. I had no unexpected slowdowns downloading and uploading large files.

One minor con is that the VPN might seem complex to beginners. However, PIA comes pre-configured for most online activities; for example, just choose a server in Australia to get an Australian IP address and access your local apps from abroad. However, if you need help with more advanced settings, support is available 24/7 via live chat and email.

A long-term PIA plan costs only $2.03/month and can be used with an unlimited number of devices. Like ExpressVPN, all plans are backed by a trustworthy 30-day money-back guarantee period.

Useful Features

• Adjustable kill switch. PIA’s optional advanced kill switch blocks all unencrypted internet activity until you switch on the VPN, protecting you at all times.
• SOCKS5 proxy and port forwarding. While it doesn’t secure your connection with encryption, it can help you torrent files faster while hiding your real IP address.
• Connection Automation. You can tell PIA to automatically connect when you use specific WiFi networks, such as public hotspots.

4. NordVPN — User-Friendly VPN to Easily Get an International or Australian IP Address

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try NordVPN >

www.nordvpn.com

NordVPN's intuitive design makes it easy to use, even if you're new to VPNs. It has a search bar, optimized server tabs, and an interactive map to quickly find and connect to a server in Australia to securely access 9Now, Netflix AU, and more.

I like its Threat Protection feature for a safer online experience, especially when using public WiFi in Australia. When enabled, my tests found it removes ads from sites like news.com.au and nine.com.au. It also offers a Lite mode, ideal for devices like my iPhone, as it conserves battery and reduces background data usage, optimizing bandwidth.

It's also possible to allow some domains to bypass the blocker

One issue I found is that the VPN says it might share your information to comply with international laws. However, I was relieved that NordVPN maintains a strict no-logs policy, independently audited by Deloitte. Like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost, it’s also based in country (Panama), which has no data retention laws.

Thanks to its money-back guarantee, NordVPN is free to try for 30 days. Canceling via 24/7 live chat is straightforward, and you'll receive a refund within 5 to 7 working days.

Useful Features

• Fast speeds. With its NordLynx protocol, I only lost 8% of my baseline speeds. I had no issues watching the Australian Open replays without buffering.
• Specialized security servers. Although they’re not in Australia, NordVPN’s Obfuscated options disguise your VPN data and regular HTTPS traffic, making it easy to get around network restrictions like those of schools and work. Double VPN routes your connection through two servers instead of one, providing an extra layer of encryption.
• Meshnet. This allows you to set up encrypted connections between specific devices. For example, you can use this to securely access files from your work PC while traveling outside Australia.

5. Surfshark — Unlimited Connections To Protect All Your Devices in and Outside Australia

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try Surfshark >

www.surfshark.com

Surfshark allows your household to use VPN protection simultaneously without logging in and out of accounts. You won’t hit bandwidth or usage limits either — everyone can stream, torrent, or game without interruptions. I tested Surfshark by streaming on my Windows PC and Android while connected to 7 other devices, and it remained fast, with just a 5% drop on nearby servers.

Surfshark automatically uses WireGuard, one of the fastest VPN protocols

Unfortunately, Surfshark is headquartered in the Netherlands, part of the data-sharing 14 Eyes Alliance. However, I wasn't worried about my privacy since Surfshark adheres to a strict no-logs policy, independently verified by Deloitte. Plus, like ExpressVPN, it uses RAM-only servers, so any data is wiped when the server restarts.

You can get a Surfshark subscription starting at only $1.99/month. For a small extra fee you can add more security features, like webcam and antivirus protection. Plus, its 30-day money-back guarantee allows you to test it for Australia risk-free.

Useful Features

• Rotating IPs. This seamlessly changes your IP every few minutes without changing your server location. This allows you to browse Australian or international sites without interruptions while being harder to track.
• NoBorders mode. Turn this on to automatically detect restrictions on your network and let Surfshark change settings to bypass them. This makes it possible to access streaming sites like Netflix Australia from anywhere without issues.
• Bypasser. This customizable split tunneling feature lets you choose apps and websites to bypass the VPN. For example, I use it to stream local content while securely torrenting via the VPN tunnel.

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Tips on Choosing the Best VPN for Australia

Every VPN listed can easily provide an international or Australian IP address to securely browse, stream, and torrent. Additionally, they all offer robust security features and high-speed connections. If you prefer to conduct your own tests, feel free to use the below criteria as a checklist:

• Global network with servers in Australia. To securely access content like Netflix, Stan, and Hulu from anywhere, a VPN should have many servers in and outside Australia.
• Fast speeds. Choose a VPN that won’t noticeably slow you down so you can stream, game, and torrent uninterrupted.
• Robust security features. To keep your data safe in and outside Australia, look for a VPN with strong encryption, a kill switch, IP/DNS leak protection, and a no-logs policy.
• Device compatibility. Whether you want to stream on your smart TV or stay safe using your iPhone over public WiFi, make sure the VPN offers a native app for your favorite devices. Multiple simultaneous connections are a must to secure all your devices under one subscription.
• Easy to use. A good VPN should be straightforward to install and use, even if you’re a beginner. 24/7 live chat support is a valuable bonus to get help fast when you need it.
• Trustworthy money-back guarantee. To ensure you’ve picked the right VPN for your needs, choose a provider with a money-back guarantee. This allows you to try the VPN without risk.

FAQs on Using a VPN for Australia

Why use a VPN for Australia?

A VPN helps bypass geo-restriction. It provides servers in and outside Australia, making streaming in HD from anywhere possible. Plus, it protects online activities by encrypting traffic. Since the Australian government can force companies to hand over users' data, protecting your online privacy with a VPN is essential.

Can I use a free VPN for Australia?

Yes, but it's not a good idea. Free VPNs limit server locations, speed, and bandwidth to force you to upgrade to their paid plans. So, you might not be able to access the content you need, but experience data caps and severe slowdowns. A premium VPN with a money-back guarantee is a better alternative.

Most free VPNs also don't provide the security features necessary to protect your online privacy. Some even sell your data to third parties, like advertisers, for a profit.

Are VPNs legal in Australia?

Yes, VPNs are legal in most countries, including Australia. First, open your VPN and pick an Australian server to get a local IP address to secure your online activities. However, some countries, like China and Russia, ban or restrict VPNs, and using one for illegal activities doesn’t absolve you of responsibility.

Which VPNs for Australia should I avoid?

In addition to most free VPNs, some paid providers also put your data at risk. To be safe online, always use a VPN with military-grade security, proven privacy policies, and a worldwide network.

Here are some VPNs that you should avoid in Australia:

• Hola VPN. It’s unsafe. Hola VPN doesn’t encrypt your connection, logs a lot your data, and shares it with third parties.
• Psiphon. Your privacy is not guaranteed with Psiphon, as it logs your online activity and leaks DNS data.
• Thunder VPN. Uses a weak SSL encryption protocol, making you vulnerable to cyberattacks.
• Turbo VPN. Our testing showed that the Turbo VPN Windows app contains malware, plus it crashed 4 times during testing.

What if my VPN doesn’t work with Netflix in Australia?

Most likely, Netflix has flagged your VPN IP and blocked you. Netflix often blocks VPN IPs, even if you’re using an Australian IP within the country, so you can stream securely online. It does this to prevent users from accessing different libraries. Your best bet is to use a VPN that frequently updates its IPs, like ExpressVPN, to avoid detection.

Can your ISP track you if you use a VPN in Australia?

A VPN encrypts your connection, making it nearly impossible to track your activities. At most, your ISP can see that you’re connected to a VPN, but not the sites you visit or the data you transfer. Your real IP will remain private to websites. ExpressVPN’s automatic obfuscation adds extra privacy, since it disguises your VPN traffic as normal internet traffic.

This is particularly important in Australia, where telecommunication companies are required to record and keep your online activity for up to 2 years. Using a VPN with robust security helps protect you from hackers as well as monitoring and throttling by your ISP.

Get the Best VPN for Australia

With a VPN that has servers worldwide, it's possible to securely access Australian and international streaming platforms. To stream uninterrupted and in HD, the VPN shouldn't reduce average download speed by more than 20% on nearby servers. Plus, premium VPNs protect your data from hackers and other online threats.

For Australia, I recommend ExpressVPN. It has the fastest servers in and outside Australia to watch content live without buffering. I was particularly impressed by its advanced security and privacy features, which are especially important in Australia's monitored online environment. If you're still unsure, ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try it risk-free and with confidence.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for Australia...

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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