9 Best VPNs for Australia for fast streaming and privacy in 2026

Are you trying to access geographically restricted services while living or traveling in Australia? Perhaps you’re just trying to keep your online activities hidden while using public wifi networks, or want to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds. In situations like these, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a valuable tool to have.

So what is a VPN and how do they work? Simply, VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, preventing it from being read by anyone monitoring the network. They also assign you a local IP address from wherever your chosen server is, meaning it’s easy to spoof your location or access region-locked sites from anywhere in the world.

Below, you’ll find a quick summary of what sets my top Australian VPNs apart from the crowd. If any catch your eye, just scroll down for a more detailed review of each.

Best VPNs for Australia:

1. NordVPN The best VPN for Australia. Five Australian server locations and very fast speeds. Superb for streaming, and has plenty of advanced features to play with. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Australia.
2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN option for Australia. This fast and easy-to-use VPN allows any number of connections and unblocks a huge range of streaming services. Consistently high speeds and 24/7 support.
3. Total VPN: A fast, easy to use VPN that’s ideal for streaming Aussie TV shows abroad or keeping your online activities private. Doesn’t keep any logs at all.
4. ProtonVPN: Respected provider with a great track record on security. Highly customisable, with over 100 Australian servers and consistent access to Australian streaming services like 7play.
5. ExpressVPN: Works with Aussie streaming apps like Stan. Good set of privacy tools, solid speeds, and obfuscated connections so you can use it anywhere.
6. IPVanish: This zero-logs VPN lets you connect as many devices as you like. Perfect for streaming 10Play or Netflix AU. High speeds and strong security.
7. PureVPN: An affordable, easy to use service capable of unblocking most Australian streaming platforms. Easily sidesteps most types of VPN-blocking.
8. CyberGhost: Novice-friendly VPN with lots of Aussie servers, some of whic hare designed for unblocking Stan, 9Now, and 10Play. Doesn’t keep logs.
9. PrivateVPN: Highly secure, no logs VPN. Subscriptions are easy on the wallet, and the service works particularly well with Netflix Australia. Port forwarding and split tunneling available.

How I found the best Australia VPNs

Not all VPNs are suitable for users in Australia. Some are painfully slow, while other are rubbish at streaming. These providers are best avoided — unless you enjoy the feeling of acute frustration. The good news is that there are plenty of excellent VPNs available for Australia. I know, because I’ve tested more than 75 of them and evaluated each provider based on the following criteria:

• Speed: I wanted to see how fast each VPN’s Australian servers were, so I tested them each three times using a typical 40 Mbps home broadband connection. Note that I paid close attention to consistency since there’s no point in having a VPN that’s only quick sometimes.
• Streaming ability: Next, I checked to see which providers could access the highest number of Australian streaming services like 7plus, ABC iView, and 10 Play. I also tried them with international platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and BBC iPlayer.
• Security & privacy: To ensure that I only recommend services with impeccable privacy credentials, I evaluated each VPN on more than 15 security-related factors including how strong their encryption is, whether they’ve been independently-audited, and which protocols they support.
• Ease of use: In my professional opinion, the best VPNs are those that are the most versatile, streamlined, and intuitive. That’s why I awarded points to any service that goes out of its way to simplify the user experience with features like unlimited connections, task-specific servers, or 24/7 customer support.
• Value for money: I checked nearly a dozen price-related factors including how often each VPN goes on sale, whether it offers student discounts, and what its absolute lowest monthly cost is. Note that to be eligible for recommendation, VPNs had to offer a money-back guarantee so you can try them for yourself.

You can read more about this testing process and see the results of my tests in the methodology section below.

Best VPNs for Australia compared

I’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – the #1 choice for Australia.

Best Australian VPNs in 2026

I’ve compiled the following reviews based on extensive first-hand experience and real-world testing.

Here’s my list of the top VPN service providers for Australia:

1. NordVPN

Feb 2026

NordVPN is the top VPN for Australia. This provider has been around for over a decade and it’s easy to see why: there are 8,000+ servers in 120+ countries, and five locations in Australia alone, plus NordVPN excels at beating regional restrictions. It can reliably bypass country-wide censorship and access platforms like 9Now, BBC iPlayer, or CTV from anywhere in the world. Up to 10 devices can be connected at the same time and there’s 24/7 support over live chat.

If you’re trying to get an Australian IP address, you’re likely interested in streaming, which means you’ll need a high-speed connection. After testing NordVPN’s Aussie servers three times, I noted an average speed of 37.55 Mbps with just over 2 Mbps of fluctuation throughout the day. That’s a solid result, and much faster than is required for live streaming Aussie TV abroad.

NordVPN’s settings menu is neatly-organized and easy to navigate, which is a little surprising given the sheer number of customizable tools at your disposal. For instance, there’s split tunneling functionality which allows certain apps to bypass the VPN’s encryption entirely. Alternatively, you could try out NordVPN’s Double VPN servers, turn on dark web monitoring, or activate automatic wifi protection.

Of course, this service doesn’t neglect the basics. NordVPN keeps you safe using uncrackable ChaCha20 encryption, an app-specific kill switch, and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. This provider has been audited to prove it doesn’t keep logs, and boasts two custom protocols: NordLynx, which is a more secure WireGuard alternative, and NordWhisper, which can help you sidestep censorship in countries like China, the UAE, or Russia.

NordVPN has its own Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, and iOS apps. You can also manually install it on routers in case you’d like to stream Aussie TV from a device that doesn’t support full VPN apps (like games consoles or older smart TVs).

BEST VPN FOR AUSTRALIA:NordVPN is the #1 choice for Australia. Comes with lots of powerful 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.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is the best low-cost VPN for Australian users. Even if you’ve never used a VPN before, you’ll feel right at home here thanks to its well-described options, lack of jargon, and 24/7 access to live chat-based customer support. Better still, Surfshark recently expanded its network and now offers access to 4,500+ servers in 100 countries. There are no bandwidth or connection limits either, so you’re free to secure every device you own at the same time.

I tested Surfshark’s fastest available Australian server at three times of day (morning, noon, and afternoon). This returned an average speed of 36.55 Mbps and just 1 Mbps of difference between its fastest and slowest results. That’s well above the speed needed for live streaming, torrenting, and gaming so you shouldn’t have any problems. Let’s see those results side by side:

I successfully used Surfshark to stream content from Australia-only channels such as 7Plus, 10Play, and ABC iview. The provider also works with a range of international platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. The video below shows you how easy it is to access 10Play using Surfshark.

Surfshark has a remarkably strong security offering too. For starters, it uses uncrackable encryption to shield your activities, then a kill switch and leak protection to ensure no data sneaks out unencrypted. Surfshark has been audited to show that it doesn’t keep any logs of your browsing habits. There’s also an ad and tracker-blocker, a NoBorders mode capable of beating the world’s strictest digital censorship, and a tool capable of generating a fake persona so that you don’t have to provide your own personal information when signing up for things.

Other features of note include access to static IP addresses, which are always the same (most VPN servers change their IP address periodically), and a Rotating IP tool that changes your IP address every few minutes for maximum anonymity.

Apps are available for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux. Surfshark provides step by step guides for manual router installation.

BEST BUDGET OPTION:Surfshark is my top budget VPN. Boasts high speeds, unlimited connections, and the ability to watch your favorite shows anywhere. This no-logs service has a strong security toolkit and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. Total VPN

Total VPN makes it incredibly simple to keep your online activities private. It provides access to reliable servers in more than 80 countries, Australia included, and is capable of beating most online restrictions without too much trouble. For instance, this service can even access platforms like Netflix, 7plus, and BBC iPlayer, which have some of the most stubborn VPN-detection systems around.

Your VPN has to be quick enough to handle whatever you throw at it. To make sure that Total VPN is suitable for everyday usage, I ran speed tests on its Australian servers at various points throughout the day using a 40 Mbps home broadband connection. It averaged 33.6  Mbps, which is a fine result, and well above what’s required for streaming. Here are the full test results:

Let’s talk about security. Total VPN protects your privacy by preventing IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks, securing your data with unbreakable AES=256 encryption, and using a kill switch (on Android) to make sure your connection is secure at all times. What’s more, there’s a protocol named Hydra that’s able to bypass some forms of VPN-detection. Total VPN doesn’t keep any logs of your activities, either, allowing you to browse the web without worrying about who might be watching.

Total VPN has its own apps for Windows, Android, iOS, and MacOS.

LOTS OF AUSSIE SERVERS:Total VPN has plenty of Australian servers though it’s also capable of accessing geo-blocked platforms from other countries. Good level of security and functionality. This service comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee on short-term plans, or a 30-day guarantee on anything over a year.

Interested? For more details, check out our complete Total VPN review.

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4. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is an industry titan, having been created by the team behind Proton Mail, every activist’s favorite email client. This VPN’s network covers 120 countries, with servers in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Perth. I was able to access 7plus, 10play, Apple TV+, BBC iPlayer, and Prime Video, among many other region-locked services, giving you plenty of options for what to watch. There’s a 10-connection limit and 24/7 assistance via live chat but hopefully you’d never need it.

To get a feel for ProtonVPN’s performance, I tested its quickest Australian servers at three different times of day. This service delivered an average speed of 29.7 Mbps, which is fast enough for most tasks, live streaming included. There was around 8 Mbps of fluctuation though, which means your speeds could vary by up to a quarter (though if your connection is faster than 40 Mbps, you’ll likely be just fine).

This service is extremely intuitive, with important features like the kill switch and ad/tracker-blocker controlled via simple toggle switches on the main screen. Of course, ProtonVPN also lets you configure its split tunneling and port forwarding features, or customize more advanced settings like NAT type, LAN traffic blocking, and alternative routing (for places where ProtonVPN services aren’t normally available).

This VPN has an audited no-logs policy, which means it can’t reveal what you do online under any circumstances. Users are kept safe using unbreakable encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch that stops sending data if your connection drops unexpectedly. ProtonVPN also boasts a Stealth mode that can help you beat some forms of VPN-detection (though it won’t work in China unfortunately).

Apps are available for iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, and Android. The service is compatible with OpenVPN-supporting routers, so manual configuration is an option if you need a VPN for additional devices.

READY FOR ANYTHING:ProtonVPN is a privacy-first service that’s just as comfortable streaming Australian TV as it is torrenting. Paid plans come with a generous connection limit, access to fast servers, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Still have questions? Find answers in our comprehensive ProtonVPN review.

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5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a reputable provider with plenty to offer. For starters, its network covers 105 countries and it’s one of the few services that can bypass country-wide censorship without the user actually having to do anything. It’s a great choice where streaming is concerned too, easily unblocking platforms like Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu from anywhere. You can protect10 devices on a Basic plan or up to 14 with a Pro subscription. Support is available 24 hours per day via live chat.

My next task was to find out how quick ExpressVPN’s Australian servers were. This involved testing them several times over the course of a typical day and resulted in an average speed of 30.65 Mbps. I was able to watch live TV without any stuttering or buffering and was impressed to see less than 2 Mbps of variance over three tests.

ExpressVPN’s apps are so user-friendly that you can jump right in and start browsing with no manual setup needed. That’s because you’re automatically protected with unbreakable encryption, a kill switch, and tools that prevent DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks. If you did feel like enhancing your privacy even further, you’ll find that the settings menu is clean, uncluttered, and controlled mostly via checkboxes.

So what other functionality does ExpressVPN have to offer? Well, you can change from its custom Lightway protocol to OpenVPN or IKEv2, which might improve speeds slightly. There’s also a tool capable of blocking ads, trackers, malicious downloads, and adult content, helping to make the internet that little bit safer for your family. Crucially, ExpressVPN has a no-logs policy, and has been independently-audited several times, meaning your online privacy is in good hands.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. ExpressVPN is the only provider with its own router firmware, making it nice and easy to secure your whole home network.

HIGHLY VERSATILE:ExpressVPN is a great choice. It’s speedy, hard to beat on privacy and digital security features, and able to unblock platforms like Netflix abroad. There’s even a 30-day no-quibbles money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN Review.

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6. IPVanish

IPVanish is another fantastic option for anyone visiting Australia. Not only does it own all 3,200 of its servers (spanning 100+ countries), it’s one of the only services that lets you connect every device you own. There are five Australian locations to choose from and my hands-on testing confirmed that IPVanish works with Aussie streaming apps like 7plus, Stan, and BINGE, as well as Disney+, Netflix, and Hulu. If you run into any problems, you can get help using the 24/7 live chat service.

IPVanish’s Australian servers delivered an average speed of 31.0 Mbps. For context, that’s twice as fast as is needed for watching 4K content, so it’s unlikely you’ll notice any performance issues, even if you share your internet connection with others. There was 16 Mbps of variance, though, and I’d prefer to see this reduced so that users can count on a speedy, reliable connection no matter when they’re online.

Once connected, you’ll see a graph showing realtime information about data usage and your connection. I really liked that the server menu lets you see which servers are busiest too, since this removes a lot of trial and error when trying to get a speedy connection. All things considered, even total beginners should be able to use this VPN without much trouble.

IPvanish follows a strict no-logs policy, as evidenced by its multiple independent audits. By default, it uses unbreakable ChaCha20 encryption, a kill switch, and DNS and IPv6 leak protection to ensure you’re always browsing safely. There have been several new features added recently too, like multi-hop servers, a tool that checks if links are safe to open, and automatic ad and tracker-blocking. Finally, IPVanish supports split tunneling so you can access content from two regions simultaneously.

This service also has an Advanced subscription tier which costs around a dollar more each month. It includes IPVanish’s VPN, a terabyte of cloud storage, and a remotely-accessible private browser. You’d normally pay more than $1 for the cloud storage alone so, in my opinion, this is well worth considering, even if the browser isn’t as fast as it could be.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. Its possible to configure a connection with Linux and compatible routers, with instructions available on the IPVanish website.

NO CONNECTION LIMIT:IPVanish has a large network of servers that are great for streaming. A solid choice for torrenters, Kodi users, and folks who need the highest standard of privacy. Plus, a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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7. PureVPN

PureVPN has what it takes to keep you safe while visiting Australia. There are more than 6,500 servers to choose from, spread across 65 countries, with clusters in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Melbourne. Better still, there are some that are specially-designed for accessing platforms like 7plus and Stan abroad — just head over to the shortcuts tab to see them all. Up to 10 devices can be secured simultaneously and there’s 24/7 customer support via live chat.

I noticed mixed results when testing IPVanish’s Australian servers. While it had a respectable average speed of 31.03 Mbps, this VPN also delivered one of my lowest overall test results (16.8 Mbps). Still, it remained quick enough to handle everyday tasks like streaming, downloading large files, or gaming. See for yourself:

This service doesn’t compromise on privacy, using 256-bit ChaCha20 encryption, a kill switch, and a zero-logs policy to ensure you’re fully-protected. Auditors are allowed to show up at any time, and so far, this VPN has been audited three times. PureVPN also blocks ads and trackers, prevents DNS and IPv6 leaks, and obfuscates user traffic automatically, making it a strong choice for anyone planning a trip to a country with extreme digital censorship. Finally, this VPN offers app-based split tunneling and port forwarding is available for around a dollar more each month.

This VPN has its own iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, and MacOS apps. It can also be manually installed on most routers — check PureVPN’s website for instructions.

FAST AUSSIE SERVERS:PureVPN makes it easy to stream Australian content. This easy to use VPN makes digital security simple and best of all, it comes with a 31-day money-back guarantee.

Why not read our complete PureVPN review?

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8. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a newcomer-friendly service that’s known for its ability to access stubborn geo-blocked platforms abroad. This VPN has thousands of servers in 100+ countries and tells you exactly which ones are best for torrenting, playing games, or accessing streaming services like Netflix US or BBC iPlayer in Australia. Users can connect up to seven devices at the same time and in the unlikely event of any problems, there’s 24-hour support via email and live chat.

So just how quick is this service, really? To find out, I tested its Australian servers in the morning, at midday, and in the afternoon using a 49 Mbps connection. CyberGhost achieved an average speed of 24.67 Mbps. It did have one noticeably slower result in the morning which dragged the average down, but other than that, this VPN remained fast enough for streaming, gaming, or anything else.

CyberGhost boasts a robust security toolkit, with unbreakable encryption, an independently-audited no-logs policy, and support for the WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols. There’s also a kill switch, ad and tracker-blocker, and leak protection. This service has a couple of more advanced tools as well, like the ability to create smart rules that tell the VPN to connect on its own. Users can allow certain apps to pass through unencrypted. Just be aware that CyberGhost’s obfuscation isn’t strong enough to let you bypass strict country-wide censorship.

Apps are available for Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. It can be manually configured to work with most routers too.

GOOD VALUE OPTION:CyberGhost is easy to use and makes streaming as easy as can be. Great privacy with zero logs, DNS leak protection, and an automatic kill switch. Has a vast server network and comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost VPN review.

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9. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN was created by activists who support your right to torrent anonymously. It has around 200 servers globally, spread across 60+ countries, and can reliably unblock even the toughest streaming services from abroad. For instance, I was able to watch 7Plus, 10Play, and ABC iview with no problems. You’re allowed to connect up to 10 devices at the same time and if anything goes wrong, you can get help over live chat (though only during European business hours — it’s not quite 24/7 just yet).

PrivateVPN tends to be a little slower than its competitors, likely because it owns, manages, and hosts its entire network in-house. When I tested its Aussie servers at various times of day, PrivateVPN delivered an average speed of 19.9 Mbps. That’s plenty for most tasks and would have been even higher except for a single poor result in the morning test. Take a look at my findings:

One of the best things about this service is that it’s extremely easy to navigate. Even in its Advanced view, there aren’t enough options to overwhelm novice users. I liked that you can monitor your current data usage, connection status, and port forwarding information right there on the main screen, though I’d rather the Stealth mode was available in the Simple view too since it’s one of PrivateVPN’s most impactful tools.

This service is a great choice for anyone concerned about privacy. For starters, it secures your connection using uncrackable AES encryption (either 128-bit or 256-bit, your choice), a customizable kill switch, and protection against IPv6 and DNS leaks. PrivateVPN also follows a strict zero-logs policy though it hasn’t been professionally audited at the time of writing.

That’s not all: there’s also built-in split tunneling and port forwarding support, which is extremely rare to see since the latter usually costs extra. Finally, PrivateVPN offers a Stealth mode that’ll let you browse safely anywhere, even places like China where the internet is heavily censored and surveilled.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. You can also manually install this VPN on Linux systems and routers.

STRONG ON PRIVACY:PrivateVPN doesn't keep logs and is packed with security tools. P2P-friendly service with decent speeds, excellent streaming ability, and the ability to sidestep censorship. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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Why you need a VPN in Australia

When it comes to digital privacy and online freedom in Australia, several concerns make using a VPN almost essential. Here’s why:

1. Five-Eyes Alliance Membership: Australia is a key member of the 5-Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance. This alliance involves countries sharing surveillance data amongst themselves. You can encrypt your online activities using a VPN, making it difficult for any entity to monitor or log your data.
2. Government Surveillance: The Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) bill, introduced in September 2021, grants Australian law enforcement the authority to access and alter data on your devices. A VPN can provide an added layer of security, ensuring your data remains private and out of reach.
3. ISP Monitoring and Restrictions: Australian Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are known to monitor user data. They can also throttle bandwidth or block access to P2P networks and websites. With a VPN, you can bypass these restrictions, ensuring unrestricted access to the internet and safeguarding your online activities from prying eyes.
4. Cybersecurity Concerns: Cyberattacks are a global concern, and Australia is no exception. Whether it’s hackers trying to steal personal information or malware attempting to infiltrate devices, the risks are real. A VPN offers robust encryption, making it challenging for cyber criminals to intercept or decipher your data.
5. Data Retention by Telecommunication Firms: Australian laws mandate telecommunication companies to retain user data for up to two years. This data can include call logs, text messages, and more. VPNs encrypt your online activities, and many also come with anti-tracking features. This ensures that third parties, including telecommunication firms, cannot easily access or use your personal information, safeguarding you from unsolicited communications.

In conclusion, while Australia offers numerous attractions and opportunities, it’s crucial to prioritize your digital privacy and security. A VPN is a protective shield, ensuring you can enjoy the digital world without compromising your data and freedom.

Using a free VPN for Australia

It might be tempting to use a free VPN instead of a paid one, but I strongly advise against it. With very few exceptions, free VPNs are either incredibly limited when it comes to speed, access, and performance, or they invade your privacy to mine personal data, which is then sold off to third-party advertisers.

Free VPNs often have data caps, bandwidth limits, and huge user numbers coupled with a low server count, leading to queues. Server selection and location is limited so you may not find one where you need one. 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, I 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.

Australia VPN FAQs

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