The Best Free & Premium VPNs for Australia

Detailed List of the Best Free Australia VPNs

1. 1. PrivadoVPN Free: Best Free VPN for Australia

   Free servers in eight countries, access to US Netflix, and a generous 10GB data allowance.

   Ranked #1 Free VPN for Australia

   

    Rated 0 out of 5 

   No user reviews

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   Pros

   • Accesses US Netflix from anywhere
   • Generous 10GB data allowance
   • Servers in eight available countries
   • Private logging policy
   • Fast long-distance speeds

   Cons

   • No Australia servers
   • Data cap restriction
   • No advanced features
   • No Australian Netflix

   Overall Australia Rating: 6.0/10

   This overall rating is calculated based on the following subcategory ratings. To learn more, read our Australia VPN testing methodology.

   • No. of Australian Servers:
     00.0/10
   • Average Australian Speed:
     7.87.8/10
   • Australian Streaming & Torrenting:
     99.0/10
   • Logging Policy:
     99.0/10

   PrivadoVPN is the best free VPN for users in Australia. If you’re an Australian resident or you’re just traveling there, it’s an excellent choice for connecting to countries outside of Australia, including the US. For those looking for a free VPN to get an Australian IP address, we recommend TunnelBear Free instead.

   Data Cap	Unlimited
   Australian Servers	0
   Australian Cities	0
   Australia Netflix	No
   See all features
   US Netflix	Yes
   Logging Policy	No Identifying Data
   Jurisdiction	Switzerland (Privacy Haven)
   Support	Live Chat

   Lots of free servers, but none in Australia

   You can download and install PrivadoVPN completely free, with no payment details required, and connect to eight countries around the world. The available countries are:

   • Brazil
   • Canada
   • France
   • Germany
   • Mexico
   • Switzerland
   • United Kingdom
   • United States

   For a free VPN, PrivadoVPN offers a generous number of countries, spread relatively well across the globe, covering IP addresses in North America, South America, and Europe. It would be even better if there were African and Asia options, though.

   

   PrivadoVPN Free comes with four US servers.

   The problem is that none of these countries are close to Australia. If you want the closest country for optimal speeds, you’ll have to select the Mexico server. The US server comes with multiple city choices and is your best option to avoid server congestion.

   PrivadoVPN picks up fast long-distance download speeds. While we’re unable to test its exact speeds connecting to and from Australia without an available server (we are based in London), our tests have shown that the free version performs just as well as the premium PrivadoVPN.

   Connecting to the US, for example, we recorded an average download speed of 68Mbps – a great result for such a big physical distance.

   The best free Australia VPN for streaming

   PrivadoVPN is able to unblock most global streaming services. It’s the only free VPN that unblocks US Netflix and it accesses other US streamers like HBO Max and Hulu.

   If you like British TV, you can use PrivadoVPN’s UK server to watch Channel 4 from Australia or stream BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub.

   Without an Australia server, you won’t be able to stream Australian TV abroad. What’s more, you’re limited by PrivadoVPN’s 10GB data limit. You can’t stream endlessly.

   P2P traffic is permitted on all of PrivadoVPN’s free servers, meaning you can torrent without restrictions or threats of account termination. Our measurements show that PrivadoVPN has a bitrate of 7.9MiB/s, which is an average P2P speed result.

   Prevents snooping from Australian authorities

   PrivadoVPN is a trustworthy VPN that protects its users through an extremely private logging policy. It’s not zero logs, but it only collects aggregated statistics and information about your bandwidth usage – none of which can be used to identify you.

   Top cipher AES-256 is used for encryption and the best VPN protocols are available in-app, including WireGuard and OpenVPN. Should your VPN connection suddenly stop, PrivadoVPN’s kill switch will cut your entire internet connection to ensure there are no leaks.

   PrivadoVPN is based in Switzerland, where no data collection laws are in effect. It’s a great place to incorporate a VPN business, outside the reach of Australia’s intelligence-sharing alliance, Five Eyes.

   Who is PrivadoVPN Free best for?

   You should use PrivadoVPN Free if:

   • You want a free VPN that accesses US Netflix. PrivadoVPN is the only free VPN that is able to unblock US Netflix, meaning you can stream US content from Australia without paying for a VPN.
   • You want a VPN that protects you from Australian data gathering. PrivadoVPN has a logging policy that ensures your privacy, protecting you from Australian snooping.

   You should not use PrivadoVPN Free if:

   • You want an Australian IP address. PrivadoVPN does not include an Australia server, so you cannot use it to access Australian websites or streaming services.
   • You want unlimited streaming and torrenting. PrivadoVPN Free has a 10GB monthly data cap, meaning you won’t be able to stream or torrent forever.

   Visit PrivadoVPN

   or read our full PrivadoVPN Review.

   
   

2. 2. TunnelBear Free: Best Free Australia VPN Server

   A completely free, easy-to-use VPN that comes with an Australia server & Australia IP addresses.

   

    Rated 5 out of 5 

   2 user reviews

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   Pros

   • Australia server available
   • Same server network as paid version
   • Good privacy policy
   • Safe security suite
   • User-friendly, good for newcomers
   • Free ad blocker

   Cons

   • Very restrictive 500MB data cap
   • Doesn’t unblock Australia Netflix
   • SBS On Demand & ABC iView blocked
   • Poor choice for torrenting
   • Canada jurisdiction

   Overall Australia Rating: 5.8/10

   This overall rating is calculated based on the following subcategory ratings. To learn more, read our Australia VPN testing methodology.

   • No. of Australian Servers:
     55.0/10
   • Average Australia Speed:
     7.37.3/10
   • Australian Streaming & Torrenting:
     11.0/10
   • Logging Policy:
     9.59.5/10

   TunnelBear is the best free VPN for getting an Australian IP address. If you want optimal local speeds, or if you want to connect into Australia from abroad, TunnelBear is the only free VPN that is both safe to use and comes with an Australian server.

   Data Cap	500MB
   Australian Servers	1
   Australian Cities	1
   Australia Netflix	No
   See all features
   US Netflix	No
   Logging Policy	No Identifying Data
   Jurisdiction	Canada (Five Eyes Member)
   Support	Email & Online Resources Only

   The only free VPN with an Australia server

   TunnelBear is the only service that offers a safe and free VPN that includes an Australia server, enabling users to acquire a Sydney IP address from anywhere in the word.

   This is useful if you want to perform simple online tasks in safety, or access Australian websites from abroad. Through its local Aussie server, you’ll be able to maintain fast internet speeds and protect yourself on public WiFi.

   There are also 47 total countries you can connect to – the same as the paid version. This is easily the best server network on offer from a free VPN.

   Unfortunately the Australia server doesn’t access Australia Netflix and TunnelBear is a poor VPN for streaming generally. It doesn’t work with Australian streaming sites like SBS On Demand or ABC iView.

   

   TunnelBear Free doesn’t work with Australian streaming services.

   It’s proven semi-successful at accessing US Netflix and HBO Max, but remains wholly unreliable for every other major streaming site.

   Restrictive 500MB data cap

   TunnelBear Free is useful if you want a click-and-protect service that connects into Australia for free. You can use it to browse the web privately, but it’s limited by a meager data allowance of 500MB per month.

   This will restrict you severely from performing any demanding online activity, like streaming Australian TV or torrenting. We certainly don’t recommend TunnelBear for torrenting; it doesn’t have P2P servers and its bitrate is very low: only 5.1MiB/s.

   

   TunnelBear’s free data accumulates rather than refreshes each month.

   The upside is that TunnelBear’s free data accumulates rather than refreshes each month. This means if you don’t use TunnelBear Free for a month, you’ll have 1GB of data to use the next month.

   TunnelBear protects you from Australian data retention

   Most free VPNs aren’t trustworthy. But TunnelBear Free comes from a reputable privacy business that doesn’t sell your data or bombard you with trackers.

   It backs up its privacy claims through a private logging policy. TunnelBear only monitors how much data you use and nothing else. It will never know your original IP address or the websites you visit and you can use its free ad blocker to stop 87% of online ads and trackers.

   Unfortunately it’s under the jurisdiction of Canada, which is far less privacy-friendly than PrivadoVPN’s Switzerland.

   Canada is part of the Five Eyes agreement (like Australia), meaning that the Canadian authorities can share your private TunnelBear information with Australian authorities. However, TunnelBear’s safe logging should prevent this from being a serious concern.

   TunnelBear is easy to get and very easy to use: just download the app and create an account. You don’t need to add payment details of any kind.

   Who is TunnelBear Free best for?

   You should use TunnelBear Free if:

   • You want an Australian IP address. TunnelBear Free is the only safe free VPN that has an Australian server, meaning you can access Australian websites from overseas.
   • You’re a beginner looking for a user-friendly VPN. TunnelBear is well designed and easy to use, making it a good free VPN for newcomers and casual users.

   You should not use TunnelBear Free if:

   • You want a VPN for torrenting. TunnelBear Free’s average bitrate is very slow and it has no P2P servers.
   • You want to stream Australian content. Although it has a free Australian server, TunnelBear is unable to access ABC iView, SBS On Demand, and Australia Netflix.

   Visit TunnelBear

   or read our full TunnelBear VPN Review.

   
   

3. 3. Proton VPN Free: Best Free VPN for Unlimited Data

   Proton VPN Free’s unlimited data allowance enables you to browse the web safely all the time.

   

    Rated 5 out of 5 

   2 user reviews

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   Pros

   • Unlimited bandwidth use
   • Minimal logging policy
   • Swiss jurisdiction
   • No payment info required
   • AES-256, kill switch, leak protection

   Cons

   • No Australia servers
   • Only three server locations
   • Terrible for streaming
   • Torrenting is forbidden
   • Poor long-distance speeds

   Overall Australia Rating: 4.3/10

   This overall rating is calculated based on the following subcategory ratings. To learn more, read our Australia VPN testing methodology.

   • No. of Australian Servers:
     00.0/10
   • Average Australian Speed:
     77.0/10
   • Australian Streaming & Torrenting:
     11.0/10
   • Logging Policy:
     9.89.8/10

   Proton VPN Free is terrible for streaming and torrenting, but it beats all other free VPNs in one important way: there is no data cap. You should get Proton VPN Free if privacy is your main concern, as you can secure your online life without ever reaching a data limit.

   Data Cap	Unlimited
   Australian Servers	0
   Australian Cities	0
   Australia Netflix	No
   See all features
   US Netflix	No
   Logging Policy	No Identifying Data
   Jurisdiction	Switzerland (Privacy Haven)
   Support	Email & Online Resources Only

   Unlimited free data

   The main reason to get Proton VPN Free is its unlimited data allowance and privacy credentials. You can browse the web securely for as long as this complimentary VPN service exists.

   It’s extremely simple to install and use, no payment details are needed to sign up. You can use it on mobile and desktop devices, ensuring that you’re always a click away from private internet searches, whether you’re at home or using public WiFi.

   Its approach to privacy is solid. It has all the industry-standard security features, including AES-256 encryption. For Australian privacy seekers, it’s a great free solution.

   No Australia IP addresses

   Proton VPN Free has three countries on its server network: United States, Japan, and the Netherlands. Compared to TunnelBear, there are not a lot of countries at all.

   Each country comes with a number of server choices, accessed via a drop down option. You can see the level of each server’s congestion and choose the optimal one. However, you’ll often find that most servers are in red, meaning they’re being used by a lot of people.

   

   Proton VPN Free comes with a number of servers in Japan.

   Speeds will be affected by this level of use. We’re unable to test Australia connection speeds without an available server, but connecting to Japan from our base in the UK we experienced long-distance download speeds of 15Mbps.

   This is a mediocre result, and it’s likely to be worse for Australia which is a greater distance.

   Avoid Proton VPN Free if you want to stream

   While Proton VPN Free’s limitless data is generous, this VPN is severely limited when it comes to streaming and torrenting.

   Frankly, this free VPN is mostly useless if you want to stream global content from Australia.

   Only the premium version of Proton VPN works with geo-restricted Netflix libraries, and it can’t access any other popular sites like Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, or Disney Plus. Although there are free Japan servers, none work to access Japanese Netflix.

   Likewise, only a paid subscription to Proton VPN will work for torrenting. The free version blocks P2P traffic, informing any user who tries:

   “Torrenting is a feature reserved exclusively for paid subscribers.”

   Proton VPN Free is a good free VPN for Australia if you want to browse the web in private, but for entertainment and file-sharing needs, you should avoid it.

   Who is Proton VPN Free best for?

   You should use Proton VPN Free if:

   • You want unlimited free data. Proton VPN Free is the only free service that comes with an unlimited data allowance, so you can use it without fear of reaching a cap.
   • You want a VPN without signing up. Proton VPN Free is easily and quickly downloaded without you needing to create an account.

   You should not use Proton VPN Free if:

   • You want lots of server choice. Proton VPN only comes with 3 servers, far fewer than other free VPNs.
   • You want to share files anonymously. P2P activity and file sharing is forbidden on Proton VPN Free servers.

   Visit Proton VPN

   or read our full Proton VPN Free Review.

   
   

Analysis of the Overall Best Australia VPNs

1. 1. ExpressVPN: Overall Best VPN for Australia

   Five Australian city locations, access to international streaming sites, and watertight security.

   Ranked #1 out of 56 VPNs for Australia

   

    Rated 4.8 out of 5 

   1,834 user reviews

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   Pros

   • Plenty of Australia servers
   • Very fast Australia speeds
   • Audited logging policy
   • US & Australia Netflix access
   • Torrenting allowed on all servers
   • Close to zero logging of data

   Cons

   • Undisclosed number of Australia servers
   • Occasional CAPTCHA
   • Split tunneling missing on macOS
   • More expensive than its rivals

   Overall Australia Rating: 9.5/10

   This overall rating is calculated based on the following subcategory ratings. To learn more, read our Australia VPN testing methodology.

   • No. of Australian Servers:
     9.19.1/10
   • Average Australia Speed:
     9.59.5/10
   • Australia Streaming & Torrenting:
     9.99.9/10
   • Logging Policy:
     9.69.6/10

   ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Australia overall. It comes with everything you need from an Australia VPN: many servers inside and outside of the country, access to Australian and global streaming services, and a robust security suite and privacy policy that protects you from unwarranted surveillance and data gathering.

   Cheapest Price	$6.67/mo over 15 Months See all plans
   Australian Servers	Undisclosed
   Australian Cities	5
   AUS Download Speed Loss	24%
   See all features
   Australia Netflix	Yes
   US Netflix	Yes
   Logging Policy	No Identifying Data
   Jurisdiction	British Virgin Islands (Privacy Haven)
   Support	24/7 Live Chat

   Servers in five Australian cities

   ExpressVPN has IP addresses available in these five Australian cities:

   • Adelaide
   • Brisbane
   • Melbourne
   • Perth
   • Sydney

   ExpressVPN used to offer servers in four Australian cities, and it recently added another Sydney location via the Wooloomooloo server.

   This welcome change shows that ExpressVPN is not neglecting its Australia users and is continuing to improve its service.

   Servers throughout these cities means that ExpressVPN manages an even server spread across Australia, ensuring no region suffers bad internet speeds.

   Connecting to Sydney from overseas, we recorded a very good average download speed of 76Mbps. That equates to only 24% speed loss.

   And connecting within Australia, the speed loss dropped to 7%, which is barely noticeable.

   

   ExpressVPN comes with a large number of Australian city servers.

   ExpressVPN does not disclose exactly how many Australia servers it maintains, so we’re unable to compare it like-for-like with its competitors. However, our experience using the Australia servers has almost always been positive, with the exception of a few CAPTCHAs.

   The best VPN for Australia streaming & torrenting

   ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Netflix, and this goes for Australia too. It’s able to access the US, Australian, and eight other regional Netflix libraries wherever you are in the world and on almost every device.

   For Australian Netflix, we recommend the Melbourne or Brisbane server. For the US, we suggest the ‘New Jersey – 1’ server.

   It’s unlikely you’ll encounter problems using ExpressVPN with Netflix, but you can always refer to its helpful 24/7 live chat service.

   ExpressVPN can also unblock Hulu from Australia, as well as HBO Max, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, and more.

   Also, ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer is a useful way to access US streaming apps from Australia on devices that don’t support VPN applications, such as Apple TV and games consoles.

   Thanks to ExpressVPN’s effective Australia servers, you’ll also be able to watch your favorite Aussie shows on ABC iView and SBS On Demand from abroad.

   

   ExpressVPN unblocks Australian on demand streaming services like ABC iView.

   Exceptional privacy & security

   ExpressVPN is equipped with best-in-class security and a minimal-logs privacy policy. It has been audited by trusted third-party firms that have repeatedly verified its privacy-friendly practices.

   The VPN software uses AES-256-CBC encryption, has its own open-source protocol called Lightway, and runs zero-knowledge DNS servers. In simple terms, ExpressVPN secures your internet data transfers and keeps them private.

   These privacy and security characteristics make the VPN an excellent choice for anonymous torrenting in Australia, too.

   This level of VPN security is not free, and ExpressVPN is not cheap as a result. At best, it costs $6.67 per month, on a 15-month subscription plan.

   Having said that, you can sign up for ExpressVPN’s free trial, or take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee, before fully committing.

   Who is ExpressVPN best for?

   You should use ExpressVPN if:

   • You want a VPN for streaming ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming Australian, US, and UK content from anywhere.
   • You want fast long-distance speeds. ExpressVPN delivers the fastest long-distance internet speeds.

   You should not use ExpressVPN if:

   • You are on a budget. At $6.67, ExpressVPN is one of the most expensive VPNs.
   • You want a VPN with split tunneling. ExpressVPN doesn’t have split tunneling on its macOS application.

   Visit ExpressVPN

   or read our full ExpressVPN Review.

   
   

2. 2. NordVPN: Best Cheap VPN for Australia

   A close second, NordVPN has the largest number of Australian servers and a budget price tag.

   

    Rated 4.7 out of 5 

   246 user reviews

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   Pros

   • 171 Australia servers
   • Cheaper than ExpressVPN
   • Streams US Netflix and BBC iPlayer
   • Advanced security system
   • No logs privacy policy
   • 24/7 live chat support

   Cons

   • Slower long-distance speeds than ExpressVPN
   • Doesn’t accept PayPal payments
   • Renews at a more expensive yearly price

   Overall Australia Rating: 9.4/10

   This overall rating is calculated based on the following subcategory ratings. To learn more, read our Australia VPN testing methodology.

   • No. of Australian Servers:
     9.19.1/10
   • Average Australia Speed:
     8.88.8/10
   • Australia Streaming & Torrenting:
     9.89.8/10
   • Logging Policy:
     9.59.5/10

   When it comes to ExpressVPN vs NordVPN, it’s a close match. ExpressVPN is better for Australia overall, but NordVPN has more Australian servers and a cheaper subscription price. We recommend NordVPN for those who want a premium Australia VPN on a budget.

   Cheapest Price	$3.29/mo over 2 years See all plans
   Australian Servers	171
   Australian Cities	5
   AUS Download Speed Loss	21%
   See all features
   Australia Netflix	Yes
   US Netflix	Yes
   Logging Policy	No Logs
   Jurisdiction	Panama (Privacy Haven)
   Support	24/7 Live Chat

   171 servers in five Australian cities

   For sheer number of Australia servers, NordVPN is the best. It has 171 individual servers spread across five Australian cities, including Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.

   This level of server quantity will help to reduce user congestion, avoid CAPTCHAs when surfing the web, and provide optimal speeds.

   

   NordVPN has more individual Australia servers than all other VPNs.

   NordVPN’s long-distance speeds are fast. We recorded an average download speed of 59Mbps when connecting into Australia from the UK. This is a strong result, but still not as fast as ExpressVPN’s Australia speeds.

   If you want to connect out of Australia, NordVPN has one of the biggest overall server networks, with 5,613 global servers in 59 countries. Only Private Internet Access beats NordVPN when it comes to server numbers.

   Best VPN for internet security in Australia

   NordVPN is one of the most advanced VPNs on the market. Its security package is comprehensive and includes innovative features like RAM-only servers, Double VPN, and Meshnet.

   Its ad and tracker blocker, Threat Protection, is one of the best VPN ad blockers available and, most importantly, NordVPN’s logging policy protects user privacy.

   Independent audits have verified NordVPN’s no logs policy, meaning all of your online activity is kept completely separate from any of your personal details.

   A budget streaming VPN for Australia

   You can use NordVPN to stream US Netflix and many more international streaming services, including HBO Max, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. It’s the best VPN for accessing German sites and getting a Canadian IP address.

   It unblocks Australian streaming services from overseas, including SBS On Demand and ABC iView.

   

   NordVPN unblocks Australian streaming services SBS On Demand and ABC iView.

   Although NordVPN has one of the most advanced security suites on the market, it remains an affordable option and one of the best value-for-money VPNs. It only costs $3.29, which is almost half as cheap as ExpressVPN.

   If you’re not ready to commit, you can get NordVPN for free for a short period of time.

   Who is NordVPN best for?

   You should use NordVPN if:

   • You want lots of Australian servers. NordVPN has more Australian servers than any other VPN.
   • You want a cheap VPN for Australia. NordVPN is one of the best value for money VPNs and the cheapest premium VPN for Australia.

   You should not use NordVPN if:

   • You want the fastest long-distance speeds. NordVPN is fast but ExpressVPN and MullvadVPN are both faster for connecting into and out of Australia.
   • You want the best long-term deal. While NordVPN is very cheap for its first two-years, its subscription price increases after that.

   Visit NordVPN

   or read our full NordVPN Review.

   
   

3. 3. Mullvad: Most Private VPN in Australia

   Mullvad has the fastest servers in 6 Australian cities and gives ideal protection against Australian snoopers.

   

    Rated 5 out of 5 

   1 user reviews

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   Pros

   • Secure servers in 6 Australian cities
   • The fastest VPN for Australia
   • Reputation for privacy protection
   • Advanced security settings
   • Excellent UI and ease-of-use
   • Unblocks Netflix Australia

   Cons

   • Poor VPN for streaming in general
   • Doesn’t work with SBS On Demand
   • No live chat support
   • No logging or security audits
   • More expensive than NordVPN

   Overall Rating: 8.9/10

   This overall rating is calculated based on the following subcategory ratings. To learn more, read our Australia VPN testing methodology.

   • No. of Australian Servers:
     8.98.9/10
   • Average Australia Speed:
     9.89.8/10
   • Australia Streaming & Torrenting:
     6.56.5/10
   • Logging Policy:
     9.99.9/10

   Mullvad has six Australian cities on its server network (more than any other VPN), but its chief strength is privacy. This VPN is a leader in ensuring that your online activity remains private, outside the reach of your ISP and the prying eyes of Australian surveillance.

   Cheapest Price	$4.85 per month See all plans
   Australian Servers	23
   Australian Cities	6
   AUS Download Speed Loss	18%
   See all features
   Australia Netflix	Yes
   US Netflix	No
   Logging Policy	No Identifying Data
   Jurisdiction	Sweden (14 Eyes Member)
   Support	Email & Online Resources Only

   More Australian cities than any other VPN

   Although NordVPN has the most individual servers, Mullvad has the highest number of available Australian cities to connect to and is the only VPN that has a Canberra IP address. You can use Mullvad to get IP addresses in:

   • Adelaide
   • Brisbane
   • Canberra
   • Melbourne
   • Perth
   • Sydney

   Mullvad’s individual Australian server numbers (23) are nowhere near as high as NordVPN (171), but its long-distance speeds remain blazing fast. Connecting to Australia, we picked up average download speeds of 82Mbps – the fastest result we’ve seen.

   

   Mullvad has more Australian cities than any other VPN.

   The best VPN to prevent Aussie snooping

   Mullvad is one of the most private VPNs you can acquire. In order to avoid storing user data it doesn’t run subscription models and you are not required to enter an email address in order to create a Mullvad account.

   Its Swedish jurisdiction is not great, considering it’s a European Union country, but Mullvad retains no information about its users. Therefore your data cannot be collected by Australian ISPs.

   Even with its advanced package, Mullvad has not forgotten usability. Its apps are well designed, intuitive, and pleasant to use.

   Poor VPN for streaming, good for torrenting

   Mullvad is a leader in VPN security but is trailing far behind when it comes to accessing georestricted streaming sites across the globe. You won’t be able to access Australia streaming from abroad, or access international streaming sites from Australia either.

   We’ve tested Mullvad with US Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and other global streaming services and found it’s a poor VPN for all of them. However, it can access the Australian Netflix library.

   You can use Mullvad VPN to torrent on all of its 833 servers. Its average P2P download speeds are 9.8MiB/s, which is very fast when compared to our speeds of 10MiB/s with no VPN connected.

   Who is Mullvad best for?

   You should use Mullvad if:

   • You want IP addresses in lots of Australian cities. Mullvad has IP addresses in six Australian cities – more than any other VPN.
   • You are worried about Australian privacy. Mullvad protects your online privacy against Australian ISPs thanks to its watertight privacy policy.

   You should not use Mullvad if:

   • You want to stream Australian TV. Mullvad doesn’t work with SBS On Demand or ABC iView.
   • You want immediate customer support. Mullvad doesn’t have any live chat support, so you’ll need to wait before getting assistance.

   Visit Mullvad

   or read our full Mullvad VPN Review.

   
   

Australia VPNs We Also Considered

We’ve been testing and reviewing 56 VPN services since 2016, including some of the most popular VPNs used by Australians.

The six paid and free VPNs we recommend above are based on the results of our testing. Here’s a list of popular VPNs we tested but don’t recommend for Australia:

Astrill VPN

What we don’t like: Astrill VPN is one of the best VPNs for security and censorship, but it doesn’t support Australian Netflix and its Australian connections are slower than the competition. It’s also the most expensive VPN on the market at nearly $20.00 (AUD) per month.

CyberGhost VPN

What we don’t like: CyberGhost has 150 Australian servers, which is a lot, but it doesn’t allow P2P activity on those servers, meaning torrenters aren’t well served.

IPVanish

What we don’t like: IPVanish is a zero-logs VPN that almost made the cut, but it’s slow and doesn’t unblock Australian streaming services overseas, including Australian Netflix, SBS On Demand, or ABC iView.

Private Internet Access

What we don’t like: PIA used to be on the list for Australian VPNs and it’s still a good choice, but it doesn’t disclose the number of Australian servers it maintains. On top of that, it’s not as reliable for Australian Netflix and SBS On Demand.

PrivateVPN

What we don’t like: Although PrivateVPN works with Australian and international streaming services, its long-distance speeds are slower than the competition.

Windscribe Free

What we don’t like: We think highly of Windscribe Free, but it has no Australian servers. That means you cannot get an Australian IP address or access Australian websites.

The table below offers a glimpse at other VPNs we tested for Australia, but do not recommend:

How We Test Australia VPNs

When testing Australia VPNs, we assess for key deciding factors, including:

• Average long-distance download speed connecting into Sydney Australia.
• How many Australian servers are available and how many international servers are available.
• Whether the VPN’s logging policy and security measures protect your privacy.
• How successfully the VPN unblocks international streaming sites from Australia, and Australian streaming sites from abroad.
• If the VPN supports torrenting, and on how many servers

Below is a more specific breakdown alongside the percentage each criteria makes up of the overall Australia VPN score.

1. Number of Australian & International Servers: 30%

Minimum Requirement: A choice of VPN server locations in Australia.
We Recommend: Coast-to-coast, city-level Australian server coverage.

The fewer VPN servers a VPN has, the more congested the network will be – resulting in slower speeds.

Most VPN services typically have much fewer servers in Australia than they do in Europe and North America.

For each VPN we count the number of servers on offer in Australia and in how many locations. VPNs with a large number of Australian servers are rewarded.

All of Australia’s major cities are on the coast, so we also reward coast-to-coast server coverage that ensures no user has to put up with slow VPN speeds.

2. International Speeds: 30%

Minimum Requirement: Average international download speeds above 30Mbps.
We Recommend: Average international download speeds of 50Mbps or faster.

VPN speeds are especially important in Australia, where VPN services usually pay less attention to their infrastructure than other countries.

We regularly test for international download speeds when connecting from Australia to distant countries like the US and UK.

We then compare these speeds against our normal speeds without a VPN, and use these figures to calculate a percentage speed loss figure.

In both cases, we recommend the VPNs with the lowest percentage speed loss, ensuring you can browse, stream, and torrent with as little slowdown as possible.

3. Australian Streaming & Torrenting: 20%

Minimum Requirement: The VPN works with some streaming services and allows P2P activity.
We Recommend: The VPN works multiple international streaming libraries and allows torrenting on all servers.

Many users want a VPN to stream geo-blocked content or share P2P files safely. This is especially true in Australia, where services like Netflix have less content than their international equivalents.

We test for VPNs that can effectively access the largest number of streaming libraries – both in Australia and overseas.

That means the top-rated Australia VPNs work with both US and AU Netflix libraries, as well as Australia-specific platforms like Binge, Stan, Kayo Sports, and Foxtel Now.

We also test to see which VPNs can effectively access other global streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Hulu, Channel 4, and Disney+.

A good VPN also provides P2P-optimized servers and online protections for those interested in torrenting, which is particularly important in Australia due to its strict copyright laws.

4. Logging Policy: 20%

Minimum Requirement: A clear policy with only anonymised connection logs.
We Recommend: A strict no-logs privacy policy.

We read every VPN privacy policy in detail to check whether the service stores your usage data.

The top-rated VPNs have a strictly no-logs policy. This means they collect and keep none of your activity or connection data, including your IP address.

Our experts also use packet-inspection tests to check for AES-256 encryption, data leaks, and OpenVPN functionality to keep your data secure when using public WiFi.

This also ensures that Australian ISPs cannot monitor or log your browsing activity.

How to Watch American Netflix in Australia

Our Australian visitors often ask us how to watch US Netflix from Australia. It’s the question we get asked the most, in fact.

Even if you’re based in Australia, you can still stream American Netflix content by using a VPN.

Netflix blocks a lot of VPN traffic, though, so you’ll need a VPN that we’ve verified works with Netflix.

In the video below, we show you how to use ExpressVPN to watch American Netflix from Australia:

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It only takes 40 seconds to access US Netflix from Australia using a VPN.

How to Get an Australian IP Address Using a VPN

You can easily get an Australian IP address by connecting to a VPN that operates servers in Australia.

The video below showcases how you can easily get an anonymous Aussie IP address. We used ExpressVPN as an example.

Play

It takes 30 seconds to get an Australian IP address using a VPN.

These are the four key steps to get an Australian IP address using a VPN:

1. Download and install a VPN that has servers in Australia. Choose from one of our recommended Australia VPNs.
2. Search for an Australian server in the VPN’s server list.
3. Connect to your preferred Australian server location.
4. Once you’re connected to the server, use our What Is My IP tool to verify you’ve been assigned an Australian IP address.

Why You Need an Australia VPN

You might need an Australia VPN for two reasons:

1. You live in Australia and want to protect yourself against aggressive web surveillance and censorship, or to stream video content that’s unavailable in Australia.

2. You live outside of Australia, or are temporarily traveling abroad, and want an Australian IP address to access georestricted Australian websites and streaming services.

Australia has some of the most aggressive online surveillance, censorship, and copyright laws of any liberal democracy in the world.

In 2012, Reporters Without Borders even listed the country as an “internet enemy” due to its content filtering system.

Let’s look at the facts:

• The Telecommunications Interception and Access Act of 2015 obligates Australian ISPs, like Telstra, Vodafone, and Optus, to monitor and log all your web browsing data.
• The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) can and does block any website it wishes by using filtration technology. Hundreds of domains are censored within Australian borders.
• Since 2001, Australia has adopted more new national security laws than any other democracy in the world. These laws allow the authorities to access your personal data without any warrant, and even share it
• The Australian Communications Alliance (an organization made up of major ISPs and the government) has been cracking down on what it sees as illegitimate file sharing. Australia now has some of the harshest anti-piracy laws on the planet, with people facing severe fines and even prison sentences.

Website blocks are enforced by Australian courts.

VPNs encrypt your internet traffic and hide your public IP address, which makes your browsing activity much harder to track.

This prevents ISPs from storing your online activity, stops websites from seeing your IP address, and protects against intrusive online surveillance.

VPN software will connect your device to a server in a different country, allowing you to bypass Australian web filters and access restricted websites.

Are VPNs Legal in Australia?

VPNs are perfectly legal to use in Australia. There are no laws that prevent people from using one.

VPNs are reputable tools that private individuals and businesses use the world over to protect their sensitive data.

From using public WiFi, shopping online, or protecting yourself against hackers, VPNs are useful safety tools.

However, just because a VPN protects your privacy it does not mean you are exempt from any law when using one, including copyright infringement. What’s illegal without a VPN is illegal with one.