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Whether you're a "Married at First Sight Australia" addict, refuse to miss an episode of "Home and Away", or simply need to watch the NRL Grand Final as it happens, Australian TV channels and streaming services have you covered.
The problem emerges when you leave Oz, as you'll soon discover that your trusty streams are blocked. Rights restrictions mean that much of the content you're used to streaming Down Under is unavailable when you try to watch it when overseas.
How to watch Australian TV from anywhere in the world
Australians away from home will be frustrated when trying to watch their domestic streaming services — even those they pay a subscription for — when out of the country. The platforms simply won't function like they do back in Oz.
You can still stream their content, however, by using a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software can make your devices appear to be back in your home country regardless of where you are, making it ideal for viewers away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN — we explain why in our NordVPN review.
What Australian streaming services can I watch with a VPN?
Each of Australia's major free-to-air TV networks have their own streaming platform... and none of them function properly when you step foot outside of Oz. That includes:
There is the odd exception. For example, you can stream the ABC News feed (but not its other stations) no matter where you're located. But generally speaking, you won't be able to watch live shows or on demand content when overseas — unless you use a VPN as described above, of course.
Exactly the same can be said for domestic paid-for streaming services, too. So that brings in the likes of:
What other streaming services work with a VPN?
While the above Australia-only platforms simply won't work when you're abroad, you may also find other streaming services behave strangely, too.
Specifically, we're talking about global streaming platforms that are available Down Under. That's because the catalogs of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, Paramount Plus, HBO Max — even YouTube in some cases — all vary slightly from country to country.
Take the U.S. drama "Paradise" as a great example of this. In Australia — along with most other countries in the world — it's available to stream exclusively on Disney Plus. So if you're traveling to, say, New Zealand, Canada or the U.K. you'll be able to stream it on the platform via your laptop, phone or tablet, just like you were back at home.
Try to find it in your library when in the U.S. though, and you'll be disappointed. That's because it's a Hulu exclusive in that country. So, to watch it on Disney Plus while in the U.S. you'd need to get a VPN and then set your server to one in Australia.
The one outlier in this regard is Apple TV, which gives access to virtually 100% of its catalog in every single region it's available. So if you're an Apple TV subscriber, you can expect to find all of your favorite shows on the app no matter where you are on the planet.
What Australian TV shows can I watch with a VPN?
The short answer is: practically everything. Assuming they appear on the kinds of platforms mentioned above and you have a good VPN at the ready, you'll be able to keep watching your favorite fare no matter where in the world you are.
So that might be stalwarts like "Home and Away" (7plus), "A Current Affair" (9Now), "Dateline" (SBS On Demand) or the country's longest-running show "Four Corners" (ABC iview).
Australia has developed a reputation as having some of the most entertaining, salacious reality shows in the world — all of which are available to stream for free Down Under. "Married at First Sight Australia" (9Now) is a modern classic of the form, while "MasterChef Australia", "Australian Survivor" (both 10) and "Alone Australia" (SBS On Demand) all have enormous viewer numbers both in Australia and overseas.
The country has also been the home of worldwide hits such as "Colin from Accounts" (Binge), "Bump" (Stan) and not forgetting the global behemoth of kids TV that is "Bluey" (ABC iview). Meanwhile, ABC's coverage of the annual midnight Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks is a traditional taste of home for any Aussie abroad.
What Australian sports can I watch with a VPN?
NRL: Rugby league fans in Australia can watch three NRL matches a week for free on Channel 9 and the 9Now streaming service, including Finals Series matches. Every fixture is shown on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
AFL: Several AFL games are free-to-air each week in Australia, courtesy of 7Plus. The only catch is that different games are shown in different regions. Again, Foxtel and Kayo Sports have more comprehensive coverage.
Cricket: Unlike in most countries, Australia still has plenty of free-to-air cricket coverage. The Seven Network shows Tests in Australia and the Big Bash League, while the Nine Network shows the Men's Cricket World Cup. The Sheffield Shield and Marsh One-Day Cup are also live streamed for free on the Cricket Australia website. Outside of those competitions, you're looking at paying for Foxtel and Kay Sports for the rest.
Soccer: A-League games are shared between Network 10 and the Paramount Plus streaming service Down Under. Two games per week are shown for free thanks to the 10 streaming platform — the rest go out on Paramount Plus. SBS On Demand will show every game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.
Olympics: The 9Network and its 9Now streaming site and app showed huge amounts of the last Summer and Winter Olympic games for free, with Stan Sport offering streams of every event and medal moment.
Tennis: The Australian Open is shown on free-to-air television Down Under, with the rights currently residing with Channel 9. This is another event in which Stan Sport has the most comprehensive action.
More from Tom's Guide
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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