Being an American company, a lot of content on Netflix is only available in the US and for legitimate reasons.
However, we are here to tell you how to unblock American Netflix in Australia and access the best content.
You can use a VPN to unblock the US Netflix library.
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What Is Geo-Blocking?
Geo-blocking is the act of blocking internet content based on geographical location.
Authorities do this by finding your location based on your IP address. This information can easily be available from your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Geo-Blocking in Australia
Geo-blocking is quite a common phenomenon that can be seen in multiple industries that have different objectives for doing it.
For example, in e-commerce, blocking foreign websites in a specific region can ensure that local businesses get more priority to promote their products and services. It is also often seen in the entertainment industry.
In Australia, a large number of sites were initially blocked due to the introduction of Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Act 2015.
It was directed towards the prevention of illegal download and running other piracy-related websites, protecting television and movie producers. This even helped increase local television viewers. In the process this now limits Australians and travelers in Australia from accessing a lot of foreign content.
Does Netflix Use Geo-Blocking?
Yes. And there are two basic reasons that are legitimate business decisions. First, like many other businesses, they segregate consumer base by geographic location. This allows them to modify their service – prices, content – for different locations. In fact, the official launch of Netflix in Australia has significantly reduced online piracy rates. This can improve further if prices are lowered.
Second, only a handful of the content on Netflix is produced by Netflix. To make more content available for you, they sign licensing agreements with third-parties. These agreements often have territorial limits. These limits are just like any other clauses that vary from country to country and highly depend on the owners.
Hence, the content you are watching depends highly on which part of the world you are in.
Solution 1: Use A VPN
Although this sounds like a breach of policy, using a VPN (a virtual private network) to access foreign content is not illegal in Australia. Hence, this is the easiest and best solution.
What to Do
The process is as simple as using a VPN to unblock any content on the internet. All you have to do is:
- Download and install your preferred VPN software (if you don’t already have one). In case you have never used a VPN before, sign up for an account.
- Turn on VPN and select server location as the United States.
- Open Netflix and sign in to your account.
You will then get access to the American Netflix library.
Recommended VPNs For Netflix
Not all VPN services will let you circumvent Netflix geo-blocks. Also, no free VPN will let you unblock and stream Netflix. If you want the content, you will have to pay for it – not a lot though. Here are some of your best options:
NordVPN – This is more affordable and provides double protection. You can use one account on 6 devices at the same time. NordVPN has a large number of server locations you can choose from, although for American Netflix, you only need one.
ExpressVPN – ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPN connections and is compatible with almost every operating system. It runs simultaneously on 5 devices and is known to be highly secure with your data. It is somewhat expensive compared to alternative options, but they provide great service to justify it.
Surfshark – Surfshark lets you use one account in as many devices as you want. They have both monthly and yearly packages and very affordable rates. They have a ‘no activity logging’ policy and server locations in 63 countries. It compatible with most operating systems and also provides data encryption.
CyberGhost – CyberGhost lets you use their software on 7 devices simultaneously and they have a great support team. You get a 7-day free trial and plenty of server locations to choose from. This is also a great option for public Wi-Fi protection.
Hotspot Shield – Hotspot Shield also gives you a 7-day free trial period before you have to start paying. The service comes at a reasonable price and is compatible with most operating systems. With a user-friendly setup method and 24-hour support service, this VPN provider is preferred for both desktop and mobile devices.
You can unblock Netflix content as well as other content or websites blocked in your region with these applications. All these VPN services also hide your location, encrypt personal data, and keep you safe on the internet. Even if you are not using Netflix, it is often good to use a VPN when browsing unknown sites or using a public Wi-Fi network.
Solution 2: Use A SmartDNS Service
Another thing you can do is use a SmartDNS (Domain Name System) service, which is a very similar process. However, the major difference between SmartDNS and VPN is in how they work. A VPN reconnects you through a different server, whereas SmartDNS only masks your location to allow access to geo-blocked sites.
SmartDNS works faster than VPN in most cases. However, they have no data encryption methods – meaning any personal data you use to access a blocked website may be available to third parties on the internet.
What to Do
You have to go through a small process for this to work. Since SmartDNS is comparatively less common than VPN, there are fewer options available. For the same reason, the apps might also be compatible with fewer devices – be sure to check before you set it up.
The process slightly varies based on your service provider. But here are the basic steps:
- Choose a SmartDNS provider and sign up for an account.
- Log in to the account on the official website and find the setup guide for your device – Windows, iOS, Android, etc.
- You will need to configure network settings on your device as per instructions. You only need to do this the first time.
- Add your IP address to the DNS account and activate it. Don’t forget to set your region as the United States.
- Open Netflix and sign in to your account.
You will then get access to the American Netflix library.
Recommended SmartDNS For Netflix
Some VPN service providers also have DNS services. However, some of them are better than others.
Overplay – Overplay is known to be great for Netflix streaming more than anything else. They have server location in 49 countries and have reasonable prices. You can get SmartDNS only or DNS + VPN services from them. You get no traffic logging and unlimited bandwidth to stream all your favorite shows.
Unlocator – Unlocator provides both DNS and VPN services. Their setup method is automatic, so all you have to do is sign up for an account. Then activate the app on your device and you can access Netflix U.S. with no interruptions. You can get DNS only or DNS + VPN packages at affordable rates.
Getflix (or Turboflix) – They also provide both VPN and DNS services. You can get a 14-day free trial and auto-setup on any device. They have a fast and responsive 24-hour support service too. Getflix provides a fast connection at affordable rates. Along with Netflix, you can access American content from other channels as well, for example, Hulu.
Blockless – Blockless also provides both VPN and DNS services, and is compatible with a variety of devices. However, their VPN service has no data encryption. You get a fast connection and setup is pretty easy. It gives you access to multiple entertainment channels other than Netflix. You get a 7-day free trial and can get a monthly or yearly package.
Fair Warning
Although these are legitimate services that are used globally, there are some risks/ glitches you should take into consideration:
- All VPN services reduce your connection speed; some more than others. It also depends on how far away you server location is from your actual location.
- Free services often contain malware. These can hamper your system as well as steal data. Do your research – if an offer seems too good to be true, there is probably a catch.
- Even when VPN services have ‘no activity logging’ policies, they may still be able to partially track your digital footprint. So it’s best not to keep these running in the background at all times.
- Using a SmartDNS does not give you data protection from third-parties.
To Conclude
These services are not illegal in Australia – this is not the same as piracy. So don’t worry about breaking laws. They serve several other purposes and can be helpful for many businesses. Of course, they are also made to diminish any barriers in your entertainment.
We would recommend using a VPN rather than a DNS service to protect your data. But make sure you pick one that has good reviews. With this information in hand, you can now make your own choice. Enjoy Netflix to its fullest!