Everything you need to know about Australia's most popular streaming service.
Because Netflix is now a global force, it is committed to creating high-quality original shows and movies that can't be seen anywhere else, with a strategy built around binge watching.
With partnerships with companies like Disney and Dreamworks to create exclusive shows for its audience, Netflix is aiming to create engaging programs for audiences of all ages.The recent addition of offline viewing is also taking the platform to the next level.
Netflix subscribers can now download certain shows and movies to their iOS and Android devices to watch offline, which truly makes the concept of watching Netflix anywhere a reality.
Compare streaming video services below
| Name | Service | Content | Price per month | Purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Streaming | TV, movies | From $10 depending on package | Free TrialMore info |
 | Streaming | Reality TV | $5.99 | Free Trial More info |
 | Streaming | TV, movies | Single – $8.99, Double – $11.99, 4 Device – $14.99 | See content |
 | Streaming | TV, movies | $10.00 | See Content More info |
 | Streaming | TV, movies | US$5.99 | More info |
 | Downloading | TV, music, movies | TV – From 0.99/episode or $10/season | Movies – From $10 to buy and 0.99 to rent | Go to site More info |
How much does Netflix Australia cost?
For a limited time, Australians are invited to try Netflix for one month for free. If they choose to continue, service plans start at $8.99 for a single standard definition stream. There are no contracts with Netflix so you can cancel the service at any time, but until then your credit card that was used to sign up will automatically be charged each month.
If you have obtained a coupon code for Netflix services, you can get your discount when you sign up. Simply wait to be prompted during check-out and enter the code where indicated. You will see the discount applied on your first billing statement.
There are three plans offered by Netflix that you can choose from: Basic, Standard and Premium. The one you pick will depend on the types of features you want with your Netflix subscription.
| Basic | Standard | Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian price (per month) | $8.99 | $11.99 | $14.99 |
| HD | No | Yes | Yes |
| Ultra HD | No | No | Yes |
| Number of screens you can watch at the same time | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Watch video on laptop, TV, smartphone and tablet | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited access to TV shows and movies | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cancel any time | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| First month free | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Not only can you cancel at any time, you can change your plan if your needs change. Differences in rates will be prorated to your account.It is important to note that your account is going to be automatically billed by Netflix. If you wish to cancel you will need to do so before your billing cycle ends.
In order to watch a video streamed from Netflix on your PC or laptop you will have to have the Microsoft Silverlight plug-in installed. This is a free download that enables Netflix to run properly on your computer.
Why is Netflix in Australia and why is it a big deal?
Back in 1997, Netflix changed the way movies were rented in the United States. Subscribers could view the company’s selection of movies online, order what they wanted and have the DVD delivered to their mailbox. The customer would watch, pop the movie back in a pre-paid envelope and send it back to Netflix. In 1999 they introduced their customers to monthly subscriptions and stopped offering single rentals by 2000. This was the start of a movie rental concept with no due dates or late fees and unlimited rentals per month for a flat fee.
The business plan took a few years to catch on, but by 2003 Netflix posted its first profit of US$6.5 million. By 2005 Netflix was shipping a million DVDs out to subscribers daily from a stock of over 35,000 different film titles. Ten years after its introduction, Netflix had delivered its billionth DVD and was looking towards introducing video on demand using the Internet.
Online streaming of video through Netflix turned the company from being one of the post office’s biggest customers to being the largest source of Internet traffic in North America by 2010. By 2011 Netflix began to acquire content that would be exclusive to their service. Major blockbuster shows like House of Cards and Orange is the New Black put them on the map, while partnerships with Marvel for Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist expanded the audience. Now, Netflix is investing billions in original content for the coming years to cater to its rapidly growing international audience.
The international expansion of Netflix
Netflix began offering its video streaming services to Canada in September 2010 followed by a large expansion into Central and Southern America including Mexico in 2011. This proved to be very lucrative, especially in the Canadian market.
By 2012 it had become available in the UK and Northern Ireland, which was even more successful than their introduction into Canada. From here they slowly integrated into most of the rest of Europe over the next two years. Distribution rights make it impossible for Netflix to provide the same content to all countries, but they attempt to make up for this with their exclusive series and movies as well as adding localised content for their overseas subscribers.
In the early part of 2015, Netflix entered the Australia and New Zealand video streaming markets, followed by Japan and Singapore later that year.
Then, at CES 2016, Netflix shocked the world by switching on in almost 200 different countries around the world. Currently, Netflix is available in every country around the globe except China, Crimea, North Korea and Syria, though the content libraries vary greatly. For a full rundown of what's available on Netflix around the globe, check our international Netflix TV and movie lists.
Where can I buy a Netflix gift card?
Netflix Australia offers gift cards priced at $20, $30 and $50. These can be gifted to a friend or family member, or even used by yourself if you're particularly concerned about storing your payment details online. Below is a list of stores you can purchase Netflix gift cards from in Australia.
- Australia Post
- Big W
- Caltex
- Coles
- EB Games
- MYER
- Officeworks
- 7-Eleven
- Target
- Woolworths
How much data will Netflix use?
This depends on what quality you're streaming Netflix at. Usage varies depending on whether you're streaming in SD, HD or 4K. Below is a guide to how much data Netflix will consume at each quality grade:
Low quality:
300MB/hour
Standard definition (SD):
700MB/hour
High definition (HD):
3GB/hour
Ultra HD (UHD):
7GB/hour
Not sure what quality you're streaming at? There is a way to check (see below), but if you're paying for the basic package you're streaming in SD, the standard package gets you HD and up to 4K (assuming you have a 4K capable television) is available on the premium package.
If your Internet service provider (ISP) offers unmetered Netflix streaming or you're signed up to an unlimited broadband plan, data usage isn't going to be of much concern to you.
However, if you do have a data limit, or even worse, you're streaming on a mobile network, data usage is something you should seriously consider. Excess usage can result in hefty charges from your provider.
To change video quality settings, simply access Netflix from your web browser and click on the profile image in the top-right corner of the window. Then, in the drop-down menu, select "Your Account". On the "My Profile" page, select "Playback settings" in the "My Profile" section. From there, you can manually select the video quality of your Netflix stream. In the case where you're experiencing lag, you're going to want to switch it to "Low" (you may have to wait up to 8 hours for the changes to be processed).
If your stream is constantly buffering, you're going to want to switch it to "Low" (you may have to wait up to 8 hours for the changes to be processed).
If you want to do the opposite and maximise your Netflix stream, check out our guide to speeding up your Netflix stream.
Alternatives to Netflix in Australia
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Netflix Australia frequently asked questions
Q: Does Netflix stream in HD?
A: Yes, you will find that a large number of titles available through Netflix is available in HD. Of course, this quality will only be evident if you are streaming the video to an HD-equipped television.
Q: Will using Netflix affect my Internet quota?
A: Yes, Netflix is a metered video streaming service so your allowed usage will be affected. Keep in mind that streaming in HD uses a higher bandwidth and will affect your usage at a faster rate than watching videos in standard definition.
Q: How fast does my Internet speed need to be in order for Netflix to work?
A: The minimum connection speed is 0.5Mbps, but this will give you a poor quality image. The speed and the bandwidth of your Internet connection will have a direct impact on how you view the content, so you will want a high-speed connection for best results.
Q: On how many different devices can I use Netflix at the same time?
A: This will depend on the membership plan you have ordered.
Q: Is there a Netflix app?
A: Yes, the Netflix app will enable you to watch content from Netflix on any of your mobile devices. The introduction of Netflix changed the video streaming industry instantly, as Australians now have more choices than ever before when it comes to selecting a video streaming service provider. Before you make any decisions, check and compare the features and prices to find the provider that has what you want for the right price.
Q: Am I charged in USD or AUD when using Netflix Australia?
A: You will be charged in AUD for the services; Netflix processes the payments locally so you don't have to worry about exchange rates and conversion fees.
What devices are compatible with Netflix Australia?
One appealing aspect that Netflix has over other video streaming providers is the number of devices you can use to access the movies and TV series. These include:
Computer
- PC
- Mac
Gaming console
- PlayStation 4
- PlayStation 3
- Xbox One
- Xbox 360
- Wii U
- Wii
Tablet and mobile
- iPad
- iPhone
- iPod Touch
- Android phones
- Android tablets
- Windows tablets
- Windows phone
Smart TV, streaming media player and other
- Samsung Smart TVs
- LG Smart TVs
- Sony Smart TVs
- Panasonic Smart TVs
- LG Blu-ray players
- Google Chromecast
- Apple TV
- Boxee Box
- Rock-Box
- Western Digital (WD) set-top boxes
- Strong Digital Media Receivers
MacBook Pro 2016 available now
Apple
Kogan 65" Agora 4K Smart 3D LED TV (Ultra HD)
Kogan
42" Agora 4K Smart LED TV (Ultra HD)
Kogan
Go 4K with PlayStation 4 Pro
Sony
The new Apple TV (2016)
Apple
Google Chromecast 2
Dick Smith Electronics
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Ask a Question
I have been informed paying by Paypal will incur extra charges. Does that apply to bank card as well?
Hi Rondel,
Thanks for your inquiry.
There are no extra charges if you will use Paypal as your payment method in subscribing with Netflix. Netflix accepts PayPal as a payment method as long as it is available in your region. You can check this page to see how Paypal works with your card.
Hope this information helped.
Cheers,
Rench
How can I watch Netflix on second tv at same time?
Hi Sue,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder.com.au.
Netflix allows you to concurrently stream video content to two of your registered devices with the standard plan using the same account and email. Your membership should be the standard plan. To set up the devices individually, please follow the steps here.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Jhezelyn
We do not have MasterCard,visa, or any kind of credit card. Is it possible to pay via telephone banking, or direct debit from our check or savings account?
Hi Margriet
If you don’t have a credit card, you may also pay your monthly Netflix subscription using Paypal.
Alternatively, you may also sign up and pay through Google Play or iTunes.
Cheers,
Anndy
When streaming a movie via Netflix, how many times can I watch that movie before it gets removed? How long does it stay on my account?
Hi Kylie!
Thanks for the comment.
Netflix allows unlimited streaming on its content as long as you are subscribed to their plans. It remains on your account and can replay the said movie or episode as many times as you want.
You can reach out to Nextflix Australia, if you have further questions.
Hope this clarifies.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Hello, Hoping you might be able to help. I currently have Foxtel via Satellite and was wondering if I am able to cancel that and have Netflix instead using the dish installed by the (nbn) which ended up being useless as ot was too slow. I now use a Telstra Data Box from Telstra for internet access via wifi.
Thank you for your time
Hi Sam,
Thanks for reaching out to us.
You can contact Foxtel directly for cancellation terms and conditions on this number 1300 555 727 or visit their official site.
If you have NBN connection installed, you should have a fast internet speed. It has a faster connection than ADSL. It will depend on your internet plan, like how much data that you can use or you might have multiple devices connected to your wifi at once. This affects greatly on your internet speed.
For Netflix, it requires a stable internet connection with at least 3Mbps to get it working properly. Please visit these pages for helpful tips/basic troubleshooting:
Netflix issue
Internet congestion/issue
We suggest contacting your ISP if you have further issues with your internet.
Hope this information helped.
Cheers,
Rench
Hi Rench, sorry I meant to say that I no longer have an ISP provider as it was crazy slow and kept dropping out. Still have the Satellite dish but everything has been disconnected. I live in a rural area of Tasmania.
Hi Sam,
Thanks for clarifying that.
Unfortunately, Netflix won’t work without internet connection. It’s an application where you can stream videos. Foxtel via Satellite uses digital signals for you to get the channels in your area. I’m afraid you can’t get Netflix if you don’t have a stable internet connection.
Kind regards,
Rench
I have a Telstra TBox attached to my computer. Will this stream Netflix to my TV?
Hi Greg,
Thank you for your enquiry.
The Telstra TBox is not Netflix compatible and cannot be used to stream Netflix on your TV. Please check out this link for a list of Netflix compatible devices that you can use to stream Netflix on your TV.
I hope this helps.
Kind regards
Jason
I am new to Netflix and I don’t know much about it. How much per month is it any wat devices can i run it through also dose it need the Internet to watch shows.
Hi Tammy,
Thanks for your question.
Netflix offers 3 types of plans:
Basic (Single Screen) – $8.99
Standard Plan (2 Screens) – $11.99
Premium (4 Screens) – $14.99
For more information on the compatible devices, you can visit this page.
Cheers,
Anndy
My visa card has been cancelled how do l get on for making payments in the fire?
Hi Anne,
Thank you or your inquiry.
To change your payment details for your Netflix account are listed below. Typically, Netflix would require you pay through a credit card payment method. You can visit their website for the live chat support if you do not have a credit card as your payment method.
1. Log into the Netflix website.
2. Open your account page.
3. Click the “Update payment method” link.
4. Select the payment method you would like to use.
5. Contact your credit card company or bank if your card cannot be verified.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold.
I have cancelled my credit card- how do I adjust where payment comes from.
Hi Jennie,
Thank you for your inquiry.
The steps to change your payment details for your Netflix account are listed below. Basically, Netflix would require you pay through a credit card. You can visit their official website for the live chat support if you do not have a credit card as your payment method.
1. Log into the Netflix website.
2. Open your account page.
3. Click the “Update payment method” link.
4. Select the payment method you would like to use.
5. Contact your credit card company or bank if your card cannot be verified.
Cheers,
May
we have a 12 room motel and wish to know if we can stream netflix to every room
Hi Rob,
Thanks for your question.
With Netflix, the maximum number of screens that can access the contents at the same time is only 4. This is if you get the premium plan for $14.99. If you want every room to have access to Netflix, you may need to get more than one premium plan.
I suggest that you contact Netflix directly and inquire what’s the best arrangement or plan for you.
Cheers,
Anndy