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Netflix Australia: Price, features and content
Netflix has taken the country by storm, but is it really your best option for on-demand video in Australia?
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What's in this guide?
The biggest streaming service in the world needs no introduction but here's one anyway.
With humble beginnings as a DVD delivery service, Netflix essentially paved the way for streaming video on demand single-handedly. After a huge global launch in January 2016, the world's entertainment providers and media giants have tried to keep up.
With partnerships with companies like DreamWorks under its belt, Netflix is consistently rolling out high-quality original content for all tastes and ages. This consistent stream of quality originals is one thing but the company can attribute a big part of its success to innovative streaming technologies, like developing its own compression technology and toying with interactive television shows.
With that said, the company is far from perfect and might not necessarily be the best option for you. Read on for a deep-dive on Netflix plans and pricing and how it compares against the Australian competition.
Does Netflix have a free trial?
While Australians were once able to enjoy 30 days of free Netflix that's no longer the case. Netflix removed the free trial in March 2020.
How much does Netflix Australia cost?
Netflix service plans start at $10.99/month 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.
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.
How much content does Netflix Australia offer?
We monitor Netflix content additions and removals daily. At any given time, there tends to be at least 1,500+ TV shows and 3,000+ movies.
To browse the complete TV show and movie libraries for Netflix, follow the links below.
What is Netflix?
Back in 1997, Netflix changed the way movies were rented in the US. 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 prepaid envelope and send it back to Netflix. In 1999 it introduced its 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. 10 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 its service. Major blockbuster shows like House of Cards and Orange is the New Black put it 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.
When did Netflix launch in Australia?
Netflix launched in Australia and New Zealand on 24 March 2015. While there was some early dismay around Netflix ANZ's comparatively shallow library, it has since grown to rival some of the bigger international TV and movie catalogues. As of January 2018, Netflix's library had grown by 114% with 2,400 TV and movie titles, compared to the much smaller launch offering of 1,120 titles.
The Netflix Australia and New Zealand launch was just the beginning and one year later the streaming giant revealed its plan for international expansion.
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
- 4K/Ultra HD (UHD): 7GB/hour
More information on data usage
- See which ISPs offer unmetered Netflix streaming
- Check out our comprehensive guide to speeding up your Netflix stream
- More information on how much data Netflix uses
Can I watch Netflix offline?
Yes. Netflix lets you download titles to tablets, smartphones and computers running Windows 10. That way, you can enjoy all your favourite Netflix TV shows and movies when you're on the go without burning through your mobile data.
We have an in-depth step-by-step guide on how to download from Netflix that will help you get started. Not all titles on Netflix are available for download, depending on licensing rights. However, a big part of the library is accessible offline as well.
The international expansion of Netflix
Netflix began offering its video streaming services to Canada in September 2010, followed by a large expansion into Central America, South America and Mexico in 2011. This proved to be very lucrative, especially in the Canadian market.
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, North Korea and Syria, and the disputed territory of Crimea, 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.
Which 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:
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 you if you're particularly concerned about storing your payment details online. Click the link below for a list of stores where you can purchase Netflix gift cards in Australia.
Netflix Australia FAQs
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Stream the best and save
Test out BINGE for 14-days free
All the biggest shows and movies from HBO and more on-demand.
Check out Disney+
Watch your faves from Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars and more.
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Ask an Expert
Will I get ads in Netflix now if I change my subscription to watch through my Foxtel account?
Hi Tam,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
How you get to watch Netflix before your subscription has changed will just be the same.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
How do i update my payment details?
Hi Max,
Thanks for getting in touch! You can find a step-by-step guide on how to update your Netflix billing information.
Hope this helps!
Best,
Nikki
I need to update my payment plan
Hi Jennifer,
Thank you for getting in touch with finder.
Kindly sign in on your Netflix account to update your Netflix payment method or any billing information. Click your account then at the right side of the screen you will see Update billing information link.
If you are being billed through a third party and not directly through Netflix, please visit the third party’s website to update this information.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
Can you stream sports on Netflix?
Hi KJT,
Thank you for reaching out to finder.
As of now you cannot stream sports on Netflix. Currently, Sports streaming is not part of the library of Netflix. You may however check on other sports streaming applications if you are just looking at watching sports. Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Reggie
I just paid with the card ending 6175 and it says on my I phone there is some error with the payment
Hi Sylvia,
Thank you for reaching out to finder.
Netflix is a monthly service that will automatically charge you every month on the date you signed up. If your billing date is scheduled for a date that does not occur in a given month, you’ll be charged on the last day of that month instead. Your payment method will be charged at the beginning of your billing cycle, but it may take a few days for the charge to post to your account. If you are still encountering problems paying for your Netflix subscription, you may need to call the Netflix hotline for further assistance. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie