Netflix Australia: Everything you need to know

If you're tired of free-to-air TV, want an entertainment option that caters to the whole family, and don't want to feel left out the next time Stranger Things comes up in conversation, it's about time you signed up for Netflix. But if you're new to streaming TV and movies, you probably have some questions. 

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Now that Netflix has conquered Australia, it's grown from an optional extra to a must-have service for fans of TV and film. But before you jump on board, you'll want to consider which plan fits your needs, how you can watch at home, plus whether your current broadband service is up to the task.

Luckily, we've got those questions (and more!) covered below. In this guide:

• What is Netflix?
• How much does Netflix cost?
• What's on Netflix?
• How can I watch Netflix?
• What are the best broadband plans for Netflix?
• What are the alternatives to Netflix?
• Netflix FAQs

What is Netflix Australia?

Netflix Australia is the local version of the US on-demand streaming service that allows you to watch your choice of movies or TV shows anywhere, any time. Instead of being beamed to your television, programs are delivered over the internet ('streamed'), or downloaded for later viewing. 

Subscribers can view any TV shows or movies from Netflix's vast library of content on a variety of devices: on their TV, on tablets and smartphones, and on PCs or Macs. You'll get unlimited viewing of all available content for a single monthly fee, and all of it is 100% ad-free.

All of Netflix's plans are contract and commitment-free, so you can change your plan tier or cancel your subscription at any time. Plans are priced according to how many screens you'd like to watch on at any one time, and how high-quality you want your stream to be. 

How much does Netflix Australia cost?

Conveniently, we've also published a guide on the cost of Netflix. But if you want a quick breakdown of each plan, prices are below.

Each option gives you access to the whole of Netflix's content library, and there are no additional usage fees (besides the charges you'll get from your internet provider for your broadband plan). 

Subscriptions with simultaneous streaming are great for couples, families and share-houses. With the $13.99 plan you could be bingeing Orange is the New Black in your living room while the kids watch Moana upstairs. With the $19.99 plan up to four different groups in your household could be watching different shows and movies at the same time. 

The $19.99 subscription also comes with the option of streaming content in 4K (where available), but you'll need a 4K TV to take advantage of it. Our sister site Reviews AU has the low-down on the best 4K TVs you can buy in Australia.

What can I watch on Netflix Australia?

Netflix's library is fully stocked with thousands of movies, docos, specials, and multi-season TV shows from every genre. The catalogue contains recently-released content as well as old favourites going back decades.

Netflix also offers a host of original movies and shows, so it's the only place you can (legally) stream titles such as Stranger Things, Orange is the New Black, Black Mirror, The Crown, 13 Reasons Why, The Good Place, the new Arrested Development, and much, much more. And if you're ever stuck for what to watch, you can use Netflix secret codes to explore by special categories and genres.

For families, there's a huge selection of child-friendly film and TV, which is displayed separately from the rest of Netflix's content. More information on setting up Netflix for your kiddos can be found by scrolling down to our below FAQ. 

How do I watch Netflix Australia?

To stream Netflix content, you'll need an internet connection and a compatible device.

Given the amount of data Netflix uses, we recommend doing most of your watching on your home broadband. But you can also watch Netflix on the go. The Netflix mobile and tablet app allows you to download shows and movies to watch when you don't have access to Wi-Fi, or you can use your mobile data (but watch that monthly bill!).

If you're watching at home, you can use your home PC or Mac, your phone or your tablet, but you can also watch Netflix on your TV. To do this, you'll either need a smart TV or a streaming device like Apple TV, Chromecast, Fetch TV, Telstra TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, the PlayStation 3 or 4, and the Xbox One or 360. These connect to your TV using the HDMI port. Or if you want to go really lo-fi, you can connect your laptop to your TV using an HDMI cable.

One of the great things about streaming devices is that they can help you access more than just Netflix through your TV. If you also want to try out a service like Stan or Foxtel Now or just want to catch up on ABC iView or SBS on Demand on your big screen, a lot of them can do that too. But some streaming devices offer more services than others. Below is a quick overview of which popular devices are compatible with major streaming and catch-up services available in Australia.

Streaming Device Compatibility

Apple TV (2015+)

*

Telstra TV 3

Fetch TV

Foxtel Now Box

Chromecast

**

Amazon Fire TV

PlayStation 4

PlayStation 3

Xbox One

Xbox 360

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* Foxtel Now is only available through Airplay, and not as a standalone app.

** Foxtel Now is streamed through the Foxtel GO app.

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Streaming Device Compatibility

Apple TV (2015+)			*
Telstra TV 3
Fetch TV
Foxtel Now Box
Chromecast
Amazon Fire TV
PlayStation 4
PlayStation 3
Xbox One
Xbox 360

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* Foxtel Now is only available through Airplay, and not as a standalone app

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For viewing on your laptop, home computer, notebook or Mac, you can simply log in to Netflix.com and watch from your browser. If you'd like to stream to your tablet or smartphone, you can download the free Netflix app for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone.

Once you've got the right equipment, you can sign up by heading to Netflix's website. You'll need to enter your email, create a password, then fill out personal and payment information (Netflix accepts Visa, MasterCard, Amex and PayPal) and pick which plan you'd like to sign up for.

After your payment info and details are confirmed and your account is set up, you're good to go. Simply log in to your Netflix account on your choice of device, pick what you'd like to watch, and start streaming. 

What are the best broadband plans for Netflix Australia?

If you want to get the most from your Netflix account, you'll need a broadband plan that can handle both the amount of data you'll go through, and the connection speed you'll need. 

How much data you'll use to stream Netflix depends on the quality setting you opt for. Low quality streaming consumes around 300MB per hour, while medium quality (Standard Definition) burns up around 1GB per hour.

If you want to watch in High Definition, you'll use up about 3GB per hour, and for customers viewing 4K/UltraHD content, that jumps to 7GB each hour. So if you're binge-watching a series in HD - the automatic quality setting for most customers - you could use up to 36GB over the course of all 12 hour-long episodes.

We've written about data needs for Netflix in more detail here, but we generally recommend a plan with at least 500GB per month for serious streamers. Unlimited data plans are best if you want uninterrupted streaming (and no risk of overage charges), and fortunately there's plenty available, including on the NBN. 

In terms of speed, if you're an NBN user, you can still watch Netflix even on the basic 12Mbps plan (Basic Evening Speed). However, if you plan to stream in Ultra HD, or have a multi-user home, we recommend plans of 25Mbps (Standard Evening Speed/NBN 25) or higher.

What are the alternatives to Netflix in Australia?

While Netflix is undoubtedly the biggest name in streaming TV and movies, it's not the only player. Australians can also sign on for homegrown services Stan and Foxtel Now, as well as free streaming options from ABC (iView), Ten (Tenplay), 7 (7Plus), 9 (9Now) and SBS (On Demand). Plus, there's also Amazon's Prime Video.

Stan offers a wide range of content, including originally-made TV shows and exclusive programming from the Showtime network. Price-wise, plans are on par with Netflix, starting from $10 per month.

Foxtel Now is Foxtel's direct streaming option and, like Netflix and Stan, is priced from $25 per month. You can watch live Foxtel programs, live sport and on-demand episodes of your favourite shows (including full seasons and series), and it's the only service to offer big-name content such as Game of Thrones, Westworld and The Walking Dead. 

Amazon Prime Video is still fairly new to the Aussie market, but prices start from a low $6.99 per month. The library is not as extensive as what you'll find on Netflix, but it does offer exclusive content such as American Gods and The Grand Tour.

For a bigger look at the major streaming services available in Australia, head to our comparison guide.