On a Los Angeles server, NordVPN recorded 176.23 Mbps and unblocked Hulu, Peacock, and YouTube TV. Proton VPN recorded only 75.03 Mbps on the same test, and Hulu blocked it. ExpressVPN offered the widest choice of West Coast servers. Fewer US services require a VPN in Australia than before.
HBO Max launched locally in March 2025, and Hulu shows have been in a Hulu tile on Disney+ since October 2025. Peacock, YouTube TV, and the US Netflix catalog still require a US IP address.
Quick Start for Australian Viewers, 2026
- Get a NordVPN subscription and install the app on your phone, computer, or TV.
- Connect to a West Coast US server, such as Los Angeles or Seattle.
- Sign in to the US service, or create a Netflix account with Australian billing.
- Add a US payment method when subscribing to Peacock, Hulu, or YouTube TV. New accounts require one.
Connecting to a US Server From Australia
Install the VPN on the device you watch on, open it, and pick a US location. The streaming service then sees a US IP address and serves its American catalog. Servers on the West Coast, in cities such as Los Angeles and Seattle, are the closest mainland US servers to Australia. Sign in to the service after connecting.
Which US Services Work in Australia Without a VPN?
| US service | In Australia? | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix | Yes | The Australian catalog differs. A US server switches the same account to the US catalog. |
| HBO Max | Yes, since March 2025 | Launched as an Australian service with HBO’s catalog. |
| Hulu | Partly | Hulu shows moved into Disney+ in October 2025. The US Hulu service and Hulu + Live TV are US-only. |
| Paramount+ | Yes | The Australian version has its own catalog. The US version requires a US account. |
| Peacock | No | Signing up requires US billing. |
| YouTube TV | No | US-only, and tied to a US home area. |
| Sling TV | No | US-only live TV. |
| ESPN | No | The ESPN streaming app is US-only. |
| NBC, CBS, and ABC | No | Many shows on the network apps require a US TV provider sign-in. |
Paying for US Streaming From Australia
A VPN changes the IP address a streaming service sees. The card on file stays the same. Peacock, Hulu, and YouTube TV require a US payment method for new subscriptions. YouTube TV also verifies the account’s home area, which our YouTube TV location guide explains. Travelers with an existing US subscription only have to connect and sign in.
US TV VPNs Compared From Los Angeles
Speeds come from each VPN’s Los Angeles server, measured in September from a Windows 11 PC in Europe on our 190.36 Mbps connection. Streaming results come from US servers in the same round. Speeds from Australia will differ.
| VPN | Los Angeles download | West Coast locations | US services unblocked | Blocked by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 176.23 Mbps | Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland | Netflix US, Hulu, Peacock, HBO Max, YouTube TV | None |
| Proton VPN | 75.03 Mbps | California, Washington (listed by state) | Netflix US, Peacock, HBO Max, YouTube TV | Hulu |
| ExpressVPN | 142.85 Mbps | Los Angeles (4), Santa Monica, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland | Netflix US, Hulu, Peacock, HBO Max, YouTube TV | None |
Best VPNs for US Streaming Services
- NordVPN: Best overall, with 176.23 Mbps on its Los Angeles server.
- Proton VPN: Best on a budget, at $2.99 a month on the two-year plan.
- ExpressVPN: Best for West Coast choice, with eight locations along the coast.
1. NordVPN: Best for Fast US Streaming From Australia
Pros
- Honolulu server option
- Native Android TV app
- Meshnet included
- App-level kill switch
Cons
- Steep renewal price
- Prime Video detections
NordVPN‘s Los Angeles server measured 176.23 Mbps, the fastest California result we recorded. Hulu, YouTube TV, and Peacock played on its US servers, though Prime Video detected it now and then. Its US list covers 55 cities. With location spoofing, its browser extension unblocked Disney+ after Disney+ blocked the desktop app.
A one-year Basic plan costs $5.49 a month, and the 27-month term lowers it to $3.49 a month. Either term renews at $139.08 a year, compared to $83.88 for Proton VPN.
2. Proton VPN: Best Budget VPN for US Services
Pros
- NetShield blocker
- Swiss jurisdiction
- Port forwarding support
- Low two-year price
Cons
- Slow California server
- Blocked by Hulu
HBO Max, Peacock, YouTube TV, and Netflix US played on Proton VPN‘s US servers, but Hulu blocked it. Hulu + Live TV subscribers should pick NordVPN. Its Los Angeles server measured 75.03 Mbps at 12% load. Netflix recommends 15 Mbps for 4K.
Proton VPN lists its US servers by state: 18 states and Washington, DC, including California and Washington state. One year on the VPN Plus plan costs $47.88, or $3.99 a month. Our cheap VPN rankings list more low-cost VPNs.
3. ExpressVPN: Best for West Coast Server Choice
Pros
- Plug-and-play setup
- Post-quantum encryption
- RAM-only servers
- MediaStreamer for consoles
Cons
- Speed drop from California
- Expensive monthly plan
ExpressVPN lists eight West Coast locations: four in Los Angeles, plus Santa Monica, Seattle, San Francisco, and Portland, Oregon. Its full US list has 63 locations. Speed on Los Angeles – 3 was 142.85 Mbps. YouTube TV and Hulu didn’t detect it on US servers, while Prime Video did a few times. A short visit to Australia is expensive on monthly billing, at $14.99, and the 15-month term cuts that to $4.99 a month.
When a US Service Still Shows an Error
- Clear the site’s cookies after connecting, or open a private window. Cookies from an Australian session can keep showing the Australian catalog.
- Try another US city. Streaming services block individual server IP addresses, so a Chicago or New York server can work when the Los Angeles one doesn’t.
- Disable location access for the streaming app on phones. Some mobile apps, YouTube TV among them, check GPS as well as the IP address.
Conclusion
For Hulu, including Hulu + Live TV, choose NordVPN. It unblocked Hulu and recorded the fastest Los Angeles speed. Proton VPN is the lower-cost VPN for Netflix US, Peacock, and YouTube TV, but Hulu blocked it, and its California server was the slowest. ExpressVPN offers the most West Coast locations and simple setup on TVs and phones.
Australians traveling overseas can use our guide to Australian TV abroad, and our best VPN for Australia rankings cover everyday use at home.
US Streaming FAQs
How do you watch American TV in Australia?
Connect to a US VPN server, then sign in to the US streaming service. The same setup works on phones, computers, and Fire TV devices with NordVPN or Proton VPN installed.
Is HBO Max available in Australia?
Yes, HBO Max has its own Australian streaming service. HBO series stream there with an Australian account and without a US server.
Is Hulu available in Australia?
Yes, through a Hulu section on Disney+. The US version of Hulu and Hulu + Live TV remain US-only and require US billing and a US IP address.
Can you watch Peacock in Australia?
No, Peacock isn't available in Australia. A US IP address unblocks the site, and signing up also requires a US credit card or other US payment method.
Does American Netflix work in Australia?
Yes, with a US IP address. An Australian Netflix account shows the US catalog when connected to a US server, and the subscription keeps its Australian billing.
Are VPNs legal for streaming US TV in Australia?
Yes, VPNs are legal in Australia. A streaming service's terms can still prohibit VPN use, and the common result is an error screen until the viewer switches servers.