You already know you can access local websites and online services without restrictions while basking in Australia. But what about when you’re outside the country? It’s pretty easy—well, as long as you have an Australian IP address. Without one, you’ll miss your Aussie dramas, comedies, and news programs on Australian TV channels and streaming platforms. Banking and local services may also be inaccessible due to pesky geo-restrictions.
There are a few ways to get around the geo-block hurdle, but we find using a virtual private network (VPN) is the most convenient and secure. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything there is to know about getting an IP address in Australia with a VPN service.
The 5 Steps to Getting an Australian IP Address
Obtaining an Australian IP address with a VPN is straightforward; even a newbie can complete the process in minutes. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Choose a Reliable VPN Provider
You want a reputable VPN service with servers in Australia. Your ideal choice should have strong security features, fast connection speeds, excellent unblocking, and a user-friendly interface.
We recommend NordVPN but will discuss other top alternatives below.
Get an Australian IP address with NordVPN
Step 2: Sign Up and Download the VPN App
Visit the VPN provider’s website and sign up for a subscription plan that suits your needs. After completing the registration, download and install the VPN app on your preferred device. Most premium VPN services have clients for multiple devices, such as computers, laptops, phones, Smart TVs, etc.
Step 3: Log In
Open the VPN app and log in with your credentials. If it’s your first time using the app, it may prompt you to go through a quick setup process. Follow the instructions to get the fundamentals configured.
Step 4: Connect to an Australian Server
Browse the list of available servers on the home screen and select one in Australia. Click to connect, and you should be connected to the Australian server within a few seconds.
Step 5: Verify Your New IP Address
You should now have an Australian IP address if you used a quality VPN service like NordVPN. Still, you can cross-check, especially if you need the VPN for privacy. Visit a website like whatismyipaddress.com to check your IP location. It should now show your IP address as being in Australia.
That’s all there is to it. You can now access Australian content and services as if you were physically present there.
The Best VPNs for an Australian IP Address
There are many VPNs out there with Australian servers. However, simply subscribing to the first provider you come across may be a costly mistake.
So, we’ve considered all the relevant factors and compiled a list of the best Australian VPNs to choose from. This list results from extensive testing and only includes providers that unblock Australian-based platforms, offer fast speeds, and have top-notch privacy and security tools.
1. NordVPN
NordVPN’s performance continues to blow rivals out of the water in 2026. During our tests, we enjoyed blazing-fast connection speeds while connected to several of its 190+ servers in five Australian locations. That means streaming without interruptions and quick downloads, especially when you use its custom NordLynx protocol. For all these reasons, it is the best option for obtaining an Australian IP address regardless of your current location.
On top of that, you won’t have any issues accessing Aussie content or using local services from abroad. NordVPN easily brushes past geo-restrictions on TV platforms like Foxtel, Stan (it’s the most reliable VPN for accessing Stan abroad), Plus7, and 10 Play. Netflix Australia, Prime Video, Hulu, and other major streaming services don’t present much of a resistance, either.
As for security and privacy, there are no safer hands in the industry. NordVPN is loaded with high-level features, including AES 256-bit encryption to scramble your data and a kill switch to ensure VPN connection drops don’t expose anything. What’s more, it has several advanced and extra features, such as Onion over VPN and a pretty capable ad blocker.
Plus, you can be sure your online activities stay anonymous — the provider doesn’t record or store any personally identifiable logs.
NordVPN’s customer service is available around the clock should you need assistance. We contacted support and received prompt, helpful responses. You can check out the VPN’s quality before committing, as a 30-day money-back guarantee backs all its plans.
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN isn’t far behind NordVPN in terms of performance. While connected to the VPN’s Australian servers (also in five cities), we didn’t encounter any slowdowns or congestion. We found the best results came from using its proprietary protocol, Lightway Turbo. It ensures your internet speed stays consistent and prevents frequent drops.
The VPN promises you can stream local channels like 10 Play, 7plus, 9Now, and SBS from abroad. So, we checked that claim out and found it to be accurate. It mirrors that capability with streaming services like Netflix (US and Australia), Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video.
While the VPN changes your IP address to Australia, it safeguards your online traffic from prying eyes. ExpressVPN employs military-grade encryption that’s virtually uncrackable alongside industry-standard features like a kill switch and IP/DNS leak protection.
Thanks to its pacesetting TrustedServer Technology, no data remains on a hard drive after a reboot. That way, the VPN sticks to its no-logs policy, which independent auditors have verified.
ExpressVPN offers comprehensive customer support that’s available 24/7, so you can get help whenever you need it. You can bank on its 30-day money-back guarantee to test all its features with the option of a full refund if you’re unsatisfied.
If you are having trouble making a decision, you can read the comparison between NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
3. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access allows you to connect as many devices as you want with one subscription. We tested the service on various platforms and experienced decent speeds even while getting an Australian IP address from far away.
Connect to any of the provider’s servers in Australia to gain easy access to your ANZ, Westpac, or other local bank accounts. PIA isn’t our favorite VPN for streaming, but it easily unblocks Aussie TV channels and online services. It has an optimized Australian streaming server, which gave us buffer-free streaming across various platforms.
However, safeguarding online traffic is where PIA truly impresses. You get to choose between two high-rate AES cyphers to encrypt your data, for instance. The provider prevents your DNS requests from leaking and keeps you off malicious websites. It’s one of the few VPNs that manages its own private server network.
If you find the US headquarters concerning, PIA’s commitment to privacy (in court and via multiple third-party audits) should be reassuring.
For any questions or troubleshooting, you can reach out to the VPN’s customer support no matter the time of day. A 30-day money-back guarantee allows you to experience its service worry-free, knowing you can cancel and claim a refund if you’re unsatisfied.
4. Surfshark
Like Private Internet Access, Surfshark is in the elite group of VPNs that allow unlimited simultaneous connections. It’s also positioned high up our rankings of the fastest VPN services, thanks to solid server infrastructure with 10 Gbps ports and modern protocols like WireGuard. Why else would you choose this VPN to get an IP address in Australia?
You can easily bypass geo-restrictions from anywhere while connected to any of Surfshark’s 40 VPN servers across five Australian cities. Curiously, it’s a capability the VPN doesn’t openly boast about. Still, we successfully unblocked every region-locked website, TV channel and streaming service we attempted.
Surfshark’s long-term plans are affordable. For all that, the VPN doesn’t compromise security and privacy. Its toolkit comprises industry-standard and advanced tools like bank-level encryption, a kill switch, obfuscation, and DNS leak protection. It also has more extras (some are paid plug-ins) than competitors.
On top of that, Surfshark adheres to a strict no-logs policy. That means third parties don’t have access to details of your online sessions and cannot trace anything to you.
Surfshark’s responsive customer support is always just a click away, 24/7. Each plan has a 30-day money-back guarantee, topping up the value for money. Find out more about this provider in our exhaustive Surfshark test.
5. CyberGhost
CyberGhost lets you relocate virtually to Australia in seconds, with servers in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. It has performance-friendly servers in those locations, we confirmed, so you can expect stable connections. Plus, there are no data caps or speed throttling, even if you’re a heavy user.
The provider offers special menus for online gaming, torrenting, and streaming. The latter category includes options for the local Stan, 9Now, and 10 Play platforms.
That’s great because it means you’re guaranteed reliable streaming while you catch up on your favorite content from abroad. You can count on CyberGhost for watching the Australian Open live stream on a free channel, for example. There’s also a server for unblocking Netflix Australia that worked perfectly during our tests.
Getting you an Australian IP address aside, CyberGhost keeps snoopers and bad actors away from your data. To do so, it implements AES 256-bit encryption, high-grade protocols, and an ad blocker. We especially like the Wi-Fi protection tool because it ensures you can use public networks safely on your travels.
You won’t leave any digital breadcrumbs while connected to the VPN. How do you know you can rely on that no-logs claim? Well, it’s been independently audited multiple times.
CyberGhost’s monthly plan only has a 14-day money-back guarantee, but it bumps that up to 45 days on longer-term plans. Need assistance? The provider’s customer support team is available whenever you contact them.
Why You Need an Australian IP Address
Many people don’t realize it, but their devices have IP addresses that websites and online services use to detect their location. That’s what determines the content and services you can access online.
In Australia, it’s easy to take for granted that you can seamlessly stream local content and use various online platforms. Or use your Australian bank account. That’s not quite the case when you travel abroad. Many services remain accessible, but many others lock you out because they are region-specific and you have a foreign IP address.
Here’s what you can do with an Australian IP address from abroad:
- Stream on local platforms like Netflix Australia, 10 Play, 7plus and SBS
- View Australian news websites and content
- Use online banking services without restrictions
- Enjoy region-specific online shopping deals and offers
- Stay connected with Australian social media and forums like you’re back home.
Other Ways to Get an Australian IP Address
We’ve hyped up the VPN approach, but it’s not the only way to get an IP address in Australia, or any other location, for that matter. These are the alternatives:
Proxy Servers
Like VPNs, they act as gateways between your device and the internet. When you connect to a proxy server in Australia, it spoofs your location, provides an Aussie replacement IP address, and fetches the requested content on your behalf.
Unlike VPNs, there’s no encryption, which means proxy servers are usually faster than VPNs — but that comes at the cost of security. Bad actors can get through to your sensitive information. That’s why we still prefer VPNs over proxies for online security, streaming, torrenting, and more.
Tor Network
Tor anonymizes your online activity by routing your Internet traffic through volunteer-operated servers (nodes) across the globe. By the time your data reaches its final destination, it looks like it originated from the last Tor node in the chain — Australia, if you configured it that way.
Proxy servers may have no encryption, but Tor’s multiple encryption layers can also be an issue. Unless you really need the extra layers of anonymity, the slow connection speeds you’ll experience may not be worth it.
Can You Obtain an Australian IP With a Free VPN?
Yes, but there are significant drawbacks to consider first. Most free VPNs focus on the United States, with a few servers reserved for Europe. Australia’s usually an afterthought, so you won’t find many free providers with Australian servers.
However, even if you do, you’re bound to face performance issues from congested servers, speed throttling, and data caps. Plus, most free VPNs struggle to bypass geo-restrictions, whether on local platforms or popular streaming services.
That means you can’t rely on them to follow that anticipated Australian rules football game overseas.
Moreover, free providers usually offer weaker encryption and lack top-notch privacy and security tools. And because they’re businesses, many log your online sessions for profit.
Conclusion
Thankfully, you don’t need to wait until you’re back there if you find you need an Australian IP address while abroad. There are a few workarounds, but we consider a VPN the most reliable way to go. This article outlined the steps, from picking a provider to connecting to an Australian server.
As a bonus, we highlighted the best VPN services to consider for getting an Australian IP address. NordVPN ticks more boxes than others, so it tops our list. You can check it out risk-free, as it is backed by an unconditional 30-day money-back guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
In case you still have some questions, we’ll do our best to answer them comprehensively.
📲 Can I get an Australian IP address on my phone?
Yes, especially if you use a VPN. VPNs have clients for all devices and phones are always supported, both iOS and Android. All you have to do is install the VPN from the respective Application Store, launch it, and then connect to a server in this country.
It’s a foolproof process, and above all, identical to the one displayed in our guide on a Windows PC.
✅ Is it legal to switch my IP to Australia?
Yes. It’s legal to change your IP as much as you want, as long as you don’t abuse your new online location and perform illicit activities. Distributing copyrighted material is illegal, while watching MotoGP races online or streaming movies and series on Netflix is completely fine.
🔽 Can I download torrents with an Australian IP?
Yes, as long as the IP is derived from the VPN whose encryption will protect you. Torrenting isn’t frowned upon in Australia, but if you’re caught accidentally downloading a copyrighted file, your ISP will react. It’s better to use a VPN, encrypt your traffic, and stay completely safe.