How To Watch BBC iPlayer in Australia? [January 2024 Guide]

Is BBC iPlayer available worldwide? No, BBC iPlayer is funded by the UK TV licence, and its use is restricted to UK residents only. This means that BBC iPlayer is not accessible to people outside UK. This restriction includes those specifically looking for access to BBC iPlayer in Australia.

Fortunately, there’s a simple solution to enjoy BBC iPlayer in Australia, and it involves using a reliable VPN service like ExpressVPN. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the simple steps to bypass these geo-restrictions and unlock a world of entertainment.

Whether you’re a fan of British TV shows, movies, or live sports, our guide is your gateway to enjoying all that BBC iPlayer has to offer. Read on to discover how to get BBC iPlayer in Australia using quick steps.

Why Do You Need a VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer?

A VPN is needed to get BBC iPlayer in Australia because it has broadcasting rights for UK only. That’s why it is exclusively available in UK and geo-restricted in Australia.

If you are thinking, where can you watch BBC iPlayer? BBC iPlayer is available on set-top boxes, connected TVs, games consoles, streamers and platforms including Virgin Media, Freesat, Sky,  and YouView.

To protect its programs from overseas consumers, iPlayer must adhere to content licensing agreements and international streaming rights restrictions.

If you watch BBC iPlayer without VPN it will block your access by showing a territory restriction error.

BBC iPlayer only works in the UK Sorry, it’s due to right issues.

Geo restriction error message on BBC iPlayer when accessing from Australia.

When you connect to a VPN, your Australian IP address is masked by the UK one. This way, you can bypass the geo-block of BBC iPlayer and enjoy its streaming in Australia.

Remember that not all VPNs are superior to trick BBC iPlayer geo-tracking technology. Therefore, you need a trusted VPN that provides servers in the UK, such as ExpressVPN to watch your favorite shows.

What is the Best VPN To Watch BBC iPlayer from Australia? [In-depth Analysis]

We tested 70+ VPNs to provide you with accurate and reliable information. We compiled a list of the four best VPNs for BBC iPlayer in Australia based on our testing criteria of the server network, speed, streaming performance, unblocking capabilities, and security features. These VPNs include:

So which VPN works with BBC iPlayer? All these four VPNs operate large server parks in the UK. They are fast, easy to use, and provide excellent customer service. Let’s take a look at them one by one.

ExpressVPN: The Fastest VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer in Australia

When it comes to streaming, ExpressVPN stands out as the best VPN for BBC iPlayer in Australia choice. Renowned for its exceptional speed and reliability, ExpressVPN ensures a buffer-free viewing experience, making it ideal for enjoying the rich content library of BBC iPlayer.

ExpressVPN operates 3000+ servers in 94+ countries, with 5 servers in the UK that let you stream BBC iPlayer in Australia without a hitch.

These servers not only provide seamless access to BBC iPlayer but also enable Australians to tap into other geo-restricted streaming platforms with ease.

ExpressVPN successfully unblocked BBC iPlayer for you to watch the gold streaming Australia.

When it comes to speed, ExpressVPN doesn’t disappoint. On a 100Mbps network, it delivers impressive speeds of 89.42 Mbps download and 86.64 Mbps upload, ensuring buffer-free streaming and quick access to your favorite shows and movies.

ExpressVPN Speed on 100 Mbps Internet Connection

It also offers an impressive MediaStreamer DNS feature. By enabling this feature, you get fast speeds and excellent unblocking capabilities on devices that do not provide native VPN support.

ExpressVPN BBC iPlayer supports eight simultaneous connections on a single account and is compatible with major streaming devices. In addition, the apps and extensions are available for Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Linux, Chrome, and Firefox.

Security is a paramount concern, and ExpressVPN addresses this with advanced features. It runs its Private DNS on every server, enhancing connection speed and safety. The best-in-class encryption with the AES-256 standard and the Lightway Protocol ensures your online activities remain private and secure.

ExpressVPN offers competitive pricing, especially considering its features and performance. It costs you AU$ 10.41/mo (US$ 6.67/mo) - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

In case you want more details about this provider, make sure to go through the ExpressVPN review.

Test Findings

Surfshark: Budget-friendly VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer in Australia

Surfshark is the budget-friendly VPN to watch iPlayer in Australia for AU$ 3.89/mo (US$ 2.49/mo) - Save up to 77% with exclusive 2-year plan + 30-day money-back guarantee, with a 30-day refund guarantee.

Surfshark boasts an extensive network of servers of 3200+ servers in 100+ countries, including multiple dedicated options in the UK. These servers are optimized for streaming, ensuring a smooth and buffer-free viewing experience.

Surfshark lets you access BBC iPlayer so you can watch Oppenheimer streaming Australia.

In terms of speed, Surfshark delivers consistently high performance. On a standard 100Mbps connection, users can expect download speeds around 85.48 Mbps and upload speeds of 48.42 Mbps, which is more than sufficient for high-definition streaming.

Surfshark Speed on 100 Mbps Internet

Security is a strong suit for Surfshark. It offers AES-256-GCM encryption, ensuring that your online activities are secure and private. Additionally, Surfshark provides features like a kill switch, CleanWeb (ad and malware blocker), and a strict no-logs policy, further enhancing your online safety and privacy.

Unlike other VPNs, Surfshark supports unlimited connection. You can connect Surfshark on multiple devices, including smart TVs, gaming consoles, phones/tablets, PC/Laptops, and set-top streaming boxes.

The app of Surfshark is available for free download on various platforms such as iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, and macOS devices.

Test findings

NordVPN: Largest Server Network VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer in Australia

NordVPN is the VPN with the largest network to get BBC iPlayer in Australia and provides a whopping 440+ UK servers. Overall, the service offers more than 6000+ ultra-fast servers in 61 countries worldwide.

NordVPN has the largest server network to access BBC iPlayer anywhere.

Its SmartPlay feature combines VPN technology with Smart DNS, allowing it to bypass any streaming platform’s geo-blocks easily. NordVPN provided the most stable streaming experience by far of any other VPN provider without any loss in connectivity.

Our 100 Mbps internet connection recorded download and upload speeds of 86.18 Mbps and 42.13 Mbps. 

NordVPN Speed on 100 Mbps Internet Connection

So, if you’re looking to indulge in a BBC iPlayer long-hour marathon over the weekend, you should give NordVPN a try through a free trial.

NordVPN has an impressive line-up of security and privacy options, including dedicated IP addresses, an automatic kill switch, military-grade encryption, and a strict no-logs policy, allowing you to watch BBC iPlayer on Sky securely.

The provider offers six simultaneous connection supports and native apps for Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, and Windows. Finally, you can get its 2-year plan for a monthly fee of AU$ 6.23/mo (US$ 3.99/mo) - Save up to 63% with exclusive 2-year plan + 3 months free for a friend. In addition, a 30-day money-back guarantee has backed the offer.

Test findings

PureVPN: High-Speed & Secure VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer VPN in Australia 

PureVPN is a standout choice for those seeking both speed and security in a VPN to access BBC iPlayer in Australia. It offers strong privacy and anonymity safeguards, ensuring that users can unblock BBC iPlayer with confidence and stream their favorite content without concerns about their online privacy.

Watch BBC iPlayer in Australia free with PureVPN.

PureVPN has a network of 6500+ servers in 75+ countries worldwide. It provides 160+ VPN servers across four UK cities, allowing hassle-free access to BBC iPlayer.

On the other hand, the mobile version of ExpressVPN offers only two server locations, Manchester and London. All the UK servers performed at average speed when unblocking BBC iPlayer to access the live content.

PureVPN is compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. In addition, it allows ten simultaneous connections per subscription.

When it comes to streaming speed, NordVPN leads the pack. On a 100Mbps connection, it consistently delivers a download speed of 74.12 Mbps and upload speed 38.38 Mbps, ensuring a buffer-free viewing experience. This speed is crucial for accessing high-definition content on BBC iPlayer and other streaming services without any lag.

PureVPN Speed on 100 Mbps Internet Speed to watch BBC on demand Australia.

No idea which server to pick? Use its built-in streaming mode to find the fastest UK server with one click. PureVPN is easy to use and the safest VPN service verified by KPMG.

PureVPN offers its services at competitive prices, with plans starting at AU$ 5.2/mo (US$ 3.33/mo) 2-year plan, with a 31-day refund guarantee. This pricing makes PureVPN an attractive option for Australian users looking for a high-speed and secure VPN solution without breaking the bank.

Test findings

How to choose the Best VPN for BBC iPlayer in Australia?

While choosing our preferred VPN to stream BBC iPlayer, we ensure that we must look into account all the following factors because there are times when BBC iPlayer VPN not working; therefore must check the below aspects before choosing any VPN connection.

We’ve tested the top free VPNs for BBC iPlayer to enhance your streaming experience, enabling seamless content streaming in Australia at no cost. However, it’s important to note that free VPNs come with certain limitations, so for secure streaming, it’s advisable to use a premium VPN.

What are the different channels of BBC iPlayer?

Where can I watch BBC in Australia? In Australia, Foxtel and Fetch TV give limited access to five BBC channels, including BBC First, BBC Earth, UKTV, CBeebies, and World News. However, they make up only a fraction of what the BBC offers.

That’s where BBC iPlayer comes in. You can access all the following BBC channels, including BBC One Australia while streaming BBC iPlayer in Australia:

What to Watch on BBC iPlayer in Australia?

Explore a diverse array of shows, movies, and the latest trendy titles on BBC iPlayer in Australia. From captivating series to blockbuster films, the platform offers a rich content selection for an immersive viewing experience.

Stay tuned for a dynamic lineup that caters to various interests, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

What Shows Can I Watch on BBC iPlayer in Australia?

Here are the BBC iPlayer shows available for streaming in Australia, providing you with an enjoyable streaming experience.