How to Get American Netflix on PS4 (or PS5) in Australia in 2022

Last updated: August 21, 2023

Wondering how to set up Netflix USA on your PlayStation in Australia? You are in the right place. The method discussed in this guide presently works for both PS4 and PS5. If there are any changes in the future, we’ll update our info accordingly.

As you are already aware, the American version of Netflix is region-locked to the USA due to rights restrictions. If you try to access Netflix USA from Australia on your PlayStation console, it won’t play. Instead, Netflix Australia will serve you the local AU content. However, with the help of a best Netflix VPN, you can bypass these geo-restrictions and stream your favorite American Netflix movies and shows from your home in Australia.

Of course, you need to have a PSN and Netflix account as well to stream the big red N. If you don’t have an active Netflix subscription, we recommend getting that first. Make sure to use your PC when signing up. That way, your PSN and Netflix membership will remain separate. Also, you need to have the Netflix app installed on your PlayStation.

With that in mind, let’s delve into the actual process of How to get American Netflix in Australia.

How to get American Netflix on PS4 (or PS5) in Australia

To watch American Netflix on PS4 (or PS5) from Australia, all you need to do is follow these five steps:

  1. Subscribe to a PlayStation-compatible Netflix VPN. We recommend ExpressVPN. It is fast, robust, and unblocks 20+ Netflix libraries, including the American Netflix library.
  2. Set up the VPN on your PlayStation console. There are two ways you can do that. First, you can configure the VPN on your Wi-Fi router and use the router device to secure the PlayStation. Alternatively, you can install the VPN on your personal computer (Windows or Mac) and share it with your PS4 (or PS5) via an Ethernet cable. We discuss this in more detail below.
  3. Fire up the VPN app and connect to a US server. This will give you access to American Netflix. 
  4. Launch Netflix by going to the “TV & Video” section of your PS4 (or PS5) home screen and tapping the Netflix icon. Enter your Netflix AU username and password.
  5. Sign in and start streaming your favourite American Netflix movies and shows from Australia

Setting up a VPN on PlayStation 4 (and 5)

Currently, no VPN provider makes native apps for PlayStation. Therefore, if you want to use a VPN with your PlayStation device, you must set it up manually. There are two possible approaches to this:

Option #1: Configure the VPN on your router and then extend it to your PS4 (or PS5)

You can configure the VPN on your router.  Once done, you can then connect your PlayStation with the router device to get the VPN protection. To do that, simply go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection > Use WiFi > Easy > Preferred network name. Enter the password to establish the connection.  

Make sure you have a Wi-Fi router that is compatible with your VPN provider. You can find this information (with the complete router setup tutorial) on your VPN provider’s website. Contact customer support if needed. 

Some VPN providers also sell pre-configured routers in partnership with different vendors. This is best for you if you aren’t a DIY guy and have no experience of working with custom firmware setups. 

How much does a pre-configured VPN router cost? 

A pre-configured VPN router will cost you between $149 and $400, depending on the make and model.

Option #2: Configure the VPN on your PC and then share it with your PS4 (or PS5)

Another option you have is to configure the VPN on your PC (Windows or Mac) and then share it with your PS4 (or PS5) using an Ethernet cable. Here is how to do that:  

i) Download and install the VPN on your computer. We’ll use ExpressVPN for the demonstration. The test machine is Windows 10 operated.

step-1-setup-vpn-on-playstation

ii) Open the ExpressVPN app and connect to a US server. Plug the Ethernet cable into your computer and PlayStation console.

step-2-setup-vpn-on-playstation

iii) In the Windows search bar, type control panel and hit enter. Select Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Centre > Change Adapter Settings.

step-3-setup-vpn-on-playstation

iv) Look for an ExpressVPN adapter. Right-click on it and select Properties. Navigate to the Sharing tab. Check “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection”. Press OK.

setup-vpn-on-ps4

v) On your PlayStation home screen, scroll to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection > Use a LAN Cable > Easy. Congratulations, ExpressVPN is now activated on your PS4/PS5.

The best VPN to get American Netflix on PS4 (and PS5) in Australia

expressvpn-best-playstation-vpn-for-netflixExpressVPN is our favourite VPN service for streaming American Netflix on PlayStation from Australia. It provides 25+ servers in 24 US cities. All servers are RAM-powered and provide a buffer-free viewing experience. We get speeds of around 54 Mbps on our 65 Mbps connection, which is pretty good. In fact, ExpressVPN is the fastest PlayStation VPN we have used to date.

Such strong features let you access Greek TV on Firestick in Australia without any buffering issues.

You also get complete privacy. ExpressVPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands and keeps no record of your online activities. It uses a combination of AES-256 cipher keys and OpenVPN/Lightway tunneling protocols to secure your web traffic. An automatic kill switch further protects against accidental IP leaks.

One of the best things about ExpressVPN is it has pre-configured VPN routers available for use. You can shop for them here. Meanwhile, the full list of ExpressVPN-supported routers is as follows:

  • Asus RT-AC87U
  • Asus RT-AC68U
  • Asus RT-AC56(U/R/S)
  • Linksys WRT1900AC(S)
  • Linksys WRT1200AC
  • Linksys EA6200
  • Linksys WRT3200ACM
  • Netgear R6700v3
  • Netgear R6300v2
  • Netgear Nighthawk R7000P
  • Netgear Nighthawk R7000, and others

ExpressVPN allows up to five multi-logins that enable you to watch American Netflix on different devices. You can get its 1-year plan for AU$10.33/mo (US$ 6.67/mo) - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free. All ExpressVPN purchases come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Other top VPN providers

If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, you can try Surfshark or NordVPN to access the American Netflix library in Australia. They both work equally well with PS4 (and PS5) and unblock Netflix USA with ease.

Surfshark

surfshark-reliable-playstation-vpn-for-american-netflixLike ExpressVPN, Surfshark also operates from the British Virgin Islands. It has 600+ servers in the USA that let you access American Netflix media content in Australia securely. These servers are spread across 24 cities. When watching Netflix with Surfshark on our PlayStation device, we get a streaming speed of around 48 Mbps on average.

Surfshark is a safe VPN to use. It uses the latest tunneling protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN to secure your communications. The company keeps no activity logs either. You can use Surfshark with a wide variety of routers, including Synology RT2600AC, Asus RT-AC86U AC2900, Asus RT-AC88U AC3100, Asus RT-AC5300, TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750, GLiNet GL-MT300N-V2, NetDuma R1, and more. Pre-flashed Surfshark routers are also available in the market.  

Surfshark plans start from AU$3.86/mo (US$ 2.49/mo) - Save up to 77% with exclusive 2-year plan + 30-day money-back guarantee and go up to $12.95 per month. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee and unlimited device support.

NordVPN

nordvpn-reliable-playstation-vpn-for-american-netflixNordVPN is a Panama-based VPN provider. It unblocks American Netflix on both PS4 and PS5. You get 1970+ US servers to choose from. This way, you can get American Netflix on PS4 in Australia trouble-free. Our experience has been good with most of them. However, some servers can show inconsistency in connection at times. Expect speeds of around 50 Mbps if you’re using a 65 Mbps connection. 

Like the other two VPNs on this list, NordVPN also offers pre-flashed routers to customers. You can buy and hook them up with your PlayStation console to watch American Netflix in Australia. Alternatively, you can install NordVPN manually on your existing home router. Just make sure it’s compatible with the VPN service. Below is a small list of routers that support NordVPN. For a complete list, contact the company’s customer support.

  • Asus RT-AC66U
  • Asus RT-N18U
  • Asus RT-AC3200
  • Netgear R7800
  • Netgear R9000
  • Netgear R7800
  • Linksys EA8500
  • Linksys WRT3200ACM

NordVPN allows up to six multi-logins, which means you can access US Netflix library on different devices easily. Furthermore, it keeps no record of your online activities and uses OpenVPN and NordLynx tunneling protocols to secure your web traffic. 

You can get NordVPN for AU$6.18/mo (US$ 3.99/mo) - Save up to 63% with exclusive 2-year plan + 3 months free for a friend with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Is there a free VPN for PS4 (or PS5)?

Yes, there are completely free VPNs for PlayStation available in the market. However, these are known to cause streaming lags and security issues. So we won’t recommend using them at all. Moreover, some free VPN providers have also been found to log user data, selling it to third-party companies and different government organizations around the world. If you still want to use free VPNs for PS4 (or PS5), you can try a premium VPN service that comes with free or money-back trials. That way, you can enjoy the complete privacy and security of a VPN without spending a buck and access American Netflix in Australia.

How do you activate Netflix on PS4 (or PS5)?

First things first, to access American Netflix on PS4, you need to be signed in to your PSN account. To do that, go to Settings > Account Management > and select Sign In to PlayStation Network. Next, open the PlayStation Store and search for Netflix. Hit download. This should take a couple of minutes depending on your internet speed. Once the download is complete, return to your home screen and navigate to the TV & Video section. Press X. Then select Netflix. Enter your username and password to sign in and access American Netflix in Australia. 

Is Netflix free on PS4 (and PS5)?

Yes, the Netflix app is absolutely free to download on PS4 and PS5. However, to stream TV shows and movies, you’ll need to subscribe to the service. The basic Netflix plan costs $10.99 per month, while the premium plan is priced at $19.99 per month. Once you subscribe, you can access the US Netflix library while residing in Australia.

Can I pay for Netflix with a PSN Card?

No, you cannot pay for your Netflix subscription using your PSN account or gift card. You must have a credit card or PayPal account if you want to sign up for Netflix. As a result, you can watch American Netflix in Australia accordingly. 

Does the Netflix PlayStation app support 4K?

Yes, you can stream American Netflix in 4K on PS4 and PS5, provided you have a Premium Netflix plan and a 25 Mbps minimum internet connection.

Can you use Netflix on PS4 without Playstation Plus?

PlayStation Plus is required for multiplayer gaming. You don’t need it to use Netflix app on PS4 or PS5. However, if you have a PlayStation Plus account, you can watch Netflix for free for 3 months. This offer is available in only limited countries though. The last time we checked the AU region was excluded.

Can you watch Netflix on PS4 without Wi-Fi?

No, you cannot watch Netflix on PS4 without an internet connection. That feature is only available for mobile devices, where users can download Netflix titles for offline viewing. However, you can use Netflix DVDs on your PlayStation device if you are temporarily out of the internet. Netflix does offer disc delivery services all across Australia.

Netflix not working on PS4 – Enable HDCP error message

If you are trying to run Netflix app on PlayStation, but it’s returning the HDCP error message, all you need to do is go to Settings > System > and select Enable HDCP. This should fix the problem. Netflix shows you the HDCP error to stop you from recording your screen.

Netflix-not-working-on-playstation

Conclusion

While American Netflix is only available for streaming in the United States, you can watch it in Australia on your PlayStation device using a VPN. ExpressVPN is our preferred VPN service. Also, make sure that you have an active Australian Netflix subscription. Without it, you won’t be able to stream American Netflix. Finally, a PSN account is needed to download the Netflix app on PS4 (and PS5). Happy streaming gamers!

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