Wondering “Why can’t I watch BBC iPlayer in Australia?” Sadly, BBC iPlayer is not available in Australia due to geo-restrictions. However, you can use a VPN to watch BBC in Australia without any problem.
So, is there anything that we can do to bring across continents to Australia? Absolutely, and here it is.
- BBC iPlayer: the Hype is Real
- How to Watch BBC iPlayer in Australia
- Best VPN for BBC iPlayer in Australia
- 1. ExpressVPN [Recommended]
- 2. NordVPN
- 3. Surfshark
- Why is BBC iPlayer not Available in Australia?
- How VPN Lets You Access iPlayer Australia
- Devices that Support BBC iPlayer
- Best BBC iPlayer Movies & Shows
- FAQs
BBC iPlayer: The Hype is Real
Let’s start off with facts.
Since its initial release in 2007, BBC iPlayer has grown into an industry with some serious content like BBC documentaries, latest movies, top shows such as My Life as a Rolling Stone, Dracula, Peaky Blinders, The Responder, The Split, Gentleman Jack, Bitter Lake, EastEnders, and of course, the English Premier League.
The reason for BBC iPlayer’s recent success, according to its Controller Dan McGolpin, is the provision of the latest news, learning tutorials, and content like Killing Eve, amid the quarantine.
One of these might also be the reason why you’re here today, keen to stream BBC iPlayer from Australia. The painful part – that you’re already aware of – is that it’s only available in the United Kingdom as it’s a subsidiary of BBC, Britain’s public broadcasting service.
The relieving part is that I’ve got an excellent solution to help you access BBC iPlayer in Australia.
How to Watch BBC iPlayer in Australia Free with VPN
Follow these 5 easy steps to watch BBC iPlayer in Australia for free with VPN:
- Purchase a VPN subscription – ExpressVPN is the best option.
- Install and Log in to the VPN on your Android device.
- Now connect to a UK-based server.
- Visit BBC website and create your free account.
- Search and stream BBC iPlayer in Australia.
This is crazy, right? All that you might have to pay for in this 3-step method is the VPN only. If you don’t yet know, then yes, the BBC iPlayer is a free utility, but only for UK residents.
But watching BBC iPlayer in Australia for free is only possible when BBC iPlayer Australia enthusiasts have a VPN that’s fast and safe, or in short, is the best.
Best VPN for BBC iPlayer in Australia
In order to be the best and most efficient in helping BBC iPlayer Australia fiends unblock BBC iPlayer in Australia, a VPN must have these features:
- Fully secure data transmission and encryption
- A diverse and extensive network of servers across the world
- Ability to connect to more than one servers
- Compatible with most devices and OS
- Affordable with free trials and money-back guarantees
With that said, we have in mind what a great VPN looks for. No, don’t worry, you won’t have to go out and look for them. I’ve shortlisted three great picks for you. Check these out:
1. ExpressVPN [Recommended]
The king of all VPNs, ExpressVPN is the quickest, largest, and most trusted VPN brand out there. Simply the best VPN for streaming BBC iPlayer in Australia.
Besides BBC iPlayer, with ExpressVPN you can also unblock other popular streaming services such as US Netflix, TV Player, YouTube TV, HBO Max, Channel 4, and Hulu in Australia.
ExpressVPN supports all devices and you can connect 5 devices simultaneously. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee making it the best BBC iPlayer VPN.
Offers 30-day money-back guarantee!
2. NordVPN
What makes NordVPN unique is the two-way encryption, also known as the ‘Double VPN’, which encrypts your data twice by using two VPNs.
You can use NordVPN to watch streaming services like Eurosport, BFI Player, Peacock TV, NBC, ITVX, Disney+ Hotstar, American Disney Plus, The CW, and ESPN+ in Australia.
Offers 30-day money-back guarantee!
Offers 30-day money-back guarantee
3. Surfshark
Surfshark is a big bang for a little buck as it helps its users access streaming services like BBC iPlayer and 6Play in Australia. It just costs you $2.05 if you opt for its 2-year + 2 free months plan – cheapest!
Loved these? Yeah, me too. These VPNs don’t fail to surprise. Now that we have our best VPN at hand let’s see what it’s really doing in the background.
Offers 30-day money-back guarantee!
Offers 30-day money-back guarantee!
Is BBC iPlayer Available in Australia?
In 2023, BBC iPlayer is not available in Australia due to streaming restrictions. However, if you want to watch BBC in Australia for free, you can access it by using a quality VPN like ExpressVPN.
How VPN Lets You Stream BBC in Australia?
In simple words, when you go to iPlayer’s site, instead of taking you there directly, the VPN takes you to a server in the UK. Then the UK-based server takes your search forward to the iPlayer.
VPNs are more like a relay race, only that the purpose is to have you listed as the UK web traffic. This allows you to access iPlayer and hides your data from ISPs, hackers, advertisers, and other agencies.
But this is the case for paid VPNs. The paid ones provide this service to you in exchange for subscriptions; the free ones use unreliable low-cost servers and sell your data to sustain their business.
Privacy and trust make ExpressVPN the best VPN option. With ExpressVPN running in the background, you know that you’re safe, and you enjoy iPlayer for days on end!
P.S. Another bad thing about the free VPNs is that they aren’t available on all devices and OS, so yeah, that’s that.
Offers 30-day money-back guarantee!
Devices that Support BBC iPlayer
The VPNs that I have listed above have another upside. Along with the iPlayer, these VPNs support a range of different devices and operating systems. Regardless of your location, as long as you have any of the following devices, you’ll rock iPlayer from Australia.
- Apple Macs, Tablets/iPhones, Roku, Playstation, and Apple TV
- Windows, Linux, and Android Phones
- Samsung SmartTV and Amazon Fire series
You’re more than likely to have at least one of these. There’s a 100% chance you’re going to love watching the iPlayer – you’re all set to go!
What to Watch on BBC in Australia?
Alright, so you’ve got a subscription, and now you’re at the much-hyped iPlayer site, too. Before we move to the last section, here’s a list of some awesome BBC iPlayer shows and movies you must watch:
- Doctor Who: Wild Blue Yonder (Special)
- Ghosts
- Glastonbury
- The Traitors
- The English
- Doctor Who: Legend of The Sea Devils
- Conversations With Friends
- Staged
- Killing Eve
- Blue Planet 2
- Doctor Foster
- Selma
- Dracula
- Line of Duty
- Planet Earth II
- The Nest
- Taboo
Now that’s some freaky stuff right there. Whenever you watch BBC iPlayer in Australia, don’t forget this billion-dollar content!
Note: Before 2016, the iPlayer didn’t require registration and login, but the policies have since changed. Now, BBC iPlayer Australia devotees have to register and log in before streaming. But hey, that’s nothing to worry about – it’s totally FREE!
What’s New Coming on BBC iPlayer in December 2023?
Here is the complete list of new TV shows, sports events, and movies coming on BBC iPlayer in December 2023:
- Tabby McTat
- The Famous Five
- Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty
- Attenborough and the Giant Sea Monster
- Carols From King’s
- Christmas Morning from Manchester Cathedral
- MasterChef: Battle of the Critics 2023
- Call The Midwife
- Death in Paradise Christmas Special
- DIY SOS EastEnders Special
FAQs
Let’s end with three quick and frequently asked questions about watching BBC iPlayer from Australia in 2023.
Why can’t I watch BBC iPlayer in Australia?
You can’t directly watch BBC iPlayer from Australia due to rights agreements. It’s exclusively for the UK public to enjoy, but thanks to VPN, you can convince BBC that you’re from the UK too. By buying a VPN subscription and connecting to a UK-based server, you can easily access the iPlayer in Australia.
Can you access BBC iPlayer in Australia?
Yes, we can access BBC iPlayer in Australia through a premium subscription of a quality VPN like ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
Is the BBC iPlayer Free?
BBC iPlayer is free, and that’s what makes it stand out. However, it’s free for the UK public only as the BBC itself is a public company.
You might find it surprising that when you access iPlayer using a VPN, you’re not asked to pay either. This is because your VPN has masked your IP address and converted you to UK web traffic.
How can I watch BBC iPlayer abroad for free?
It can be tiresome to watch BBC iPlayer for free while travelling overseas while abiding by legal and moral obligations because of geographical limitations and licensing agreements. But you can use a location spoofing tool like ExpressVPN to circumvent these geo-restrictions to access your favourite streaming service from anywhere hassle-free.
Are VPNs legal in Australia?
Yes, VPNs are legal to use for region-hopping in Australia to watch anything you want from anywhere across the globe.
How do I improve the BBC iPlayer quality?
Once up and running, you’ll notice video quality changes as you watch through. The reason is the default adaptive bitrate (ABR) settings that aim to avoid buffering by lowering the video quality if the internet signals fall.
You can change this from the Video Quality in the Settings tab.
Is BBC iPlayer available internationally?
No, access to BBC iPlayer is limited to UK citizens exclusively.
Can I watch BBC iPlayer with a VPN without a TV Licence?
No, you can’t do it. To get access to BBC iPlayer, you need to have a UK TV license.
Conclusion
By now, it’s more than clear that you can watch BBC iPlayer in Australia. Sure, not directly, but by using a paid VPN that neither frustrates you with pop-up ads nor lets the streaming buffer.
Be sure to look out for the VPN service you’re going for. Trusted brands always perform much better than free and too-good-to-be-true services.
Stay classy, and stay Aussie!
Note: If you are a BBC iPlayer Australia Aficionado who wants to know how to cancel a BBC iPlayer subscription, read our “How to Cancel BBC iPlayer Subscription in Australia Guide“.
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