The Best VPN for Australia

A little caution won’t hurt if you’re traveling to (or living in) Australia. As a member of the Five Eyes alliance, it has extensive data-sharing agreements that can impact your online privacy. Looking for a reliable way to make absolutely sure that your data stays personal? Use a VPN in Australia.

A trusted VPN provider will also shield your traffic from your ISP and hackers so they cannot throttle your internet connection or steal sensitive information. Plus, you can access a broad spectrum of international content ordinarily blocked to outsiders.

So, subscribing to a VPN is a practical solution to many issues, but choosing the right one isn’t a walk in the park. Don’t worry — we’ve gotten all the tedious work out of the way. This article explores the best Australian VPNs to keep you protected online in 2025.

The Top 5 VPNs for Australia in 2025

As much as all appear to market the same features and claim high-level capabilities, VPN services are not all created equally. Opting for the right service will save time and money and keep bad actors from potentially reaching your data.

We’re focusing on premium VPN services that can offer blazing-fast speeds, safeguard your online presence, and also have servers located in Australia.

1. NordVPN – best VPN in Australia overall

According to our tests, NordVPN is the best VPN for Australia in 2025. The well-rounded VPN service comes with a massive server fleet, with more than 7,100 servers across 118 countries. That figure includes 190+ in Australia and over 20 others in New Zealand for when you need a nearby VPN connection.

Thanks to its extensive collection, a well-oiled system, 10 Gbps connections, and a custom protocol built around WireGuard, you’ll barely notice a drop in performance while you’re online. It’s so fast that we didn’t experience any buffering while streaming extensively in 4K quality.

NordVPN breezes past geo-restrictions as if digital roadblocks don’t exist. It will unblock virtually anything, from firewalled content to government-censored websites and streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. You can also count on it to watch 9now live from abroad.

Also, as the best VPN provider for torrenting, it allows P2P activities on all servers and has dedicated servers for secure and speedy downloads and seeding.

As it’s based in data privacy-friendly Panama, NordVPN isn’t subject to Australia’s data retention laws. Besides, it uses RAM-based servers and has a strict no-logs policy. The provider implements military-grade encryption to scramble your traffic and offers an unparalleled arsenal of advanced and extra features.

You can protect up to 10 devices simultaneously with NordVPN’s Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Fire TV apps. Moreover, we believe that it offers the best VPN compatible with Android devices. It also has manual configurations for several other platforms. If you’re giving the VPN a go, your subscription lets you test it for 30 days after payment risk-free.

Visit NordVPN

---

2. ExpressVPN – best for streaming

This self-branded “Best VPN for Australia” is another excellent option for people in and outside Australia. It has a network comprising 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, including locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane.

ExpressVPN all but guarantees blazing-fast connection speeds for your online activities. You’ll enjoy the best performance results from its 10 Gbps servers using the proprietary Lightway protocol, which our tests have found quite impressive.

Streaming and gaming are smooth and free from interruptions, even though the provider doesn’t offer dedicated servers for them. That also applies to torrenting, which ExpressVPN allows on all its servers.

During our tests, we encountered no insurmountable geo-restrictions, successfully unblocking each website and online service, including Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. Additionally, with an Australian IP address, you can rely on ExpressVPN to watch Australian TV outside Australia without any hassle, such as on SBS On Demand.

A strict no-logs policy that has undergone multiple independent audits promises you can browse freely without leaving a digital footprint. Plus, ExpressVPN employs bank-level encryption to keep prying eyes second-guessing and plugs potential exposure loopholes with a kill switch and DNS leak protection.

The provider offers apps for computers and mobile platforms, also supporting routers, gaming consoles, and more. It lets you connect up to eight devices simultaneously on one account. Your subscription comes with the leeway to request a refund within 30 days if you’re unsatisfied.

Visit ExpressVPN

---

3. Private Internet Access – best budget-friendly VPN for Australia

Private Internet Access has a vast network that leaves its rivals in the dust. More than 30,000 servers allow you to manage accounts and services across 91 countries. You can always get an IP address in Australia from elsewhere by connecting to any of its servers in five cities.

While sheer network numbers don’t tell the whole story, PIA’s servers provide 10 Gbps connections. Plus, handy ping labels mean you can hop on a faster alternative with one click when you run into congestion or slowdowns.

PIA is P2P-friendly. It allows you to share torrent files safely and quickly across all its servers.

You can’t count on the VPN to successfully bypass every geo-restriction. That said, our tests have shown it can unblock some popular services, like Netflix US (and a few other libraries), Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.

Security and privacy are where it really shines. The provider’s no-logs policy has withstood independent audits and even a US court process, showing you can rely on it to keep you untraceable. Bank-level encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection aside, it’s loaded with several top-notch features.

There’s great value for your money here. PIA isn’t only affordable, but a single subscription covers all devices for which it’s installed or manually configured. The VPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee means you can get a full refund if it doesn’t meet your expectations.

Visit Private Internet Access

---

4. Proton VPN – best for privacy in Australia

Proton VPN earns a spot on our list of VPNs for Australia with servers in Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Sydney. Overall, it offers upwards of 9,900+ servers spread across 117 countries, which we find impressive.

Especially because they are 10 Gbps servers that provide pretty fast connection speeds way more often than not. Unsurprisingly, WireGuard with the VPN Accelerator supplies the best performance without compromising your security.

Proton VPN’s fleet includes specially optimized servers for torrenting, Tor over VPN and streaming. We assessed a few from each category and found they work as advertised.

For instance, while connected to dedicated streaming servers, we could unblock Netflix Hulu, Prime Video, and Crunchyroll. In addition, convenient labels allowed us to connect to low-ping servers that served up lag-free online gaming.

A privacy-friendly Swiss jurisdiction and a verified no-logs policy means your personal information is safe from third parties. Like the others on this list, Proton VPN offers AES 256-bit encryption, an automatic kill switch, and prevents DNS leaks.

If you’re prone to using any unprotected networks in Australian pubs or cafes, Proton VPN’s Secure Core servers shield you from lurking cyber threats so your data remains secure. The same goes for NetShield which blocks trackers, ads, and malicious content.

You can connect up to ten devices simultaneously. That’s on par with NordVPN but still above the industry average for premium providers. Proton VPN’s monthly plan isn’t the most affordable but the 2-year one at around $3/mo is the real deal and our #1 pick for this VPN.

Visit Proton VPN

---

5. Surfshark – best for ease of use

Surfshark has come a long way in the few years it’s been around. Not only is the Dutch-based provider one of our favorite VPNs for Australia, it’s easily one of the best VPN services overall. Over 3,200 servers are dotted across 100 countries globally. That includes 40 Australian VPN servers in five locations there.

Combine nearby Asia-Pacific locations, speedy servers, and modern protocols like WireGuard, and you can expect stable connections. The slowdowns from connecting to a server are almost imperceptible, which is why we rate it as one of the fastest VPN services.

Does Surfshark support torrenting? Absolutely. It works on all servers, even though the VPN doesn’t explicitly advertise its support. Interestingly, it’s just as reserved about its excellent unblocking capabilities, which we’ve found to be among the best in the industry.

For a budget service, Surfshark is loaded with security and privacy features. AES 256-bit encryption ensures prying eyes don’t find what they’re looking for, and the VPN plugs loopholes with an automatic kill switch and DNS leak protection. Your online activities are not logged or retained, a policy that RAM-only servers and multiple third-party audits have made sure of.

Surfshark supports unlimited simultaneous device connections, which is great if you have many devices or a large household. Thanks to a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can explore its services with the option of a full refund if it doesn’t meet your expectations.

Visit Surfshark

---

How to Use a VPN in Australia?

Using a VPN isn’t rocket science, even if that sounds that way to a beginner. Here’s a simple guide to getting you started.

1. Subscribe to a reliable Australian VPN service: We recommend NordVPN but other options presented above will also suffice.
2. Sign up: Visit the provider’s website, choose a plan, and pay for a subscription to set up an account.
3. Install the VPN app: Most services have apps for various devices. Download and install the appropriate version for your device.
4. Connect to a server: Log in with your account credentials. Select a server in the location of your choice, and connect to change your IP address.

That’s all there is to it. If you’re stuck at any point, your chosen VPN’s resource base or customer support should provide all the assistance you need.

Why Do You Need a VPN in Australia?

Reporters Without Borders declares Australia is “under surveillance”. Maybe that’s a little dramatic, especially considering the internet space is largely unrestricted.

However, a 5 Eyes alliance membership coupled with legislative efforts to bump up online monitoring and restrict encrypted communication has raised valid privacy concerns.

Not only is there a chance you’re being spied on, but cybercrime is on the rise in Australia, as in most other countries. Unprotected Wi-Fi networks are hotspots for lurking hackers seeking to make away with your sensitive information.

Need other reasons? Fine. Living in Australia means missing out on a lot of content curated for other audiences due to licensing agreements. And when you travel abroad, you’re cut off from Australian TV and streaming services, which can be pretty frustrating until you return home.

Get a good VPN, and you’ll effectively address these concerns. When you connect to a VPN server, the provider throws on a crucial layer of privacy by encrypting your internet traffic and temporarily changing your IP address.

You’ll enjoy several benefits. As long as you stay connected, no lurking hackers on public Wi-Fi or prying eyes from ISPs (or potentially even government agencies) can decipher the data flowing between you and the internet. Plus, you get to stream all the content you want from international locations — as long as the VPN has servers there.

How We Picked Out the Best Australian VPNs

When you’re out shopping for the right VPN, you want the provider to tick a number of boxes. Here are the major factors we considered while sieving through the saturated market for the best VPNs for Australia.

• Security and Privacy: The top priority. So, we looked for VPNs with uncrackable encryption, a no-logs policy, and advanced security features to keep your online activities away from third parties.
• Server Network: You always want an extensive network with diverse server locations, especially in Australia and nearby regions, to enjoy better connectivity and access to geo-restricted content.
• Speed: Poor performance is incredibly frustrating. That’s why we tested VPNs to make sure you can expect high-speed connections without significant slowdowns.
• Bypassing Geo-Restrictions: We focused on providers that beat geo-restrictions on streaming services, websites, and apps. That way, you have access to a broader range of content.
• Ease of Use and Support: User-friendly apps and interfaces are necessary, in our opinion, especially for beginners. Also, when you have questions or issues, each Australian VPN we listed has responsive support around the clock to help.
• Value for Money: Finally, we considered pricing plans alongside features offered, so you’ll get good value for the cost. To make our list, VPNs had to offer money-back guarantees that allow you to try them risk-free and get a free VPN trial.

Can You Use a Free VPN for Australia Instead?

We don’t generally recommend using a free VPN unless it’s a last resort. While we co-sign a handful of them, even those are not on the same level as their paid versions.

More often than not, free VPNs have limited networks with relatively few servers and locations. Because of the congestion that comes with that, you’re almost certain to be stuck with sluggish internet speeds. Plus, bandwidth limits and data caps are standard, so expect frequent interruptions and frustrating experiences.

So, most are simply not worth the effort performance-wise, but that’s not the worst part.

Some cost-free providers extensively log your online sessions to inject ads and make a profit. And because they may only offer subpar security features, your ISP and other internet actions may get through to see your activities. That defeats the essence of using a VPN in the first place.

Final Words

Australian residents aren’t immune to surveillance and rising cybercrime rates. Consequently, if you’re serious about maintaining near-anonymity online, you need a quality VPN for Australia. With one, you can also enjoy access to geo-restricted content from around the globe.

We’ve highlighted and discussed several excellent options in this article. NordVPN is our top choice for an Australian VPN, with its unmatched combination of best-in-class features and reliability. A 30-day money-back guarantee comes with your subscription, so you’re not taking any risks.

Try NordVPN Now

---

FAQs about the Use of a VPN in Australia

Here are the most common questions users are asking about finding a good VPN for Australia.

What is the best VPN to use in Australia?

NordVPN is the best VPN you can use in Australia. It’s lightning-fast, reliable, and all but guarantees that you stay private and secure while online.

Are VPNs legal in Australia?

Yes, it’s perfectly fine to use a VPN in Australia, as in most other countries. However, it’s essential to stay on the right side of the law while connected to a VPN, as infractions may lead to legal repercussions.

How do I get an Australian IP Address?

Choose a trustworthy VPN provider like NordVPN and subscribe to a plan. Install it on your device and connect to an Australian server. The VPN will mask your real IP address and temporarily grant you an Australian IP address.