Best VPNs for Australia 2026 (Only 4 Passed All Tests)

You’ve relied on VPNs for years to stay private in Australia, dodging mandatory data retention laws, government site blocks, and ISP tracking of your browsing history. That changed on December 10, 2025, when the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act went live. This new law bans anyone under 16 from major social platforms and forces services to implement strict age verification.

Despite its incredibly (intentionally?) clumsy name, the implications are enormous, ranging from massive fines for platforms, to millions of teens losing online accounts, to a precedent for worldwide social media crackdowns. This means there’s new urgency to get your hands on one of the best VPNs for Australia.

The new social media ban risk

Australia’s under-16 social media ban is pushing platforms such as YouTube, Facebook and TikTok to introduce stricter age verification. Users accessing these platforms from an Australian IP address may face checks such as facial age estimation, digital ID verification or other AI-powered tools designed to confirm their age.

This introduces massive privacy concerns for everyone:

• Data breaches: Submitting your government ID or face scans creates a high-value target for hackers on the dark web.
• Government surveillance: Privacy advocates fear this framework is a gateway to tracking all online citizens.
• Global intelligence sharing: As a Five Eyes alliance member, Australia shares gathered data with the US, UK, Canada, and New Zealand. Your information will not stay local.

Want more privacy from Australia’s new digital checks? A reputable VPN can help. By routing your connection through a server overseas, it masks your Australian IP address and can reduce location-based tracking and restrictions.

Best VPNs for Australia in 2026

The VPNs we recommend combine fast speeds, strong privacy, wide device compatibility and reliable access to streaming services.

1. NordVPN — Best VPN for Australia

Topping our list of the best VPNs for Australia is NordVPN. This VPN stands out from the crowd with numerous features, secure apps, and blazing-fast speeds. It is strategically based in Panama, which is an excellent privacy-friendly jurisdiction.

NordVPN apps

NordVPN’s applications feature an intuitive interface, allowing users to easily select servers and choose options right from the main window. The NordVPN apps are practical for both novice and experienced users.

One of the notable features of NordVPN’s applications is the built-in kill switch, which provides an additional layer of security by preventing data leaks in the event of a sudden connection drop. We tested NordVPN apps for leaks using our standard VPN test suite. The apps passed all our tests with no leaks, glitches, or any other type of problem.

In our recent ExpressVPN vs NordVPN comparison, NordVPN emerged as the clear winner, in part because of more user-friendly apps.

More NordVPN features

One of the biggest advantages you get with NordVPN is NordLynx, a custom VPN protocol that incorporates the WireGuard VPN protocol. The WireGuard protocol offers a huge speed advantage over OpenVPN and other legacy protocols. It also provides next-generation encryption technology on top of a lean, lightweight code base. Using WireGuard with NordVPN, we were able to hit speeds of 903 Mbps:

Another advantage of NordVPN is its huge server network built on premium infrastructure. NordVPN has 9,500+ servers in 224 locations, including five locations in Australia alone. All of NordVPN’s servers run on dedicated hardware (no virtual locations) in RAM-disk mode. These RAM-servers offer a higher level of data security and run without any hard drives, so no data can be stored on any server.

Furthermore, the company is in the process of adding 10 Gbps servers in key locations throughout their network while also switching the entire network to colocated servers. Colocated servers are servers that are owned and managed by NordVPN, but physically located in third-party data centers.

For those concerned about privacy in Australia, NordVPN has a lot of features to offer:

• Double VPN protection: NordVPN routes your traffic through two security servers, adding an extra layer of encryption for greater privacy.
• Tor-over-VPN servers: These VPN servers exit onto the Tor network for an additional layer of anonymity.
• NordWhisper obfuscation: NordVPN disguises VPN traffic as standard HTTPS data, helping bypass ISP tracking, workplace filters and restrictive public Wi-Fi networks.
• Threat Protection: This VPN ad blocking feature will block ads, trackers, and malware domains. It can also scan downloaded documents for malicious content and delete affected ones before you open them (using Threat Protection Pro, which is available for Windows and macOS).
• Post-quantum encryption: NordVPN uses quantum-resistant encryption algorithms globally, helping protect your traffic against future decryption threats and long-term data retention.
• Audited no-logs infrastructure: To guarantee your activities are never recorded, NordVPN operates a strict RAM-only server network that has been independently vetted by major third-party security auditors five separate times.

If you want to stream Australian media, NordVPN is a great choice. It unblocks the Australian Netflix library and many other Netflix locations around the world (US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, and more). NordVPN also works very well for file sharing and holds the top spot as the best VPN for torrenting with the latest test results.

NordVPN offers a full 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 live chat support directly through their website. Among all the Australian VPNs in this guide, NordVPN is one of the best values considering all the features you get for the price.

NordVPN Australian servers and locations

NordVPN currently has over 190 servers in Australia, distributed across the following locations:

• Adelaide
• Brisbane
• Melbourne
• Perth
• Sydney

NordVPN pros and cons

Check out our NordVPN review for test results and more info.

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2. Surfshark — Fast VPN at a low price

Next up on our list of VPNs for Australia is Surfshark, a fully-featured VPN based in the British Virgin Islands. It is the cheapest VPN for connecting to Australia on our list, coming in around $2.50 per month with the two-year plan. This makes Surfshark one of the cheapest VPNs on the market, even though it delivers premium VPN performance and features.

Surfshark VPN apps

Surfshark VPN apps give you a large list of servers on the left side of the app window, which lets you find the server location you want by name, rather than location on the map. Here’s the Surfshark Windows app with a search that shows all 5 of the locations in Australia where Surfshark has VPN servers.

Aside from differences like this, Surfshark apps are much like NordVPN apps. They are good-looking, easy to use, and reliable. They include kill switches and passed our leak tests without a single glitch or leak.

More Surfshark features

Like our other top recommendations, Surfshark is a no-logs VPN service that is strong on security. It offers many features for privacy-focused users:

• Unlimited device connections: Surfshark lets you connect unlimited devices simultaneously, making it ideal for households.
• Dynamic MultiHop (double VPN): Choose two servers to route your traffic through, adding a second layer of encryption for extra privacy.
• Alternative ID masking: Generates a new name and email for online use, keeping your real details away from trackers and data brokers.
• 100Gbps Nexus Network: Surfshark automatically rotates your IP while keeping your connection active and fast enough for 4K streaming.
• CleanWeb 2.0 Ad Blocker: Blocks pop-ups and web trackers while warning you about malicious websites.

The Web Content Blocker is a new Surfshark feature that lets you block entire categories of web content, including adult content and gambling sites. Once you set it up on one of your devices, you can manage the web access for all of your family’s devices running Surfshark, as you can see below:

Surfshark also does a great job supporting all major streaming services, including Netflix Australia and other Australian TV streams. Torrenting is allowed on all Surfshark server locations, which is good since Australia has strict copyright regulations. Officially, Surfshark supports ten different Netflix libraries, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and many other streaming options. We’ve also found it to be a great VPN for BBC iPlayer, while many others get blocked.

Like NordVPN, Surfshark also boasts excellent speeds with support for the WireGuard VPN protocol. We were able to hit up to 752 Mbps with servers in tests for the Surfshark review. And with a network of 4,500+ servers in 100 countries, you’ll be able to find a fast server wherever you are located.

Surfshark has five Australian server locations. They are:

• Sydney
• Brisbane
• Adelaide
• Melbourne
• Perth

Surfshark is a great value with a super-low monthly price if you use the coupon below. Plus, they give you unlimited connections with your VPN subscription, while most other VPNs limit you to around five or six simultaneous connections. If you have any issues, Surfshark offers 24/7 live chat support and a full 30-day money-back guarantee.

Surfshark pros and cons

Our Surfshark review has more info and test results.

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3. Proton VPN — Premium privacy winner for Australia

Proton VPN is a security-focused provider based in Switzerland. With strong privacy laws and no mandatory data retention requirements, Switzerland is a great jurisdiction for a no-logs VPN service. Proton VPN is independently audited and offers advanced security features, making it an excellent choice for privacy-conscious users.

Proton VPN apps

Proton VPN apps feature a clean, modern design with a built-in world map for easy server selection. You can also browse a list of servers by country, similar to the Surfshark interface. The apps are available for all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

Proton VPN operates servers in multiple Australian cities, giving users plenty of options for securing their connection. These servers support streaming, torrenting, and advanced security features.

More Proton VPN features

Proton VPN stands out with its focus on security and privacy. It offers several advanced features, including:

• Secure Core infrastructure: Proton VPN routes your traffic through hardened servers in Switzerland or Iceland before reaching Australia, making it harder to trace your real IP.
• Open-source and audited apps: Proton VPN’s apps are fully open-source and independently audited, adding transparency and confidence in their security.
• VPN accelerator: Proton VPN’s routing technology can boost speeds by up to 400%, helping keep long-distance connections fast.
• NetShield ad and malware blocker: Proton VPN uses DNS filtering to block malware, trackers and intrusive ads before they load.
• Tor over VPN support: Proton VPN’s Tor servers route your connection through the Tor network, letting you access .onion sites without a separate Tor browser.

With these features, Proton VPN is one of the best options for users who prioritize privacy without sacrificing performance.

Streaming and torrenting

Proton VPN works well with Australian streaming services, including Netflix Australia, ABC iView, and 7plus. It also supports international platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer.

For torrenting, Proton VPN allows P2P traffic on dedicated servers, ensuring fast and secure downloads. Given Australia’s strict copyright laws, using a VPN with strong encryption is essential for privacy when torrenting.

Proton VPN supports the WireGuard protocol, delivering excellent speeds in our tests. It consistently provides fast and stable connections, making it a reliable choice for streaming, gaming, and general browsing.

The service has over 20,500+ servers in 148 countries, including multiple locations in Australia:

• Adelaide
• Sydney
• Melbourne
• Brisbane
• Perth

Proton VPN offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 live chat customer support. While it is slightly more expensive than some competitors, its strong privacy protections and advanced security features make it a top choice for Australian users.

Proton VPN pros and cons

Read our Proton VPN review for a more detailed insight and test results.

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4. ExpressVPN — Easy-to-use premium VPN

Another great VPN for access to Australia is ExpressVPN. It is based in the British Virgin Islands, which is a good jurisdiction for privacy with no data retention requirements. ExpressVPN is a verified no-logs VPN provider that offers strong encryption and secure applications. The ExpressVPN apps come with built-in leak protection, split tunneling, and a kill switch (network lock).

If you are looking to access Australian media, such as sports, movies, or TV shows, ExpressVPN is a great choice. It works well with unblocking Australian TV if you are living abroad, as well as accessing Netflix, Hulu, and other media. ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs for Netflix and consistently works well with the service. It also works if you need a VPN for Amazon Prime Video streaming.

More ExpressVPN features

If you value speed and simplicity, ExpressVPN is tough to beat. Its premium service delivers fast streaming with a clean interface that works without constant tweaking:

• Lightway Turbo protocol: ExpressVPN’s proprietary protocol is designed for faster connections and quick setup, delivering smooth, buffer-free 4K streaming.
• TrustedServer technology: ExpressVPN runs its servers entirely on RAM, so data is wiped when each server reboots, reducing the risk of persistent data storage.
• Post-quantum protection: ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol uses quantum-resistant encryption to help protect your online activity against future decryption threats.
• Complete security ecosystem: ExpressVPN includes a built-in password manager, ExpressVPN Keys, plus Advanced Protection tools to block trackers and intrusive ads.

ExpressVPN’s apps are simple, well-designed, and easy to use – no matter which device or operating system you have. There are apps for all major desktop operating systems, tablets, phones, routers, and Smart TVs. There’s even an Amazon app if you want to stream media using a VPN with Firestick.

And if you need assistance with anything, ExpressVPN offers 24/7 live chat assistance directly through their website. All ExpressVPN subscription plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

ExpressVPN Australian server locations – ExpressVPN currently offers Australian VPN servers in the following locations:

• Melbourne
• Woolloomooloo
• Sydney
• Perth
• Brisbane
• Adelaide
• Sydney-2

ExpressVPN pros and cons

See our ExpressVPN review for more test results and analysis.

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Why use an Australia VPN?

Perhaps you are an Australian and are wondering if you even need a VPN service. You do. Here’s why:

Stopping mandatory data logging

As we discussed earlier, December 10, 2025 the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 made it illegal for kids under the age of 16 to access a wide range of social media sites, including:

Snapchat	TikTok	Facebook
Instagram	X (formerly Twitter)	YouTube
Reddit	Discord	Twitch

It is possible that other services will also be affected, whether directly named by the government, or simply as a defensive measure against possible later inclusion. Beyond the Online Safety Amendment, there are several other Australia-specific laws that may put your privacy and personal data at risk.

In April 2017, Australia’s mandatory data retention laws officially went into effect. Officially called the ‘Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment (Data Retention) Bill‘ . This law forced internet service providers and telecommunications companies to monitor and record user metadata.

The collected metadata is stored for a full two years and is easily accessible to authorities without a warrant. This means that your ISP and phone company are collecting your connection data and this can be handed over to anyone with access to the database. The best solution for this is a VPN, which will encrypt and anonymize your data, thereby making it unreadable to third parties.

As of February 2023, the Australian government has committed itself to an overhaul of this law. But don’t read that to mean they are going to stop spying on you. The reforms are all in the areas of better control and monitoring of who is using the data that the companies are required to scoop up.

Australia also has the Assistance and Access Act 2018 that allows the government to force tech companies to facilitate surveillance efforts. This may include providing backdoor access to software or even breaking or undermining encryption to facilitate spying.

Reforms to this law have also been discussed in recent years. But like the previous law, the discussions are about the exact rules for when and how the companies can be forced to decrypt your messages, not on revoking the law. Needless to say, this is a very dangerous law and one reason to never use a VPN based in Australia, as we’ll discuss more below.

Accessing blocked websites

Right now there are hundreds of websites being blocked in Australia. These website blocks are carried out by internet service providers, usually on behalf of media companies, such as Foxtel and others.

Using a VPN with a large server network will be very beneficial for unblocking websites around the world. We compare the top choices in our NordVPN vs Surfshark comparison report.

As of right now, most of the website blocks are for torrenting and P2P filesharing websites. However, there have also been proposals to extend website blocks to other content areas as well. A VPN will easily get around any of these blocks and it remains the best tool for you to unblock websites today.

Protecting P2P torrent downloads

Torrenting and streaming content can be a grey area. This is especially true if you are accessing content through third-party add-ons, such as when using a VPN for Kodi. In Australia, those who are suspected of copyright infringement can face stiff penalties.

Copyright holders such as Foxtel and Village Roadshow have publicly claimed that they intend to sue Australians for copyright violations in court in the near future. As we will discuss below, the fines and jail time are very serious and are definitely worth the cost of a good VPN subscription.

Securing public Wi-Fi networks

A VPN is a critical tool to protect you against security threats on any network. Wireless networks are increasingly compromised – whether you are using free wireless in cafes or hotels, third parties can hack your data through these networks. A VPN protects you against these threats by encrypting all your data, thereby making your online activities and private information unreadable to third parties – even if the network is compromised.

And speaking of security, the Australian government is also trying to up its game. The government announced they’ll be spending nearly $1 Billion on cyber defense over the next decade.

What can Australian ISPs track?

Without a solid VPN, your ISP (or mobile carrier) can see and log every single website you visit. This is especially true in Australia, where mandatory data retention laws force providers to store your connection data for two years.

How do they see your traffic? Simple: every site you visit triggers a DNS request (your device asking “what’s the IP for google.com?”). Without a VPN, your ISP will handle each of those requests, and likely log the data while they are at it.

A good VPN changes everything:

• Your DNS requests get encrypted and routed through the VPN’s private DNS servers. This means your ISP can’t read them.
• Your real IP address is hidden and replaced with the VPN server’s IP address.
• All your traffic is encrypted inside the “VPN tunnel”. Our recommended VPNs all use either AES-256 or ChaCha20 encryption, both of which are basically unbreakable.

Every VPN we recommend for Australia runs its own leak-proof DNS servers and forces all DNS traffic through the encrypted tunnel keeping your activities private, even under Australia’s strict surveillance laws.

Are VPNs legal in Australia?

If you’re wondering whether VPNs are safe and legal in Australia, the short answer is yes.

In fact, VPNs are used every day by businesses around the world for network security, especially with remote workers. As we’ve discussed before, virtual private networks are becoming increasingly common for all different types of users. This includes businesses, those who want access to Australian media, and an increasing number of people who desire more privacy and security online.

The risks of Australian-based VPNs

However, I do not recommend any VPN that is legally based in Australia. There are two main reasons for this.

Anti-encryption laws

In late 2018, the Australian government passed a law to fundamentally undermine encryption and data security.

This law applies to businesses operating in Australia, including Australian VPN services. The problems with this bill affect all tech companies based in Australia, including VPNs:

The Australian Parliament passed a contentious encryption bill on Thursday to require technology companies to provide law enforcement and security agencies with access to encrypted communications.

Privacy advocates, technology companies and other businesses had strongly opposed the bill, but Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s government said it was needed to thwart criminals and terrorists who use encrypted messaging programs to communicate.

This undermines any service in Australia that secures data with encryption. Data security in Australia is officially dead, and other countries want to follow the same plan.

Intelligence sharing networks

We have already discussed Australia’s data retention laws that were rolled out in 2017. Another issue to consider is that Australia is a member of the infamous Five Eyes surveillance alliance. This is an alliance between Australia, the US, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK to collect and share mass surveillance data.

A VPN operating in a safe offshore jurisdiction, such as the ones we recommend in this guide, will offer better protection and safety for your data than one based in the Five Eyes countries.

What is the fastest Australia VPN?

The fastest VPN for Australian content is NordVPN. It consistently comes out on top in the performance category. Here are a few reasons why:

• Fastest speeds we’ve tested (up to 903 Mbps in our speed tests)
• Full WireGuard support (the fastest VPN protocol available)
• A network with 10 Gbps server bandwidth channels
• Dedicated premium hardware for all locations
• Reliable apps to ensure a stable connection

NordVPN outperforms other VPNs in our head-to-head testing. You can see this in the ExpressVPN vs NordVPN comparison guide. It not only does well with performance, but it also beats other VPNs in the features category. You can see this in the IPVanish vs NordVPN comparison.

How to install an Australia VPN

No matter what your technical background is, setting up a VPN for use in Australia (or any location) is quite simple.

Here are the basic steps:

1. Decide which VPN service you want to use and pick a subscription plan.
2. Purchase the plan and then download and install the software (VPN apps) for the devices you want to use with your VPN.
3. Connect to an Australian VPN server (or another location) and enjoy all the benefits of your VPN.

To verify your VPN is working, see our guide on VPN tests.

Streaming local TV and sports

Many people who reside outside of Australia are looking for ways to access Australian media and sporting events online. This is where a VPN really comes in handy.

A VPN will give you an Australian IP address, which is usually necessary if you want to stream Australian media from one of the major telecom providers.

Generally speaking, you will need an Australian IP address if you want to stream live Australian media and sports. Popular sporting events in Australia include:

• Australian football
• Cricket
• Rugby
• Soccer

To get the best possible streaming experience, it would be good to connect to the closest Australian VPN server to your location. More locations will also ensure one server is not overcrowded during high-bandwidth times.

Why free VPNs fail in Australia

Online privacy in Australia isn’t always straightforward. Mandatory metadata retention, website blocks and new age-verification requirements are adding more hurdles for privacy-conscious users.

While a free VPN might sound tempting, using one in Australia will almost certainly make your security worse for several reasons:

• They log and sell your data: Some free VPNs make money by tracking browsing activity and selling user data to advertisers.
• Severe speed and data caps: Free VPNs often impose tight data limits and throttle speeds, making 4K streaming and large downloads difficult.
• Easily blocked by streaming platforms: Free VPN servers are often quickly blocked because providers can’t regularly refresh their IP addresses.
• Limited obfuscation: Free VPNs typically lack advanced stealth features, making VPN traffic easier to identify and block.
• Serious security risks: Free VPN apps may contain malware or tracking tools and can suffer from DNS leaks that expose your real IP.

Only a handful of free VPNs are worth trusting. For the best privacy and performance, a reputable premium provider with audited no-logs policies, obfuscation and strong unblocking capabilities is the safer choice.

The bottom line

With Australia’s current disregard for your internet privacy, it’s crucial that you protect yourself by using a private and secure VPN service that is based outside of Australia. While the government can force Australian companies to record your metadata and potentially decrypt your internet traffic, they have no power over the VPN services we recommend in this article.

What if you don’t care about all the politics, and just want to watch your favorite Aussie shows and movies while you are outside the country? You’ll still need a VPN to defeat local geo-blocking efforts and protect yourself from Australia’s strict copyright laws.

However you look at it, a strong VPN based in a pro-privacy jurisdiction is your best bet for safe and private internet use in Australia. Our top recommendation as the best VPN for Australia is NordVPN. It is the best all-around choice with reliable and secure apps, excellent privacy features, a large network of servers, and extremely fast speeds.

All of the VPNs in this guide have been thoroughly tested for leaks, speeds, security, and reliability. Any one of them will serve you well.

Australia VPN FAQs