Are you tired of missing out on your favorite British shows simply because you’re in Australia? Suppose you’re a UK resident in Oz or an Aussie who’s developed a taste for British television. In that case, you’ve likely encountered the prompt, “BBC iPlayer only works in the UK,” when you tried to access the streaming service. That’s because you can’t watch BBC iPlayer in Australia or elsewhere outside the United Kingdom.
Restrictions in the form of copyrighting licensing agreements and the geo-blocks that enforce them stand in the way. It can be frustrating because of the wide variety of content available on the video-on-demand service.
But don’t worry: a quality VPN offers the way out. While BBC iPlayer’s restrictions may be strict, we’ll show you how to get around them in Australia. Keep reading to find out.
Access BBC iPlayer in Australia with These Steps
- Get a reputable VPN service. We recommend NordVPN.
- Set up the VPN on your device.
- Boot up the VPN and connect to the UK server.
- Visit BBC iPlayer, sign in, and start watching.
Why You Can’t Watch BBC iPlayer in Australia
BBC iPlayer is a streaming service that offers a wide range of BBC content. The platform lets you watch news, sports events, movies, shows, and documentaries from various TV channels under the national broadcaster’s umbrella.
It is a popular service in the UK, but BBC iPlayer is unavailable in Australia (or anywhere else) due to licensing agreements. That means you lose access to all your favorite content when you travel outside the territory.
The service’s geo-block detects your IP address and kicks in immediately to protect copyright licensing agreements that restrict its content to residents of the United Kingdom.
Sure, there are live and catch-up providers in Australia. However, fans of the British content on BBC iPlayer are unlikely to find direct alternatives.
Good thing there’s a way around this. To enjoy the rich array of British shows on BBC iPlayer, you need a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
A VPN allows you to virtually relocate to the UK by connecting to a server based there. It masks your IP address and gives you a UK IP address instead, effectively fooling the streaming service into accepting that you’re in the United Kingdom.
So, you could connect to a London-based VPN server while on a beach in Sydney or a hotel room in Brisbane and immediately tune in to the content you love.
How to Watch BBC iPlayer in Australia — 4 Easy Steps
You must download and install a premium VPN service for a reliable chance of watching BBC iPlayer TV channels in Australia. It’s a straightforward process. Here’s what to do.
Step 1: Choose a Reliable VPN Service
Pick a trustworthy VPN provider with servers in the United Kingdom. But there’s more to look out for, including high-speed connections and excellent unblocking abilities.
Most of all, it should provide airtight security and privacy. We recommend NordVPN, as it ticks all the boxes.
Step 2: Download and Install the VPN
Go to the VPN website, select and buy a subscription plan from the available options, and create an account. Next, download and install the application on your devices. Most top VPN services offer installation instructions and support for various platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Step 3: Connect to a UK Server
Launch the VPN app and log in with your credentials. Connect to a server located in the United Kingdom. This will make your IP address appear as if you’re present in the country, bypassing BBC iPlayer’s geo-blocking.
Step 4: Access BBC iPlayer
With the connection established, visit the BBC iPlayer website or use the desktop or mobile apps. You should now have unrestricted access to the platform.
Three Best VPNs to Watch BBC iPlayer in Australia
Picking the right provider is no piece of cake, especially if you’re a VPN newbie. Scores of them are out there, and most claim they can help you watch BBC iPlayer online and other streaming services. In reality, most fail to back up that claim.
We assessed dozens of premium VPN services to streamline your choices. Later, we’ll discuss why free VPNs are not the best option. Here are the three best VPNs to watch BBC iPlayer online from Australia:
1. NordVPN
NordVPN is probably the most famous privacy provider on the market. It’s also a great choice if you’re looking to watch BBC iPlayer in Australia or anywhere outside the UK.
The provider offers an impressive collection of servers, comprising over 8,000 in 165 locations. 440+ servers across four cities in the United Kingdom mean you’ll never run out of options, guaranteeing stable and reliable connections.
We’ve conducted many tests involving NordVPN and BBC iPlayer, and the VPN bypasses the streaming service’s geo-blocks each time. You can explore the platform’s variety of content from Australia and enjoy Death in Paradise or the Northern Irish Premiership hassle-free.
NordVPN is just as effective for other popular streaming services — there are none right now that can prevent you from streaming videos from other regions. One of NordVPN’s standout features is its SmartPlay technology.
The feature automatically selects the best streaming server based on your location and the content you want to access. Privacy and security are at the core of NordVPN’s service. Industry-standard features aside, it offers many advanced and extra tools to keep your data safe and under the radar.
In addition, NordVPN’s commitment to user privacy has been independently audited and proven airtight. The provider’s broad compatibility makes watching BBC iPlayer on your preferred device easy, offering ten simultaneous connections per subscription.
You can request a refund if you’re unimpressed within a month of purchasing your account, but there’s little chance of that.
Pros
- Compatible with all devices
- Unrestricted traffic
- 440+ UK servers
- Robust privacy and security
Con
- No free plan
2. ExpressVPN
After NordVPN, ExpressVPN offers the best-in-class performance and robust features. It’s just a tad less impressive than NordVPN for watching BBC iPlayer in Australia.
ExpressVPN offers a network comprising 3,000+ servers in 105 countries. It’s not the most extensive collection on this list, but there are more than enough servers across five cities in the United Kingdom.
The provider’s ability to get past geo-blocks is second to none without providing dedicated streaming servers. Connecting to a UK server lets you access all your favorite content on BBC iPlayer. Looking for some variety? You can easily switch to ITV, Netflix UK, and countless other streaming services.
On top of that, ExpressVPN is renowned for blazing-fast speeds and consistent reliability. You can smoothly watch all your favorite content in high-quality video resolutions. That translates to football matches and TV show marathons without pesky buffering.
ExpressVPN prioritizes security. It uses military-grade encryption, ensuring your online activities remain private and protected from prying eyes. ExpressVPN also has an airtight kill switch and leak protection. RAM-based servers and a strict no-logs policy mean no saved identifiable data on the VPN’s servers.
ExpressVPN offers apps for various platforms, allowing simultaneous connections on up to eight devices. In the form of a risk-free trial, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Easy-to-use apps
- Audited no-logs policy
- Reliable IP leak protection
Con
- Not the cheapest VPN
3. CyberGhost
Next is CyberGhost, the Romania-based VPN with an excellent user experience and budget-friendly pricing. Its massive collection of servers comprises 12,000+ across 100 countries.
More than 700 of those servers are in the United Kingdom, so there are plenty of connection options and little chance of sustained congestion or slowdown when watching BBC iPlayer online from Australia. If you encounter a slow server, there’s always a faster one a click away.
CyberGhost is a great streaming VPN with no issues breaking past the geo-restrictions on BBC iPlayer. To emphasize the point, it offers streaming-optimized profiles, with the UK platform among the services supported. BBC iPlayer aside, it lets you stream exclusive content on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more.
When you connect to CyberGhost’s UK servers, you can expect minimal buffering and smooth streaming, even for high-definition content. That results from features like its 10 Gbps server infrastructure and speedy tunneling protocols.
Plus, the VPN implements ironclad encryption protocols, a strict no-logs policy, and a kill switch to keep your online activities private and protected. You probably shouldn’t stream BBC iPlayer on an unprotected public network — but CyberGhost’s automatic Wi-Fi protection ensures there’s nothing to worry about if you do.
CyberGhost’s user-friendly apps are available on a wide range of platforms. A single account covers up to seven devices. There’s an extended 45-day money-back guarantee, providing you with ample time to test the service.
Pros
- Servers optimized for BBC iPlayer
- Torrenting is allowed
- Smart DNS included for free
- WireGuard protocol
Cons
- Seven simultaneous connections
- No discount on the monthly plan
Can You Use a Free VPN?
To access BBC iPlayer in Australia, you may consider free VPN services a cost-effective solution. As a rule, it’s not something we recommend — unless it’s a last resort. While a few free VPNs can occasionally unblock BBC iPlayer, even those are not consistent and present a stark contrast with premium streaming VPNs.
Many free VPNs do indeed have servers in the UK, but their network size (and quality) is limited compared to premium VPN services. This can lead to overcrowded servers and slower connection speeds, impacting your streaming experience.
Other factors will impede your streaming. For instance, most free providers have data and bandwidth caps. While you can watch BBC iPlayer from Australia with Windscribe VPN, you only get a 10 GB data allowance a month. That’s barely five hours of streaming, hardly the ideal choice for binge-watching Peaky Blinders.
But the most significant reason to stay away is the potential compromise of your privacy and security. Many free VPNs log your data, subject you to intrusive ads, and lack the robust security features of premium services.
If you are serious about streaming BBC iPlayer in Australia, we strongly recommend using a paid VPN. A cheap VPN service like CyberGhost barely digs into your pocket.
Conclusion
BBC iPlayer brings the best of British TV right to your screen: gripping dramas and documentaries, side-splitting comedies, and thrilling live sports events. However, you lose that access when you’re away in Australia, thanks to geo-restrictions imposed by the service. Luckily, there’s a way around it, and that’s through using a VPN.
Some premium providers can unblock BBC iPlayer from anywhere, but we recommend NordVPN as the crème de la crème. Excellent unblocking abilities aside, it’s fast, has a vast network of servers, and ensures your data stays safe while you stream.
Watching BBC iPlayer Online in Australia: FAQs
How does a VPN help me watch BBC iPlayer in Australia?
When you connect to one, a VPN reroutes your internet connection through a secure tunnel to a remote UK server and then to its destination. This makes it appear like you’re browsing from the server’s location, effectively bypassing BBC iPlayer’s geo-restrictions in Australia.
Will using a VPN affect my streaming speed and quality on BBC iPlayer?
Premium VPN services like those recommended in this article are designed to minimize speed loss. You can often stream in high definition or higher without significant buffering. Even if you are trying to watch BBC iPlayer from Australia.
Do I need a TV license to watch BBC iPlayer in Australia?
No. BBC iPlayer will ask you for one, but it won’t verify your claim when you claim to have it. Unlike American TV channels, UK TV channels rarely require a TV license, making them slightly easier to unblock.
