Warner Bros. HBO is an entertainment giant whose studio produces classy TV shows and movies.
It has become a household name for some of the best shows in television history, like The Sopranos, True Detective, and Game of Thrones.
Besides this, there are the films such as The Justice League Snyder Cut, Wonder Woman 1984, and an abundance of comedy specials to keep all the family entertained.
The streaming platform continues to attract a large audience in the United States; however, access to HBO globally has been sluggish, and in particular Australia.
- Download and subscribe to a VPN service (ExpressVPN is our recommendation)
- Launch the VPN app and connect to a US-based server
- Create an account on HBO Max (the only option for streaming)
- Sign in to your specific HBO service and start watching your favourite HBO shows and movies from Australia
Watch HBO in Australia with ExpressVPN
Much of this isn’t through lack of content or service; it is the deals made with the likes of Foxtel who have secured broadcasting rights for HBO content rather than viewers having a direct subscription.
Fans worldwide, and particularly in Australia, wonder whether HBO Max will ever be a standalone streaming service outside the USA.
If you live in Australia, there is no way to access any live or on-demand video directly. Fans of the HBO content hoped that things would change with the death of HBO Go and HBO Now. The landscape has shifted, yet some hoops still jump through to get access to the full HBO Max library.
In our extensive guide, you can learn all you need about accessing the entertainment giant HBO Max in Australia or use an Australian streaming service to get a watered-down version of the service to watch HBO in Australia.
Contents
Best HBO Australia VPNs
1. ExpressVPN – for Fast HBO Streaming
Pros
Cons
ExpressVPN hosts over 3,000 servers across 94 countries. It has 28 server locations inside the USA. It thus is the best option for those looking to enjoy geo-restricted channels like HBO Max in Australia, Netflix in the United States, or UK sites like iPlayer, ITV Hub, and others.
Even when streaming 4K HBO content, you won’t experience lag or buffering on your broadband connection because it’s fast. With each account, you can have up to 5 simultaneous connections.
Apps for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android TV, Apple computers, and iOS are available from ExpressVPN and are secure as it uses a smart DNS system on each server. You can also choose custom firmware for routers to connect far more devices than the regular five.
Should you use a streaming device with no app, you can use the MediaStreamer DNS for Xbox One and other devices that don’t have an app.
After you sign up, you’ll find mobile applications on Google Play and the Apple Store, as well as your dashboard as well as the browser extensions.
This VPN has military-grade security features, including 256-bit AES encryption and a kill switch that prevents WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leaks. You have Split Tunnelling, which allows you to bypass the VPN for particular applications when watching HBO shows.
Payment options include crypto and traditional payment methods, and registration is easy. ExpressVPN keeps no logs and is based in the British Virgin Islands, far from the 14-eyes jurisdiction.
If you have any issues, there is live chat customer support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to assist you in watching on-demand HBO content down under.
2. Surfshark
Pros
Cons
Anyone who wants to watch HBO on the go should use Surfshark. They now have over 3200 servers spread across 65 countries. For HD streaming, the VPN provides fast speeds that won’t lag or cause buffering.
The VPN can use its smart DNS to circumvent movie and show restrictions on major services, including Netflix, Hulu, iPlayer, and many others, besides unblocking HBO Go Australia.
Surfshark allows you to have an unlimited number of simultaneous connections, allowing you to stream on many devices. Surfshark protects online activities with 256-bit strong encryption, IPv6 security, WebRTC protection, and DNS leak protection.
This VPN service provider comes with a kill switch, ad-blocker, and tracker, as well as malware security. Besides, Surfshark was one of the first VPNs to have an external audit and clear Warrant Canary and sticking to a strict zero-logs policy.
Surfshark offers applications for macOS, Android, Windows, iOS, and Linux and manual router setup. Money-back guarantee for 30 days.
3. NordVPN
Pros
Cons
With over 5,500 servers in 50+ countries, NordVPN is one of the largest VPN providers and has 15 server locations inside the US. It is also known for its ability to unblock content. You can use it to access HBO in Australia, US Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and other services, including iPlayer.
Users have unrestricted bandwidth and consistently high speeds on dedicated servers, but this varies depending on their operation. You can add six devices to one account at the same time.
Using secure DNS services, WebRTC, and IPv6 leak security, the VPN keeps you safe and private online. There are two kill switches: one for applications and one for the whole device. AES 256-bit encryption, ad blocking, and malware scanning are all included.
NordVPN has a strict zero-log policy that ensures no information about your activities is revealed. They based the corporation in Panama and are not subject to any of the 14 Eyes’ jurisdictions. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, via live chat and e-mail.
NordVPN has client applications for Android, Apple TV, iOS, macOS, and Windows and the ability to install the VPN on select routers.
How to Watch HBO in Australia (Detailed Step by Step)
Watch HBO Using a VPN
You’ll need a premium VPN service like the above ExpressVPN, Surfshark, or NordVPN get HBO or HBO Max in Australia. A virtual private network (VPN) hides your physical location and redirects your internet traffic to a selected server in the United States.
Thus, it makes you appear to be there rather than in Australia. As a result, you can have access to HBO; now, Australia appears to be the USA.
IP addresses are the primary identifier of anyone with an HBO subscription or any other streaming platform to recognize and monitor users’ sign-in locations. Each country will come with a unique collection of IP addresses.
For instance, as we are concerned with Australia. Anyone down under with a computer or mobile device will use a specific set of IP addresses. Anyone in the USA will have very different IPs from their internet service provider.
At this stage, they will trick HBO Max servers into thinking you’re trying to connect to the service from inside the United States now that you have an American IP address.
Watch HBO Max Australia
If you want to watch HBO Max in the best possible way, you’ll need to use a VPN. This is the simplest method for signing up for HBO and accessing content through the website directly from the United States.
- Subscribe to either of the recommended VPNs for Australia from above
- Install the VPN app and log in using your new account details
- Select and connect to a US-based server
- Head to the play.hbomax.com. page
- Sign in to watch your favourite HBO TV shows and movies in Australia.
- You can now access more hours of Warner Bros content in Australia with over 1300+ movies and show options from the BBC, CNN, TBS, Looney Tunes, and masses of HBO Max Original content.
Unfortunately, HBO cancelled the free trial with a subscription, as have many other streaming platforms.
Sign up for HBO Max
- Head to https://www.hbomax.com/subscribe in a browser
- Complete the account form and select Create Account. Use these when you log in and your password.
- Add your payment method such as credit card details
- Select Start Subscription.
- Select “Let’s Go,” and you can sign in for watching HBO in Australia.
Pay for HBO Max
One shortcoming of HBO streaming Australia is you require an American credit card. You may discover signing up in Australia isn’t possible using your Australian credit card.
Luckily, there is an easy workaround to pay the $14.99 per month, and that is using HBO Now Gift Cards. You will also discover there are no HBO Max gift cards.
Here are the steps for using your newly acquired HBO Now gift card to subscribe to HBO.
- Head to https://www.mygiftcardsupply.com/product/buy-us-hbo-card/ or another online retailer and purchase an HBO Now gift card.
- With your card details, navigate to https://subscribe.hbonow.com/gift.
- To redeem your HBO Now gift card, enter the gift card code and a US state and US zip code.
- Enter your email address you wish to sign up with, along with your first and last name.
- Once you have entered all your details, navigate to play.hbomax.com.
- Sign in to HBO Max streaming services with the email address you provided in the previous step.
HBO Max is available in HD and 4K on all Apple computers, including the iPhone, iPod, iPad, and Apple TV. Furthermore, Android smartphones, Android TV, Smart TVs, PlayStations, and Xboxes are all compatible. HBO Max can be streamed directly from the website using browsers.
HBO vs. HBO Max – What is the Difference?
HBO Max expands on the HBO library available to cable subscribers in the United States. If you are a cable subscriber, you can access HBO Max without paying extra, however, if you access HBO Max in Australia, you can’t access HBO, or it makes little sense to do so.
Other Ways to Watch HBO in Australia
Watch HBO in Australia on Foxtel IQ
Foxtel is an Australian entertainment giant with exclusive rights to show HBO on-demand content from HBO, including first runs before showing the on-demand HBO content in Australia.
Foxtel IQ delivers a cable and satellite TV service you can subscribe to and get access to nearly all HBO titles—including Westworld, Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, and more. The starting price is around $49 per month for Foxtel Plus, making it a straightforward way to watch HBO shows in Australia.
Foxtel IQ requires installing a set-top box ($225) and one of the bundles before you can access any HBO shows and movies. Foxtel Plus is the base bundle and the cheapest.
Watch HBO in Australia on Foxtel Now
Because you may not want to worry about the cost or aggravation of setting up a new TV connection only to watch HBO in Australia, Foxtel Now is a viable option. Foxtel Now is the company’s standalone streaming service. As Foxtel IQ, it has all of HBO’s series, and all in HD.
You can live stream HBO shows as they air, request on-demand content, or simply watch what’s already available in the library with Foxtel Now and the Drama Pack.
The Essentials pack is the $25 per month base pack comprising Fox Showcase and the Comedy Channel with 25+ other lifestyle, drama, news, entertainment, reality, and music channels.
Watch HBO in Australia on Binge
Binge is a newly launched local streaming service owned by Foxtel group. It is the cheapest way to watch HBO shows and movies in Australia. And you don’t need to go through anything complex to subscribe.
You will find lots of HBO content available on Binge, with updated titles added all the time.
It is possible to find a few HBO Max exclusives, although Foxtel saves the best for the more costly option on the parent service. Besides this, Foxtel Now offers shows from the BBC, Discovery, Sony, Paramount, and more.
Binge offers three subscription plans after the 14-day free trial to viewers:
- Basic subscription costs $10 per month, and SD streams on a single-screen
- Standard subscription costs $14 per month and supports HD streams on two screens.
- Premium subscription costs $18 per month for full HD streams, and you can watch on four screens at once.
Subscribers can start watching HBO online, using Android TV, Apple TV, Telstra TV, Chromecast, tablets, and mobile devices.
What is on HBO
Best HBO Series
Besides Friends, South Park, and The Big Bang Theory, here are some of the hottest TV shows on HBO Max.
- 30 Coins
- Avenue 5
- Babylon 5
- Barry
- Batman: The Animated Series
- Beartown
- Big Little Lies
- Boardwalk Empire
- Chernobyl
- Curb Your Enthusiasm
- Deadwood
- Doom Patrol
- Eastbound & Down
- Euphoria
- Flight of the Conchords
- Game of Thrones
- Gen: Lock
- Generation
- Harley Quinn
- High Maintenance
- His Dark Materials
- I May Destroy You
- It’s a Sin
- Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
- Lovecraft Country
- Mare of Easttown
- Perry Mason
- Raised by Wolves
- Random Acts of Flyness
- Rick and Morty
- Roots
- Search Party
- Sharp Objects
- Silicon Valley
- Six Feet Under
- Snowpiercer
- Southland
- The Flight Attendant
- The Investigation
- The Night of
- The Outsider
- The Plot Against America
- The Sopranos
- The Wire
- The Young Pope
- Treme
- True Detective
- Veep
- Warrior
- Watchmen
- Westworld
Best HBO Movies
- A Better Life (2011)
- Alien (1979)
- Argo (2012)
- Babe (1995)
- Behind the Candelabra (2013)
- Birds of Prey (2020)
- Cast Away (2000)
- Clerks (1994)
- Die Hard (1988)
- Dunkirk (2012)
- Ford v Ferrari (2019)
- Get Shorty (1995)
- He Got Game (1998)
- High Fidelity (2000)
- Independence Day (1996)
- Jacob’s Ladder (1990)
- Jaws (1975)
- Jojo Rabbit (2019)
- Joker (2019)
- Justice League Snyder Cut (2021)
- Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003)
- Lincoln (2012)
- Midnight Run (1988)
- Pitch Perfect (2012)
- School of Rock (2003)
- Shaun of the Dead (2004)
- The Invisible Man (2020)
- Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
- True Grit (2010)
HBO and HBO Max Compatible Devices
- Amazon Fire TV
- Android
- Apple TV
- iOS
- PC and Mac
- PS4 and PS3
- Roku device
- Samsung TV (2015 and older models)
- Smart TVs
- Xbox One
FAQ
What is HBO
Home Box Office is an American pay television network owned by WarnerMedia Studios & Networks and the pride of the parent company Home Box Office, Inc.
What channel is HBO on Foxtel
In Australia, the majority of HBO programming is shown on Foxtel’s Fox Showcase channel. Simultaneously, the Comedy Channel is home to several famous comedy shows such as Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and Silicon Valley.
What does HBO stand for?
Home Box Office
How to stream HBO in Australia
- Sign up for a premium VPN service
- Subscribe to HBO Max in the USA
- Connect your VPN to a US server and head to the HBO Max website, or open the HBO Max app
How to watch Game of Thrones without HBO
- HBO on Hulu: HBO channel packs cost an additional $14.99 per month on top of your Hulu cost
- HBO TV plans on Amazon Prime: HBO costs $14.99 per month on top of your Amazon prime cost
- Select any of the Australian streaming services that have Game of Thrones, such as Foxtel, Foxtel Now, or Binge
How much does HBO Now cost
As HBO Now no longer exists, so there won’t be any cost. Cable subscribers have access to the rebranded HBO, or you have US HBO Max, which costs $14.99 per month.
Can I stream HBO Max content with Chromecast?
Casting HBO Max from your phone to your TV is simple to achieve. Make sure Chromecast is installed and connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Start the HBO Max app on your phone, then set your TV to the input channel Chromecast uses.
- Select from TV shows and movies to watch.
- Tap the Cast button at the top of the screen.
- Tap the Chromecast device to cast to.
Can HBO be used on multiple devices?
You can watch HBO Max on up to three screens at once and allow you to create multiple user profiles, such as for kids, and set content ratings.
Can I cancel HBO after the free trial?
HBO doesn’t offer a free trial to their streaming platform. However, if you subscribe, you are free to cancel an HBO Max subscription whenever you want.
Is HBO on Netflix Australia?
No, HBO is a TV network, and they are almost complete at pulling all their content from Netflix to be in the HBO Max library.
Is HBO Max different than HBO?
HBO Max adds to the HBO collection that cable subscribers in the United States have access to.
Bottom Line
HBO doesn’t have different plans, yet it offers one of the best streaming experiences there is right now. In the opinion of many, the services rank up there with the best HBO shows you can find.
Thus, it is easy to see why so many individuals are keen to sign up for the streaming service, even with no sight of it arriving in Australia for the next couple of years.
The streaming service will use Foxtel as its broadcasting arm for all the content there is, yet you will find this may all change once the contract is up between the two streaming services.
Either way, subscribers will win either way, but for now, using a VPN and signing up for HBO offers the best and most flexible option there is.