If you’re not one of the millions of people around the world already subscribed to Netflix, what’s going on? Are you okay? Maybe you’ve been a loyal Stan fan since day one, or you’ve been busy with Disney+ and Baby Yoda. These are legitimate excuses, but there’s no time for that now, especially when new binge-worthy content is consistently being released on Netflix.
Netflix boasts an impressive library of movies and TV shows, from trashy eye-rolling reality shows like Too Hot to Handle to the surprise Spanish hit that is Money Heist (is it socially acceptable to watch all four seasons in one weekend? Asking for a friend). Basically, there has never been a better time to jump on board one of the biggest bandwagons in the world. Or, if you already have a Netflix account, maybe you’re looking to bump up the subscription to enable higher resolution or multiple screen sharing.
Well, whatever the case, you’ve come to the right place. Read on as Canstar Blue dissects Netflix plans and prices in Australia to help you find the best deal for you (and the people who leach off your account).
What are the different Netflix streaming plans?
When it comes to deciding on a subscription plan, Netflix offers four different options. For those of you familiar with ‘package’ subscriptions, such as Foxtel Premium or Foxtel Sport, you’ll be pleased to hear that with Netflix, all four plans – Basic with Ads, Basic, Standard and Premium – grant you access to the entire library.
- The newest addition to Netflix, Basic with Ads, costs just $6.99 per month, but you’ll have to sit through a few ads during your binge session.
- The Basic Plan is the cheapest at just $10.99/month, but it only offers streaming in standard definition (SD) and only with one device at a time (meaning it’s probably best not to share a Basic Plan with a friend or family).
- The Standard Plan comes in at $16.99/month and bumps the quality up to High Definition (HD), whilst allowing two devices to stream content simultaneously.
- The Premium Plan is a bigger jump in price at $22.99/month, but you can see why – subscribers can enjoy definition up to Ultra HD as well as streaming content on four different devices simultaneously.
How much does Netflix cost in Australia?
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll get out of each plan, including costs.
| Basic with Ads Plan | Basic Plan | Standard Plan | Premium Plan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $6.99 | $10.99 | $16.99 | $22.99 |
| HD available | ||||
| Ultra HD available | ||||
| No. of screens you can watch on at the same time | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
Prices taken from Netflix website. Accurate as of May, 2023.
It should also be noted that in May 2023, Netflix rolled out its crackdown on password sharing, meaning that those who have been using an account of someone who they don’t live with, they may be asked to create their own account, or be locked out.
Sign up to BINGE!
Are you looking for something binge-worthy? Why not check out BINGE? With multiple subscription plans available, you can choose a plan that suits you (or your family) and settle in for a night on the couch with a wide range of movies and shows!
| Brand | Subscription Type | No. of Screens/same time viewing | Advertised Cost^^/month | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $10 over one month |
1 | $10 |
Go To Site |
|
min. cost $19 over one month |
2 | $19 |
Go To Site |
|
min. cost $22 over one month |
4 | $22 |
Go To Site |
 |
^^View important information | |||
Which Netflix plan should I choose?
At the end of the day, what Netflix plan is best for you should come down to personal preference and your current situation. For example, if you’re living alone and don’t mind watching content at standard definition, why not save some money with the Basic Plan? But if you’re a fan of high definition quality, or you’re signing up as part of a family, then it may be worth splashing out on the Standard or Premium Plan.
Additionally, if you’re someone with limited data and looking to download content onto your device to later watch offline, we would highly recommend the Standard or Premium plan. The more devices you can log into, the more you can download and store content, in turn potentially saving money on internet and data.
How much data does Netflix use?
How much data Netflix uses can vary between 0.7GB to 7GB per hour, depending on which resolution you’re streaming in. Here’s an outline below of how much data you may be using per plan and resolution.
- Basic Plan on Standard Definition uses around 0.7GB per hour
- Premium Plan on High Definition uses around 3GB per hour
- Premium Plan on Ultra HD (4K) uses around 7GB per hour
To further explain; SD on the Basic Plan will only stream content at around 480p, which uses about 0.7GB per hour. HD on the Standard Plan will stream at around 1080p, which uses about 3GB per hour – a pretty big jump. An even larger jump is the Premium Plan which streams at Ultra HD (also known as 4K, although only if your device supports it). Ultra HD offers content at a quality up to 2160p, and it chews through around 7GB per hour.
Although a higher quality will make for cinematic-like viewing, you need to think about how strong your internet connection is and if your plan can support the quality (you don’t want any nasty surprises on your next bill). Similarly, you don’t want to be constantly waiting for your show to finish buffering, meaning looking at your current internet capabilities before signing up can save you a bit of frustration when movie night comes around.
Does Netflix have a free trial?
Unfortunately, Netflix no longer offers a free trial for Australian customers. If you want to try Netflix, you’ll have to sign up for at least one month at $6.99. However, there are no lock-in contracts, so if you don’t like what you see you can easily cancel your subscription before the month is up.
What devices are compatible with Netflix Australia?
There are countless devices and ways to stream Netflix, including:
- Smartphones
- Tablets
- Laptops
- Smart TVs
- Streaming media players such as Chromecast and Roku
- Game consoles
- Set-top boxes
- Blu-Ray Players
What are the best shows and movies on Netflix Australia?
Netflix has thousands of impressive movies and TV shows available in its library. Check out Canstar Blue’s Top 20 Shows to binge on Netflix for our recommendations. If you’re picking the movie tonight, check out our Top 20 Movies on Netflix for reviews.
Sign up to Disney+
Keen for something different? Why not check out Disney+? There are two plan options to choose from – a monthly subscription, or prepay for a year. Both plans include the same features, with unlimited downloads and the ability to stream on up to four screens at the same time.
| Brand | Subscription Type | No. of Screens/same time viewing | Advertised Cost^^/month or year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $13.99 over one month |
4 | $13.99 |
Get Deal |
|
min. cost $139.99 over one year |
4 | $139.99 |
Get Deal |
|
^^View important information | |||
Sign up to BritBox Australia
Check out the go-to streaming platform for all things British TV!
| Brand | Subscription Type | No. of Screens/same time viewing | Advertised Cost^^/month | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
BritBox Monthly Subscription:
min. cost $8.99 over 1 month |
5 | $8.99 | Go To Site |
|
BritBox Annual Subscription
min. cost $89.99 over 1 year |
5 | $89.99 | Go To Site |
|
^^View important information | |||
Image credits: Netflix Media Centre, baranq/shutterstock.com, Minerva Studio/shutterstock.com
Original Author: Maddy Morwood
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