How to Watch HBO Max in Australia in 2024

If you are a fan of HBO Max, you might be disappointed to realize that your HBO Max content will not be accessible if you are trying to access this service from Australia.

If you try to access HBO Max in Australia, all you will see is this unfortunate error message:

“Sorry, HBO Max isn’t available in your region yet.”

The first way to get access to HBO show and movie content is to access Foxtel Now, Foxtel IQ, or Binge.

But, there is also a way to avoid this error message and access your HBO stream even from the Land Down Under: A reputable (Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Using a premium VPN, you can hide your IP address, which reveals your location in Australia. When you connect to a VPN server in the United States, your IP address will then reflect a US location, tricking HBO into thinking you are actually in a permitted country.

Not all VPNs will be able to unblock HBO Max shows and movies from abroad, though. Keep reading to find out which VPNs we recommend for watching HBO Max shows and movies from anywhere in the world.

In order to subscribe to HBO Max in Australia, you will have to use a US payment method to sign up. If you do not have a US payment method, you can use one of the tricks that we list below to subscribe. Remember: You will still have to connect to a VPN server to access this HBO Max plan after you subscribe.

Why you need a VPN to watch HBO & HBO Max in Australia 

Because HBO Max originals and other content are restricted to users in the US, users who try to access this platform with an Australian IP Address will be blocked.

In order to access this streaming platform from a blocked location, you will have to hide your IP address and spoof your location. To do this, a VPN is the best tool.

Using a VPN, you can connect to a server in the US, which will make HBO think you are in the United States because of your US IP address.

With VPN encryption, your online traffic will all be hidden, allowing you to access your streaming platform and watch content from Australia.

Will HBO Max come to Australia? 

Currently, there is no plan for HBO Max launching in Australia, mainly because of the Foxtel deal.

But, there is hope. There is a hint that HBO plans to come to Australia at some point, since it registered copyrights there in 2020.

Because of the Foxtel/HBO deal, this Australia HBO expansion might be well in the future, since, for the foreseeable time, Foxtel has rights to air HBO Max content on its platforms like Foxtel iQ, Binge, and Foxtel Now.

Essentially, Foxtel is the place to go for streaming HBO Max at the moment.

3 best VPNs for HBO Max in Australia 

HBO Max is blocked in Australia, but you can get around these restrictions to access this platform by using one of these best VPNs for HBO:

1. ExpressVPN

The best VPN for watching HBO Max Australia is ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers in 94 countries, including plenty of servers in the United States to help you access your HBO Max favorites.

This VPN has great online protection features, like military-grade encryption, a Kill Switch, a no-logs policy, and DNS leak protection.

It offers users unlimited bandwidth and boasts the fastest speeds, so you can watch your HBO series without interruption.

ExpressVPN also easily unblocks other streaming platforms, like Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and others.

You can access your blocked streaming apps from Australia on any device, including your iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, router, Apple TV, and more, and you can use up to 8 devices on a single VP account.

You can use this VPN for up to 30 days with a money-back guarantee, so you can test this new streaming service for up to a month from Australia before committing to a long-term plan.

Pros:

2. NordVPN

NordVPN is another one of the best VPN services for streaming HBO Max in Australia.

NordVPN has over 6,400 servers in 110+ countries, including over 1,970 in the US alone.

If you are looking to branch out from Netflix Australia or local cable subscription content, this VPN can help you unblock HBO shows in Australia, as well as gain access to geo-blocked streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, and many more streaming platforms.

You can use NordVPN on up to 10 devices on a single user’s account, and NordVPN is compatible with your Android, iOS, Mac, Linux, or Windows device.

NordVPN has military-grade encryption, a Kill Switch, a no-logs policy, and DS leak protection, so you can get unlimited access to the Internet in Australia with complete anonymity and security.

3. Surfshark

This VPN service is a great option for people who want to stream HBO Max from Australia on a tighter budget.

Surfshark has over 3,200 servers in 95+ countries, including servers in the USA that can unblock HBO shows and movies.

Surfshark offers users great online protections, like a Kill Switch, military-grade encryption, and a no-logs policy, so it is easy to stream HBO shows or access the Internet in Australia privately and securely.

With this VPN, you can use unlimited simultaneous device connections on one account, so you can access your favorite old streaming service while everyone in your household accesses other blocked content, all at once.

Can I use a free VPN to watch HBO Max in Australia?

You can try using a free VPN to access your blocked service and HBO shows from Australia, but it is highly unlikely to be effective.

Free VPNs tend to have fewer VPN servers, which means that you will likely find crowding on the servers to which you do have access, leading to slower speeds and more of a chance of your IPs being blocked by streaming platforms, like HBO.

On top of this, free services usually put caps on your data and limits to your bandwidth, so you will have a very hard time bingeing your shows.

Most worrisome, many free services forego the privacy and security protections, sometimes even selling user data to the highest bidder to make a dime.

The best option for accessing your HBO platform from Australia is to use a reputable paid service. Since all of the reputable options on our list offer a money-back guarantee, it is pretty much like you are accessing these services for free for 30 days.

How much does HBO Max cost in Australia? 

To get access to HBO Max, a subscription will cost you $9.99 USD (14.01 AUD) for a plan that allows ads, and $14.99 USD (21.01 AUD) per month for an ad-free plan.

To pay for your account from Australia, you will need a US payment method. If you subscribe via the mobile app, you can also use your Australian PayPal account.

HBO Max free trial in Australia 

You can get an HBO Max free trial for 30 days, letting you watch HBO shows without limits during this period. In order to access this free trial, you will need to use a VPN with a server connection in the US. You can cancel HBO free trial at any point, but remember that you will be charged if you fail to do so.

How do I pay for HBO Max in Australia (Outside US)? 

If you want to first subscribe to HBO Max from Australia, this can be a little tricky, since you will need a US payment method to get a subscription. Here are a few simple ways to get around this obstacle:

Pay with your US friend’s credit card

If you have a friend who is willing to sign up for an HBO subscription from the US with US credit card details, this is the simplest method.

1. Sign in to your VPN and connect to a US server.
2. Go to the HBO Max site and choose “Start Free Trial.”
3. Sign up for the trial with the details prompted.
4. Add your US friend’s credit card details and postal code in the US.
5. Sign in and start watching HBO Max!

Pay with a gift card 

To subscribe to HBO Max using HBO gift cards, follow these steps:

1. Go to MyGiftCardSupply and purchase a gift card to HBO Max.
2. Go to the HBO site or app and redeem your card by typing in its code and entering a postal code in the US.
3. Type in your name and email address.
4. Go to play.HBOMax.com > sign in, and enter your credentials.
5. Now you have an active HBO Max plan!

Is HBO Max on Foxtel?

While HBO Max isn’t directly available on Foxtel, you will be able to find HBO content on Foxtel iQ because of the deal that exists between Foxtel and Warner Bros., allowing them to share content across both platforms.

Foxtel can be accessed on Smart TVs, gaming consoles, Android, iOS, Windows PC, or Mac.

Users are able to stream some great HBO comedy on Foxtel’s Comedy Channel in Australia.

If you wan to get a subscription to Foxtel iQ, users can subscribe to this Foxtel iQ service by going on the online shopping page for Foxtel, or by calling customer support.

How to watch HBO Max in Australia on PC

Here’s how to watch HBO Max in Australia on your PC:

1. Use a VPN like ExpressVPN and connect to a US server.
2. Open Google Chrome or your Internet browser.
3. Go to the HBO Max page.
4. Sign in with your login credentials.
5. Watch HBO Max streaming services on a PC.

How to unblock HBO Max in Australia on iPhone

To unblock HBO Max on your iPhone in Australia, follow these easy steps:

1. Log out of iCloud.
2. Connect to a VPN US server.
3. Create a new US app store account.
4. Download HBO Max from the iOS device App Store.
5. Sign in, and watch HBO Max Australia.

How to unblock HBO Max in Australia on Android

To unblock HBO Max in Australia on your Android, follow these simple steps:

1. Choose a VPN. We recommend ExpressVPN.
2. Connect to a VPN US server.
3. Open your Google Play Store and click on the 3 bars on the top of the screen.
4. Click Account, and switch locations to your VPN server location.
5. Download the HBO Max app.
6. Log in to the HBO Max app.
7. Stream HBO Max content on your Android!

How to unblock HBO Max app in Australia on Xbox 

To unblock HBO max in Australia on your Xbox, follow these steps:

1. Power on your Xbox.
2. Press the main Xbox button and choose Settings.
3. Choose General > Network Settings.
4. Select Advanced Settings > DNS Settings.
5. Enter your DNS IP address to update DNS settings. You can get your MediaStreamer IP address from the ExpressVPN setup page.
6. Choose DNS Settings > Manual.
7. Type in your IP Address in the Primary IPv4 DNS box.
8. Push B in order to save.
9. Go back to Settings > System.
10. Choose Language and Location.
11. Now, switch locations to the USA.
12. Restart the Xbox.
13. Watch HBO Max content on your Xbox!

List of devices that support HBO Max 

Here are the devices that support HBO Max:

• Android (Phone, TV, Tablet)
• Amazon Fire Tablets
• Amazon Fire TV
• Apple (TV, iPad, iPhone)
• Roku
• Telstra TV
• Mac
• Windows PC
• Xbox One
• Samsung TV
• Chrome browsers
• PS4
• Xfinity

Best TV shows on HBO Max

Here are some of the best TV shows to watch on HBO Max:

• Love Life
• The Head
• Craftopia
• Looney Tunes Cartoons
• The Not Too Late Show with Elmo
• Raised by Wolves
• Expecting AMY
• Big Bang Theory
• Adult Swim
• John Oliver
• Cartoon Network
• Fresh Prince
• Close Enough
• And more!

Best movies on HBO Max 

Here are some of the best movies to watch on HBO Max:

• Wonder Woman
• A Star is Born
• Pitch Perfect
• The Matrix
• Scream
• Turner Classic movies
• Inception
• The Notebook
• Goodfellas
• The Dark Knight
• And more

FAQ

Is HBO Max available in Australia?

Unfortunately, HBO Max is not currently available in Australia. To unblock this content in Australia or anywhere else, all you have to do is subscribe to a reliable VPN and connect to a VPN server in the USA, where HBO Max is accessible.

Why is HBO Max not in Australia?

HBO Max is not licensed for distribution in Australia. Because of these content distribution regulations, IP addresses that are coming from locations outside of the US will be blocked from access to the HBO Max site. Though it can be accessed in the US only, major HBO series can be accessed from Australia on Foxtel.

Is HBO coming to Australia?

We have not heard any news of HBO coming to Australia yet. HBO registered copyrights in Australia in 2020, so there is a hint that HBO might be coming to Australia at some point.

Can I get HBO Max with VPN?

Yes. If you connect to a VPN server in the US, you can access HBO Max from Australia. Not all VPNs will successfully be able to unblock HBO Max in Australia, so we recommend using one of the top services that we listed in this article. ExpressVPN has the best speeds, so this is out go-to service for HBO.

Is it legal to use VPN to watch HBO Max in Australia?

Yes. It is perfectly legal to watch HBO Max in Australia with a VPN. All you are doing by using a VPN to watch HBO shows and movies in Australia is spoofing your location online, which is not a crime. As long as you are not using a VPN for pirating content or downloading copyrighted content, you are not breaking the law.

Will I get HBO max if I have HBO?

If you are an HBO subscriber, you also will be able to access HBO Max.

Can I stream HBO content with Chromecast?

Yup! You can cast your HBO Max series to any Chromecast-supported TV. You can cast to a streaming stick that is connected to a Chromecast dongle, but make sure that the computer you are using is on the same wireless network as the TV/device you are casting to.

Can I use HBO Max on multiple devices? 

Yes. You are able to use your HBO Max subscription on up to 3 devices at once, and you can add as many as five account profiles to your plan. Since ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark all offer more than 3 device connections on their VPN plans, you can actually utilize all three of these HBO allowances at once from Australia, so you and your family members can stream different HBOMax content all at once.

How do I get HBO Max on my TV? 

To watch HBO content on your television, follow these steps:

1. Watch HBO content in Australia!
2. Open the app for HBO Max on your Smart TV.
3. Choose Sign in and remember the code that appears on your screen.
4. Go to the sign-in page on your PC or mobile and choose Enter Code.
5. Enter your code from the previous screen and press Next.
6. Choose to sign in Through TV.
7. Add your login details for your account.
8. Sign in with your HBO Max login or make a new HBO Max account.

Conclusion

If you want to watch HBO content from Australia, choose one of the best VPN services that we have reviewed and recommended above. These will help you access your HBO subscription anytime you want, from anywhere in the world.

Some VPNs even have a dedicated streaming mode to help you access your blocked content in no time on the best server.

Our top recommendation is ExpressVPN, which offers you access to servers in over 94 countries around the globe, and helps you stream with the very fastest speeds.

You can try ExpressVPN for up to 30 days with its 30-day money-back guarantee, and cancel at any point for a full refund.