To stream SBS on Demand from outside Australia, a quality VPN is essential. The ideal VPN will have servers in Australia, strong security features, and a trustworthy reputation. We recommend ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark, all of which include a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test their service without risk.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is necessary to access SBS on Demand from overseas. By connecting to a server located in Australia, a VPN makes it possible to stream the platform’s content from anywhere in the world.
- Sign up for a VPN. (We highly recommend ExpressVPN)
- Download the VPN app, launch it, and connect to a server in Australia.
- Visit the SBS on Demand website, create a free account, and start streaming.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at our top recommended VPNs for watching SBS on Demand. We will also guide you through how to create a free account and watch SBS on Demand from outside Australia using a VPN.
What to Look For in a VPN for SBS on Demand
Here are five key factors to consider when selecting a VPN for streaming SBS on Demand.
- Australian Servers: You must choose a VPN that operates servers in Australia, as this is necessary to access the service.
- Security and Privacy: A secure VPN is crucial for protecting your online activity. Look for features like AES 256-bit encryption and a kill switch, which are industry standards for data protection. For maximum privacy, select a provider with a strict no-log policy. This ensures that your online activities are never recorded or stored.
- Connection Speed: While VPNs can sometimes slow down your internet connection due to encryption, leading to buffering during video playback, premium services are designed to minimize this impact. With top providers like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, you will likely not notice any difference in speed.
- Reliability: A VPN with a proven track record is more likely to provide a stable connection and reliably bypass geo-restrictions. Less established services may struggle to consistently access streaming platforms like SBS on Demand.
- Customer Support: It’s not uncommon to run into occasional issues, such as a server being temporarily blocked or an app glitch after an update. In these situations, responsive and helpful customer support is essential to resolve problems quickly.
Best VPN Services for Watching SBS on Demand from Anywhere (Outside Australia)
Here are some excellent VPN services we recommend.
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | SurfShark | |
| Prices | 1-Month: $13.99 12-Months: $5.99/month 24-Months: $4.49/month | 1-Month: $11.99 12-Months: $4.99/month 24-Months: $3.99/month | 1-Month: $12.95 12-Months: $3.99/month 24-Months: $2.39/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Countries | 105 | 118 | 100 |
| Total Number of Servers | 3,000+ | 7,000+ | 3,200+ |
| Servers in the US | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Connection Speed | Ultra Fast | Fast | Fast |
| Security | AES-256 Kill Switch | AES-256 Kill Switch | AES-256 Kill Switch |
| Privacy | No-logging | No-logging | No-logging |
| Support | 24/7 Live Chat Support | 24/7 Live Chat Support | 24/7 Live Chat Support |
| Maximum devices supported | 12 | 10 | Unlimited |
ExpressVPN: Ultra-fast Internet Speeds
| Prices | 1-Month: $13.99 12-Months: $5.99/month 24-Months: $4.49/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Countries | 105 |
| Total Number of Servers | 3,000+ |
| Security | AES-256 Kill Switch |
| Maximum devices supported | 12 |
ExpressVPN offers some of the fastest internet speeds among the VPNs we have used. All VPNs may slow down your internet connection, but ExpressVPN is one of the fastest, and you rarely notice the difference. Review sites consistently rank ExpressVPN as one of the fastest VPNs. Additionally, with over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, you have a wide choice of countries to change IP addresses to. Real humans are available 24-hour live chat support to help you with setup and troubleshooting. ExpressVPN also has a no-log policy.
After you’ve registered with ExpressVPN, you can use it to easily browse the internet just by downloading their app.
- Place a high importance on internet speed
\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/
NordVPN: The Ultimate Balance of Price and Internet Speed
| Prices (standard plan) | 1-Month: $11.99 12-Months: $4.99/month 24-Months: $3.99/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Countries | 118 |
| Total Number of Servers | 7,000+ |
| Security | AES-256 Kill Switch |
| Maximum devices supported | 10 |
NordVPN’s excellent service, and balance of price, internet speed, servers, and countries, has allowed it to gain the greatest market share in the world. Overall, NordVPN consistently receives great reviews from leading experts. NordVPN has more than 7,000 servers in 118 countries, so you also have a lot of choices for which country to change your IP address to. You can et help and advice from our friendly customer support team through email or live chat for your 24/7. And NordVPN also has a no-log policy.
After you’ve registered, you can easily browse the internet using NordVPN just by downloading their app.
- Want to balance price and internet speed
\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/
Surfshark: Impressive Performance with a Lower Price
| Prices (standard plan) | 1-Month: $12.95 12-Months: $3.99/month 24-Months: $2.39/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Countries | 100 |
| Total Number of Servers | 3,200+ |
| Security | AES-256 Kill Switch |
| Maximum devices supported | Unlimited |
Surfshark offers impressive performance with a lower price. You can get Surfshark much cheaper than other services if you apply for the 24-month plan. Furthermore, Surfshark has no connection limits. So, you and your family can connect and use all your devices simultaneously. Surfshark has more than 3,200 servers in 100 countries. Just like the other VPNs, you also have a lot of choices for which country to change your IP address to. Customer support experts are there for you 24/7, if you need a helping hand with them via live chat or email. And SurfsharkVPN also has a no-log policy.
After you’ve registered, you can easily browse the internet using Surfshark by downloading their app.
- Who are budget conscious and want to want to connect with lots of devices
\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/
How to Watch SBS on Demand from Anywhere
Here are the steps to access SBS on Demand using a VPN:
- Sign up for a VPN. (We highly recommend ExpressVPN)
- Download the VPN app, launch it, and connect to a server in Australia.
- Visit the SBS on Demand website, create a free account, and start streaming.
ExpressVPN is known for being one of the fastest VPN services available. While any VPN can slightly decrease your connection speed due to encryption, ExpressVPN’s network is so well-optimized that most users will not notice a difference.
This makes it an excellent choice for streaming TV shows and movies from other countries without frustrating lag or buffering. Getting started with ExpressVPN is simple: after signing up, just download the app to easily and securely connect to the internet.
Step 1: Sign up for ExpressVPN
To register with ExpressVPN, click the “Claim Exclusive Deal” button as shown below. After the price plan is shown, follow the instructions.
STEP2. Download the app and connect to a Server in Australia
After registering with ExpressVPN, download and launch the app. Next, click “…” in the app and type “Australia” in the search box.
Select a server and click the power icon in the middle. Now, you can connect to a server in Australia.
STEP3. Go to the SBS on Demand website and create an account
Access SBS on Demand.
You need to access SBS on Demand while connected to a server in Australia, so that SBS on Demand will treat you as if you are accessing it from Australia.
A screen prompting you to sign in will appear. If you already have an SBS on Demand account, log in to start streaming right away. If you don’t have an account, click on “Create Account” in the upper-right corner.
Next, you will be prompted to enter your details. After providing the necessary information, click “Create Account.”
- First Name
- Password
- Birth Year
- Gender
You will receive an email at your registered address. Click on the link in the email to validate your account before signing in.
After validation, sign in again using your email and password. Click “Sign In” to complete the process. Now you can watch SBS on Demand.
Why Isn’t SBS on Demand Accessible Outside Australia?
Like many streaming services, SBS on Demand is unavailable outside of Australia due to content licensing agreements. These agreements restrict the broadcast of shows and movies to specific geographic regions, a practice known as geo-blocking.
The official SBS on Demand website confirms this in their FAQ:
Can I watch SBS On Demand outside Australia?
Content rights agreements mean that SBS On Demand is only available in Australia. Even if you’re an Australian citizen you cannot access the service from overseas unfortunately.
Source: FAQ: SBS on Demand
As a result, if you try to access SBS on Demand from another country, the service will detect your location and block you from viewing content. You will typically see an error message similar to this:
“Content may be unavailable in your location.
Most of our content is only available to stream within Australia due to publishing rights.”
How Does a VPN Enables You to Access SBS on Demand from Outside Australia?
Using a VPN enables you to mask your location. A website like SBS on Demand determines screen content based on IP address. For example, if you access the website from outside Australia, the screen content will not be displayed. However, if you access the website via an internet provider in Australia, screen content for Australia will be shown.
If you access the website via VPN servers in Australia, your IP address will actually appear like this. By using a VPN, the website will treat you as if you are browsing from Australia, regardless of where you are.
FAQs
Is it legal to watch SBS on Demand with VPNs?
Using VPNs to watch SBS on Demand is legal. VPNs are widely used by individuals to protect their private information and other online activity.
Can I watch SBS on Demand for free?
Yes, you can.
What should I do if I see an “Ad Blocker Detected” error?
If you encounter a warning that an ad blocker has been detected, the service is identifying a browser extension that blocks advertisements.
There are two common ways to fix this issue:
- Disable your ad blocker: The most direct solution is to turn off your ad-blocking extension and reload the page. Most extensions allow you to disable them for specific websites.
- Use a private Browse window: Try accessing the website in an incognito (Chrome) or private (Safari/Firefox) window. These modes typically disable extensions by default, which can bypass the ad blocker detection.
Can I use a free VPN?
We recommend paid services in terms of privacy and security because we don’t know how free VPNs manage our log traffic data. It is also said that free VPNs are more likely to track our data. Many paid services have a money-back guarantee. If you aren’t satisfied with the service, you can receive a refund.
What is a VPN?
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It acts as a secure tunnel between your device and the internet. By routing your connection through a VPN server, it masks your actual IP address and makes it appear as though you’re accessing the internet from a different location. This not only enhances your online anonymity, protecting your identity from potential eavesdroppers, but also allows you to access websites and services as if you were in a different country, bypassing geo-restrictions.
What else can a VPN be used for?
In addition to bypassing geographical content restrictions, VPNs can also enhance your online privacy and security. Furthermore, it can be used to save money on subscription services like YouTube Premium and Netflix by allowing you to subscribe from regions where prices are lower.
Conclusion
- Sign up for a VPN. (We highly recommend ExpressVPN)
- Download the VPN app, launch it, and connect to a server in Australia.
- Visit the SBS on Demand website, create a free account, and start streaming.