How Much Do Streaming Services Cost in Australia?
It’s an easy thing to lose track of. A few dollars here, a monthly charge there, and before long you’re paying for services you barely use. The good news is that streaming costs are simple to understand once they’re laid out, and simple to keep under control.
Prices do change from time to time, so rather than quote exact figures that go out of date, here are the rough costs and, more usefully, how to pay less without missing what you enjoy. If you are choosing a new television too, our guide to the best smart TVs for seniors is a good place to start.
Quick answer
Most paid services in Australia cost somewhere between about ten and thirty dollars a month each, and many offer a cheaper plan with ads. Australia’s free-to-air apps, ABC iview, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now and 10 play, cost nothing. There are no contracts, so you can stop any service at the end of a month. The simplest way to save is to keep the free apps, pay for just one or two paid services at a time, and cancel anything you’ve stopped watching.
Roughly what each one costs
These are general bands rather than exact prices, since each service offers different plans and changes them now and then. Always check the service’s own page for today’s figure before you sign up.
| Service | Rough monthly cost |
|---|---|
| ABC iview, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now, 10 play | Free, with some short ads |
| Netflix | From about $10 a month with ads, up to about $29 without |
| Stan (an Australian service) | Around $12 to $21 a month, depending on the plan |
| Disney+ | A monthly fee, with a saving if you pay yearly |
| Prime Video | Included with an Amazon Prime membership |
| Binge | From about $10 a month with ads, up to about $22 |
| Kayo Sports (live sport) | Around $30 a month, month to month, no contract |
Why prices keep changing
Streaming companies adjust their prices fairly often, usually upwards, and they tend to add new plans with ads to bring in cheaper options. This is why it pays to glance at your subscriptions every few months. A service you signed up to at one price may quietly cost more a year later, and you may not have noticed.
Plans with ads versus without
Most paid services now offer two levels. The cheaper one shows a few short ads, much like ordinary television. The dearer one has none. If a few ads don’t bother you, the cheaper plan saves a useful amount over a year, and the picture and shows are exactly the same. For many people the ad-supported plan is the sensible choice.
Five ways to keep the cost down
- Start with the free apps: ABC iview, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now and 10 play.
- Pay for only one or two paid services at a time.
- Choose the plan with ads if you’d rather pay less.
- Turn a service on for the month you want it, then off again.
- Review your subscriptions every few months and cancel the unused ones.
Check what you might already be paying for
Before adding another subscription, it’s worth looking at what you already have. A few services in Australia come bundled with something else, so you may be paying for one without realising, or be able to add it cheaply.
- Prime Video is included with an Amazon Prime membership. If you already pay for Prime for the free delivery, the streaming comes at no extra cost.
- Some Telstra and Optus phone and internet plans include or discount a streaming service. It’s worth checking what your plan already comes with before you pay for it separately.
- Binge and Kayo both come from Foxtel and can sometimes be bundled together for less than buying each on its own.
Australia’s five free-to-air apps also cover a lot of ground at no cost, so the paid services only need to fill the gaps. Pairing the free apps with one paid service you actually watch is usually all anyone needs.
If you’re still deciding which services are worth it, our overview of the best streaming services in Australia explains what each one is for. It’s also worth checking whether your bank or phone plan includes a streaming service, and whether any Seniors Card discounts apply to your internet or devices.
Before you finish
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FAQ: streaming costs in Australia
Is there a contract with streaming services?
No. Almost all are month to month. You can cancel at the end of a month you’ve paid for and keep access until then.
Can I really watch good TV for nothing?
Yes. ABC iview, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now and 10 play are free and carry a lot of news, local shows and films. Many people are happy with just these.
What’s the cheapest way to get Netflix or Binge?
Choose their plan with ads. The shows are the same and the ads are short, but the monthly cost is lower.
How do I stop paying for one I don’t use?
Open the service, go to your account settings and choose cancel. You keep watching until the month you’ve paid for ends.
Why did my bill go up without warning?
Services raise prices from time to time and usually notify you by email. It’s worth checking your subscriptions every few months so nothing creeps up unnoticed.
