Typically, streaming services in Australia are separated into two camps. There are the premium streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, and Stan that make you pay to stream. Then there's the digital equivalents of the free-to-air services, like 7plus, ABC iView, and SBS On Demand. Beamafilm sits somewhere in the middle, which may attract a monthly fee, but there's also a straightforward way to get the service for free.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about Beamafilm in Australia.
What is Beamafilm Australia?
Beamafilm is a video streaming service with thousands of movies, TV series, and documentaries. At its core, Beamafilm is a premium streaming service with a monthly fee. But what sets it apart from other premium streaming services is how easy that monthly fee is to bypass. If you're signed up to a participating library, you can access Beamafilm Australia or Beamafilm NZ as part of that membership.
Content from the Beamafilm library is sourced from distributors including ABC, Madman, and Ronin. While there is a kids view, Beamafilm content typically features content rated G, PG, and M, though there is also MA15+ and R18+ content. The Beamafilm catalogue is more left field than mainstream, though there are older and more recent picks that will be familiar to cinemagoers.
There isn't any information on how many simultaneous streams Beamafilm supports, but I did test four simultaneous streams with four separate bits of content across two devices, and it didn't have any issues playing them all after a short period of initial buffering.
Depending on your library membership inclusions, you may be able to access streaming on Beamafilm, Hoopla, and/or Kanopy. Of the three, Beamafilm has the most straightforward access with unlimited content streaming on multiple devices. Hoopla has a larger library of content, including movies, TV shows, audiobooks, eBooks, comics, and music. But it's also limited to one stream per account. Kanopy has a lot of video content, but it also has a restrictive monthly ticketing system that stops it being a viable binge-streaming service.
Dodo's NBN 500 Unlimited plan is our pick for the best NBN 500 plan for September.
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Dodo
FTTP, HFC
Editor's Pick
nbn500 Unlimited Plan
$62.99/mth
Min. cost $62.99
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There are a couple of ways to get Beamafilm for free in Australia. The first is by having a membership with a participating library, which grants free Beamafilm streaming for as long as you have a membership.
Alternatively, sign up for a Beamafilm consumer account to automatically get access to a 30-day trial.
How much does Beamafilm cost in Australia?
If you want to pay for Beamafilm, prices start at $7.99 per month, making it one of the cheapest monthly streaming subscriptions in Australia, behind only niche horror streamer Shudder. But you can also get Beamafilm as part of a library membership. Beamafilm says it has more than 20 million library members who can access the service for free. To see if your local library is eligible, head to the Beamafilm library login page and enter your library name.
If you are part of a participating library, whose memberships are typically free in Australia, you can stream Beamafilm content for free. But if your local library isn't part of the Beamafilm network, type it in the link above, then select the "Cannot find library…" option. You'll be encouraged to contact your library and request that they sign up for Beamafilm.
Alternatively, sign up for a Beamafilm consumer account or just create a free account to rent selected movies or TV series for 72 hours. The Beamafilm rental library has 1,000+ options, with rental prices ranging from $2.99 to $15.99. If you sign up for a Beamafilm consumer account, you can also access the following subscription durations:
- $7.99 per month
- $19.99 per quarter ($6.66 monthly value)
- $34.99 per half year ($5.83 monthly value)
- $64.99 per year ($5.42 monthly value)
What can I watch on Beamafilm in Australia?
While Beamafilm doesn't publicly state the size of its content library, JustWatch lists more than 1,300 movies and TV series. In our appraisal, Beamafilm has more miniseries than full-blown TV series. Here's a breakdown of some of the popular content you can find on Beamafilm.
Popular movies on Beamafilm
- A Long Way Down (2014)
- Animals (2019)
- Carol (2015)
- Coherence (2013)
- Hit and Run (2012)
- It's a Wonderful Life (1964)
- Lion (2016)
- Mothering Sunday (2021)
- Slow West (2015)
- The Nightingale (2018)
Popular documentaries on Beamafilm
- Ask Dr. Ruth (2019)
- D-Day: 80th Anniversary (2024)
- Garibaldi: Freedom Fighter and Womanizer (2018)
- Gold and B.O. Holtermann (2019)
- Good, Better, Vegan? (2017)
- Maiden (2018)
- Meeting Gorbachev (2018)
- Older Than Ireland (2015)
- Whakapapa of a Māori Phrase Book (2023)
- Wildlife in Windmill Country (2022)
Popular TV shows on Beamafilm
- Catherine the Great (2019, miniseries)
- Crimes That Changed the World (2022, one season)
- Furia (2021, one season)
- Inspector Montalbano (1999, nine seasons)
- Mother is Wrong (2018, miniseries)
- The Cliff (2009, two seasons)
- The Name of the Rose (2019, miniseries)
- Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979, miniseries)
- Top of the Lake (2013, two seasons)
- Twin (2019, miniseries)
Best internet plans for Beamafilm
According to Beamafilm, you should expect to use between 1GB and 3GB of data per hour of streaming, depending on whether you're streaming in standard definition or up to Full HD. While Beamafilm defaults to automatic resolution, where available, you can select to stream at 240p, 360p, 540p, 720p, or up to 1080p resolution.
Practically speaking, you'd need around 7Mbps of download speed per Full HD stream to watch Beamafilm without any buffering or quality dips. Because you can stream to multiple devices with a Beamafilm subscription, we recommend using an NBN 50 plan as a minimum.
Here's a look at popular NBN 50 plans from our database:
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#1
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Dodo
FTTP, HFC
Editor's Pick
nbn500 Unlimited Plan
$62.99/mth
Min. cost $62.99
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#2
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Tangerine Telecom
FTTP, HFC
Speedy Max NBN 500/50
$59.90/mth
Min. cost $59.90
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#3
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Superloop
FTTP, HFC
Family Max nbn500/50
$74/mth
Min. cost $74
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#4
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amaysim
FTTP, HFC
NBN500
$50/mth
Min. cost $50
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#5
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TPG
FTTP, HFC
nbn Home Fast Unlimited Plan
$74.99/mth
Min. cost $74.99
Link not supplied
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#6
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Belong
FTTP, HFC
NBN Fast – Unlimited
$59/mth
Min. cost $59
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Beamafilm FAQs
Does Beamafilm work in Australia?
Yes, Beamafilm is officially available in Australia. The only catch is that you need to have a membership with a participating local library to access Beamafilm's content.
How do I watch Beamafilm?
One of the biggest limitations of Beamafilm is the number of supported apps. The Beamafilm website specifically lists Android TV, Chromecast, and Apple TV as supported apps. You can also download the Beamafilm app for supported Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. Alternatively, watch Beamafilm via the following supported browsers:
- Apple Safari (Mac OS X 11.1 or newer)
- Google Chrome (version 37 or newer)
- Microsoft Edge (version 80 or newer)
- Mozilla Firefox (version 70 or newer)
- Opera (version 33 or newer)
If you don't have access to any of those platforms, Beamafilm advises casting from a supported device.
Can I watch Beamafilm on my TV?
Yes, you can watch Beamafilm on your TV if you have a supported Android TV or Apple TV product. Alternatively, cast from a device that supports Beamafilm or connect a compatible device to your TV (via HDMI) to stream.
Does Beamafilm have ads?
No, Beamafilm is an ad-free streaming service, whether you're renting, paying for a consumer subscription, or watching as part of a library membership.
What features does Beamafilm have?
As far as streaming services go, Beamafilm has pretty basic features. As is the streaming trend, you'll get promoted content in a carousel up the top, followed by various horizontal content libraries for particular categories. Those Beamafilm categories start with exclusives and recently added, split up by a 'continue watching' and a breakdown of any content that you've favourited to watch later. Adding content to your favourites is as simple as tapping the love heart on anything of interest.
The deeper you scroll into Beamafilm's movies and TV shows, the more you'll be greeted by seasonal categories, trending content, specific actors, and various other genres. For more focused content, navigate the respective documentaries, movies, and series pages. On a web browser, you can also sort by top-level or granular subjects. Alternatively, use the search bar for specific titles, directors, or cast members.
Unlike competing streaming services like Paramount Plus, Netflix, and Stan, you can't download content for offline viewing on Beamafilm. If you have kids, Beamafilm has password-protected parental controls and a 'Beamakids+' profile that limits content options to PG ratings max.
Does Beamafilm allow password sharing?
We couldn't find any public information that says users can't share their Beamafilm passwords. And given that Beamafilm can be used to stream to multiple devices simultaneously, you may be able to share your Beamafilm password with friends and family members who can't access it with their library memberships.
Is Beamafilm legit?
Yes, Beamafilm is a legitimate streaming service in Australia and New Zealand. Sign up for a consumer account or stream for free with a participating library membership.
Is Beamafilm free?
No, Beamafilm isn't technically free, with consumer prices starting at $7.99 per month. That said, if you have a library membership, you may be able to stream Beamafilm's content catalogue for free.
Nathan Lawrence
Freelance Contributor
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