How much does Netflix cost in Australia?

With millions of Australians now on the Netflix binge-watching bandwagon - and so much great content only available on the streaming service - it's probably time you jumped on board. 

But if you're thinking about signing up for Netflix, you may be concerned that unlimited movies and television also means an unlimited monthly bill. Luckily, that's not the case. 

We've broken down what you'll pay for each Netflix plan, plus what you need to know before you join up.

What does Netflix cost in Australia?

Australian Netflix pricing starts at $9.99 per month for an entry-level service, $13.99 per month gets you high definition streaming, and $19.99 per month gets you the best possible plan with all the bells and whistles. 

So what does paying more get you? On top of higher quality video, you can watch on more devices at once. For example, you could have one stream going on your laptop, while someone else watches something different on your TV. More expensive Netflix subscriptions also increase the number of smartphones or tablets you can download shows or movies to for offline viewing. 

Here's what you'll get with each Netflix tier, and what you'll pay per month.

Which Netflix plan is best for me?

Which plan you'll choose depends on how many people in your home will be watching, how you plan to watch (for example, do you plan on downloading content to your phone?), and your preferred resolution. 

If you upgrade to the $13.99 plan with High Definition, you'll be able to stream most content at up to 1080p, a jump from Standard Definition's 480p. Ultra High Definition - also known as 4K - offers content at up to 2160p, provided your television, computer, or other device (for example, an Apple TV or PlayStation) supports it. 

Basically, the pricier the subscription, the higher quality your video stream will be. Paying more each month also means you'll be able to watch on more screens simultaneously, and download movies and TV on more smartphones or tablets for offline viewing.

No matter which tier you choose, you're able to cancel, upgrade, or downgrade your plan at any time. No lock-in contracts mean Netflix subscribers have the flexibility to adjust their plan whenever required. 

Can I try Netflix before I buy?

If you're still unsure if Netflix is worth your hard-earned dollars, you're welcome to take the service for a test drive. If you're a new customer, you can can sign up for a free one-month trial, during which you'll have access to all the content available on a paid Netflix account.

However, after your one month is up, you'll be automatically charged the next month's subscription cost. So if you're still unimpressed at the end of your trial, make sure to cancel your Netflix service at the end of the month to avoid this fee. 

What else do I need to know about Netflix?

One important thing before you make the move to Netflix: you'll want to ensure that your internet plan is equipped to offer the best streaming experience possible (and has enough data to match your viewing needs). All of the Netflix content you view contributes to your plan's monthly data usage: 

• Standard Definition uses around 1GB per hour
• High Definition uses about 3GB per hour
• Ultra HD (4K) can use up to 7GB per hour

In addition to a plan with plenty of data, you'll also want one with decent speeds. Netflix can be watched with download speeds as slow as 0.5Mbps, but if you're on a HD plan, you'll want at least 5Mbps (such as NBN Basic Evening Speed / NBN 12) to justify paying extra for better quality video. 

If you're wanting to view in Ultra HD, Netflix recommends a plan of 25Mbps or higher - so, for NBN users, Standard Evening Speed / NBN 25. We'd suggest going for Standard Plus Evening Speed / NBN 50, however, to ensure everyone in your household still gets a great internet experience. 

More information on picking a great Netflix-ready plan can be found in this guide. And if you're looking for a new or better broadband plan - including NBN offers - start your search here.