Hulu is currently unavailable in Australia. In this guide, I will show you how to overcome this geo-restriction.
If you try to stream Hulu from Australia, you will get the following error:
“We’re sorry. Currently, our video library can only be streamed within the United States.”
This is because Hulu and Hulu Plus are officially available in the U.S., including its territories and military bases. There’s also a Japanese version of Hulu.
You can bypass this geo-restriction and stream Hulu in Australia. This is possible by using a VPN or a Smart DNS. We recommend the use of VPNs as they are reliable for streaming.
Quick steps:
This guide will teach you how to unblock and watch Hulu in Australia. Read on to find out more about unblocking Hulu.
2024 Update: Since publishing this guide, I’ve revisited it to ensure its current relevance and to note any changes.
As of 2024, using a VPN is still necessary for watching Hulu in Australia, as the service remains inaccessible there directly.
Hulu has been intensifying its efforts against VPN usage, causing many VPNs to lose their ability to access the platform. This is part of Hulu’s strategy to prevent Australian viewers from accessing its content.
However, my recent tests show that ExpressVPN continues to effectively unblock Hulu in Australia. While some servers might occasionally be ineffective, switching servers usually resolves the issue.
ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer is another useful feature designed specifically for unblocking streaming websites. Additionally, based on my evaluations, ExpressVPN outperforms other VPNs in streaming speeds, making it the best choice for watching Hulu in Australia.
Like other streaming services, Hulu has a catalog of content from various film and media companies. The companies have regulations and distribution policies determining where their content is aired. This is mainly due to content rights which give rise to geo-restrictions.
Most of these companies have only allowed Hulu to make the content available in the U.S. and its territories. Hence, to stream content from Hulu, Hulu must know your geo-location. To get this geo-location, Hulu relies on your internet connection (which contains your geo-location).
To change your geo-location and overcome Hulu’s geo-restrictions, you will either need a VPN or a Smart DNS.
Internet websites and services, including Hulu, will only see the U.S. I.P. address if you connect to a U.S. server. Hence, your geo-location will indicate you are in the U.S. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) masks your actual I.P. address with that of the VPN server.
Other than bypassing geo-restrictions and unblocking websites, a VPN also secures your online traffic and ensures your activities are private. All your VPN traffic is encrypted and safely tunneled through the VPN server.
Additionally, you can also use a VPN to watch YouTube TV in Australia or access American Netflix in Australia.
To ensure seamless access to a wide range of streaming services, including Hulu and Netflix, in Australia, it’s recommended to choose a reliable VPN that works with Netflix and Hulu from our curated list, allowing you to enjoy your favorite content without limitations.
My companion guide dealing with getting Netflix unblocked could also be of help.
Unfortunately, not every VPN can bypass Hulu geo-restrictions. You will need to use a reputable VPN for high chances of unblocking and watching Hulu. The VPN should have the following features and qualities.
Here are the best VPNs you can use to successfully unblock and watch Hulu in Australia.
ExpressVPN offers more than a dozen server locations in major US cities. You can use any VPN service to unblock and watch Hulu in Australia.
The servers are optimized to offer fast speeds, reliable connections, and unlimited bandwidth. You can smoothly stream content in full H.D. and up to 4K.
Security and privacy-wise, ExpressVPN keeps zero logs and uses secure protocols to keep your online traffic safe. This VPN provider also offers a Network lock (Kill switch), split tunneling, and leak protection.
ExpressVPN supports up to five simultaneous connections and is compatible with most computing devices, including streaming devices such as Apple TV, smart TV, Fire TV Stick, and more.
This VPN service also offers a MediaStreamer service (Smart DNS) for devices that don’t support the installation of VPN apps.
It’s also available on mobile devices such as Android and iOS.
Besides allowing you to access Hulu, ExpressVPN also unblock American Netflix, HBO Max Australia, Disney Plus Australia, YouTube TV Australia, Amazon Prime Video, ESPN, and BBC iPlayer.
Check out our guides on how to watch the BBC iPlayer in Australia and watching Hotstar in Australia for more info on the above.
You also get a hassle-free 30-day money-back guarantee and around-the-clock customer support.
Surfshark offers optimized servers to stream content, including Hulu, while you are in Australia. In the US, Surfshark has 24 server locations with 500 plus servers.
The servers offer stable connections, unlimited bandwidth, and zero drops in speed. This is suitable for watching Hulu in the highest possible quality available.
Surfshark keeps no logs, has secure protocols, and protects you against ads. Its other security and privacy-enhancing features include leak protection, kill switch, Whitelister (split tunneling), double VPN, NoBorders mode, and a camouflage mode.
This VPN offers unlimited simultaneous connections is supports various media streamers and internet-capable devices.
Surfshark offers a Smart DNS for platforms that don’t allow native VPN apps. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 friendly customer support.
Advantages of using a VPN to unblock and watch Hulu in Australia
Disadvantages of using a VPN to unblock and watch Hulu in Australia
A free VPN will not work with Hulu. This is because Hulu is efficient at blocking VPN servers and traffic. Only a premium VPN has the necessary resources to constantly add new IPs and servers that aren’t blocked.
A Smart DNS spoofs your geo-location on a DNS level. Unlike VPNs, a Smart DNS doesn’t change your I.P. address. Instead, it redirects the DNS queries through another DNS server.
When you access a site, and your queries go through – let us say, a US DNS server – the site will think you are in the U.S.
Smart DNS is known for bypassing geo-restrictions without triggering blocking mechanisms. However, a Smart DNS doesn’t increase your online privacy and security. Your traffic is not encrypted.
However, some Smart DNS providers might encrypt your DNS queries.
Here are the features and qualities a Smart DNS for unblocking Australia should have:
Premium Smart DNS providers are reliable for bypassing geo-restrictions. These providers may offer DNS addresses or a one-click app. DNS addresses are preferred since they are compatible with almost every internet-capable device.
You can get Smart DNS from reputable stand-alone providers or VPNs. Most reputable VPNs include a Smart DNS option; you must activate it via your account dashboard.
Advantages of using a Smart DNS to unblock and watch Hulu in Australia
Disadvantages of using a Smart DNS to unblock and watch Hulu in Australia
Signing up for a Hulu account from Australia seems like an impossible task. This is because you need a U.S. form of payment and a U.S. zip code. Nonetheless, here are tested workarounds you can use to get your Hulu account.
Sign up using your American friend’s credit card
This method works if you have a good friend or relative living in the U.S. and they have a U.S.-based credit/debit card.
You can then ask if you can use their card to sign up for Hulu (as long as you pay them later). The card should have some balance for authorization. Hulu accepts multiple accounts on the same card.
If your good friend agrees, they can sign up for an account and send you the details. If they don’t know the process, proceed as follows:
Sign up for Hulu using gift cards
Don’t give up yet if you know anyone in the U.S. who can help you with the sign-up process. You can sign up and subscribe through a Hulu gift card. But first, you must have a gift card billed by Hulu. There are many online places where you can buy. The most popular one is mygiftcardsupply.com.
Once you have purchased a gift card and a code is sent to your email (almost instantly), proceed as follows:
Note: Gift cards cannot be applied towards premium add-ons offered by Hulu. These include Cinemax, HBO, SHOWTIME, and STARZ. You will need to add a U.S.-based credit/debit card.
Also, if the entire amount on the gift card is used up, your account will be automatically canceled unless you update your account with another form of payment.
Hulu is among the top streaming service giants. It offers appealing content that is not available on other platforms. However, Hulu is restricted to the U.S. and the U.S. territories. If you are outside the U.S., you will find that you cannot access Hulu.
The VPN workaround is recommended as it works perfectly well. Nonetheless, you can unblock and watch Hulu in Australia using the above guide. Additionally, you get other VPN-added benefits.
Some people found answers to these questions helpful
Is Hulu worth it?
Yes. Hulu offers content that you cannot find on other platforms. If you want to watch the content, you must get Hulu. Also, if you like US TV, Hulu offers a live T.V. plan, a great cable alternative. Additionally, Hulu is worth the price.
Is it illegal to use a VPN in Australia?
No. There are no laws that prohibit you from using a VPN in Australia. A VPN is recommended service that you can use to increase your online privacy and security. You can also use a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions and censorship.
Why isn’t Hulu working with my VPN?
Try switching servers again if you use a VPN and get the anonymous proxy error. If the problem persists, you might be having an I.P. leak; disable your IPv6 settings and try again. Most VPNs don’t service the IPv6 queries in the secure tunnel. These queries reveal your actual geo-location.
Is Hulu bigger than Netflix?
No. Netflix has a more extensive catalog than Hulu. Since it is available in most parts of the world, it has accrued content from various film and media companies. However, Hulu excels in the Live T.V. section. Netflix doesn’t offer Live T.V.
What apps can I use to watch Hulu?
You can watch Hulu via the latest official Hulu apps or online via your computer’s browser. Hulu supports a wide range of streaming devices Android, iOS, Android T.V., Fire T.V., Roku, Apple T.V., select smart T.V.s, and gaming consoles.
1 Comment
Elyse
August 10, 2022 2:04 am
This doesn’t work. I literally just tried with the gift card option. I’m so stupid for buying the Hulu gift card first without checking. Now I’m $45AU out of pocket. There is absolutely no gift card option for payment when you try to sign up. It might be there once you have an actual account but to actually sign up they need a payment method either pay pal us account or us credit card. I’m the stupid one for not trying first but hope others don’t waste their money and make the same mistake.