How to Watch BBC iPlayer in Australia in 2022 [Easy Access]

With popular shows like Peaky Blinders, Doctor Who, and Killing Eve, it is no wonder you are looking for ways to watch BBC iPlayer Australia.

BBC iPlayer is home to some of the most popular and latest shows like This Is Going To Hurt, Around the World in 80 Days, and much more all for free. As great as that sounds, BBC iPlayer is not available to stream anywhere outside the UK.

However, if you are a fan of British TV shows and sports, you can unblock BBC iPlayer in Australia using a VPN. A VPN not only gives you access to BBC iPlayer, but also other free British TV sites in Australia like ITV Hub, and Channel 4.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch BBC iPlayer in Australia using a VPN.

Why do you need a VPN to watch BBC iPlayer in Australia?

If you are living in Australia, BBC iPlayer’s geo-blocks prevent you from accessing the service. This is because iPlayer is a British streaming service that is only available inside the UK and nowhere else.

Due to licensing agreements and copyrights, BBC iPlayer is restricted in Australia. If you tried to access the service, your access will be denied and you won’t be able to stream anything.

In Australia, viewers get an error message saying, “BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it’s due to rights issues.”

However, you can easily bypass these geo-blocks and access BBC iPlayer shows in Australia using a VPN.

A Virtual Private Network masks your original IP address and assigns you a new IP address based on the server location you choose. In this case, you can connect to a UK server, and it will grant you a British IP address, giving full access to BBC iPlayer content. 

A VPN is your ticket to streaming popular shows on BBC iPlayer in Australia for free.

Best VPNs to watch BBC iPlayer in Australia [Quick Look]

Short on time? Here’s a quick look at the best VPNs for watching BBC iPlayer in Australia:

The Best VPNs for BBC iPlayer in Australia [Personally Tested]

You will find plenty of VPN services claiming to work with BBC iPlayer. However, that is not the case. Therefore, here are my three recommended VPNs that are currently working with BBC iPlayer as I have tested them myself.

1. Surfshark 

Known as the most affordable VPN, Surfshark is the best VPN for watching BBC iPlayer in Australia free of cost. It delivers a feature-packed service for streaming with fast and stable connections.

Surfshark offers numerous servers in the UK, with a network of 3200 servers in 65 countries. Each of its servers is optimized for streaming in Ultra HD.

To watch Peaky Blinders on BBC iPlayer, I connected to Surfshark’s London server, and it instantly gave me access to the show without any error message.

Apart from BBC iPlayer, Surfshark also works with other platforms like Hulu, Channel4, Netflix, and more – your choices are almost limitless.

To top it off, Surfshark supports unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can use one account on as many devices as you want. It can also be shared among your friends and family.

If you are not sure about Surfshark, you can try it risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee that comes with no-questions-asked.

2. ExpressVPN

When it comes to streaming, fast connection and great unblocking ability are great factors, and ExpressVPN fulfills both needs excellently.

ExpressVPN offers 3000 servers in 94 countries, and among these, there are various servers in the UK to help you access BBC iPlayer. ExpressVPN was the fastest VPN during my testing, and streaming with it was an absolute delight.

On its Docklands server, unblocking BBC iPlayer was a breeze, as it instantly gave access to all seasons of Doctor Who in an instant.

The VPN can also help you watch Disney+, iTV, Channel 4, Prime Video, and other streaming platforms.

It supports 5 simultaneous connections on one account, with a MediaStreamer Smart DNS for devices that don’t have native support for VPNs. Overall, ExpressVPN is a powerful combination of blazing speeds, unblocking power, and security.

You can try ExpressVPN risk-free using its 30-day refund policy.

3. NordVPN 

With over 700 UK servers to choose from, NordVPN is a top choice for streaming BBC iPlayer. NordVPN has one of the largest server networks among other providers, making it a reliable choice for streaming.

There are 5300 servers available in 60 countries, making it super easy for NordVPN to bypass the tough geoblocking mechanisms of BBC iPlayer, and give access to its content.

We could stream Killing Eve on BBC iPlayer using NordVPN easily, and there were no issues whatsoever.

NordVPN is a reliable option for streaming other services like Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Channel 4, and more.

It allows 6 device connections on one account, with dedicated apps for various devices. You can also use it on Firestick, Apple TV, Android TV, etc. To test this VPN, you can use its 30-day money-back guarantee.

How to sign up for BBC iPlayer in Australia

BBC iPlayer is absolutely free to stream, but to watch its content, you must have an account. Here’s how to sign up for BBC iPlayer:

What devices can you watch BBC iPlayer in Australia?

BBC iPlayer offers apps for various devices, and with its official website, you can easily watch it on various devices like:

• Android TV
• Amazon Fire TV
• Apple TV
• Samsung Smart TV
• Windows
• iOS/ Android
• macOS
• PlayStation
• Chromecast
• Boxee
• Xbox
• Roku

How to download the BBC iPlayer app on devices in Australia?

If you search for iPlayer on your app stores in Australia, you will not be able to find it because of geo-restrictions. Follow these steps to download its app on Andriod and iOS devices in Australia:

What to Watch on BBC iPlayer in Australia

Here are some of the all-time best shows that you can watch on BBC iPlayer Australia for free:

Best BBC iPlayer Shows
Peaky Blinders	This Is Going to Hurt
Gossip Girl	Killing Eve
Pretty Little Liars	Sherlock
A Very British Scandal	Normal People
Pretty Little Liars: Ravenswood	Luther
Superman & Lois	Conversations With Friends

Apart from shows and movies, you can also watch live sports on BBC iPlayer along with commentary shows like Match of the Day, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BBC iPlayer available in Australia?

No, BBC iPlayer is not available anywhere outside the UK, therefore, you need a VPN to watch it in Australia.

Is BBC iPlayer free?

Yes, BBC iPlayer is free for all UK residents. If you are living elsewhere, you will need to use a VPN to watch iPlayer for free.

Is it legal to watch BBC iPlayer with a VPN in Australia?

Yes, it is perfectly legal to use a VPN for streaming BBC iPlayer in Australia. It has nothing to do with copyright infringement, so rest assured as unblocking the British streaming service with a VPN is legal.

Conclusion

I hope I have answered all your queries regarding how to watch BBC iPlayer in Australia. Due to licensing issues and rights, BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK only and is blocked elsewhere. To access BBC iPlayer Australia, you can use a VPN and watch your favourite shows online for free.