How to watch SBS on Demand outside Australia in 2023

Aliu Isa Last updated: December 31, 2022 Read time: 10 minutes Disclosure

Using a robust VPN service with Australian IPs, you can stream SBS on demand outside Australia. Here's how to do it.

Sneak peek at enjoying SBS On Demand abroad

SBS is one of Australia’s top TV networks and has a digital service: SBS on Demand. The video streaming service provides free access to all the network content for Australian users. However, traveling abroad means you’ll miss out on all the fun due to the platform’s geo-restrictions. Nonetheless, you can enjoy SBS on Demand even outside Australia if you have a good VPN. All it takes is to subscribe to a robust VPN service offering Australian IP addresses, set up the VPN on your device, connect to an Australian server, and start streaming.

Streaming SBS on Demand is one of Australian users’ most lucrative entertainment options. However, traveling outside Australia often means binge-watchers miss out on their favorite SBS on-demand content, compelling users to look for workarounds to stay in touch with their favorite media.

The Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), founded in 1978, is one of Australia’s five open TV networks. The network’s digital streaming option is SBS on Demand. It offers Australian users the whole SBS catalog for free to watch at leisure. SBS’s content includes films, sports highlights, news, cooking, drama, comedy series, and documentaries.

So SBS is an attractive entertainment option, but it’s geo-blocked and limited to users connecting from Australia only. So even Australian citizens will find they can’t see this network abroad. Unless, of course, they have a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to unblock this service.

A VPN will hide your IP address from the world and assign you a new IP number from one of its servers. Since the IP address is the information that gives away your physical location to other internet users, the change in your IP makes your traffic look originated from somebody else.

If you use a VPN Australian server, your interactions with the rest of the net will be as if you were in Australia. Hence, SBS will grant you access to its streaming service because, as far as its server is concerned, you are in Australia.

Using a VPN to watch SBS on Demand outside Australia — Quick guide

If you are in a rush or need to know how to get started, here’s a quick guide.

  1. Sign up for a premium VPN service. We found ExpressVPN to be the best option to unblock SBS, but Surfshark and NordVPN are very good too.
  2. Find the software your VPN vendor provides for your device in your relevant app store (Google or Apple). If you need a desktop client for Windows, macOS, or Linux, you’ll find it on your VPN’s official website. Download and install it.
  3. Open your VPN app. Sign in with the credentials you acquired in the first step. Next, pick an Australian server and connect to it. Once you’re connected to the server, you will have an Australian IP address.
  4. Launch your browser and point it to the SBS website. If you don’t have a free account, sign up for one.
  5. Start streaming your SBS content!

The best VPNs to use with SBS – The quicklist

If you don’t have enough time to peruse the full article, no worries. This section will give you the gist of the best VPNs to unblock your favorite Australian TV network.

  • ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN has many servers in four Australian cities. Every server is RAM-only, fast, reliable, works with many other video platforms, keeps a no-logs policy, has excellent customer service, and has user-friendly apps. The security features and speeds are among the best in the market.
  • Surfshark. The most budget-friendly top-notch VPN includes five Australian cities in the server network, allows unlimited concurrent connections, keeps no logs, and provides excellent support.
  • NordVPN. Nearly 200 Australian servers in the network make NordVPN a top choice to unblock this Australian video streamer. Every other aspect of this provider is also excellent.

Choosing a VPN to watch SBS on Demand

Choosing the best VPN for any given task is an art. There are plenty of elements to consider, and the market is flooded with average options that do not perform at the level you should expect from any paid service. Therefore, we chose the best three VPNs to unblock SBS according to the following standards:

  • The VPN has several Australian servers.
  • The VPN’s servers offer solid, stable, fast connections supporting an uninterrupted HD video stream for a long session.
  • The security features are watertight.
  • The customer service is excellent and available through email and live chat.
  • The VPN allows several concurrent connections with a single account.

The best VPNs to unblock SBS on Demand outside Australia

Our fully detailed list features the best VPNs to unblock SBS on Demand when you’re away from Australia.

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

This industry leading VPN provider offers multiple fast-speed Australian servers to unblock SBS and other geo-restricted site globally.

Visit ExpressVPN

servers Over 3000 servers in 90+ countries
encryption AES-256 encryption
Trusted servers nord TrustedServer technology (RAM-based servers)
P2P optimized servers P2P traffic support on most servers
network lock feature Network Lock (kill switch)
Split tunneling feature Boasts a dependable split tunneling feature
Zero-logs policy Zero-logs policy
simultaneous connections 5 concurrent devices support
money-back guarantee 30-day money-back guarantee

Pros
  • Blazing-fast speed on all servers
  • Ensures top-notch privacy
  • Supports stealth browsing
Cons
  • Costly pricing plans

ExpressVPN is the biggest name in the VPN world. We consistently find it the best option for almost every task needing a VPN. So we were not surprised when it turned out to be the best way to unblock SBS on Demand when you’re outside Australia.

It’s an excellent option as its speeds and reliability can support an HD video stream without interruptions or heavy buffering.