As an entertainment writer, it often feels like all I do is watch. Reality TV, the newest series everyone can’t stop talking about, and of course, the buzzy new films.
But having subscriptions to all the streaming services? That’s where things get a little less fun. One minute you’re signing up “just to watch one show,” the next your bank account is being quietly chipped away by a parade of $10 and $20 charges.
Which raises the question many of us are asking right now: what is the best streaming service in Australia, and how many do we actually need?
To find out how normal people (read: not media professionals with questionable spending habits) should approach streaming, I spoke to a finance expert. And unsurprisingly, the problem isn’t Netflix, Stan, or any single platform. It’s us.
The streaming trap most Australians fall into
“The obvious mistake,” Andrew Woodward, personal wealth expert, explained, “is that people forget how many services they’ve subscribed to.”
It’s painfully relatable. Free trials, one-off series obsessions, password sharing that somehow turns into full subscriptions — they all blur together. Because the amounts seem small, they rarely trigger alarm bells.
“It’s like, ‘oh, it’s only $10, it’s only $20,’” he said. “But those little amounts come out at different times throughout the month, and they just let them go.”
Over time, those “little” charges stop being little. A few overlapping subscriptions can easily snowball into hundreds, even thousands, of dollars a year.
Are premium tiers actually worth it?
Another common budget leak? Paying for upgrades we barely use.
“A lot of people are paying for premium services, like getting rid of ads,” Andrew noted. “But when you look at how much you’re actually using that service, does it really make sense?”
The surprisingly simple fix: a subscription audit
Instead of harsh budgeting or cutting everything cold turkey, Andrew recommends something far less dramatic and far more effective.
“I call it a subscription audit.”
Whether you do this monthly or quarterly, the idea is simple: sit down and look at exactly what you’re paying for.
Which services have you genuinely used? Which ones were for that one series you binged six months ago and never touched again? Which subscriptions feel more like digital clutter than joy?
“If you’re not really using it anymore,” he said, “get rid of it.”
How to decide what stays and what goes
One of the most useful comparisons Andrew offered had nothing to do with streaming.
“If you’re going to the gym three times a week, you’re probably getting value for your money. But if you’re going once a month, you’re not.”
Streaming works the same way. The best streaming service in Australia isn’t some universal answer; it’s the one you actually use. Regularly. Happily. Without resentment, every time the payment hits.
If a platform isn’t adding anything meaningful to your downtime, it’s likely just draining funds you could use elsewhere.
Keeping streaming without the guilt (or financial stress)
Importantly, Andrew wasn’t anti-streaming. Quite the opposite.
“If you live a life where you constantly feel like you are depriving yourself of joy, that’s when things blow up.”
Instead of a restriction mindset, he advocates for intentional spending — choosing one, two, or maybe three services that genuinely fit your habits and bring enjoyment.
“It’s about having deliberate choices and planning where your money goes.”
So what are all the streaming services in Australia, and how much do they cost?
When it comes to streaming platforms, we’re genuinely spoiled for choice. So here’s a breakdown of each, and which ones are actually worth your money.
Disney+
- Cost: $15.99 (standard) or $20.99 (premium) per month.
- What it’s known for: The Bear, Tell Me Lies, Only Murders In The Building, and Disney classics.
- Free trial: No, but sometimes offers promotional bundles here.
Binge
- Cost: $10 (basic) up to $22 (premium) per month.
- What it’s known for: Shows like The Twelve, Colin from Accounts, reality favourites and a range of movies.
- Free trial: Yes, 7 days when you sign up here.
Prime Video
- Cost: $9.99/month (or around $79/year) — often bundled with Prime shopping benefits.
- What it’s known for: The Boys, Reacher, Fallout and rotating movie titles.
- Free trial: Yes, 30 days when you sign up here.
Paramount+
- Cost: About $7.99–$13.99 per month, depending on plan.
- What it’s known for: NCIS: Sydney, Yellowstone spinoffs and classic CBS content.
- Free trial: Yes, 7 days when you sign up here.
Apple TV+
- Cost: Around $15.99/month.
- What it’s known for: Critically acclaimed originals like Ted Lasso, Severance and Slow Horses.
- Free trial: Yes, 7 days when you sign up here.
Kayo Sports
- Cost: From $29.99/month (basic) up to $45.99/month (premium)
- What it’s known for: NRL, AFL, Formula 1, tennis, cricket, and other live sports streaming.
- Free trial: Yes, 14 days when you sign up here.
Netflix
- Cost: From $9.99 (with ads) up to $28.99 (Premium) per month.
- What it’s known for: Stranger Things, Wednesday, Bridgerton — plus loads of movies, documentaries and originals that dominate culture year-round.
- Free trial: No.
HBO Max
- Cost: From $9.99 (ads) to $21.99, depending on tier.
- What it’s known for: House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, Succession and other prestige dramas.
- Free trial: Yes, 7 days.
Stan
- Cost: Typically $12–$22, depending on plan and add-ons like Stan Sport.
- What it’s known for: Aussie hits like Wolf Like Me, Bump, plus classic and international movies.
- Free trial: Yes, 7 days.
The key takeaway
Most Australians stick to about two subscriptions, but let’s be real, it’s way too easy to end up with five, six, or even more. The trick isn’t signing up to everything; it’s picking the ones you actually watch, actually enjoy, and that don’t silently drain your bank account.
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