Video streaming services have been big business in Australia over the past decade, with no shortage of options for households to tune into. But with plenty of options and plans comes plenty of decisions to be made, meaning you’ll have to ask yourself, am I paying too much, and am I really getting the most out of my streaming platform?
If you’re looking to maybe cut back on your TV hours, do away with streaming services altogether to save some money, or you’re simply just interested to see how much others are paying for their services, in this guide we’ll look at how much Australians are paying, and just how much the major services cost. This guide uses research conducted by Canstar Blue, taken from our customer satisfaction ratings for Pay TV & Streaming services, published in 2023.
Average streaming bill
The average Australian household pays $50 per month for their streaming service(s), which works out to be $600 per year. The 18-29 year old bracket were spending the least amount on streaming services ($43 per month), while the 30 to 39 year old and 40 to 49 year old brackets were spending the most ($55 and $54 per month respectively).
Each age bracket looks to be making the most of their services though, with each bracket having over half of its respondents using a Pay TV or streaming service daily, indicating that the money is well worth it.
Sign up to Disney+ Australia
After some Disney classics? Sign up to Disney+! There are two plan options to choose from – a monthly subscription, or prepay for a year. Both plans include the same features, with unlimited downloads and the ability to stream on up to four screens at the same time. This table includes links to a referral partner.
| Brand | Subscription Type | No. of Screens/same time viewing | Advertised Cost^^/month or year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $13.99 over one month |
4 | $13.99 |
Get DealCanstar Blue receives a commission for sign-ups through Disney+ * |
|
min. cost $139.99 over one year |
4 | $139.99 |
Get DealCanstar Blue receives a commission for sign-ups through Disney+ * |
 |
^^View important information | |||
How much are streaming services in Australia?
Depending on which plan and provider you sign up with, a streaming subscription can cost anywhere between $5 and $100 per month. The cost will vary from service to service, as some, like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+ and Disney+, only offer one monthly plan, while other brands, such as Netflix, Stan and BINGE, all offer multiple tiers to choose from, each with more features and higher quality the more you pay.
For a breakdown of the costs and features of the major video streaming services available in Australia, check out the table below.
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| Netflix | Stan | Disney+ | BINGE | Amazon Prime Video | Apple TV+ | Kayo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $10.99 – $22.99 | $10 – $21 | $13.99 | $10 – $18 | $9.99 | $9.99 | $25 – $35 |
| HD Available | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| No. of screens | 1-4 | 1-4 | 1-4 | 1-4 | 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Free trial | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Information collected from each streaming service’s website. Accurate as of June, 2023.
Is it worth having multiple streaming services?
With the survey results stating that Aussies are spending on average $50 per month on streaming services, it’s very likely that each household has at least two or three subscriptions, but are they all worth it? Realistically, it depends on your preferences. You may find that a particular streaming platform has your favourite show, but another service is better for new releases, or you may have one purely to watch sports. And with more services launching in Australia, or broadcasting rights and deals being struck, all are looking to offer exclusive titles to reel users in, meaning which streaming platform you pay for ultimately comes down to your tastes, and your budget.
| Brand | Subscription Type | No. of Screens/same time viewing | Advertised Cost^^/month | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
BritBox Monthly Subscription:
min. cost $8.99 over 1 month |
5 | $8.99 | Go To Site |
|
BritBox Annual Subscription
min. cost $89.99 over 1 year |
5 | $89.99 | Go To Site |
|
^^View important information | |||
Could you be saving money on your streaming service?
With Aussies spending $50 per month on streaming services according to Canstar Blue research, it appears that many have signed up to multiple streaming platforms, with the most expensive streaming subscriptions generally topping out at about $25 per month. However, with services like Foxtel easily costing households over $100 per month, some may have more channels than they need.
If you’re one of those households that have multiple streaming subscriptions and are looking to maybe cut back, how can you save on your streaming service?
- 9% of survey respondents stated that they get a streaming subscription through their internet or mobile phone plan, meaning that shopping around for a new internet or phone plan could also save you on the streaming front.
- 20% of respondents say that they pay for an account, but share the login details with others. While the unsung hero to many out there, sharing your login details may be a thing of the past, with Netflix the first to implement password restrictions to cut down on freeloaders.
- 13% of respondents said that they also use on-demand or one-off rental services in addition to their regular subscription. Some services such as Disney+ Premium Access give users early access to new movie releases, although they’ll also come at an additional cost to your regular subscription. So if you can wait a few more months before the title is added to the general content library, you could also save yourself some money.
Alternatively, you could be making use of a streaming service’s free trial period if they have one, or look to drop down a price tier on your subscription. While you may sacrifice some screen quality, the monthly savings could ease the sting. You can also take advantage of an annual subscription (if your streaming service offers it), as while it’s a larger upfront cost, it’ll work out cheaper on a monthly basis. And with a third of respondents (34%) reducing the number of streaming services they’ve had over the last 12 months – with the majority of those respondents citing the rising cost of living as the reason behind culling subscriptions – streaming services could be some low-hanging fruit for those looking to save money.
Regardless of how many streaming services you may be paying for, it’s hard to ignore their value, with each platform offering hours upon hours of entertainment to suit every taste, whether you prefer an action-packed A-List movie or a C-grade horror film full of drama students. 42% of respondents in Canstar Blue’s latest survey stated that they believe that their streaming service is well worth the money, and while sticking to a budget is important (and you should always look to ensure you’re getting the best value for your dollar), popping on a movie for the whole family and settling in with a bowl of popcorn is a tough experience to beat.
Picture credit: Goran Petric/shutterstock.com, Africa Studio/shutterstock.com, Manuel Esteban/shutterstock.com
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