How to Unblock and Watch Hulu in Australia

Justin Oyaro

By Justin Oyaro . 23 January 2024

Cybersecurity Expert

Miklos Zoltan

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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.

How to unblock Hulu in Australia

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:

  • Click here to get ExpressVPN
  • Install and launch the app
  • Connect to a USA server
  • Go to the Hulu website or Hulu app (should be unblocked now)

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 revisited it to ensure its current relevance and to note any changes.

As of 2024, using a VPN remains necessary for watching Hulu in Australia. The service is yet to be made directly accessible there.

Moreover, it’s evident that Hulu has been intensifying its efforts against VPN usage, leading to many VPNs losing 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 still effectively unblocks Hulu in Australia. While some of its servers might occasionally be ineffective, simply switching servers usually resolves the issue.

ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer is another useful feature, specifically designed for unblocking streaming websites. Additionally, in terms of streaming speeds, ExpressVPN outperforms other VPNs based on my evaluations.

>> Click here to get ExpressVPN right now.

How to Unblock Hulu in Australia

Why is Hulu Not Available 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.

Using a VPN to Unblock and Watch Hulu in Australia

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.

Steps on how to use a VPN to unblock and watch Hulu in Australia:

  1. Ensure your internet connection is reliable.
  2. Subscribe, download, and install a reputable VPN.
  3. Launch the VPN, and connect to a U.S. server.
  4. Log into your Hulu account and start watching Hulu content and T.V. shows. (If you don’t have a Hulu account, we’ll show you how to create one while you are in Australia, continue reading)

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.

How to Pick the Best VPN for Hulu Australia

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.

  • Servers in the U.S. – a great U.S. server coverage will ensure that you have a high chance of watching Hulu. You will get unlimited server switches if some servers fail and avoid congestion.
  • Stable connection and unlimited bandwidth – this feature will ensure that you watch content in the highest quality possible. You will have a great streaming experience with no lagging and buffering.
  • Privacy and security – the VPN should keep zero logs and ensure your online traffic and secure and private at all times. The VPN should offer privacy and enhancing features such as a kill switch, leak protection, and split tunneling.
  • Cross-platform compatibility – Hulu is a cross-platform service, and to unblock and watch it on various devices, the VPN must be compatible with them all. If the devices do not support VPN apps, the VPN should provide you with a streaming DNS service.
  • Simultaneous connections – these connections are helpful if you need to unlock and watch Hulu on more than one device simultaneously.
  • Money-back guarantee or free trial – this guarantee is essential as it enables you to test the VPN. If it fails to unblock and stream Hulu, you can get your money back hassle-free. In case there’s no guarantee, look for a free trial. Reputable VPN providers usually offer a limited free trial on their smartphone VPN apps.

The Best VPNs for Hulu Australia

Here are the best VPNs you can use to successfully unblock and watch Hulu in Australia.

ExpressVPN

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

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

  • Reliable for bypassing geo-restrictions.
  • Increases online privacy and security.
  • Value-added features such as Smart DNS.
  • Risk-free money-back guarantee.
  • Excellent support.

Disadvantages of using a VPN to unblock and watch Hulu in Australia

  • Expensive subscriptions.
  • VPN connections can be blocked.

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.

Using Smart DNS to Access Hulu Australia

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.

Steps on how to use a Smart DNS to unblock and watch Hulu in Australia:

  1. Ensure your internet connection is reliable.
  2. Sign up for a Smart DNS/use the one from your VPN provider (you might register your I.P. address).
  3. Configure the DNS via the Network Settings of your device.
  4. Log into your Hulu account and start watching a Hulu movie and Hulu live T.V. shows (such as Love Island Australia or American Horror Story).

How to pick the best Smart DNS for Hulu Australia

Here are the features and qualities a Smart DNS for unblocking Australia should have:

  • Widespread servers in the U.S.
  • Fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth (no congestion).
  • Can unblock Hulu.
  • Live support.
  • Free trial.

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

  • Bypasses geo-restrictions stealthily.
  • Fast connection speed.
  • Easy setup.
  • Cheaper than VPNs.

Disadvantages of using a Smart DNS to unblock and watch Hulu in Australia

  • It doesn’t increase your online security and privacy
  • It won’t work if your ISP implements a transparent proxy

Getting Started with 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:

  1. Launch your VPN, connect to a U.S. server, and go to hulu.com.
  2. Click on “START YOUR FREE TRIAL” and select your suitable subscription plan among the three. Hulu gives you a 30-day free trial on each subscription plan.
  3. On the account page that opens up, fill in your details and click CONTINUE.
  4. On the billing info page, provide the details of your friend’s card.
  5. For the zip/postal code, provide a valid U.S. zip code. You can easily Google and get a valid one.
  6. If everything is set, click the SUBMIT button and get started on your Hulu account.

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:

  1. Launch your VPN, connect to a U.S. server and go to secure.hulu.com/start/gifting.
  2. Enter your code and click REDEEM.
  3. You’ll be directed to the subscription plan page and select a plan.
  4. On the next signup page, enter your details, including a U.S zip code, and click CREATE.
  5. Confirm your information, then click SUBMIT and get started on your Hulu account.

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.

Wrap Up

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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