How to watch HBO Max in Australia

Is there an easy way to access HBO Max in Australia? Home Box Office is one of the world’s biggest names in entertainment. It’s most renowned for its groundbreaking series and chart-topper movies that captivate audiences everywhere. The popularity of HBO’s productions stems from its immense creative direction, attracting some of the greatest talent in the film and television industry.

HBO’s entire catalogue is now available on HBO’s streaming service, Max (formerly HBO Max), which delivers everything that HBO has to offer, in addition to more blockbusters, TV shows, and exclusive Max Originals. 

If you enjoy electrifying performances and dramatic storylines, you must be acquainted with some of HBO’s most renowned TV series. Original programmes, such as Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, Euphoria, Girls, Chernobyl, and Succession, are just a few notable names.

So, what’s the catch? Many of HBO’s brilliant TV shows and movies are relatively exclusive to the network. This restriction prevents users from making an account and watching HBO originals through online streaming services and some live channels.

These services are only accessible to viewers in certain countries and continents, which may leave you wondering whether you can stream this crave-worthy content in Australia.

Stick with us as we uncover whether HBO Max is available to Australian viewers and highlight mediums where you can find the best movies and television shows known to that platform.

What is HBO Max?

HBO Max is a US streaming service home to top content from the HBO catalogue. It also features productions by Warner Bros, as it’s a proprietary of Warner Brothers Discovery. 

HBO is rebranding this site with the new name of Max in some geographical places. Max is a new and improved version of the existing model with greater access to genres like reality, true crime, and documentary. 

Both versions of this streaming site offer iconic films, including Elvis starring Austin Butler and legacy programming, such as The Last of Us with everyone’s favourite, Pedro Pascal.

It is also the home of the award-winning crime drama, True Detective, the latest season of which starred Jodie Foster.

If you’re located in a region where the platform is available, you can download HBO Max for your smartphone or smart TV.

Is HBO Max available in Australia?

As of April 2024, HBO Max or any other versions of this streaming site are not directly available in Australia. 

Currently, Max is available in the United States, including Guam and American Samoa. Meanwhile, HBO Max is accessible in Latin America, the Caribbean, and some European countries, including Finland, Croatia, and Spain. HBO Go, a more basic “on-the-go” version of HBO Max, is available across Asia. 

HBO Max’s geo-blocking function reads your device’s IP address, making it almost impossible to unblock HBO Max in Australia, even if you have an account overseas. Licensing restrictions prevent HBO Max from offering access to its Aussie viewers.

Unfortunately, the likelihood of this changing in the next few years seems slim, although Max has stated it’s looking to branch out to newer regions soon. 

Thankfully, there’s some good news. Although HBO Max isn’t available in Australia, HBO content is. Keep reading to learn more about the top streaming providers that’ll let you enter the realms of Westeros or parade the streets of NYC with Carrie Bradshaw.

Is there an HBO streaming service Australia? 

Delve into the world of HBO with two of the best streaming services in Australia: Foxtel (including Foxtel Now) and BINGE. 

Foxtel is part of a broader agreement with HBO to stream and broadcast HBO content for Australian viewers for the foreseeable future. Enjoy intriguing ongoing dramas or tune into classic feel-good films as if you were streaming from HBO Max. 

While both BINGE and Foxtel Now are available for online streaming, Foxtel TV offers a valuable opportunity to view via satellite. Here are the arrangements for a replacement HBO Max streaming service Australia:

1. HBO on BINGE (streaming)
2. HBO on Foxtel TV (satellite & streaming)
3. HBO on Foxtel Now (streaming)

Watch HBO content on BINGE

The new Foxtel-owned streaming platform, streaming service BINGE, offers the cheapest and easiest way to watch HBO Max shows and films in Australia.

BINGE is one of the closest platforms to HBO Max Australia. The interface and user experience are similar–tune into content as you please and pick up where you left off each time you enter the platform.

BINGE’s competitive pricing and extensive streaming library make this an excellent choice for anyone searching for specific HBO shows and films. Try BINGE for free with its hassle-free 7-day free trial.

Which HBO series are available on BINGE?

BINGE offers over 2,000 of the best TV shows, including top HBO titles and great content from equally sought-after networks with smash-hits like Feud, American Horror Story, the television prequel of Ted, and notoriously funny British sitcoms. Here are just a few you might catch:

BINGE also holds a library of over 1,000 movies, including some of the most acclaimed pieces from Hollywood. You can access all this on-demand–it’ll be just like using the HBO Max app. It also has a fully supported web service where you can watch BINGE movies with ease.

BINGE plans

BINGE boasts a simple pricing guide that offers different access levels, video quality, and ad breaks. The packages follow a monthly subscription model via direct debit for your convenience. Identify a BINGE plan that’s right for you:

Devices supported by BINGE

As with many other streaming services, BINGE is accessible via the internet or through a downloaded app. It’s the ideal choice for anyone who’s constantly on the go and regularly updates its movies and TV series.

Install your app on electronics, like iPhone or Android devices or laptops. Alternatively, get a more authentic and cinematic experience when you watch on your smart TV by LG, Samsung, and Apple TV brands.

Below is a list of all the compatible devices to get BINGE streaming and watch HBO Max Australia content. Don’t forget to read our BINGE review before you decide which service to choose.

Watch HBO on Foxtel

Foxtel is the self-proclaimed home of HBO Max in Australia, so you can go into any plan feeling confident in its ability to deliver the goods. 

Foxtel gives you a broader option on how you’d like to stream your HBO content–perhaps you travel regularly and are looking for some entertainment to ease your journey. Or maybe you enjoy a movie night with the whole family. 

Whatever the case, Foxtel has a solution suited to different preferences. Scroll on to differentiate Foxtel TV and Foxtel Now and identify features suited to your lifestyle.

Foxtel satellite is a great option if you are also interested in accessing other live Foxtel channels, as well as the HBO Max service and 4K Ultra HD programming. Living in an area with a reliable broadband connection is also a plus.  

4K offers 20 times the resolution as SD video quality, so it’s an excellent option for film and television buffs seeking a top-class experience. 

Foxtel also delivers the perk of broadcasting the latest HBO Max originals as they go to air. You can record these with a Foxtel iQ box so you can save your favourite episodes or films for a time that’s more convenient for you. 

If you’ve opted for Foxtel TV (FTV) and cannot locate a HBO channel, have no fear. Several HBO favourites, old and new, stream through the Showcase channel throughout the day. Tune into timeless crime series, like The Sopranos and True Detective, or opt for something more lighthearted, such as Girls.

Most live HBO Max content in Australia is screened on the Showcase channel. Popular comedy shows, including Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, can also be found on Showcase, which is available on all Foxtel TV bundles, varying in monthly price.

Showcase channel shows HBO content

If you opt for Foxtel TV, you may need to upgrade your package to ensure access to Showcase, as this is where you’ll find unmissable HBO action. Check out some of the iconic programming known to this channel:

Foxtel TV plans

Installing satellites is a big decision, but one that could offer a reliable long-term source of entertainment and access to the latest hits in film and television. With the new iQ5, customers can even opt to access Foxtel content via the internet, no satellite dish needed.

Review the available plans to see if you’d like to choose this method of streaming HBO Max content:

Stream HBO on Foxtel Now

If you prefer not to go all-in on a satellite dish installation but would still like to watch HBO Max Australia, Foxtel Now is the option for you.

Foxtel Now is Foxtel’s on-demand streaming service. It functions the same way as its satellite TV counterpart and offers access to additional channels, many of which are available in HD. These channels include Comedy, Sky 1, Sky 2, Arena, and FOX8 – the key difference being these aren’t live-streamed. 

As the name implies, Foxtel Now works like other familiar streaming platforms, including Netflix Australia, meaning you can tune into the shows and films you love most at your own leisure. Enjoy the freedom of planning your own TV guide and watchlist.

As with the TV option, Foxtel Now offers also offers Showcase, meaning you can stream must-see shows like House of the Dragon and Silicon Valley. It’s part of the general package, meaning you can access HBO Max in Australia, along with its shows and movies whenever you want and at a much cheaper price.

Other channel packs are available if you want movies or extra channels covering genres like reality, lifestyle, cooking, and documentary, which you can all explore with a 10-day free trial.

Take the opportunity to see for yourself the hold Home Box Office’s influential dramas, comedies, and fantasies have on their audiences.

Foxtel Now plans

Foxtel Now gives you more autonomy over your plan by categorising genres, like lifestyle and drama, in a bundle. You can select additional channels and decide whether you want to include movies. 

Opt for drama and movie-related plans if you’re exclusively looking for HBO content. Get a better idea if Foxtel Now aligns with the pricing and access that’s best for you:

Devices supported on Foxtel Now and TV

Accessibility is a key advantage of choosing Foxtel Now, as it doesn’t fix you to a single location or device. In fact, you can log in on multiple devices, letting you access content while travelling across Australia or jumping between living accommodations. 

Access your Foxtel Now and Foxtel TV account via the Fox Go app for smartphones, laptops, and tablets, or download the platform to your smart television. This service replicates the function of the HBO Max app, so you’ll receive an equally great experience of streaming content.

Consoles and devices like a PlayStation, Chromecast, and Airplay also let you stream Foxtel Now. Get a full overview of compatible devices below:

How to watch HBO films in Australia

Select a streaming service package that includes movies. BINGE, Foxtel Now, and Foxtel TV each have film streaming options, allowing you to access some of the greatest hits in Hollywood.

Foxtel has an excellent library of international blockbusters, like Dune, starring modern superstars Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya. Keep an eye on platforms offering movies by Warner Bros, as this world-renowned company distributes many HBO movies.

Streaming Warner Bros classics, like the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchises, will give you an experience reminiscent of the one provided by HBO. HBO Max also shows DC and Studio Ghibli, which you might find in the three options explored in this guide. 

Scroll through the full library of films found on HBO Max currently featuring on BINGE and Foxtel platforms.

Which streaming service is right for you?

Foxtel TV offers more live streaming options, but access to HBO content remains similar between all three options. It’s also best to consider the content you’re seeking outside of HBO. 

For instance, if live sport is your passion, Foxtel TV might be better for you. Conversely, if you work irregular patterns or participate in activities that don’t align with live television schedules, an on-demand or online streaming service, like BINGE or Foxtel Now, could align better with your lifestyle.

When weighing up your options, visibility is key. When comparing between BINGE and Foxtel Now, you can check out our full comparison before making a final decision.

Will HBO Max be available in Australia anytime soon?

Having paid a fortune to renew their licence to broadcast HBO Max, Foxtel cleverly extended the terms of the deal.

This is a crucial deal for them, as they are one of the only services to watch a well-rounded selection of HBO content in Australia. They now have full streaming rights for an impressive library of the original shows and movies HBO owns.

Please note that third-party content aired by HBO Max in the US that is not produced by HBO may not be available in Australia through Foxtel.

It’s important to note that Foxtel also owns BINGE, meaning you can find similar HBO Max titles on each service. Selecting a plan totally depends on your viewing preferences, family size, and other forms of media you enjoy consuming.

What people are asking about HBO Max in Australia?

Here are some of the main questions asked about HBO Max in Australia.