Streaming geo-restricted platforms like SBS On Demand when you’re traveling or living abroad can be frustrating. You try to access your favorite Australian dramas, documentaries, or live news — only to face an annoying “Content may be unavailable in your location” message. 😤
But don’t worry — this detailed guide will show you exactly how to unblock and watch SBS On Demand from anywhere in the world using a VPN. 🎯
Follow these simple steps to start streaming SBS On Demand no matter where you are:
The reason? SBS only has streaming rights to broadcast its content within Australia due to licensing agreements.
When you try accessing SBS On Demand from outside Australia, you’re met with a content block. SBS uses geo-location technology to identify your location via your IP address.
❌ If your IP is from the US, UK, Canada, India, etc., the site instantly blocks video playback. You might be able to browse the website, but clicking on a video results in a region error.
When you visit the SBS On Demand website from outside Australia, the platform immediately checks your IP address to determine your geographic location.
If you’re accessing the site from a foreign country — such as the US, UK, India, or Canada — SBS detects your non-Australian IP and restricts access to video content.
Although the website might load normally, any attempt to play a show or movie results in an error message like, “Due to rights restrictions, this video is not available outside Australia.”
This is because SBS is legally bound to limit streaming rights to Australian viewers only. So, even if you’re an Aussie traveling abroad, you won’t be able to watch content unless your device appears to be inside Australia — and that’s exactly where a VPN comes in.
A VPN helps you bypass SBS On Demand’s geo-restrictions by creating a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet, and routing your traffic through a server located in Australia.
🌐 When you connect to an Australian VPN server, your real IP address is masked and replaced with an Australian IP — making it appear as though you’re browsing from within Australia, even if you’re physically abroad.
📍 As a result, SBS On Demand believes you’re located in Australia and grants you full access to its streaming library. This not only unlocks your favorite shows and movies, but also protects your data from hackers, surveillance, and ISP throttling.
🛡️ Whether you’re traveling, studying, or living overseas, a VPN ensures uninterrupted access to SBS On Demand — just like back home.
SBS On Demand is a free streaming service by the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), offering a rich catalog of:
With thousands of hours of content and zero cost, SBS On Demand is a dream for any fan of diverse storytelling — but only if you’re in Australia. 🧭
If you’re abroad, you’ll quickly realize it’s geo-restricted.
Here are the top 2 tested VPNs that work seamlessly with SBS On Demand:
👉 Get ExpressVPN with 49% Off + 3 Months FREE
Good news — SBS On Demand is 100% free! Here’s how to sign up:
🎉 You’re now ready to stream for free — from anywhere (with a VPN)!
Once you have a VPN with Aussie servers, you can unlock:
| Platform | What You Get |
|---|---|
| 🟪 ABC iView | ABC’s top news, dramas & live streams |
| 🟥 10 Play | Free-to-air Channel 10 shows & reality TV |
| 🟨 7plus | Channel 7 content including sports highlights |
| 🟧 9Now | Channel 9’s dramas, talk shows & more |
| 🎥 Stan | Premium Aussie and international content |
| 🍿 Binge | HBO shows, Foxtel content |
A good VPN like ExpressVPN = your Australian TV passport
If you’re a tourist, student, or expat missing Aussie TV, here’s your quick guide to getting SBS On Demand back:
💡 Works on hotel Wi-Fi, airport networks, and even cruise ship connections (with decent internet).
Want to stream SBS on your smartphone or tablet? Do this:
🎯 Bonus: Use picture-in-picture mode to multitask while you binge-watch!
For a big-screen Aussie experience abroad:
🛠️ Works with Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, and even Roku (via casting or Smart DNS).
No, you do not have to pay any amount of money to watch the content that you find on SBS. You can simply create an account which is also not a requirement.
Yes! SBS On Demand is completely free to use — you just need to sign up for an account. However, if you’re outside Australia, the content is geo-blocked. To stream it abroad, you’ll need a reliable VPN like ExpressVPN or NordVPN to change your IP location to Australia.
You can watch a lot of TV channels live on the SBS platform. The list is a very long one which goes on to include SBS, Viceland, and SBS World Movies.
SBS On Demand is bound by licensing and copyright agreements that restrict content availability to users located within Australia. These geo-restrictions prevent international viewers from accessing the streaming library unless they appear to be in Australia via a VPN.
Nope! Signing up for SBS On Demand is easy and free. You only need an email address and a basic profile. For postal code, you can use a generic Australian one like 2000 (Sydney) or 3000 (Melbourne).
Yes, SBS On Demand not only offers on-demand shows and movies, but also live streams of SBS’s broadcast channels — including SBS, NITV, SBS VICELAND, and more.
SBS On Demand is one of Australia’s best free streaming services — offering everything from global cinema to local dramas. But if you’re outside Australia, geo-blocks stand in your way. 😩
👉 That’s where a VPN becomes your best friend. With ExpressVPN or NordVPN, you can watch SBS on Demand outside Australia.
Don’t miss out on world-class content just because of your location — unlock SBS On Demand from anywhere today!