Best Free Streaming Services in Australia 2026: Watch Great Telly Without Paying a Cent

The Best Free Streaming in Australia

Here’s something that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough: you can watch an absolute mountain of quality television in Australia without spending a single dollar. Between the public broadcasters and the free-to-air catch-up services, there’s a genuinely impressive library of content available for the grand total of zero dollars per month.

If you’re watching the budget, supplementing your paid subscriptions, or just want to see what’s available before you commit to yet another monthly fee, here’s your guide to the best free streaming platforms in Australia.

ABC iview

The best free streaming service in Australia. Full stop.

ABC iview is a national treasure that we should collectively appreciate more. The catalogue is stacked with quality Australian drama, comedy, documentary, and kids’ content — all completely free, no ads, funded by your tax dollars doing something actually useful.

What to watch:

• Mystery Road — The outback crime drama series is gripping, beautifully shot, and distinctly Australian. One of the best shows produced in this country.
• Fisk — Kitty Flanagan’s comedy about an overqualified lawyer working in a suburban property law firm is laugh-out-loud funny and painfully relatable.
• Old People’s Home for Teenagers — The reality show that pairs nursing home residents with teenagers is wholesome enough to restore your faith in humanity.
• Australian Story — The long-running documentary series remains essential viewing for understanding this country and the people in it.
• Bluey Minisodes — Quick-hit Bluey content that’ll keep the kids (and let’s be honest, you) occupied.

ABC iview also has a strong selection of international content, including BBC shows that land here through the ABC’s partnership. It’s genuinely world-class for a free service.

SBS On Demand

The secret weapon of Australian streaming.

SBS On Demand is an absolute goldmine, particularly if you enjoy international content. The catalogue leans heavily into world cinema, foreign-language drama, and documentary — but there’s plenty of mainstream fare too. It’s ad-supported, but the ad loads are light compared to commercial services.

What to watch:

• SBS’s international drama collection — From Scandi noir to Korean thrillers to French comedies, SBS has an extraordinary range of subtitled content that you’d struggle to find anywhere else.
• Alone Australia — The survival show that drops Aussies into the wilderness with minimal supplies. It’s tense, fascinating, and surprisingly meditative.
• Who Do You Think You Are? (AU) — The genealogy show works brilliantly with Australian celebrities, uncovering convict histories and immigration stories.
• The Feed — SBS’s current affairs and culture show is consistently one of the most interesting programmes on Australian television.
• NITV content — SBS On Demand includes National Indigenous Television programming, offering perspectives and stories you won’t find anywhere else.

7plus

Seven’s streaming platform has stepped up its game.

7plus has invested significantly in content beyond just catch-up viewing. The platform now includes a decent library of on-demand movies and series alongside the expected reality and sport offerings.

What to watch:

• SAS Australia — The military-style reality show remains compulsive viewing, particularly when recognisable Australians get put through the wringer.
• Home and Away — Australia’s longest-running drama. You know what it is, you know whether you’re into it, and 7plus has it all there for you.
• AFL and cricket — 7plus carries significant live sport content, making it genuinely useful beyond entertainment programming.
• The voice-over — 7plus has been expanding its original content, with a growing slate of locally produced shows.

9Now

Nine’s streaming service delivers solid mainstream entertainment.

9Now is the streaming home of Channel 9’s content, and while it skews heavily toward reality and news, there are genuine gems in the catalogue.

What to watch:

• Married at First Sight Australia — The cultural phenomenon. Whether you love it, hate-watch it, or pretend you don’t watch it at all, MAFS is appointment viewing for millions of Australians.
• Underbelly — The classic Australian true-crime franchise is available on 9Now, and the early seasons remain some of the best drama this country has produced.
• 60 Minutes — The long-running current affairs programme is available on catch-up for when you want something substantial.
• NRL — 9Now carries some NRL coverage, making it essential for rugby league fans.

10 Play

Channel 10’s streaming platform rounds out the free options.

10 Play (now part of the Paramount ecosystem) offers catch-up viewing alongside some exclusive content. It’s the lightest of the free options in terms of catalogue depth, but there are worthwhile shows.

What to watch:

• The Amazing Race Australia — The local version of the global franchise is well-produced and entertaining.
• Gogglebox Australia — Watching Australians watch television shouldn’t work as well as it does, but here we are. It’s oddly comforting.
• The Project — The nightly current affairs and entertainment show is available on catch-up.
• MasterChef Australia (select seasons) — Some seasons are available on 10 Play, though the latest tend to be on Binge.

The Bottom Line

Between these five free services, you’ve got access to thousands of hours of quality content without spending a cent. ABC iview and SBS On Demand are the standouts — genuinely world-class platforms that would be worth paying for if they weren’t already free. The commercial catch-up services (7plus, 9Now, 10 Play) are ad-supported and skew more mainstream, but each has content worth exploring.

Our recommendation? Start with ABC iview and SBS On Demand. They’re the best free streaming platforms in the country, and it’s not particularly close. Then dip into the commercial options for specific shows or live sport. Your wallet will thank you.