How to Watch Disney+ Hotstar (JioHotstar) in Australia [Guide]

Trying to access Disney+ Hotstar or JioHotstar in Australia?

Whether you’re subscribed directly to Disney+ Hotstar or using the JioHotstar bundle (included with your Jio SIM or JioFiber plan), you’re essentially accessing the same Indian streaming service. However, Hotstar content is geo-restricted and won’t play in Australia without help.

To stream Hotstar/JioHotstar abroad, you’ll need a VPN with an Indian server to bypass location blocks. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to watch Hotstar in Australia on any device—whether you’re using your MyJio account or a regular Hotstar login.

There’s more to it, though the step-by-step process. If you don’t follow it, you’re busted, mate.

What is Disney+ Hotstar (JioHotstar), and Why Isn’t It Available in Australia?

Disney+ Hotstar, also commonly referred to as JioHotstar when accessed through Jio SIM or JioFiber bundles, is India’s largest streaming platform. It started as Hotstar in 2015 and was rebranded in 2020 after Disney partnered with Star India to combine their content libraries.

Whether you’re using a Jio-linked subscription or the direct Hotstar app, it’s the same platform. It offers a mix of:

• Disney originals and movies
• Star India TV shows
• Live sports like IPL and cricket
• Indian films and regional language content
• Exclusive Hotstar Specials

Despite its global appeal and more than 300 million users, Disney+ Hotstar is not accessible in Australia due to regional restrictions. That’s why users in Australia often rely on a VPN with an Indian server to access the service using their existing Hotstar or JioHotstar account.

How to Watch Disney Plus Hotstar in Australia?

Although Hotstar is available in many countries, Disney+ Hotstar (the Indian version) is geo-restricted to India only.

To watch Disney Plus Hotstar in Australia you need two things:

• A reliable VPN that offers dedicated Indian servers for streaming.
• Disney Plus Hotstar subscription.

To find the best VPN to unblock Disney Plus Hotstar in Australia, cordcutters.com.au testing team tested 21 VPNs recommended by reputable and trusted review sites. And after testing we found ExpressVPN the best among all followed by NordVPN and Surfshark (keep scrolling for detailed VPN analysis).

How to Watch Disney+ Hotstar in Australia

Follow these simple steps to watch Disney Plus Hotstar in Australia.

• Get a VPN that offers an Indian IP address. We recommend ExpressVPN.(60% Off + 4 Months Free)
• Install the VPN app on your device and sign in.
• Connect to an Indian server from the list.
• Open the Disney Hotstar account or create a new one.
• Now start streaming Disney+ Hotstar in Australia.

Once you subscribe to a VPN, it’s time to sign up for Disney+ Hotstar in Australia.

How to Sign Up for Disney Plus Hotstar in Australia?

Here’s how you can sign up for Disney+ Hotstar in Australia:

1. Connect to the Indian server using a VPN.

2. Visit “Disney+ Hotstar” and click on the “Subscribe” button.

3. Now select any plan and click “Continue” to proceed further.

4. Sign up with your email ID but don’t use your Facebook account as it has a very less success rate.

5. For Indian number, head to “receive-sms.cc“, scroll down, and click on “RECEIVE SMS ONLINE” under any Indian number mentioned on the website.

1. Now copy the phone number and enter it on the Disney Plus website and click “Continue”. 
2. After entering the number, it will ask for the verification code. refresh the page from where you copy the number and scroll down to see the new message from Disney.
3. Copy that code and enter it on the Disney Plus Hotstar website.
4. Now click on “FIND SOMETHING TO WATCH” and start streaming in Australia. 

Note: To get full access to the Disney Plus Hotstar content, Hotstar Australia fans need an Indian credit card to pay for the subscription. Without an Indian credit card, they cannot subscribe to Disney+ Hotstar even with a VPN.

We would suggest asking their friend or family member to get a Disney+ Hotstar premium subscription who lives in India.

Cost of Getting Disney Plus Hotstar in Australia?

The cost of getting Disney Plus Hotstar in Australia is affordable compared to other popular streaming services like YouTube TV, HBO Max, Peacock TV, Hulu, and more.

Here is the list of Disney Plus Hotstar plans in AUD:

Factors	Free Subscription	Disney Plus Hotstar Super	Disney Plus Hotstar Premium
Price	Free	AUD 16.38/ year	AUD 27.32/ year
Content	1. Select Movies with ads2. Select TV Shows with ads3. 5 minutes of live cricket streaming	1. All content (movies, TV shows, specials, live sports)2. Ad-supported content3. Watch on up to 2 devices4. Dolby 5.1 Audio	1. All content (movies, TV shows, specials, live sports)2. Ad-free movies and TV shows (except sports)3. Watch on up to 4 devices4. Dolby 5.1 Audio
Simultaneous screens	1 screen at a time	2 screens at a time	4 screens simultaneously
Ad Free	NA	Personalized Ads	Ad-free subscription
Video quality	SD	HD	4K

Apart from these plans, Hotstar also offers a monthly subscription to Premium Package for AUD 5.45. Other than streaming service cost you also need to pay for VPN since Disney+ Hotstar is geo-blocked and not available in Australia.

A reliable VPN will cost you around AUD 12/month. This means the minimum cost of getting Disney+ Hotstar in Australia will be AUD 12 + AUD 5.45 = AUD 17.45 or US$11.49 or INR 957.58.

*All prices are in AUD.

Note: If you want to read a detailed article on the topic, read our Disney+ Hotstar Cost in Australia guide.

Disney Plus Hotstar India Plans

Apart from these plans, Hotstar also offers a monthly subscription to Premium Package for AUD 5.45. Other than streaming service cost, you also need to pay for a VPN since Disney+ Hotstar is geo-blocked and not available in Australia.

A reliable VPN will cost you around AUD 12/month. This means the minimum cost of getting Disney+ Hotstar in Australia will be AUD 12 + AUD 5.45 = AUD 17.45 or US$11.49 or INR 957.58.

*All prices are in AUD.

Best VPNs to Watch Disney Plus Hotstar in Australia

So, which VPN is the best to stream Hotstar in Australia? Based on the above-mentioned criteria, I’ve got four options for you, all excellent and tried. Have a look at them:

1. ExpressVPN – Best for Disney Plus Hotstar in Australia

ExpressVPN is the market leader and the choice of every VPN-educated person out there. 

What makes it stand out is the most comprehensive yet organized network of servers. With the highest and most secure level of encrypted data transmission, it dominates the market deservingly. 

Other than Disney+ Hotstar, you can also stream Indian geo-block streaming services such as BBC iPlayer, Sling TV, Voot, Sonyliv, and Zee5.

The only snag is the pricing which is relatively higher than other VPNs. But given the amount of security, it’s a small price to pay.

2. NordVPN – Affordable to Watch Hotstar in Australia

NordVPN and ExpressVPN are like Ronaldo and Messi – far ahead of everyone, the GOATs. Nord, alongside ExpressVPN, provides the rich performance we all crave. The videos load super fast; the security is unbelievable.

The streaming services you can unblock using NordVPN in Australia are Netflix USA, HBO Max, Paramount+, YouTube TV, Peacock TV, ESPN+, etc. The price is where it completely takes the lead. NordVPN is highly affordable.

3. Surfshark – User-Friendly VPN to Stream Hotstar in Australia

Surfshark combines the lowest monthly costs with user-friendly features and P2P sharing servers, ideal for budget-conscious streamers.

Its P2P sharing servers allow fast torrenting, and this VPN is a perfect pick if you’re looking at affordability, with the lowest monthly costs. Moreover, with Surfshark, you can stream DStv, TV Player, and TVNZ in Australia.

How a VPN Lets You Access Disney Plus Hotstar in Australia?

A VPN masks your Australian IP address and replaces it with an Indian one, allowing you to bypass Disney+ Hotstar’s geo-restrictions and stream from Australia.

With a VPN, you can access Disney+ Hotstar from Australia seamlessly. It’s a simple solution for bypassing geo-restrictions and enjoying your favorite content.

Can I Use a Free VPN to Watch Disney Plus Hotstar in Australia?

Yes, you can use a free VPN to watch Disney+ Australia but it won’t work most of the time due to several reasons.

First, a free VPN offers a very limited number of servers that are already blocked by Disney+ Hotstar. This means that even if you are connected to an Indian server using a free VPN, you still can’t access Disney+ Hotstar in Australia.

Second, because of high traffic, free VPN servers are dead slow which leads to buffering and video lag issues while streaming your favorite content on Disney+ Hotstar in Australia.

Third, in case you get access to Disney+ Hotstar using a free VPN, keep in mind that they sell your online data to different marketing and social media companies to earn huge profits.

Because of all these reasons, we always recommend our users to use premium VPN services like ExpressVPN to watch their favorite streaming services like Disney+ Hotstar in Australia.

Now let’s discuss how to download Disney+ Hotstar in Australia on different devices.

On What Devices I Can Watch Disney Plus Hotstar?

Here is the list of devices where you can watch Disney Plus Hotstar:

1. Laptop/PC (Mac & iOS)
2. Android tablets, smartphones, and smart TVs
3. iOS (iPhone/iPad)
4. Apple TV (4th Gen or above)
5. Roku
6. Amazon Firestick/Fire TV
7. Samsung Smart TV (2018 models and onward)
8. LG Smart TV with Web OS (4 and above)
9. Google Chromecast Gen 2 for casting (Physical devices only)

You require a VPN to watch Disney+ Hotstar in Australia on these devices. Let’s see how you can download the Disney+ Hotstar app on mentioned devices in Australia.

How to Download Disney Plus Hotstar App in Australia?

Get Disney Plus Hotstar in Australia on iPhone/iPad?

Here’s how to download Disney+ Hotstar on your iPhone/iPad in Australia:

1. First, go to “Settings” on your iOS device, and click on your profile.
2. Now tap on “Media & Purchases”, then tap on “View Account”. It will ask for your “Passcode” or “Touch ID” for verification. Enter your “Passcode” or “Touch ID”.
3. Now tap on “Country/Region” -> “Change Country or Region”, then select India as your country.
4. Once you select the United States, the “Terms and Conditions” page will open. Select “Agree” to proceed.
5. Now enter all the required details. In the address section, you need to provide an Indian address and postal code that you can easily find on Google.
6. Now enter “Done” and wait for the process.
7. Once the process is complete, now your App Store region is changed to India. Go to App Store and download the Disney+ Hotstar app.
8. After downloading the Disney+ Hotstar app, open the VPN app, connect to the Indian server, and start watching!

Get Disney Plus Hotstar Australia on Android?

Follow these steps to download Disney+ Hotstar app in Australia on your Android devices:

1. First, open the VPN app on your Android device and connect to the Indian server.
2. Now open the Play Store app and tap on the 3 bars located on the top left of the screen.
3. Go to the “Account” section where you will find your name and country.
4. Now select India as your country and enter all the required details.
5. Once your region changes to India, you can download the Disney+ Hotstar app and start streaming in Australia.

Get Disney+ Hotstar in Australia on Amazon Firestick/Fire TV?

Here’s how you can download Disney+ Hotstar in Australia on your Firestick/Fire TV device:

1. Visit the Amazon website and log in to your existing account.
2. Now click on the “Accounts & Lists” option and then click on “Your Accounts and Content.”
3. Now change your region to India from Australia.
4. Connect your Amazon Firestick device with your TV and then click on “Settings”.
5. Log out or deregister your account and then sign in back.
6. Now download the Disney+ Hotstar app and VPN app from the App Store.
7. Open the VPN app and connect to the Indian server.
8. Open the Disney+ Hotstar app and start watching in Australia.

Get Disney+ Hotstar in Australia on Roku, Apple TV, and Smart TV

Using a VPN is a bit complex with streaming devices that do not support VPN apps such as Roku, Smart TVs (without Android), and Apple TVs.

There are three ways to get Disney+ Hotstar in Australia on one of these devices. First, you can set up a Smart DNS on these devices and watch Disney+ Hotstar on these devices in Australia.

Or set up a VPN on your home router and then connect the home internet to stream Disney+ Hotstar in Australia.

Or as a Disney+ Hotstar Australia aficionado, you can make your Desktop/PC virtual router and stream Disney+ Hotstar in Australia on these devices.

We highly recommend NordVPN to get Disney+ Hotstar in Australia on all of these devices that do not support VPN native apps.

However, if you want to avoid getting into this VPN setup hassle, you can cast through Chromecast, AirPlay, or use Amazon Firestick to stream Disney+ Hotstar on a big screen in Australia.

Best Disney Plus Hotstar Channels to Watch in Australia

What sets Disney+ Hotstar apart from Hotstar is the variety of content. On Disney+ Hotstar, you cannot only watch English and Hindi shows/movies, but you can also enjoy other content that has been very well-praised, like Tamil and Telugu films. 

Here is the list of channels that you can watch Disney+ Hotstar:

1. Star Plus
2. HBO
3. ABP News
4. 9XM
5. Star World
6. Star Sports
7. Hotstar Specials
8. Star Bharat
9. Star Parvah

Movies and TV Shows to Watch on Disney+ Hotstar

Following are the top TV shows and movies that you can stream on Disney+ Hotstar

Movies & TV Shows

1. Kingsman
2. Raid
3. Watchmen
4. Independence Day
5. Murder on the Orient Express
6. Koffee with Karan
7. Big Boss
8. Total Dhamaal
9. Big Little Lies
10. Black Swan

Watch these, and I promise you, you’ll know you’ve spent your money right. If you want more suggestions, let me know in the comments!

How to cancel Disney+ Hotstar Australia subscription?

Here’s how to cancel your Disney+ Hotstar subscription in Australia (2025):

Subscription Type	How to Cancel	Cancel Fees	Refunds
Via Hotstar website	Account → Billing → Cancel Subscription	5% cancellation fee	Partial if within 14 days
Via Google Play	Play Store → Subscriptions → Cancel	5% cancellation fee	Google Play refund policies apply
Via Apple App Store	Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions → Cancel	5% cancellation fee	Apple’s refund rules

Compare Disney+ Hotstar, Binge, and Stan in Australia (2025).

Binge and Stan are local streaming services, while Disney+ Hotstar requires a VPN and an Indian IP address to work in Australia. The comparison is as follows:

Service	Monthly Price (AUD)	Devices / Resolution	Free Trial
Disney+ Hotstar	N/A (not officially available in AU)	Indian tier: 1–4 devices, HD/4K	None
Binge	Basic: $10 Standard: $16 Premium: $18–22	SD to 4K, 1–4 devices	7-day trial
Stan	Basic: $12 Standard: $17 Premium: $21	SD to 4K, 1–4 devices; sport add-on $15	Often available

What are the alternatives to Disney+ Hotstar in Australia offering similar content?

Here are the top alternatives to Disney+ Hotstar in Australia (2025) that offer similar content, including Bollywood films, Indian series, cricket, and Disney content:

Service	Indian Shows	Bollywood Movies	Cricket	Regional Languages	Access in AU
YuppTV	Yes	Yes	Some	Yes	Native
Sony LIV	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	VPN needed
Zee5	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Native
Kayo Sports	No	No	Yes	No	Native
Netflix AU	Some	Some	No	Limited	Native
Disney+ AU	Minimal	Global Disney	No	No	Native

What are the troubleshooting tips for Disney+ Hotstar buffering issues in Australia?

Here are troubleshooting tips for fixing Disney+ Hotstar buffering issues in Australia (2025), especially if you’re using a VPN or streaming internationally:

Check Internet Speed

Insufficient bandwidth is the #1 cause of buffering—ensure your connection meets these minimums:

• SD: 3 Mbps
• HD: 5–8 Mbps
• 4K: 25 Mbps

Use a Reliable VPN (if accessing Hotstar India)

Free or slow VPNs cause buffering—upgrade to these premium options for smooth streaming, like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark

Clear App or Browser Cache

• Mobile App: Go to Settings → Apps → Hotstar → Clear Cache/Data
• Browser: Clear browsing history, cookies, and cache from Settings.

Restart Devices and Router

• Power cycle your Smart TV, mobile, PC, router, or modem.
• Unplug for 30 seconds before reconnecting.

Lower Video Quality

In the video settings, manually set playback to:

“Medium” or “Low” (480p or 720p) to reduce buffering.

Disable Background Apps & Downloads

• Close all other apps using internet bandwidth (Netflix, game downloads, etc.)
• Pause any cloud syncs or updates.

Use the Official App Where Possible

• Streaming via browser (especially with VPN) can be more error-prone.
• Use the Hotstar mobile app or Android TV app if compatible with your setup.

Switch to Ethernet or Better Wi-Fi

• Use a wired connection for Smart TVs or PCs when possible.
• Move closer to your router or upgrade to a dual-band (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz) Wi-Fi.

How to watch Disney+ Hotstar in Australia on a Roku device (2025)?

Roku does not support VPN apps directly, so you’ll need to route your internet connection through India using a VPN-configured router or a virtual router/hotspot to watch Disney+ Hotstar in Australia. 

Option A – VPN Router (Recommended)

• Subscribe to a reliable VPN (e.g., ExpressVPN).
• Install the VPN on your home router or use a pre-configured router.
• Connect it to an Indian server.
• Connect your Roku device to that Wi-Fi network.
• Download the Disney+ Hotstar app from the Roku store.
• Sign in or create an Indian account and start streaming.

Option B – Virtual Router/Hotspot

• Install your VPN on a computer (Windows or macOS).
• Connect VPN to an Indian server.
• Share your VPN-connected connection via a Wi-Fi hotspot.
• Connect your Roku to your computer’s hotspot.
• Install the Disney+ Hotstar app on Roku and log in.

FAQs

Conclusion

To watch Disney+ Hotstar in Australia (2025), use a reliable VPN like ExpressVPN, set to India or another supported region. Then, access Disney+ Hotstar via its official website or app. A valid regional account and payment method are required. The service is not officially available in Australia, so a VPN is essential to access the web anonymously.