Set Up VPN on Smart TV Australia
Smart TVs don't natively support VPN apps — but there are several solid methods to get a VPN running on your television. Here's the complete guide for Australian households.
By Australian VPN
Why Use a VPN on Your Smart TV?
Australian streaming services like Stan, Binge, Kayo, and ABC iview are geo-locked to Australia. If you've ever tried to access them from overseas — on holiday or while working abroad — you'll have hit a wall. Going the other direction, services like BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and international Netflix libraries are restricted to their home countries.
A VPN on your Smart TV lets you:
- Watch Australian content while overseas — Access Stan, Kayo, and ABC iview from anywhere
- Access overseas streaming libraries — BBC iPlayer, international Netflix, and more
- Protect your smart TV's privacy — Smart TVs send a surprising amount of viewing data to manufacturers
- Bypass ISP throttling on streaming — Prevent Telstra or Optus from slowing your 4K streams during peak hours
The Three Methods for Smart TV VPN
Unlike phones and computers, most Smart TVs don't have a native VPN app option. There are three practical approaches, each with different trade-offs:
Method 1: VPN on Your Router (Best for All Devices)
Configure the VPN directly on your home router. Every device on your network — including your Smart TV — automatically routes through the VPN. No setup needed on the TV itself.
Method 2: Android TV / Google TV App
If your Smart TV runs Android TV or Google TV (Sony, Hisense, Chromecast with Google TV), you can install VPN apps directly from the Play Store. This is the easiest method for supported devices.
Method 3: Shared Wi-Fi from a VPN-Connected Laptop
Connect your laptop to a VPN, then share that connection as a Wi-Fi hotspot. Connect your Smart TV to the hotspot. Quick and works on any TV — but requires the laptop to stay on.
Method 1: VPN on Your Router
This is the best long-term solution for Australian households. By running the VPN on your router, every device in your home is automatically protected — not just the TV.
What You'll Need
- A VPN-compatible router — most ASUS, Netgear Nighthawk, and TP-Link Archer models support this
- A VPN subscription with router support (NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark all support this)
Basic Setup Steps
- Log into your router admin panel (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1)
- Find the VPN client section (usually under Advanced or WAN settings)
- Enter your VPN provider's server details (available in your account dashboard)
- Select your protocol — OpenVPN or WireGuard depending on router support
- Connect — all devices on your network now route through the VPN
⚠️ Note: The specific steps vary significantly by router model. Check your VPN provider's setup guides — NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark all have detailed router tutorials for Australian models. Some providers even offer pre-configured routers.
Method 2: Android TV / Google TV Setup
If your TV runs Android TV or Google TV, this is by far the easiest method. The following TV brands support native VPN apps:
- Sony (Bravia Android TV / Google TV)
- Hisense (Android TV models)
- TCL (Android TV models)
- Chromecast with Google TV
- NVIDIA Shield
Setup Steps
- On your TV, open the Google Play Store
- Search for your VPN (NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark all have Android TV apps)
- Download and install the app
- Log in with your account credentials
- Select a server and connect — done
💡 Tip: For 4K streaming, choose the server geographically closest to you with the best speed. Most VPN apps show real-time server load so you can pick the fastest option.
What About Samsung and LG Smart TVs?
Samsung (Tizen OS) and LG (webOS) are the most popular Smart TV brands in Australia — and neither natively supports VPN apps from their app stores. Your options for these TVs are:
- Router VPN — Best approach; covers the TV without any changes to the TV itself
- Shared hotspot from a VPN-connected device — Connect the TV to a hotspot from your phone or laptop
- Add a streaming stick — Plug in an Amazon Fire TV Stick or Chromecast with Google TV; these support native VPN apps and connect to your Samsung/LG TV via HDMI
The streaming stick option is particularly popular — it effectively gives your Samsung or LG TV Android TV capabilities and full VPN app support.
Best VPNs for Smart TV in Australia
1. NordVPN — Best for Smart TV
NordVPN has dedicated apps for Android TV and Fire TV Stick, plus excellent router support. Their SmartPlay feature automatically routes Smart DNS requests — meaning streaming services like Netflix US detect Australian content without any extra configuration.
- Android TV and Fire TV Stick apps
- SmartPlay Smart DNS for streaming services
- Excellent router support (ASUS, Netgear, TP-Link)
- Fast enough for 4K streaming
2. ExpressVPN — Best Router Support
ExpressVPN's router firmware (Aircove) is the most polished router VPN solution available — it even includes a web dashboard so you can manage which devices use the VPN and which don't. Ideal for households where some family members don't want all traffic routed through a VPN.
- Aircove router with built-in VPN management
- Smart DNS (MediaStreamer) for devices that can't run apps
- Android TV and Fire TV Stick apps
- Trusted Server technology for privacy
3. Surfshark — Best for Multiple TVs
Have multiple Smart TVs or streaming devices? Surfshark's unlimited simultaneous connections mean you can run the VPN on every device in your home — all from one affordable subscription.
- Unlimited devices — cover all TVs in the house
- Android TV and Fire TV Stick apps
- Smart DNS for Samsung and LG TVs
- Best price of the three options
Smart DNS vs Full VPN for Smart TV
Most premium VPNs offer a Smart DNS service alongside their full VPN. It's worth understanding the difference:
Smart DNS is a good option for pure streaming access on TVs that can't run VPN apps — but it doesn't provide any privacy or security benefits. For full protection, the router method or an Android TV app is the better choice.
Stream More on Your Smart TV
All three VPNs work with Smart TVs and include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Compare Top VPNs →