How to Watch HBO Max Australia

Ever since the HBO Max release date of May 27, 2020, there hasn’t been much of a global expansion and Netflix competition as many people thought there would be.

There is the United States, and there are plans to expand in 2021 into Latin America.

Fans of shows like Game of Thrones and The Big Bang Theory are keen to get their fair share of this new streaming service. However, there appears to be one thing slowing down this expansion.

Here, you can learn how to get HBO in Australia and obtain full access to your favourite channels like Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, and shows like The Sopranos.

What Happened to HBO Max in Australia?

HBO did secure a trademark for the Max streaming services, and it was one of the first indications that there would be HBO Australia to rival Netflix and Amazon Prime.

However, with the press release, there was a multi-year deal forming with the Foxtel service.

With this new deal, rather than HBO Max available in Australia as a standalone streaming service, they were to partner up with Foxtel, who would be their broadcasting partner. With this, Foxtel can now broadcast HBO Max content on all of its platforms, including Foxtel IQ, Now, and Binge.

What should have been convenient has ended up a mess. Binge is the cheaper alternative, yet there are limited HBO shows and movies. Most of the shows and original HBO content saved for the more expensive Foxtel streaming platforms, where you need a cable subscription. (Read Netflix Catalogue Aus)

With this, the better option is to sign up directly with HBO Max in the United States. However, with geo-restrictions in place, this isn’t possible. But, using a VPN, you can bypass these geo-restrictions.

What devices Does HBO Max App Work in Australia?

You can stream HBO Max in Australia using a VPN with the following devices:

• PC and Mac using web browsers
• Android and iOS
• Google Chromecast
• PS4 and Xbox One
• Android TV, Apple TV
• Samsung Smart TVs (2016 models onward)

At present, there is no HBO Max streaming support on Roku. HBO has just got support for Amazon Fire devices as HBO Max joins Amazon Prime Video.

Where to find HBO Max?

There are possible avenues you can take to find HBO Max. Here are a few places you can sign up:

• HBOMax.com – sign up directly with WarnerMedia
• App Stores: Amazon Appstore, Apple App Store, Google Play, and Samsung TV
• Online Streaming Services: Hulu, Prime Video Channels, and YouTube TV

How to Sign Up For HBO Max?

Although you can sign up for HBO Max through the above channels, these are the basic methods you need to follow and will focus on signing up through the website.

1. Subscribe to the best VPN for Australia (ExpressVPN is the highest recommendation)
2. Install the VPN app and log in using your details
3. Connect to a USA server from the server list.
4. Sign in here: play.hbomax.com (you can use the HBO Max app also). Now you can start watching your favourite HBO TV shows and movies from Australia.

You have full access to more than 10,000 hours of Warner Bros content in Australia to binge on. More than 1300+ movies and programmes from the BBC, CNN, TBS, TNT, Looney Tunes, and lots of Max HBO Original content.

New subscribers can watch HBO Max free for seven days.
Note, not every VPN is capable of streaming HBO as they can’t bypass the geo-restrictions.

Signing up for HBO Max is straightforward:

1. Head to HBOMax.com/subscribe on your computer or your phone.
2. Fill out the account form, then select Create Account. You use these details to sign in with your password.
3. Add your payment method. Enter promo code if you have one
4. New subscribers get 7 days free and then pay $14.99 per month.
5. Choose Start Subscription.
6. Select Let’s Go, and you can sign in to start HBO streaming Australia

Payment Option for HBO Max

One downside to getting HBO, Max needs you to have an American credit card, limiting you, unlike services like Netflix. (Read How to Watch Disney Plus in Australia)

However, you do have two options.

• Use a friend’s US-based card
• Subscribe using an HBO gift card

Here you can see both options to access the service.

Use Friends Credit Card

If you know anyone in the USA, you can create your HBO Max account with their card.

1. Log in to your VPN and set the server to one inside the USA
2. Open your browser and navigate to the HBO Max website. Click on “Start Your Free Trial”
3. On the Sign In page, click on “Sign Up”
4. Enter your first name, last name, and email address for your account.
5. Now, add your friend’s card details. Be certain to use a matching zip code with the state where your VPN server is located. You can also make use of Google US zip codes to make it easier.

One thing to note is that you can’t use the same card for over two HBO Max accounts; this could result in account termination with repeated card data submitted.

Create Account with HBO Now Gift Cards

Currently, there are no HBO Max cards, and you do need to use HBO Now gift cards (not HBO Go as it no longer exists). (Read CNN Live News Stream)

Here are the steps for using an HBO Now

1. Head to Mygiftcardsupply.com or another online retailer and purchase an HBO Now gift card.
2. With your card details, go to subscribe.hbonow.com/gift. To redeem your HBO Now gift card, enter the gift card code and a US zip code.
3. Enter an email address you wish to sign up with, along with your first and last name.
4. Once entered, navigate to play.hbomax.com.
5. Sign in to HBO Max with the email address you provided in the previous step.

Remember not to use an HBO Go card as this service ceased when HBO MAX content started.

HBO Max with Hulu

If you have a Hulu account or find the Hulu service more appealing, you can add HBO Max as one of the add-ons. You have access to all the great content, and the price is the same aside from the base subscription for Hulu. (Read Netflix Plans Australia)

Signing up for Hulu may be easier for some individuals, even if you pay an extra $5 per month.

The great thing is that Express VPN works great with Hulu as it does to unblock HBO Max.

Once you use the best VPN for streaming in Australia, it can be a good choice to go overseas for HBO Max Originals.

You have access to the full catalogue rather than shows or movies that are picked and divided between Australian streaming platforms.

Besides watching HBO Max, a VPN service is fantastic for keeping your data private and out of sight from anyone snooping.