Netflix jacks up prices in Australia

Aussie viewers will need to pay more to keep up with some of their favourite shows and movies on Netflix, as streaming giant Netflix increases its subscription prices.

The cost of a premium subscription, which includes unlimited ad-free movies and shows which can be watching in Ultra HD, was $A22.99 per month until mid-May.

The plan is now advertised at $A25.99 – meaning subscribers will have to cough up an extra $A3 each month.

Netflix confirmed the fee increase to Sky News Australia

“We offer a range of prices and plans to meet a wide range of needs, and as we deliver more value to our members, we occasionally ask them to pay a bit more,” a Netflix spokesperson said.

“We’re adjusting prices in Australia with plans starting at $A7.99”

A standard plan with ads is now $A7.99 per month and a standard plan, which includes unlimited ad free movies and shows in Full HD, is now advertised at $A18.99 per month.

The plans were previously $A6.99 and $A16.99 respectively.

While the new prices are advertised on Netflix’s website, some customers are yet to receive any communication from Netflix about the increase.

Netflix’s 6.1m Australian users will be alerted by email at different points in time depending on when their subscription typically renews, Sky News Australia reports.

The price hike comes about a year after Netflix started cracking down on password sharing between households.

Netflix started sending out emails in May last year to Australian users who were sharing their Netflix account with people outside their household.

“Your Netflix account is for you and the people you live with – your household,” Netflix said at the time.

For users who wished to share Netflix with someone outside their household, Netflix suggested either transferring a profile to a new membership that the person outside the household would pay for, or paying an extra fee of $A7.99.

Extra member slots – where someone outside a household can use that household’s Netflix – remain available at the same price of an $A7.99 per month for premium and standard plan subscriptions.