What Is a VPN?
A plain-English guide to one of the most downloaded apps in Australia right now.
The short version
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is software that does two things:
Everything you do online is scrambled so your internet provider (Telstra, Optus, TPG, etc.) can't see which websites you visit.
Websites see the VPN server's location instead of yours. A VPN connected to a New Zealand server makes it look like you're browsing from New Zealand.
Is it legal?
Yes. Using a VPN is legal in Australia. There is no law against using a VPN for privacy, security, or accessing content. VPNs are widely used by businesses, journalists, travellers, and everyday Australians who want to keep their browsing private.
Why are so many Australians downloading VPNs right now?
When Australia's age verification laws took effect on March 9, 2026, VPN downloads surged. Three VPN apps ranked in the top 15 most downloaded free apps on the Australian App Store that day.
The reasons vary. Some people use a VPN as a general privacy tool to prevent their internet provider from logging their browsing history. Others use it because some platforms (like Pornhub) chose to block Australian users entirely rather than implement age verification — a VPN allows access from a different country's server.
Whatever the reason, the surge reflects a broader concern: Australians want to control who sees their online activity.
How to choose a VPN
Not all VPNs are equal. Some free VPNs are worse for your privacy than no VPN at all — they can log your data and sell it. Here's what to look for:
The VPN provider should not record which websites you visit. Look for providers that have been independently audited.
Reputable VPNs cost $3-8/month on annual plans. If a VPN is completely free, you're likely the product.
For speed, choose a provider with servers in New Zealand, Singapore, or Japan. Closer servers = faster connection.
A good VPN covers your phone, laptop, and tablet with one subscription.
Several VPN apps that surged in Australian downloads after March 9 are from unknown developers with poor privacy track records. Stick to established, audited providers.
Trusted VPN providers
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How to set up a VPN
Choose a provider and subscribe (most offer 30-day money-back guarantees).
Download the app on your phone, laptop, or tablet.
Open the app, sign in, and tap "Connect." Choose a server in New Zealand, the US, or Canada.
Browse normally. Your traffic is now encrypted and your location is masked.
The whole process takes about two minutes.
What a VPN doesn't do
A VPN is a privacy tool, not an invisibility cloak. It won't:
- Make you anonymous to a service you're logged into (if you're signed into Google, Google still knows it's you)
- Protect against malware or phishing — you still need common sense and antivirus software
- Change the legality of what you're doing — it protects how you access things, not what you access
This guide is for educational purposes. VPNs are a general privacy tool. Using a VPN is legal in Australia. We may receive a commission if you sign up through the links on this page — this does not affect the cost to you or the information we provide.