Netflix Boosts Subscription Fees Across All Tiers
Netflix has once again increased its subscription prices for Australian subscribers, with the cheapest ad-supported plan now costing $8.99 per month. This marks the streaming giant’s second price adjustment in just over a year, affecting all subscription levels. New customers will immediately face the higher rates, while existing subscribers will see the changes reflected in their upcoming billing cycles.
The revised pricing structure sees Netflix’s “Standard with ads” plan now set at $8.99 monthly. This tier offers access to the majority of Netflix’s extensive library of movies and TV shows, though some content may be unavailable and marked with a lock icon. Viewers can stream on up to two devices simultaneously in 1080p (Full HD) and download content on two devices for offline viewing.
Diving Deeper into the New Pricing Tiers
For those seeking an ad-free experience, the “Standard” plan has been adjusted to $19.99 per month. This popular tier provides unlimited access to all movies, TV shows, and games. It also supports two simultaneous streams in 1080p and allows downloads on two devices. A significant perk for this plan is the option to add one extra member who doesn’t reside in the same household for an additional monthly fee.
The premium offering, Netflix’s “Premium” plan, now comes in at $26.99 per month, an increase from its previous $24.99 price point. This top-tier subscription allows for ad-free streaming on up to four devices concurrently. Subscribers can enjoy content in stunning 4K Ultra HD with HDR, download shows and movies on up to six devices, and take advantage of Netflix’s spatial audio feature. Furthermore, the Premium plan permits the addition of up to two extra members from different households.
Understanding Extra Member Options and Discontinued Plans
Netflix has clarified the pricing for its extra-member add-ons. These are priced at $7.99 per month for plans that include ads, and $9.99 per month for ad-free plans, with the cost determined by the primary subscriber’s chosen subscription tier. Each extra member receives their own unique account and password, with the primary account holder responsible for their subscription fees. It’s important to note that Netflix has completely phased out its former “Basic” plan. Consequently, all new and existing subscriptions now fall under the “Standard with ads,” “Standard” (ad-free), or “Premium” tiers.
It is worth mentioning that the prices listed may vary for users who subscribe to Netflix through a third-party provider or bundle. Additionally, applicable taxes may be added to the subscription cost depending on the user’s geographical location.
Netflix’s Continued Financial Strength Amidst Price Hikes
Despite the price adjustments, Netflix continues to demonstrate robust financial performance. The company reported a substantial revenue of $45.2 billion in 2025, representing a 16 percent increase year-over-year. By the end of that year, Netflix boasted a global subscriber base of 325 million paid memberships. Looking ahead, Netflix has projected revenues between $50.7 billion and $51.7 billion for 2026, driven by a combination of subscriber growth, advertising revenue streams, and strategic pricing changes.
A Wider Industry Trend: The Rise of Streaming Costs
Netflix is far from the only major streaming platform to implement price increases. Over the past year, nearly all prominent streaming services have raised their subscription costs. Disney+ and Hulu, for instance, saw price hikes across multiple tiers in late 2025, with their ad-supported plans both reaching $11.99 per month. HBO Max also increased prices across its entire subscription range. Even Amazon Prime Video introduced advertisements to its standard offering, requiring an additional monthly fee for users who wished to remove them.
Industry analysts attribute these widespread price increases to several factors, including escalating content production costs, a concerted push towards greater profitability, and the ever-increasing expense of acquiring rights for live sports and producing original content.
Subscriber Reactions: Questioning Value and Considering Alternatives
Nevertheless, the latest Netflix price hike has predictably ignited frustration among subscribers online. Many users are now publicly questioning whether the platform still offers good value for money.
One user, Minda Honey, shared her strategy on Threads: “Netflix is raising their prices again. Here’s a tip, if you haven’t already thought of it yourself: I wait until there’s something I want to watch. Pay for a month. Catch up on anything else I missed, then cancel. Netflix does not give you an annual discount so there’s no point in maintaining a consistent subscription unless you’re a heavy a viewer.”
Another user, identified as Shawty Lo, expressed a definitive stance: “Netflix just announced another price increase and this is where I bow out!”
A long-time subscriber, who has maintained their Netflix account since the days of physical media rentals, indicated that this price increase might be the breaking point. “Netflix is the only streaming I have consistently kept. No cancellations. No pauses. No switching accounts. I’ve had the same account since the red envelopes. This price increase may be the breaking point. The last one almost was. Time to cycle Netflix in with other services. I don’t need all of them all the time,” they stated. This sentiment suggests a growing trend of subscribers becoming more selective and opting for a rotation of services rather than maintaining continuous subscriptions to all platforms.
