Max deals: How to get free Max in Australia

The American streaming service Max has officially launched in Australia, making it the new home for premium HBO drama. With the upcoming Game of Thrones spin-off and the second season of The Last of Us both streaming exclusively on Max in Australia, it's only a matter of time until every HBO original hits the service. With so many reasons to subscribe, it comes as no wonder that Max is one of the pricier streaming offerings on the market with plans costing between $11.99 and $21.99 per month. There are a few ways you can save on Max, however.

Before we take a look at the deals, let's discuss the base pricing for Max plans in Australia. Max launched in Australia with three plans: Basic with Ads, Max Standard and Max Premium. Basic with Ads offers ad-supported HD streaming on two devices and costs $11.99 per month. Max Standard offers ad-free HD streaming on two devices at once for $15.99 per month. Finally, Max Premium offers 4K Ultra HD streaming on four devices at once (plus Dolby Atmos sound) for $21.99 per month. 

That's not too different from Binge's plans, which cost $10, $19 and $22 per month for Basic, Standard and Premium, respectively. 

Max's introductory discounts are no longer available but there are still a couple of ways for long-term customers and Foxtel subscribers to save on their bill. 

If you pay for a year of Max upfront at any time, it will be cheaper than paying month-to-month. 

The annual savings below show how much you would save by signing up for an annual plan, rather than paying month to month. 

Foxtel residential customers with an iQ3 box or later are eligible for a free Max Basic with Ads plan for the next 12 months. New and existing Foxtel customers are all eligible for Max Basic, which offers two 1080p HD streams. 

To claim your bonus Max Basic with Ads plan, simply follow these steps:

1. Using your Foxtel remote, navigate to the Home screen and select the Max tile
2. Select 'Set up your access to unlock more Max' 
3. Using your smartphone camera, scan the QR code on the screen and set up your Max account from your phone. 

Once set up, you can watch Max content via your Foxtel iQ box or via the dedicated Max app for smartphones, laptops and other devices. 

Here's a selection of eligible Foxtel plans that offer free Max Basic with Ads: