Region codes

Region locking is the thing that catches out import buyers. Here's what plays on an Australian setup — and what doesn't.

4K UHD: no regions

Good news first: 4K UHD Blu-rays are region-free. Every 4K disc plays on every 4K player, anywhere. This is why importing 4K from the UK, US or Germany is so common — you're only ever choosing on price, packaging and which restoration you want.

Blu-ray: A, B, C

Standard Blu-ray uses three regions:

• Region B — Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Africa, the Middle East. This is us. UK discs are Region B, so British releases play here natively.
• Region A — North America, Japan, South-East Asia. US Blu-rays are Region A and won't play on a standard Australian player.
• Region C — China, Russia, South Asia.

Many discs are actually "Region free" (region ABC) even when the case only prints one region — check the listing. When importing a US (Region A) Blu-ray, confirm it's either region-free or that you have a region-free player.

DVD: 1, 2, 4

Older DVD regions still matter for catalogue titles never upgraded to disc. Australia is Region 4 (with Region 2 Europe and Region 1 North America the other common ones). Most modern DVD players sold here play Region 4 and often 2; US Region 1 discs frequently need a multi-region player.

Buying imports safely

• Default to 4K when the film exists on it — no region worry at all.
• For Blu-ray, prefer Region B or "region free" unless you own a multi-region player.
• Read the listing, not the cover. Sellers often note the true region; if in doubt, ask before buying.
• A region-free player (or a PC drive with software) removes the problem entirely and opens up the global market.

See our companion guide on 4K UHD vs Blu-ray.