Instagram Plus in Australia: price, features and how to get it

Yes, Instagram Plus is available in Australia. It is Meta's optional US$3.99 a month subscription, about AUD 5 to 6, that adds extra features to the free Instagram app, things like anonymous Story viewing, 48 hour Stories and a custom app icon. It launched globally, including Australia, on 4 June 2026, and the standard app stays exactly as free as before. Here is confirmation it works locally, how to switch it on, every feature, the exact price, how it compares to Meta Verified, and whether it is worth it.

Is Instagram Plus available in Australia?

Yes. Instagram Plus is live in Australia now. Meta rolled the subscription out globally on 4 June 2026, not only to the countries where it was first tested, so Australian users can subscribe from inside the Instagram app today. You do not need a VPN, a different app store region or any workaround.

Australian pricing is set through the App Store and Google Play rather than a flat AUD figure Meta publishes directly. Based on the US$3.99 global rate, expect roughly AUD 5 to 6 a month once currency conversion and store rounding are applied, confirmed at checkout in your own app. If you have not subscribed yet, here is exactly how.

What is Instagram Plus?

Instagram Plus is an optional monthly subscription from Meta that unlocks a set of extra features inside the standard Instagram app. It is not a new app and it is not a redesign. You keep using Instagram exactly as you do now, and if you subscribe you get a handful of additional Story tools, personalisation options and insights. Meta launched it globally on 4 June 2026, alongside sibling subscriptions Facebook Plus and WhatsApp Plus, after several months of testing in Mexico, Japan and the Philippines.

Meta has been careful to frame it as an add-on rather than a paywall. In the announcement the company said the Instagram you know and love today is not changing, and that the subscription is simply an optional upgrade for people who want more. The free app remains free, ad supported and fully functional.

How to get Instagram Plus

Subscribing takes under a minute and happens inside the app you already have.

1. 1

   Open Instagram and go to your profile.

2. 2

   Tap the menu, then open Accounts Center.

3. 3

   Choose Subscriptions, then select Instagram Plus.

4. 4

   Confirm and pay through the App Store or Google Play, and start your free trial if one is offered.

You can cancel any time from the same Subscriptions screen, or from your device subscription settings, and you keep access until the end of the billing period.

Every Instagram Plus feature

Instagram Plus launched with 11 features, weighted heavily towards Stories and personalisation. Here is the full list and what each one does.

The standouts are the Story tools. Story Extend and Story Spotlight give frequent posters more reach and a longer shelf life, while Story Preview and Story Rewatch Insights change how you watch and measure Stories. The personalisation options, custom icon, custom bio font and extra profile pins, are lighter touches aimed at people who treat their profile as a personal brand.

How much does Instagram Plus cost?

As covered above, the global rate is US$3.99 per month, which works out to roughly AUD 5 to 6 in Australia once currency and store rounding are applied. Meta also references a free trial, after which billing begins unless you cancel. Because app store pricing is set per region and can change, treat that as a guide and check the exact figure shown in your app before you subscribe.

Instagram Plus did not arrive alone. Meta launched it on the same day as Facebook Plus, also US$3.99 per month, and WhatsApp Plus at US$2.99 per month. Test markets earlier in 2026 saw lower local pricing, so the launch figure reflects the standard global rate rather than a promotional one.

Instagram Plus vs Meta Verified

This is the question that trips most people up, because Instagram now has two paid subscriptions. They are different products, and Meta has confirmed they do not merge. Meta Verified is about identity and protection. Instagram Plus is about features and personalisation, and it does not give you a blue checkmark. Paying for one does not include the other.

Is Instagram Plus worth it?

The honest answer is that it depends entirely on how much you post. If you live in Stories, run a personal brand, or care about the small details of how your profile looks, the value adds up quickly. Story Extend doubles the life of every Story, Story Spotlight buys extra reach, and rewatch insights help you see what is actually landing. For a few dollars a month, active creators may find that worthwhile.

For everyone else, the free app already covers what most people need. If you scroll more than you post, none of these features change your experience much, and Instagram Plus is easy to skip. A useful test: look back at the last month. If you would have used three or more of the Plus features regularly, it is probably worth a trial. If not, save your money.

The backlash and the privacy question

Reception has been mixed to negative. Part of it is simple: people dislike being asked to pay for an app that has always been free, even when the paid tier is optional. Critics have also warned about the slow tierification of social platforms, where more of the good stuff sits behind a subscription over time.

The sharper concern is Story Preview, the anonymous viewing feature. Being able to watch someone's Story without leaving a seen mark breaks a norm that has held since Stories launched, that views are visible to the person who posted. Some commentators have framed this as enabling low level surveillance between users. Whether you see that as a handy privacy tool or a worrying one, it is the feature most likely to shape how people feel about Instagram Plus.

Watch: Instagram Plus explained

Prefer a walkthrough? These two videos cover the features and how to use them.

What Instagram Plus means for brands and creators

For businesses, Instagram Plus is a small signal of a bigger shift. Meta is turning engagement features into a revenue line, and it will keep testing what people will pay for. The practical takeaway is not to rush out and subscribe every team member, but to keep your organic foundations strong. Longer Stories, extra reach on a single post and richer insights are helpful, but they do not replace a clear content plan, consistent posting and a reason for people to follow you.

If Instagram Plus tempts you because you want more reach and better results, that is usually a content and strategy gap, not a features gap. Managed well, one strong post a day will do more for a brand than any subscription toggle. That is exactly the work our social media management team does for Australian businesses: daily content, community management and paid campaigns that actually move the numbers.