Online streaming giant Netflix is upping the prices of its most popular service for United States subscribers.

While the price hike won’t effect those subscribed to the Australian service, those from Down Under who opt to use a VPN to access the American edition of Netflix – of which there are many – will be impacted.

Netflix’s most popular plan, the “Standard Package” will rise from $US8.99 a month to $US9.99 a month.

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Anyone with an existing subscription will not be hit by the higher price for 12 months, unless they are covered by a price lock for a longer term, according to Variety. 

The standard plan allows streamers to to view programs in HD and on two screens simultaneously.

Netflix’s basic plan, which lacks these features, will stay at $US7.99 a month.

In a statement to Variety, a Netflix spokesperson said the price increase was necessary to expand the service’s offering.

“To continue adding more TV shows and movies including many Netflix original titles, we are modestly raising the price for some new members in the U.S., Canada and Latin America,” the spokesperson said.

It is the second price rise to the US service in two years.

Netflix informed customers at the last rise in May 2014, that increases would continue for two years.

Many Australians choose to subscribe to the US edition of Netflix because it has a different and greater selection of programs to view than the service offered locally.