Your Australian Library Card Unlocks Free Streaming, Courses, and Audiobooks
A free library card in Australia gets you LinkedIn Learning, free movie streaming on Kanopy and Beamafilm, unlimited ebooks via Libby and BorrowBox, and online courses.
Too long? Just listen
The Free Subscription Most Australians Don't Know They Have
Every Australian resident can get a free library card from their local council. And a modern Australian library card gives you digital access to services worth over $700/year.
LinkedIn Learning (Worth $360/Year)
Many Australian library services provide free access to LinkedIn Learning — 16,000+ professional development courses in business, technology, and creative skills.
Normally costs $29.99/month ($360/year). With your library card: free.
Available through major library networks including State Library of NSW, State Library of Victoria, Brisbane City Council, and many others. Check your library's website under "eResources" or "Online resources."
Sponsored
Ad placement
Libby and BorrowBox (Worth $300+/Year)
Libby and BorrowBox let you borrow ebooks and audiobooks for free. Just download the app and sign in with your library card.
- Libby: Massive international catalogue. Borrow up to 10-20 items depending on your library. Works on phones, tablets, and Kindle.
- BorrowBox: Strong Australian content. Popular across most state and council library systems.
An Audible subscription costs $16.45/month ($197/year). A Kindle Unlimited equivalent runs about $100/year. Both replaced for free.
Kanopy and Beamafilm (Worth $100+/Year)
Kanopy offers 30,000+ films — indie, documentary, classic, world cinema. Available through most Australian libraries with 5-10 viewing credits per month. It's like a curated Netflix for film buffs.
Beamafilm is an Australian streaming platform for independent and Australian films. Also free through many library networks. Great for local content you won't find on mainstream streaming services.
Online Learning Platforms
Beyond LinkedIn Learning, many Australian libraries offer free access to:
- Coursera for Campus — Selected courses from top universities
- Gale Courses — Instructor-led online courses on hundreds of topics
- Universal Class — 500+ continuing education courses
Check your local library's digital resources page — the offerings vary but are almost always underused.
How to Get Started
- Visit your local library with proof of address and photo ID
- Get a free library card (5 minutes)
- Check the library website for "eResources" or "Digital Library"
- Download the apps (Libby, BorrowBox, Kanopy, Beamafilm)
- Log in with your library card number and PIN
Most Australian libraries now offer online registration — you can sign up on the website and start borrowing digital content immediately without visiting a branch.
State library cards often provide additional digital resources on top of your council library card. You can hold both — they're both free.
The Total Value
| Service | Normal Cost | With Library Card |
|---|---|---|
| LinkedIn Learning | $360/year | Free |
| Kanopy + Beamafilm | ~$100/year in rentals | Free |
| Audible equivalent (Libby/BorrowBox) | $197/year | Free |
| Kindle Unlimited equivalent | ~$100/year | Free |
| Total | $757/year | $0 |
Availability varies by council and state, but most Australians have access to at least Libby/BorrowBox plus one or two premium services. Spend 10 minutes checking your library's digital offerings — you'll likely find hundreds of dollars in free subscriptions waiting.
Did this work for you?
Found this useful?
Discussion
Sign in to join the discussion
Sign in