Despite Australia's historically diverse movie industry, up until recently, Aussies found Google's Play and YouTube services devoid of films available to them.

But no more! As of late yesterday, Australian Google users can access both the Movies page on Google Play and the YouTube counterpart. They'll have access to countless movies, both from US studios (e.g. The Walt Disney Company, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, NBCUniversal, Village Roadshow Pictures and Lionsgate) and from Australian producers (e.g. Roadshow Films, Icon Film Distribution, Madman Entertainment, Hopscotch and Transmission Films). Viewing options include your desktop browser (of course) as well as Android phones and tablets, so long as the Google Play Movies app is installed.

Unfortunately, rental pricing remains none too cheap - it starts at $3.99 for SD "library titles" or $4.99 for HD movies; if you want to watch a new release, it'll be $5.99 for SD and $6.99 for HD. Google gives you 30 days to start watching your movie and 48 hours to finish it after you've started.

Still, the news should be at least somewhat welcome to Australians given Google Play's recent expansion - now you'll be able to enjoy both American classics like Terminator and Aussie favorites like Bra Boys. Just make sure you've got some cash on you.

Source: Google.au Blog via Reddit