Australia's Online Safety Act came into force in March 2026. I went through every major AI companion app from an Aussie IP and wrote down exactly what you get, what loads, what doesn't, and what the age verification actually looks like in practice.
Short answer: JOI is the best AI companion app for Australians in 2026. It loads with no age gate from any AU state, costs from around AU$14/month, and is the only major platform with no friction at all post-Online Safety Act. Secrets.ai and Candy.ai are close behind, both accessible with a single self-declaration button click. No major platform is currently blocking Aussie IPs outright.
Tested personally from an Aussie IP. Status reflects what you'll see right now.
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Why finding a working AI companion app in Australia got complicated overnight.
13 apps tested from Australia. All prices in AUD.





