An analysis by consumer group Choice found that popular TV series 'Orange is the New Black' costs Foxtel Play users $45.45, a 431 per cent mark up compared to US customers of Netflix.



A cheaper option via Google Play, costs Australians $27.26, 219 per cent more than Netflix users.



Australian access to the upcoming season five of 'The Walking Dead' will cost customers $39.99 through iTunes, 376 per cent more than the price paid by UK customers of NowTV.



The Choice analysis found some shows are not available at all to Australian consumers, such as the Steven Soderbergh drama 'The Knick' airing in Singapore and the US.



Choice chief executive Alan Kirkland says there are a few reasons why the price is so high for Australian consumers.



"The pay TV industry is probably the most protected industry in Australia," he told ABC Radio.



"It is pretty much a monopoly dominated by Foxtel and that is why we have seen ridiciously high prices, a really poor quality of service and a really slow pace of innovation; and that is why some consumers look for a way around that."



He says it is no surprise that online piracy of TV shows is a problem in Australia.



"I guess what we're saying is that you really have to look at the root cause here and when there are such massive price marks up - that is one of the things that is driving piracy."



The federal government is currently considering ways to stamp out online copyright infringement.



A recently released discussion paper canvassed a few options. One plan would force internet providers to stop users who illegally download content. Another proposal would require providers to block overseas websites that host pirated content.