In August 2013, it was announced that Foxtel had failed to complete negotiations with the TV1 General Entertainment Partnership for a new carriage deal for their channel SF (an Australian science fiction channel), and would ultimately replace it with another science fiction dedicated channel once SF's carriage deal had expired. It was announced in September that Syfy would replace Sf (Australia) in early 2014. Syfy is part of the international brand Syfy Universal and will be wholly owned and operated by Universal Networks International (a division of NBCUniversal), in contrast to Sf (Australia) which was an Australian exclusive brand, and only 33.33% owned by NBCUniversal (with the remaining shares equally being held by CBS Studios International and Sony Pictures Television).

On 15 April 2014, Syfy launched on Australian IPTV provider Fetch TV.[4]