Hosting Australia's policy on PHP versions
Each website on our shared Linux servers can run its own PHP version, chosen from those available on that server. There is no single fleet-wide version, and the default is only the starting point for a newly created account.
What the servers currently run
- Default for new accounts: PHP 8.2. This is the current default on our shared Linux servers.
- Available versions. The servers carry a wide range of PHP branches, from legacy 5.x through to 8.5, so a site can be moved between versions where it needs to be. Which branches are offered can differ between servers.
- Corrected advice. Earlier versions of this article stated that the servers default to PHP 5.6. That has not been the case for a long time, and the article has been corrected. If you are reading an older copy of this guidance elsewhere, treat the PHP 5.6 default as out of date.
What we recommend
Run a supported version of PHP. A PHP branch stops receiving security fixes once it reaches end of life, so a site left on an unsupported branch is depending on vendor backports, or on nothing at all. Newer branches also run most websites noticeably faster. For guidance on choosing and switching, including what to check before you do, see Changing your PHP version: what to check first.
How to change your PHP version
- MultiPHP Manager: sets the PHP version for a domain, subdomain or addon domain.
- MultiPHP INI Editor: adjusts PHP settings within the limits below.
- Step by step guides: Change PHP Version, Change PHP Version for Sub Domain, and Change PHP Variables or Settings.
Limits you cannot change yourself
Some settings are managed at server level and are not customer-adjustable through MultiPHP, including certain resource limits and the set of PHP extensions and modules installed on the server. This is deliberate: the servers keep a known-good set of modules rather than allowing arbitrary ones. If your website needs a particular extension, module or limit change, open a ticket and include the domain, the PHP version you need, and what requires it.
Security updates
Security fixes for PHP runtime vulnerabilities are applied by us, including backported fixes for older branches. A version number that appears unchanged does not necessarily mean an unpatched runtime. See PHP security vulnerabilities: how Hosting Australia is responding.
If you need assistance or specific module support, please raise a ticket with support.
