2 Magpies Guide · Updated 2026
How to Change a Kitchen Tap in Australia 2026
(DIY or Plumber?)
Everything you need to know — Australian plumbing laws by state, a step-by-step replacement guide, the tools you need, and the best kitchen taps to buy.
In This Guide
DIY or Plumber? The Short Answer
This is the most-searched question when it comes to kitchen tap replacement in Australia — and the answer is more nuanced than most people expect. The short version: in most Australian states, replacing a kitchen tap requires a licensed plumber. Unlicensed plumbing work can result in fines, void your home insurance, and invalidate your product warranty.
That said, the rules vary by state and have been evolving. Western Australia updated its plumbing regulations in 2024, and there are some limited DIY tasks that are permitted across all states. Understanding the rules for your state before you pick up a wrench is essential — and that's exactly what this guide covers.
Australian State Laws: Can You Replace a Kitchen Tap Yourself?
Australia's plumbing regulations are set at a state level, meaning the rules in Perth are different from Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane. Here's a breakdown of the current rules in the four most populous states.
🌊 Western Australia
Kitchen tap: Licensed plumber requiredNew plumbing regulations came into effect in WA in 2024 via the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS). These confirm that certain limited tasks can be legally done without a plumber — but kitchen and bathroom tap replacement is not among them.
✓ You CAN do these yourself:
- Repair or maintain a tap (e.g. replace a washer)
- Replace a shower head
- Replace a cistern washer
- Replace a water filter cartridge
- Clear a blocked drain with a plunger
✗ Requires a licensed plumber:
- Replacing a kitchen or bathroom tap
- Any connection to water supply lines
🏙️ Victoria
Kitchen tap: Licensed plumber requiredThe Victorian Building Authority (VBA) regulates plumbing in Victoria. The rules are strict — it is illegal to perform any plumbing work beyond replacing tap washers or a shower head without a licensed plumbing practitioner.
✓ You CAN do these yourself:
- Replace tap washers
- Replace a shower head
✗ Requires a licensed plumber:
- Replacing a kitchen or bathroom tap
- Any water supply connection
🌉 New South Wales
Kitchen tap: Licensed plumber requiredNSW Fair Trading regulates plumbing in New South Wales. NSW law specifically requires licensed plumbers to install drinking water systems — which includes kitchen taps. Some limited tasks are permitted as DIY.
✓ You CAN do these yourself:
- Replace a shower head
- Replace tap washers
- Replace sanitary drain covers
- Plunge or snake a drain
✗ Requires a licensed plumber:
- Installing a kitchen tap (drinking water system)
- Any connection to water supply
☀️ Queensland
Kitchen tap: Licensed plumber requiredThe QBCC regulates plumbing work in Queensland. While some unregulated work is permitted, installing or replacing a kitchen tap connects to the water supply — which is regulated plumbing work requiring a licence.
✓ You CAN do these yourself:
- Replace a shower head
- Replace a domestic water filter cartridge
- Replace a jumper valve or washer in a tap
- Replace toilet cistern components (washers, float valves)
✗ Requires a licensed plumber:
- Replacing a kitchen tap
- Any connection to the water supply
What About the Tap You Buy?
Here's where 2 Magpies comes in. While installation requires a licensed plumber, you can absolutely choose and purchase your own tap before the plumber arrives — and you'll often get far better value buying online than letting a plumber supply the fixture themselves. Plumbers typically charge a significant margin on supplied fittings. Buy your tap from 2 Magpies, have it ready, and your plumber simply installs it.
All taps sold at 2 Magpies carry the required WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards) and WaterMark certifications — meaning they meet Australian plumbing standards and your licensed plumber can legally connect them.
Tools & Materials You'll Need
Whether you're coordinating with a plumber or doing the preparation work yourself, here's what's typically required for a kitchen tap replacement.
| Tool / Material | What It's Used For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adjustable wrench | Disconnecting / reconnecting supply lines | 250–300mm is the most useful size |
| Basin wrench | Reaching mounting nuts under the sink | Essential for deep or narrow undersink spaces |
| Flathead & Phillips screwdrivers | Removing cover caps and mounting screws | Have both sizes on hand |
| Plumber's tape (PTFE) | Sealing threaded connections | Wrap clockwise, 3–4 times around the thread |
| Silicone sealant | Sealing the tap base to the sink deck | Use neutral-cure kitchen-grade silicone |
| Bucket & towels | Catching residual water in supply lines | Always have these under the sink |
| Torch or headlamp | Seeing clearly in undersink cabinet | The space is almost always dark |
| New tap | The replacement fixture | Must carry WELS & WaterMark certification |
Step-by-Step: How to Change a Kitchen Tap
The following is a general guide to what a kitchen tap replacement involves. In most Australian states this work must be carried out by a licensed plumber — but understanding the process helps you prepare, communicate with your plumber effectively, and know what to expect.
Turn Off the Water Supply
Locate the isolation valves under the sink (one for hot, one for cold) and turn them clockwise until closed. If your sink has no isolation valves, you'll need to shut off the main water supply to the house. This is also a good time to check whether your isolation valves are functional — seized or corroded valves should be replaced at the same time as the tap.
Drain the Lines
Turn on the old tap handles to release any water remaining in the supply lines. Have a bucket and towels positioned under the sink — there will always be some residual water when you disconnect the hoses.
Disconnect the Supply Lines
Using an adjustable wrench, unscrew the flexible braided hoses from the tap's hot and cold inlets. Keep the bucket underneath — a small amount of water will escape. Take note of which hose is hot (usually marked red) and which is cold (blue or white).
Remove the Old Tap
Under the sink, locate the mounting nut(s) securing the tap to the sink deck. A basin wrench is invaluable here — it's specifically designed to reach into the tight space between the sink bowl and the cabinet wall. Once the nut is removed, the tap lifts away from above. Some taps also have a decorative cover or backplate that needs to be removed separately.
Clean the Sink Deck
Once the old tap is removed, clean the area around the taphole thoroughly. Remove any old silicone, limescale, or debris. A clean surface ensures the new tap seats properly and prevents leaks.
Prepare and Install the New Tap
Read the manufacturer's installation instructions — they vary between models. Most Australian kitchen mixer taps feed through the taphole from above, with the mounting hardware tightened from below. Apply a thin bead of kitchen-grade silicone around the tap base before dropping it into position if your tap doesn't have a rubber seating washer. Hand-tighten the mounting nut first, check alignment, then tighten firmly — but don't overtighten.
Reconnect the Supply Lines
Wrap PTFE tape clockwise around the threaded inlets on the new tap (3–4 times). Connect the hot and cold supply hoses, hand-tightening first, then a firm quarter-turn with the wrench. Do not overtighten — this is a very common cause of cracked fittings. Most quality taps come with new braided hoses included; if not, replace them at this point regardless of the age of the existing ones.
Turn On the Water & Check for Leaks
Slowly open the isolation valves and watch all connection points carefully. A small amount of spluttering and air from the tap is normal. Run both hot and cold and check the base of the tap, the hose connections, and under the sink. If any connection weeps, a small additional tighten (quarter-turn) is usually sufficient. Never fully tighten until it feels right — forced connections on brass fittings strip easily.
Test & Clean Up
Run the tap fully on both hot and cold settings, check the flow rate and temperature. Wipe down the sink and tapware, remove any silicone squeeze-out, and dispose of packaging and the old tap. Leave the isolation valve access clear — your plumber will have noted where these are for any future service.
Choosing Your New Kitchen Tap
With so many kitchen taps available, it can be overwhelming. Here are the key decisions to make before you buy.
Mixer vs Wall-Mounted vs Separate Hot & Cold
The vast majority of modern Australian kitchen renovations use a single-hole mixer tap — one lever or handle controls both hot and cold through a single spout. These are the simplest to install and maintain. Wall-mounted taps are rarer and require wall plumbing. Separate hot and cold taps are now mostly found in older homes and laundry applications.
Pull-Out vs Fixed Spout
A pull-out mixer adds a retractable spray head that's extremely useful for rinsing the sink, filling pots off the bench, and cleaning vegetables. They're currently the most popular kitchen tap style in Australia. Browse our full pull-out kitchen tap collection. A fixed spout is simpler, with fewer moving parts — but you lose the flexibility of the pull-out function.
Finish: What to Choose in 2026
Tap finish is a personal choice, but there are some practical considerations. Chrome is timeless and the easiest to wipe clean. Matte black is the most popular contemporary finish in Australian kitchens right now — striking against white or stone benchtops, though it shows water spots more readily. Brushed nickel and brushed bronze are strong mid-tones that work with warm timber or stone aesthetics. Gun metal suits industrial and dark contemporary kitchens.
Whatever finish you choose, match it to your other kitchen hardware — cabinet handles, rangehood trim, and sink waste. Mixing metallic finishes in a kitchen rarely looks intentional.
WaterMark & WELS Certification
Any tap sold for use in Australia must carry WaterMark certification — this is a mandatory legal requirement under the Plumbing Code of Australia. It confirms the product has been tested to Australian standards. Additionally, the WELS rating (Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards) measures water flow efficiency. A WELS 5-star kitchen tap uses around 6L/min — meaningful savings over years of daily use, particularly relevant in water-conscious cities like Perth and Adelaide. All taps at 2 Magpies carry both certifications.
Shop Kitchen Taps at 2 Magpies
All of the taps below carry WELS and WaterMark certification and are ready for a licensed Australian plumber to install. Choose your tap, have it delivered, and hand it to your plumber on the day.
Pull-Out Kitchen Mixer Taps
2 Magpies · Essa
Essa Pullout Mixer — 2 Finishes
Low-profile pullout design with push-button spray. Brushed Nickel or Matte Black. A customer favourite for its clean lines and practical functionality.
2 Magpies · Symphony
Symphony Pullout Mixer — 2 Finishes
Quality pullout with concealed pull-out mechanism and push-button spray. Available in Brushed Bronze and Brushed Nickel. Suits warm-toned kitchens beautifully.
Modern National · Kasper
Kasper Pullout Kitchen Mixer — 8 Finishes
WELS 5-star rated. Solid brass. 8 finishes including Brushed Bronze, Gun Metal, Chrome, and Matte Black. Split-resistant PEX hoses. One of the most versatile options in the range.
Modern National · Montpellier
Montpellier Traditional Pullout — Matte Black
WELS 5-star, 6L/min. Solid brass, European cartridge. Traditional profile with a modern matte black finish. Lifetime replacement warranty on finish. A long-term investment.
Modern National · Montpellier
Montpellier Traditional Pullout — Brushed Nickel
WELS 5-star, 6L/min. Solid brass, European cartridge. Brushed Nickel finish — a timeless choice that coordinates with stainless appliances and warm stone benchtops.
Oliveri · Essente
Essente 316 SS Swivel Pullout Mixer
316 marine-grade stainless steel — the best choice for coastal Australian homes. Pull-out function with swivel spout. Lead-free. The premium long-life coastal kitchen tap.
Fixed Spout Kitchen Mixer Taps
Linkware · Gabe
Gabe Sink Mixer — 10 Finishes
Hand-crafted textured handle. Available in 10 finishes including Chrome, Matte Black, Brushed Gold, Gun Metal, and Brushed Nickel. One of the most popular kitchen taps in Australia.
Linkware · Elle
Elle Stainless Steel Swivel Mixer
304 Grade stainless. Smooth swivel spout. Available in Brushed Stainless, Brushed Gold, Matte Black, and Copper. 15-year cartridge warranty. A refined everyday kitchen tap.
Linkware · Elle
Elle 3-Way Filter Mixer Tap
A gooseneck mixer with a dedicated third outlet for filtered water — perfect if you're adding an under-sink water filter at the same time. 6 finishes. Have your plumber connect both at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace a kitchen tap myself in Australia?
In all major Australian states — WA, VIC, NSW, and QLD — replacing a kitchen tap requires a licensed plumber. The connection to a water supply line is regulated plumbing work. You can legally replace a tap washer or shower head yourself in most states, but not the full tap. Doing unlicensed plumbing work can void your home insurance and product warranty.
How much does it cost to get a plumber to replace a kitchen tap in Australia?
Plumber callout rates vary by state and provider. Sydney Water's Waterfix service (NSW) publishes a rate of $220 plus a $44 callout fee for a kitchen tap replacement as a benchmark. Most plumbers charge a callout fee of $80–$150 plus labour at $80–$120/hour. A straightforward tap swap typically takes under an hour. Supplying your own tap (purchased from 2 Magpies) rather than having the plumber supply it can significantly reduce the total cost.
Can I buy my own tap and have a plumber install it?
Yes, absolutely. This is often the smartest approach. Purchase a WELS and WaterMark certified tap from a reputable retailer like 2 Magpies, have it delivered to your home, and hand it to your plumber on the day. You'll typically save money compared to having the plumber supply the fixture, and you get to choose exactly the tap you want.
What is WaterMark certification and do I need it?
WaterMark is a mandatory Australian certification for any product connected to a drinking water supply. It confirms the product has been tested and meets the requirements of the Plumbing Code of Australia. A licensed plumber cannot legally install a tap without WaterMark certification, and doing so would void your home insurance. All taps sold at 2 Magpies are WaterMark certified.
How do I know what size tap my kitchen sink needs?
Most Australian kitchen sinks have a standard 35mm taphole. Most single-hole mixer taps are designed to fit this. If your sink has two tapholes (common in older sinks), you can either use a tap with a separate handspray outlet or cover the second hole with a blanking plate. If unsure, check your sink's installation manual or measure the hole diameter before ordering.
Looking for more kitchen renovation advice? Read our guide to the best kitchen sinks in Australia, or browse our full kitchen tap collection to find the right tap for your home.
Ready to Upgrade Your Kitchen Tap?
Browse Australia's best kitchen taps from Linkware, Modern National, Oliveri and more — all WELS and WaterMark certified, Australia-wide delivery.
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