Shower

Showers, the full setup sorted

A shower isn't one product. It's a system. Heads, slide rails, fixed overheads, twin setups, hand showers and the mixer that controls them all. Screens and bases sit in their own collections, and we've linked across where it makes sense.

This page suits a full bathroom reno, a single replacement, a new build, or a tradie sourcing for a client. Most people land here in research mode, weighing up a Phoenix rail shower against a Caroma Luna overhead, trying to work out if their existing rough-in will take the new fitting.

Everything sold in Australia for a shower has to meet a few non-negotiable rules. WaterMark certification on the fixture, WELS labelling on water use, and an install that complies with the National Construction Code. We cover those further down so you know what your plumber will check.

Pick the shower type that fits how you use it

Five main setups. Pick by how you actually use the space, not by which photo looks best.

Browse the shower heads collection for rain, hand and fixed options, the shower mixers, or fixed rain showers. For the enclosure itself, see shower screens and shower bases.

What to check before you order

Four things catch people out. Get these right and the rest is style.

Recess size. Under the ABCB Livable Housing Design Standard, a compliant shower is at least 900 x 900 mm with 1200 x 1200 mm of clear space next to it. Measure your recess before you order any rail or overhead.

Rough-in position. Top inlet or back inlet has to match the existing plumbing. A back-inlet rail shower won't sit right on a top-inlet wall outlet without rework.

WELS rating. WELS is the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme, mandatory on tapware sold in Australia. A 3-star shower is typically around 9 L/min, which is the common spec across most fittings we stock.

WaterMark. WaterMark is the certification that proves a plumbing fixture meets Australian standards. Every shower we sell carries it. If a product doesn't, a licensed plumber can't legally install it.

Plan your finish family early so the shower matches your shower tapware, basin mixer and towel rail.

Finishes that match the rest of the bathroom

Stick to one finish family. That's the trick.

We stock chrome, matte black, brushed nickel, brushed brass and gunmetal across most ranges. Run the same finish across shower, basin tapware, towel rails and accessories or the room reads as mismatched.

Skip abrasive cleaners and bleach-based sprays on PVD and electroplated finishes. Warm soapy water and a soft cloth keeps them looking right for years. For deeper finish ranges across a full bathroom, browse Nero tapware finishes for full-bathroom matching.

Install and compliance, the rules that actually matter

Every shower install in Australia must be done by a licensed plumber. The fittings need WaterMark certification and the wet area has to meet NCC 2022 and AS 3740. No shortcuts on this one.

What your plumber will check

Walls must be waterproof to at least 1800 mm above the floor under NCC 2022 Part 10.2.2, with junctions waterproofed at least 40 mm either side. For a hobless shower, the ABCB Livable Housing Standard clause 5.2 caps the water-retention lip at 5 mm, and NCC 10.2.17 requires the waterstop vertical leg to finish at least 5 mm above finished floor level. For an unenclosed shower, the waterstop sits a minimum 1500 mm horizontally from the rose under NCC 10.2.18. Going step-free? Choose from our shower bases for hobless and step-free installations.

Brands we stock and why

• Caroma (Luna, Urbane II): Australian-designed, solid mid-range, easy to match across a full bathroom.
• Phoenix: strong rail and twin shower options, deep finish range. See the Phoenix shower and tapware range.
• Nero: sharp design, broad finish library, good value at the price point.
• Abey (Park Avenue, Provincial): Gareth Ashton designs, classic and New York-inspired profiles.
• Fienza (Lillian, Koko): affordable, reliable, popular with rental and investment renos.
• Oliveri (Monaco): clean European styling across showers and tapware.

Shower FAQs

Q1: What's the minimum shower size in Australia?
Under the ABCB Livable Housing Design Standard clause 5.3, a shower must be at least 900 x 900 mm, with 1200 x 1200 mm of clear space next to it. That's the accessibility-compliant minimum and a sensible benchmark for any new build or full reno. Existing bathrooms can be smaller, but anything under 900 x 900 starts to feel tight for daily use. Measure the recess before you buy any rail or overhead fitting.

Q2: Do I need a licensed plumber to install a shower?
Yes. All shower fittings sold in Australia must be WaterMark certified and installed by a licensed plumber to comply with AS 3500. DIY installs aren't legal and will void insurance on water damage. Your plumber will also handle waterproofing certification under AS 3740 and the NCC. If you're replacing like-for-like with the same rough-in, the job is quick. Changing from back inlet to top inlet, or hobbed to hobless, adds time and cost.

Q3: What does the WELS star rating mean for showers?
WELS is the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme. More stars means less water per minute. Most showers we stock are 3-star, which is around 9 L/min, the common balance between pressure and water use. A 4-star shower drops to around 7.5 L/min, which suits low-flow households but can feel weak on a gravity-fed system. Check your hot water system's flow rating before going lower than 3-star.

Q4: Rail shower vs fixed overhead, which should I get?
Rail showers suit shared bathrooms because the head adjusts up and down for different heights. Fixed overheads suit single-user ensuites and ceilings tall enough to mount the rose 2100 mm or higher. A twin shower gives you both on one diverter and is the most popular choice for main bathroom renos. If you've got kids or older family using the same shower, the rail wins.

Q5: Can I mix finishes like matte black with chrome?
You can, but keep it deliberate. Mixing two finishes across a bathroom works if one is clearly dominant. Matte black tapware with chrome trim on the shower screen, for example, reads as designed. Three or more finishes across taps, shower, towel rail and accessories usually looks accidental. Pick one finish for all plumbing fittings and let cabinetry or mirrors carry the contrast.

Q6: What's a hobless shower and do I need one?
A hobless shower has no step or kerb at the entry, so the floor runs flat from the bathroom into the shower. Under ABCB Livable Housing Design Standard clause 5.2, the water-retention lip can be no more than 5 mm. They're required in new builds aiming for Livable Housing compliance, and worth considering for any renovation planning for ageing in place. Pair with linear drains and the right shower screens for frameless and semi-frameless options.

Q7: How long does delivery take and what's the returns policy?
Stocked items typically ship within 1 to 3 business days, Australia-wide. Special order finishes and larger items can take longer, and we'll confirm timing at checkout. If you're not sure whether a fitting will match your existing rough-in or finish, contact the team before you order. A two-minute message saves a return.

Why buyers order showers from us

We're a specialist online bathroom retailer, not a marketplace. The range is a curated selection across 700+ collections from brands like Caroma, Phoenix, Nero, Abey and Fienza. The team is across what WELS ratings mean in practice, why rough-in position matters, and when a hobless setup needs a different waterstop.

Australia-wide shipping, click and collect on select items, and a sales team that'll answer fit questions before you buy. No upselling, no urgency timers. If something on the page isn't clear, ask us first. We'd rather you order once and order right.

Related to showers

Most shower projects need a few adjacent items. Browse shower screens for the enclosure, shower bases if you're going hobless or replacing a leaking tray, and shower mixers for the valve. For combined bath-shower setups, see shower and bath taps for combined bath-shower setups. Fixed ceiling options sit in the rain showers collection.