Changing a tap washer in Australia: how to do it, and is it legal DIY?
Short answer
To change a tap washer: turn off the water, open the tap to drain it, remove the handle and unscrew the headgear, swap the washer or jumper valve for the same size, then reassemble. It takes about 20 minutes with a spanner and a few dollars of parts. Changing a tap washer or jumper valve is legal DIY in Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria and (as a repair) New South Wales. Replacing the whole tap or mixer is licensed plumbing work in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and WA, Tasmania is the exception, allowing like-for-like replacement. Thermostatic mixing valves always need a licensed plumber.
A dripping tap is usually a worn washer or jumper valve, a cheap part and a genuinely DIY-friendly fix in most of Australia. Replacing the whole tap or mixer is a different story, and that’s where people get caught out.
How to change a tap washer
| Time | Cost | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| About 20 minutes | Under $15 in parts | Easy, with a spanner |
You’ll need: an adjustable spanner, a flat screwdriver, a new washer and jumper valve (a mixed pack covers most taps), and a cloth to protect the chrome.
- Turn off the water at the isolation valve under the sink, or at the mains if there isn’t one.
- Open the tap fully to drain the line and release the pressure.
- Take off the handle and cover: prise off the cap, undo the screw, then unscrew the headgear with the spanner (wrap the cloth around it first).
- Swap the washer or jumper valve for one the same size. Take the old one to the hardware store to match it.
- Reassemble, turn the water back on slowly and check for drips.
Still dripping after a new washer? The seat inside the tap body is probably worn, and reseating it is usually a job for a plumber. For ceramic disc taps and mixer cartridges, see how to fix a dripping tap.
Is changing a tap washer legal? The rules by state
| State | Change a washer or jumper valve | Replace the whole tap or mixer |
|---|---|---|
| Queensland | DIY OK | Licensed plumber |
| Western Australia | DIY OK (repairing a tap) | Licensed plumber |
| Victoria | DIY OK (minor tap repairs) | Licensed plumber |
| New South Wales | DIY OK (repairing a tap) | Licensed plumber |
| Tasmania | DIY OK | DIY OK like-for-like |
| SA, ACT, NT | Check with regulator | Licensed plumber |
What the regulators say:
- Queensland: the QBCC’s list of unregulated work includes replacing a jumper valve or washer in a tap.
- Western Australia: since March 2024, owners (or someone helping them unpaid) can maintain or repair a tap, but not a thermostatic mixing tap.
- Victoria: tap washers and other minor tap repairs in a home are exempt from the plumbing licensing rules.
- New South Wales: plumbing needs a licence “regardless of the cost”, but the regulations let an owner-occupier repair a tap or showerhead (not thermostatic mixing or tempering valves).
- Tasmania: owners can repair or replace tapware like-for-like as low-risk work on their own property.
Why “just swapping the tap” is licensed
Replacing a tap or mixer means disconnecting and reconnecting the water supply, often with new flexible hoses, isolation valves and seals under the sink or in the wall. Get it wrong and you get a slow leak inside a cabinet or wall cavity, the kind of damage that isn’t obvious until it’s expensive. That’s why most states draw the line at repair.
When to call a plumber straight away
- Mixers and quarter-turn ceramic cartridges you’re not sure how to service
- Any leak inside a wall, or water where it shouldn’t be
- Thermostatic mixing valves and tempering valves (hot water safety devices)
- Anything involving gas hot water
For the rest of the plumbing rules, including toilets, showerheads and drains, see the Queensland DIY plumbing list and what you can legally DIY in Australia.
Frequently asked questions
How do I change a tap washer in Australia? Turn off the water, open the tap, remove the handle and headgear, swap the washer or jumper valve for the same size, and reassemble. It’s about a 20-minute job.
Do I need a plumber to change a tap washer? No, in most states. Changing a washer or jumper valve is legal DIY in Queensland, WA, Victoria and Tasmania, and owner-occupiers can repair a tap in NSW. Replacing the whole tap or mixer usually needs a licensed plumber.
Do I need to turn the water off at the mains? Only if the tap has no isolation valve. Most kitchen and basin taps have one under the sink; showers and older baths often don’t.
Why is my tap still dripping after changing the washer? The tap seat may be worn or pitted, or it may be a ceramic disc tap that needs a new cartridge rather than a washer.
Sources
Every rule on this page is taken from these official sources. If a rule has changed, please tell us and we’ll fix it.
This guide is general information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ between states, councils and individual properties, and they change. Confirm with your state regulator or council before starting work, and if in doubt, get a licensed tradesperson.