Replacing a Kitchen Tap sounds like a straightforward weekend job: undo a couple of nuts, swap the mixer, reconnect the hoses, and you’re done. In practice, it’s a mix of simple mechanics and compliance. In Australia, many plumbing activities are regulated to protect drinking water safety, prevent leaks, and keep installations consistent with national requirements. So the real question is not only “can you physically do it?”, but also “should you do it, and will the installation be compliant and insurable?”
For many homes, a kitchen mixer sits on a benchtop or sink with flexible braided hoses running to isolation valves. That layout makes the work look easy. However, because a kitchen tap connects directly to the potable water system, the product and the installation method matter. Tap equipment is commonly within the scope of WaterMark certification requirements for products connected to reticulated water systems, and Australia’s water efficiency labelling scheme also applies to many taps.
Australia generally allows low-risk, minor plumbing tasks, but anything that changes regulated water supply connections can fall into licensed work depending on your state or territory rules and what exactly is being altered. Many guidance notes and industry explainers draw a clear line between minor maintenance and full tap replacement, with replacement commonly treated as licensed work.
A practical way to think about it:
Typically low-risk tasks
Replacing a washer, cleaning an aerator, swapping a shower head, changing a filter cartridge, or clearing a simple blockage with a plunger.
Often licensed work
Replacing a kitchen mixer tap, modifying pipework, changing valves, relocating outlets, or doing anything that could affect pressure integrity, backflow risk, or the potable supply connection.
If you’re managing a project property, a commercial kitchen fit-out, or a multi-site maintenance plan, the safest operational approach is to treat kitchen mixer tap replacement as a licensed scope item. It reduces call-backs, keeps documentation clean, and avoids warranty or insurance disputes.
Even if the physical installation is simple, compliance is where many problems start. Use this checklist to avoid the common traps:
| Checkpoint | What To Verify | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| WaterMark | Tapware should be WaterMark certified when used on a reticulated water system | WaterMark is the recognised certification scheme for regulated plumbing products |
| Tapware standard alignment | Tapware commonly aligns with AS/NZS tapware requirements (industry references often point to AS/NZS 3718 for performance) | Helps ensure durability, pressure performance, and expected service life |
| WELS rating suitability | Confirm the WELS star rating and tested flow performance fits the site expectations | Balances water efficiency with user experience and site requirements |
| Site pressure reality | Many systems operate around typical residential pressures, but spikes and local conditions exist | Incorrect assumptions lead to leaks, noise, or premature cartridge wear |
| Bench/sink hole & clearance | Hole diameter, deck thickness, and under-sink access | Prevents poor seating, flex, and loosening over time |
A quick reference point used in Australian WELS discussions: a 3-star tap is often described around 9 L/min, while higher-star options can be lower flow such as around 4.5 L/min for 6-star styles, depending on the model and test configuration.
From a manufacturer’s perspective, most failures we see are not “bad taps” but avoidable installation issues:
Hidden seepage
A connection that “looks dry” can still weep slowly, damaging cabinets and kickboards over weeks.
Thread and seal mistakes
Cross-threading, overtightening, or mixing sealing methods can crack fittings or deform washers.
Hose routing stress
Braided hoses twisted or bent too tightly can fatigue early, especially in cramped under-sink spaces.
Documentation gaps
For projects, the inability to show compliant product selection and licensed installation can create friction at handover.
If you still choose to proceed for a straightforward like-for-like swap, treat it as a controlled task: isolate water properly, protect cabinetry, confirm valve condition, and test under pressure for long enough to catch slow leaks. But for many Australian sites, engaging a licensed plumber is the most reliable way to stay on the right side of compliance and reduce downstream risk.
For the Australian market, product selection is as important as installation. LODECE focuses on tapware suitability for Australia by prioritising:
Compliance-ready tapware pathway for projects that require WaterMark-aligned product documentation and consistent specifications
Clear WELS positioning so you can align water efficiency targets with kitchen usability expectations
Stable performance design aligned with recognised tapware performance expectations commonly referenced in Australia (industry commonly points to AS/NZS 3718 for tapware performance)
Project-friendly consistency across finishes, spout styles, and replacement parts planning to reduce mismatches across multiple properties
This approach is especially helpful when you’re standardising across builds, renovations, or ongoing maintenance programs where fewer variations mean fewer surprises.
You can physically replace a kitchen tap yourself, but in Australia the smarter question is whether the job should be treated as licensed plumbing work and whether the tapware and installation will remain compliant. For most risk-controlled outcomes, plan the replacement around certified tapware, WELS suitability, and a licensed installation process that prevents leaks and protects warranties.
If you’re selecting tapware for an Australian project and want to reduce call-backs, align water efficiency targets, or standardise specifications across sites, share your kitchen setup details and expected flow preference. LODECE can recommend suitable configurations and provide a practical selection guide for your installation team.
