Deep stainless steel laundry sink with a brushed nickel mixer, pale oak cabinetry and a stone benchtop beside a washing machine.

October 22, 2026 BL Online - Sales

Laundry Sink Sizes Australia: Find a Tub That Actually Fits

A laundry sink can look perfectly proportioned online and still leave you nowhere to put a washing basket. Or it fits the benchtop, but the bowl and plumbing take up the cupboard space you were counting on.

The useful question is simple: how much tub do you need, and what can your laundry comfortably accommodate? This Blue Leaf guide compares actual Australian-market models, then walks through the measurements that matter before you order.

Laundry sink sizes Australia: quick comparison

There is no single size shared by every laundry tub sold in Australia. These three models show how capacity, footprint and cabinet requirements differ. They are product examples, rather than universal size rules.

30L vs 45L vs 70L laundry tubs: actual model specifications
Laundry tub	Capacity	Overall footprint	Listed depth	Minimum cabinet	Worth considering for
Abey Hunter HL100	30L	406 × 466mm	200mm overall	500mm	Compact layouts and lighter handwashing
Oliveri TI45	45L	590 × 470mm	235mm bowl	600mm	Everyday soaking and general laundry tasks
Oliveri TI70	70L	630 × 550mm	305mm bowl	700mm	Bulkier items and more generous laundries

Dimensions are manufacturer-listed and approximate. Abey lists its footprint as length × width; Oliveri uses width × front-to-back measurement. Abey's depth is an overall dimension; Oliveri's figures are bowl depths. These are not cut-out sizes. Confirm the current drawing and actual sink before fabrication.

Litres tell you capacity; millimetres tell you fit

Think about the last time you used your laundry tub. Was it a quick rinse, a bucket refill or clothes left to soak? That job is the starting point. Then check the bowl opening, because tubs with the same capacity can have different proportions.

A wide, shallower bowl and a narrower, deeper bowl feel different in use. For a replacement, take a photo with a tape measure across the old opening. For new cabinetry, put the shortlisted sink drawing beside the cabinet plan.

Should you buy a 30L, 45L or 70L laundry tub?

30L: when bench space matters most

If you mainly rinse a few garments, fill a bucket or handwash delicates, a compact tub is worth a look. Keeping some clear benchtop beside it may be more useful than gaining extra soaking capacity you rarely use.

The Abey Hunter 30L laundry tub is a starting point for a smaller cabinet layout. Check the internal bowl measurements too: a bucket that fits through the opening still needs space beneath the tap.

45L: a practical starting point for everyday use

For school uniforms, towels and regular handwashing, start by comparing 45L models. The Oliveri TI45 45L tub has a listed internal bowl size of 520 × 400 × 235mm. That gives you a more useful picture than the litre figure alone.

Lay out the items you actually wash. A broad bowl opening may matter more than extra depth if you often rinse something awkwardly shaped.

70L: when you regularly need more soaking room

A larger tub makes sense when bulky linen and substantial soaking tasks are part of your routine. Compare the Oliveri TI70 70L laundry tub, then check what its larger footprint leaves around it.

Remember that garments displace water. A quoted 70L capacity does not mean you will use 70 litres for every load, or that every bulky item will fit comfortably.

Five measurements to check before buying

1. The cabinet beneath the sink

Start with the manufacturer's minimum cabinet requirement, then have your cabinetmaker check the actual internal opening, side panels, rails and fixing access. The width printed on a cupboard plan does not tell the whole story.

For example, the Oliveri DU490U 45L undermount tub lists a 700mm minimum cabinet, while the TI45 lists 600mm. Both hold 45 litres. This is why buying by capacity alone can lead to the wrong shortlist.

2. The benchtop from front to back

Allow for the sink, its installation details, tap position and the benchtop material's edge requirements. A sink that measures 550mm front to back cannot be approved for a 600mm-deep benchtop just by subtracting the two numbers.

Your fabricator needs to check the remaining material around the opening, particularly near a splashback, wall or join. Let the installation drawing settle the fit.

3. The space below the bowl

Bowl depth is vertical. Underneath it, the waste fitting and trap need room, alongside any appliance connections. Sketch this area before adding drawers, pull-out storage or a shelf.

A deep bowl may be useful for soaking but awkward to reach into. Consider the benchtop height and the person who will use it most, especially if handwashing means standing there for a while.

4. The existing cut-out, if you are replacing a tub

Measure the opening separately from the old sink's outer rim. Matching overall dimensions does not guarantee matching corner radii, fixing positions or cut-outs.

Keep the exact product code with your measurements. For mounting options and their benchtop implications, our undermount, topmount and flushmount sink guide explains the differences.

5. The appliances and doors around it

Check the washing machine's installation manual for its clearances, hoses and access requirements. Then open the appliance door, cupboard doors and laundry entry door on your plan. Include a place to stand with a basket.

For a concealed European laundry, check the enclosure doors against the tap as well. A tall mixer that looks good with the doors open may interfere when they close.

Two layouts that make the trade-off clearer

A compact Sydney apartment laundry

Imagine a 1200mm run with an appliance bay allocated 650mm. The arithmetic leaves 550mm, before panels, fillers and other construction allowances. A tub requiring a 600mm cabinet is already outside that remaining space.

A 500mm-minimum-cabinet model is worth investigating, but it is not an automatic fit. Confirm the finished cabinet opening, benchtop depth and plumbing. If you rarely soak large loads, protecting usable bench space may be the better choice.

A family laundry with a longer bench

On an illustrative 1800mm run, allocating 650mm to an appliance bay and 700mm to a sink cabinet leaves 450mm before construction allowances. That lets you investigate a larger tub, while making the remaining storage trade-off visible.

These are planning examples, not appliance clearance specifications. Test the basket, folding area and cupboard storage before committing to the largest bowl.

Match the tap and drainage to the way you use the tub

Decide whether you are keeping wall taps or installing a bench-mounted mixer. Confirm the required number and position of tap holes before ordering; different variants of the same tub can differ.

When browsing Blue Leaf's laundry taps, picture filling your usual bucket and rinsing the bowl. Check handle access, nearby cupboards and any hose space beneath the bench.

Overflow and rinse bypass serve different purposes

An overflow provides an additional drainage path when the water level rises. A rinse bypass allows washing machine discharge to enter the drain while the tub is being used for soaking.

The Oliveri 45L tub with rinse bypass and overflow includes these features. Ask your plumber whether that arrangement suits your appliance and existing drainage. An overflow does not make a running tap safe to leave unattended.

Easy mistakes to avoid when comparing laundry sinks

Do not use packaging dimensions to plan your cabinetry. A specification sheet may list a carton size close to the sink size, but the carton includes packing space.

Check what is included with your exact product code: waste fitting, overflow, bypass components and tap-hole configuration. Similar-looking models can have different inclusions.

Compare the whole job's cost too. A larger tub may mean altered cabinetry, a new benchtop or relocated plumbing. Ask for an installation quote before treating the product price as the total budget.

Planning a laundry update in Sydney or NSW

Have an appropriately licensed plumber assess the water and drainage connections before finalising your layout. NSW requires the relevant licence or certificate for plumbing and draining work regardless of the cost.

In a strata apartment, check your scheme's by-laws and discuss the planned work with your strata manager before starting. Changes involving common property or waterproofing can affect the approval process.

Keeping a tub close to existing services is worth discussing when you want to limit changes. Your plumber can tell you whether the current pipework suits the proposed model.

Choose a finish you can comfortably maintain

A laundry tub needs to cope with regular cleaning as well as washing day. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the exact finish, particularly when using soaking products.

Oliveri's stainless steel tub instructions recommend mild detergent or soap and water, with non-abrasive cleaning products. For everyday upkeep, our stainless steel sink cleaning guide is a useful companion; the tub's own care instructions should guide your product choices.

Your before-you-buy checklist

Choose a capacity around your actual soaking and handwashing tasks.
Confirm the model code, footprint and internal bowl dimensions.
Check minimum cabinet width and the actual internal cabinet space.
Have the benchtop depth and cut-out approved by your installer.
Allow room for the waste, trap, connections and maintenance access.
Confirm tap holes, overflow, bypass and included fittings.
Check appliance clearances, doors, storage and basket space.

Updating the kitchen as well? Use our kitchen sink dimensions guide for that room's measurements, rather than assuming a laundry tub and kitchen sink share the same requirements.

Laundry sink sizes: frequently asked questions

What is a standard laundry sink size in Australia?

There is no single size across all models. The examples here range from a 406 × 466mm 30L tub to a 630 × 550mm 70L tub. Always compare the specific product's dimensions and minimum cabinet requirement.

Is a 30L laundry sink big enough?

It can suit occasional handwashing, rinsing and bucket filling. Check the bowl opening and tap clearance against your usual items. If you regularly soak bulky linen, compare larger capacities before deciding.

Will a 45L laundry tub fit a 600mm cabinet?

Some models list a 600mm minimum cabinet, including the Oliveri TI45. Others require more space: the 45L DU490U lists 700mm. Capacity does not establish cabinet fit; the model specifications and cabinet construction do.

Is a deeper laundry sink always better?

No. Extra depth can help with soaking, but it uses cupboard space and increases the reach to the bottom. Balance bowl depth with comfort, plumbing clearance and storage.

Can I replace a laundry tub without changing the benchtop?

Possibly, if the replacement suits the existing cut-out, mounting arrangement, cabinetry and services. Matching the outer rim size is not enough. Have your installer confirm compatibility before ordering.

Do all laundry tubs have an overflow?

No. Overflow availability depends on the model and variant. Some include it, while others offer an option. Check the exact product code and ask your plumber to confirm the required drainage arrangement.

Find a laundry tub that fits your space

Start with your cabinet measurements and the jobs you need the bowl to handle. Then browse laundry tubs at Blue Leaf Bathware & Tiles to compare suitable models.

Have an existing cut-out or a tight layout? Keep a photo, your measurements and the shortlisted product codes handy when you speak with Blue Leaf and your installer. Those details make it easier to resolve the fit before you buy.

References and manufacturer specifications

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