Standard Shower Size in Australia: Complete 2026 Guide

You're planning a bathroom and trying to work out if that shower you've got your eye on will actually fit. Fair enough. Most people get this wrong. They either cram in a 900x900mm corner job that feels like showering in a phone booth, or they blow half their bathroom on a walk-in that looks great on Instagram but leaves no room for a decent vanity.

Standard shower size in Australia is 900x900mm. That's what builders default to. But it's tight. If you've got space, 1000x1000mm is noticeably better. Walk-ins start at 1200mm wide and go up from there. Your actual size depends on your bathroom dimensions, whether you're building or renovating, and if you'll be sharing the shower with someone else.

This guide covers shower dimensions, types, costs, and what actually works in real bathrooms.

In this Article:

• What is Standard Shower Size in Australia?
• Australian Building Code Requirements
• Shower Types, Dimensions and Costs
• Small Bathroom Shower Sizing
• Common Shower Sizing Mistakes
• Budget Considerations by Size
• Planning Your Shower Installation
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

What is Standard Shower Size in Australia?

900x900mm. That's the baseline. Fits most bathrooms but is comfortable? A Sydney plumber we spoke to pulls out 900mm showers constantly during renos. "Everyone says the same thing. Feels like a box. They want bigger."

1000x1000mm is better if you've got space. That extra 100mm matters more than you'd think. More elbow room, less bumping into walls.

Walk-in showers need 1200mm width minimum. Any narrower and water splashes everywhere. 1400-1500mm is where they start feeling genuinely spacious.

Standard shower dimensions in Australia:

• Width: 900mm (minimum) to 2000mm (luxury doubles)
• Depth: 900mm (minimum) to 1800mm (spacious walk-ins)
• Height: 1900mm (standard screen) to 2400mm (ceiling height)

Australian Building Code Requirements

AS 3740 sets the minimums. These are what passes code, not what you want to live with.

Minimum dimensions:

• 900x900mm for standard showers
• 1200x1200mm for accessible showers (wheelchair access)
• 1200mm diameter clear space inside for turning

These are bare minimums. You can do better. Most Australian bathrooms fit 1000mm showers without sacrificing other fixtures.

Shower Types, Dimensions and Costs

1. Rectangular Shower Dimensions

900x1200mm fits tight spaces. 1000x1200mm is the most common size in Australian bathrooms. 1000x1500mm feels spacious without being enormous.

2. Corner Showers

(900x900mm or 1000x1000mm) fit into corners and save floor space.

3. Alcove Showers

These sit between three walls. Width runs 1000mm to 1500mm typically.

4. Double Showers

Two shower heads. Minimum 1600mm wide for two people.

5. Shower-Bath Combos

Standard bath is 1500-1700mm long and 700-750mm wide.

6. Shower Bases and Cubicles

Shower bases come in standard sizes: 900x900mm, 1000x1000mm, 1200x1200mm.

Wetrooms vs Walk-In Showers

Walk-in shower: Defined shower area with base or tiled floor.

Wetroom: Entire bathroom floor waterproofed and sloped to single drain.

Accessible and Disability Showers

AS 1428.1 requirements:

• Dimensions: 1200x1200mm minimum
• Grab rails: 600-800mm long
• Seat: 450-480mm height
• Controls: 900-1100mm height

Shower Screen Heights and Glass

Standard shower screen height in Australia is 1900mm.

• 6mm: Budget framed screens
• 8mm: Semi-frameless
• 10mm: Frameless

Shower Niche Dimensions

• Width: 300-450mm
• Height: 150-300mm
• Depth: 90mm

Small Bathroom Shower Sizing

• Neo-angle corner showers
• Offset quadrant showers
• Sliding door showers
• Frameless glass

If you're working with tight spaces, small bathroom design ideas can help.

Common Shower Sizing Mistakes

• Trusting standard sizes without measuring
• Forgetting door clearances
• Ignoring ceiling height
• Choosing style over function
• Undersizing accessible showers

Budget Considerations by Size

• Glass thickness and frame style
• Tiling area
• Waterproofing
• Custom glass panels

Keeping plumbing in the same location can save $1,000-$3,000.

Planning Your Shower Installation

• Confirm available floor space
• Check ceiling height
• Verify plumbing locations
• Plan door swing clearances
• Choose your shower style early

Coordinate with vanities, toilets, and mirrors.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the minimum shower size in Australia?

900x900mm for standard residential showers.

2. What is a comfortable shower size?

1000x1000mm minimum for one person.

3. How big should a walk-in shower be?

1200mm width minimum.

4. What's the standard shower base size in Australia?

900x900mm, 1000x1000mm, and 1200x1200mm.

5. Do I need council approval to install a shower?

Minor bathroom work usually doesn't require approval.

6. How much space do you need in front of a shower?

600mm minimum clearance.

7. Can I fit a 1000mm shower in a small bathroom?

Most small bathrooms (4–6 sqm) can fit 1000mm showers.

Conclusion

Choosing the right shower size comes down to your actual bathroom space and how you'll use it daily.

900mm works if that's all you've got room for. 1000mm is noticeably better. Walk-ins need 1200mm minimum but 1400mm+ is where they start feeling properly good.

Looking for the right fit? We stock shower accessories across all size ranges.

References

1. AS 3740-2010: Waterproofing of domestic wet areas
2. National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 Volume Two
3. Australian Building Codes Board: Accessible housing provisions