What Temperature Should Hot Water Be In Australia?

How do you like your bath? Just a little over body temperature for a tepid, comfortable soak – or scorching, steaming hot like so many people we all know so well? While hot water temperature is a preference made possible by the perfect tweak of our hot and cold taps, what you might not know is that hot water temperature is actually tightly regulated across Australia.

Key Takeaways: 

1. Hot water must be stored at 60°C to stop harmful bacteria from growing.
2. Thousands of Australians are hospitalised each year with serious burns.
3. Regulations require storing water at 60°C while delivering it at 45–50°C. A tempering valve achieves this balance by adding cold water before it reaches fixtures.

Understanding Legal Requirements for Hot Water Systems

The Plumbing Code of Australia and relevant Australian Standards set strict temperature requirements for all hot water systems.

Plumbers must set storage temperatures to at least 60°C to control the growth of Legionella bacteria. For personal hygiene uses—like showers and baths—they must cap the delivery temperature at 50°C to prevent scalding.

In commercial settings such as kitchens, plumbers may set delivery temperatures higher, up to 70°C, for sanitary purposes. 

Always include an approved tempering valve in new installations. Make sure that hot water doesn’t exceed 50°C at outlets used for personal washing.

The Hidden Dangers of Hot Water Burns

While it may seem like an added layer of regulation, hot water temperature limits exist to protect vulnerable groups. Older adults, individuals with disabilities, and young children represent a significant portion of the over 6,000 Australians hospitalised each year with severe third-degree burns.

Contrary to common assumptions, the leading cause of these injuries is not open flames or hot surfaces, but scalds from excessively hot tap water. These burns can occur in less than a second and may result in life-altering consequences.

What Temperature Should Hot Water Be?

Hot water can cause severe burns in seconds—or less. Knowing how fast scalding occurs at different temperatures is critical for safety.

Water Temp	Time to Cause Third-Degree Burn	Burn Severity
70°C	< 1 second	Instant irreversible skin damage
60°C	~5 seconds	Severe tissue damage
55°C	~30 seconds	Painful scalding; delayed but serious injury
50°C	~5 minutes	Prolonged exposure risk for children/elderly

Hot Water Fact: 90% of all scalding burns occur in the home, and another 90% of those burns occur in the bathroom when using baths and showers. Without immediate temperature control, hot water can cause deep tissue damage almost instantly.

At this point, while it obviously now makes perfect sense for local and state authorities to insist on hot water temperature regulations, it’s important to note that these regulations differ slightly in those jurisdictions across the country. 

What is presented below is a careful amalgamation of all of those state and local hot water tap temperature requirements, to give you a great summary of the recommended hot water temperature Australia- wide. 

Hot Water Temperature Regulations in Australia

1. 50 degrees Celcius

The key temperature to remember is 50°C. This is the maximum allowable temperature for hot water delivered from taps and showers. Sufficient for comfortable use, yet low enough to prevent immediate or long-term injury. This temperature is applicable in residential and domestic settings, specifically for:

• Bathrooms
• Showers
• Baths
• Ensuites
• Laundries

It applies to new or renovated plumbing installations in homes, rental properties, aged care facilities, and other residential environments where personal hygiene is involved.

2. 45 degrees Celcius

45°C is mandated in these high-risk environments to provide an added layer of safety. This is the maximum hot water delivery temperature allowed in specific settings that serve vulnerable individuals, such as:

• Aged care facilities
• Childcare centres
• Hospitals
• Schools
• Disability care environments

This lower limit reduces the risk of scalding. It protects vulnerable individuals such as the elderly, infants, and those with reduced sensitivity or mobility, who are more prone to burns.

3. 60 degrees Celcius

This requirement is not for personal use at the tap but to prevent the growth of Legionella bacteria. The bacteria thrive in stagnant, lukewarm water and cause serious illness such as Legionnaires’ disease.

Although storing water at 60°C is necessary for safety and hygiene, delivering water at this temperature directly to taps can already pose a significant risk of scalding. 

So with stored water at 60°C, but 45-50°C the recommended temperature for those hot taps, what’s the solution? The answer is a hot water tempering valve. This feature mixes in a little cold water to bring the heat of the stored water down for delivery to the home.

Checklist: Is Your Hot Water System Safe?

• Hot water from bathroom taps and showers doesn’t go above 50°C.
• In homes with young children, elderly residents, or people with disabilities, water delivery is set to 45°C or lower.
• The water temperature from taps is tested regularly.
• The tempering valve has been checked or replaced within the last 5 years.
• There are no visible signs of leaks, rust, or fluctuating water temperature.
• A licensed plumber has inspected the hot water system in the past year.

Ask Best Plumbers Club About Your Hot Water Temperature

Have you got a problem with your hot water system temperature? Do you need your hot water tempering valve checked or fixed? For a matter of such fundamental importance from a safety point of view, you’re going to need the advice and services of absolutely the best hot water plumbers you can get your hands on. Get help with:

• Hot Water Sydney
• Hot water Penrith
• Hot Water Melbourne
• Hot Water Brisbane
• Hot Water Gold Coast
• Hot Water Sunshine Coast
• Hot Water Adelaide
• Hot Water Canberra
• Hot Water Newcastle

End your search for “local plumbers near me” with Best Plumbers Club. Our recommended and reviewed local plumbers deliver fast, friendly service and top-quality workmanship. To have an approved Best Plumber at your doorstep in no time, call 1300 930 880 or send a message today.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What temperature should hot water be at the tap Australia?

Australian standards require hot water in storage systems to be heated to no less than 60°C.

What temperature is too hot to water grass in Australia?

Watering grass with water above 30–35°C can stress or damage your lawn. Using water that’s too hot can scald roots and hinder growth.

What is the average temperature of a hot water heater?

The average temperature setting for a residential hot water heater in Australia is 60°C. This is the required storage temperature to prevent the growth of bacteria like Legionella.