Cost guides › Walk-in shower
Australia
Walk-in shower cost: bath-to-shower conversion
Converting an old bath into a walk-in shower in the same spot typically costs $7,100 including GST for a 1.4 m² shower area, with most jobs between $5,550 and $9,250. That covers taking out the bath, waterproofing, a low-step shower base, porcelain wall tiles, a fixed glass panel, a thermostatic mixer and two grab rails. A quick swap to a base with wall panels and a framed screen is about $3,600; a step-free, fully tiled floor with a strip drain and frameless glass is nearer $11,100.
Most homeowners pay
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Cost by region
| Location | Basic | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory | $3,800 | $7,450 | $11,600 |
| Western Australia | $3,700 | $7,250 | $11,300 |
| Northern Territory | $3,650 | $7,200 | $11,200 |
| New South Wales | $3,650 | $7,150 | $11,200 |
| Queensland | $3,600 | $7,050 | $11,000 |
| Victoria | $3,600 | $7,050 | $11,000 |
| South Australia | $3,500 | $6,850 | $10,800 |
| Tasmania | $3,400 | $6,700 | $10,500 |
What's included
Mid-range
- Removal of the old bath and its hob or frame, with rubbish taken away
- Stripping the tiles around the old bath back to the wall
- Moving the waste and hot and cold water to suit the shower
- Waterproofing membrane on the shower floor and walls
- Low-profile shower base with a low step-in height
- Porcelain wall tiles in the shower, laid and grouted
- Fixed glass shower panel (walk-in, no door)
- Thermostatic shower mixer with rail and hand shower
- Two grab rails fixed into solid backing
- Protection of floors and a full clean-up
What affects the cost
Shower base or step-free floor
A low-profile base sits just above the floor and connects to the old bath waste, which keeps the job simple. A step-free (hobless) shower needs the floor recessed or built up so it falls to a drain, plus a wider waterproofed area, so it costs more. On a concrete slab, cutting down for a recess is heavier work than on a timber floor.
Waterproofing and tiling
Waterproofing is the part you cannot see and the most expensive to redo. Tiled walls need a membrane behind them and time to cure; wall panels are quicker and cheaper. Large-format or floor-to-ceiling tiles add material and labour.
Plumbing changes
Keeping the shower where the bath was saves the most. Moving the waste, especially in a slab, or relocating the mixer to the other wall adds plumbing hours and patching.
Glass and screen
A framed screen with a door is the cheapest option. A fixed walk-in panel suits a wider space and is easier to get past with a walking frame; frameless glass with a strip drain gives a clear entry but costs more.
Accessibility extras
Grab rails need solid backing, so the wall may need noggins before tiling. A fold-down seat, a lever mixer within reach of the seat, a long hose and slip-resistant floor tiles are worth planning in from the start.
What is behind the old bath
Once the bath is out, water damage, rotten framing or cracked screed are common in older homes. Ask the quote to state what happens, and at what rate, if rectification is needed.
How to save
- Put the shower in the old bath position so the existing waste and water lines can be reused.
- Use wall panels instead of tiles if you are happy with the look; they go up fast and have no grout lines.
- Pick standard-size bases and screens rather than custom glass, which is dearer and has longer lead times.
- Check NDIS or My Aged Care eligibility before you book, as funded work usually needs an assessment first.
Grants, tax and rules
Licensed trades and waterproofing
Plumbing must be done by a licensed plumber under state licensing, and any electrical work by a licensed electrician. Waterproofing of wet areas is also regulated, and in several states it must be done by a licensed or certified waterproofer. Ask for the compliance certificates and the waterproofing certificate at the end.
Funding for accessible showers
The NDIS funds home modifications such as accessible showers for eligible participants: minor modifications under about $25,000, and complex ones above that with an assessor involved. Older people usually go through My Aged Care, where support for home modifications may be available after an assessment.
GST
Quotes to households include 10% GST, and so do our figures.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to convert a bath into a walk-in shower?
For a 1.4 m² shower area where the bath was, expect around $7,100 including GST with waterproofing, tiled walls, a glass panel and a thermostatic mixer. A simple base-and-panels swap is about $3,600; a step-free tiled floor with frameless glass is nearer $11,100.
How long does a bath to shower conversion take?
A base with wall panels can be done in two or three days. A tiled shower usually takes about a week, as the waterproofing must cure and in some states be inspected or certified before tiling.
Is a walk-in shower the same as a hobless shower?
Not always. A walk-in shower simply has no door and a low entry, often with a low-profile base. A hobless shower has no step at all: the floor falls to a drain, which is the better choice for wheelchairs and walking frames.
Does the NDIS pay for a walk-in shower?
It can, for eligible participants, usually after an assessment of their needs. Modifications under about $25,000 are treated as minor; larger or structural work goes through a complex home modification process with an assessor.
Should I keep a bath somewhere in the house?
If it is your only bathroom and you may sell to a family, a bath can matter to buyers. Where there is a second bathroom or the change is needed for mobility, a well-built walk-in shower is rarely a drawback.
What should I check on a quote?
That it names the waterproofing system and who certifies it, the shower base or floor type, the glass (framed or frameless, thickness), the mixer, the number of grab rails and what backing they fix into, and how rubbish is removed.
How this estimate is calculated
Work hours: 33.2 · Labour: $2,946 · Materials: $3,523
Sources: ABS Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia; Regione Toscana, Prezzario dei Lavori 2026 (CC BY 4.0); ECB exchange rates.