If you’re navigating the Australian tapware market, whether as a homeowner planning a renovation or a business seeking a strategic supplier, you’ll find a landscape defined by sophisticated design, stringent regulations, and a fascinating mix of local artisans and global powerhouses. Choosing the right brand or partner isn’t just about style; it’s about understanding compliance, quality, and long-term value in this unique A$500 million market.
This definitive guide provides an inside look at the top 10 tapware manufacturers shaping the Australian industry. We’ll dissect each brand’s strengths, target market, and product focus. More importantly, we’ll demystify the critical regulations like WELS and WaterMark that are your ticket to entry. For our business partners, this is your roadmap to competing and winning in one of the world’s most discerning markets.
Last Updated: Feb 2026 | Estimated Reading Time: 14 minutes

In This Manufacturer’s Guide, You Will Discover:
- A detailed breakdown of the 10 key tapware players in Australia.
- The non-negotiable WELS and WaterMark certifications you must understand.
- The market dynamic between local manufacturers and international design leaders.
- How to source compliant, high-quality tapware as a business (the OEM/ODM advantage).
- Why SUS304 stainless steel is the future for the Australian market.
The Australian Tapware Market: A Snapshot
Before we dive into the brands, it’s crucial to understand the field of play. The Australian tapware market is mature, stable, and highly regulated. Here’s what defines it:
| Market Characteristic | Description & Impact on You |
|---|---|
| Market Size & Growth | Approx. A$400-600 million, with steady 2-3% annual growth driven by new builds and a strong renovation culture. |
| Key Driver: Regulations | WELS (Water Efficiency) and WaterMark (Quality & Safety) are mandatory. No certificate, no sale. |
| Brand Landscape | Dominated by international brands setting design trends, while strong local brands control key architectural and trade channels. |
| Consumer Trends | Growing demand for water efficiency (high WELS ratings), colored finishes (matte black, brushed gold), and healthier materials like lead-free stainless steel. |
Manufacturer’s Insight: For any business looking to enter the Australian market, understanding WELS and WaterMark is not optional. Partnering with an OEM manufacturer like SpringFaucet, who has deep experience in producing compliant, certified products, eliminates the biggest barrier to entry and dramatically reduces your time to market.
Australia’s Top 10 Tapware Manufacturers & Brands
Here is our expert analysis of the key players, presented in no particular order. We break down who they are, what they do best, and who they sell to.
1. Faucet Strommen
- Company Intro: A family-owned Australian manufacturer based in Kerang, Victoria, renowned for its commitment to local production and craftsmanship since 1974.
- Product Range: Offers a vast range of classic and contemporary tapware, showers, and accessories. Known for their “build-your-own” system allowing for extensive customization of finishes and handle styles.
- Core Strengths: High degree of customization, wide array of special finishes, and a strong “Australian Made” identity.
- Customer Base: Architects, interior designers, and homeowners seeking bespoke, high-end solutions for premium residential projects.
- Market Tier: Premium / Luxury.
2. Brodware
- Company Intro: For over 50 years, Brodware has been a leader in Australian manufacturing, blending traditional craftsmanship with advanced technology. They are known for their architectural-grade quality.
- Product Range: Extensive collections covering everything from minimalist modern to highly ornate traditional designs. They offer one of the widest finish palettes in the country.
- Core Strengths: Exceptional build quality (often machined from solid brass), vast customization options through their “Infinium PVD” finishes, and deep relationships with the architectural community.
- Customer Base: High-end architectural projects, luxury homes, and commercial developments.
- Market Tier: Premium / Luxury.
3. Sussex Taps

- Company Intro: A Melbourne-based, family-run business that controls the entire manufacturing process in-house, from raw material casting to final finishing. They are notable for their use of recycled brass.
- Product Range: Focus on minimalist and architectural designs with a distinctively modern Australian aesthetic. Their collections are cohesive and design-forward.
- Core Strengths: Strong focus on sustainability (recycled materials, solar-powered foundry), impeccable minimalist design, and end-to-end Australian manufacturing.
- Customer Base: Design-conscious homeowners, architects, and those prioritizing sustainable and locally made products.
- Market Tier: Premium.
4. Astra Walker
- Company Intro: An Australian brand that combines local design with high-quality components to create a wide range of sophisticated tapware.
- Product Range: Very broad, offering everything from classic English-inspired designs to sleek, architectural ranges. They are known for their ability to offer a complete bathroom solution with matching accessories.
- Core Strengths: Design versatility, a huge selection of finishes, and the ability to provide a consistent aesthetic across all bathroom fittings.
- Customer Base: Interior designers and homeowners looking for a cohesive, high-end look across an entire project.
- Market Tier: Upper-Mid to Premium.
5. Fienza
- Company Intro: An Australian-owned company that sources and designs products for the mainstream market, focusing on providing stylish and affordable solutions.
- Product Range: Wide range of tapware, vanities, toilets, and baths. Their tapware follows popular trends in color and style.
- Core Strengths: Affordability, on-trend designs, and availability through major plumbing retailers, making them highly accessible.
- Customer Base: Volume builders, renovators on a budget, and the DIY market.
- Market Tier: Entry-Level to Mid-Range.
6. Phoenix Tapware
- Company Intro: One of Australia’s most prominent tapware brands, with an award-winning in-house design team. They have successfully blended innovative design with broad market appeal.
- Product Range: Extensive and diverse, covering a wide range of styles and price points. They are often first to market with new design trends and finishes.
- Core Strengths: Leading-edge design, strong brand recognition, wide distribution network, and a comprehensive product warranty.
- Customer Base: A broad spectrum from renovators and plumbers to architects and designers.
- Market Tier: Mid-Range to Upper-Mid.
7. Methven
- Company Intro: Originally a New Zealand company (now part of GWA Group), Methven is a household name in Australia, famous for its innovation in shower technology.
- Product Range: While best known for showers featuring their unique “Satinjet” and “Vjet” technologies, they offer a full range of complementary tapware.
- Core Strengths: World-leading shower technology, strong brand trust, and excellent water efficiency across their ranges.
- Customer Base: Homeowners, plumbers, and renovators who prioritize shower experience and water savings.
- Market Tier: Mid-Range.
8. Consolidated Brass Tapware (CB Ideal)

- Company Intro: A South Australian manufacturer with a heritage stretching back to the 19th century. They specialize in traditional, heritage, and industrial-style tapware.
- Product Range: Niche focus on heritage designs, outdoor taps, and custom-made brass fittings. The go-to for authentic Federation or Art Deco reproductions.
- Core Strengths: Unmatched expertise in heritage styles, high-quality brasswork, and the ability to produce custom and hard-to-find components.
- Customer Base: Restoration projects, heritage homes, and clients seeking a specific, authentic period look.
- Market Tier: Niche / Premium.
9. Par Taps
- Company Intro: A smaller Australian manufacturer known for its durable, functional, and often specialized tapware for commercial and healthcare applications.
- Product Range: Includes commercial-grade taps, time-flow taps, thermostatic mixing valves, and accessible tapware for aged care and hospitals.
- Core Strengths: Durability, focus on functionality and compliance for commercial environments, and expertise in healthcare solutions.
- Customer Base: Commercial builders, hospitals, schools, and public facilities.
- Market Tier: Commercial / Specialized.
10. SpringFaucet (The OEM/ODM Specialist)
- Company Intro: Unlike the B2C brands above, SpringFaucet is a leading OEM/ODM faucet factory. We are the manufacturing partner behind many successful brands, with extensive experience producing compliant tapware for the Australian market.
- Product Range: Our range is virtually unlimited. We produce kitchen faucets, bathroom taps, and showers according to our clients’ exact specifications—in lead-free brass or the increasingly popular SUS304 stainless steel.
- Core Strengths:
- Australian Compliance Mastery: Deep expertise in manufacturing products that meet WaterMark AS/NZS 3718 and high WELS star ratings.
- Full Customization: As an OEM/ODM partner, we build your product with your desired design, materials, and branding.
- Cost-Effectiveness & Stability: Direct-from-factory pricing provides a significant competitive edge over traditional sourcing models.
- Material Expertise: We are leaders in both certified lead-free brass and the advanced manufacturing of SUS304 Stainless Steel, a material rapidly gaining traction in Australia for its health benefits and modern aesthetic.
- Customer Base: Australian importers, tapware brands, distributors, and large-scale property developers seeking a reliable, compliant, and cost-effective manufacturing partner.
- Market Tier: We manufacture across all tiers—from high-value entry-level to premium architectural grade.
Tip for Businesses: The fastest way to launch a successful tapware line in Australia is to partner with an experienced OEM who already understands the certification process. This eliminates costly mistakes and streamlines your path to market.
The Rise of SUS304 Stainless Steel in Australia

While lead-free brass remains a standard, the Australian market is quickly embracing the benefits of solid SUS304 stainless steel. As a manufacturer, we see this trend accelerating for several key reasons:
- Ultimate Health & Safety: SUS304 is naturally 100% lead-free. This offers absolute peace of mind for health-conscious Australian families.
- Modern Aesthetic: The clean, brushed finish of stainless steel perfectly complements the modern architectural style popular in Australian homes.
- Durability for Coastal Areas: Stainless steel’s superior corrosion resistance makes it an ideal choice for Australia’s vast coastal population.
We are seeing immense interest in products like our Modern Stainless Steel Kitchen Faucet with Pull-Down Sprayer, which combines a high WELS rating with the durability and sleek look of SUS304.
Similarly, minimalist designs are dominating bathroom renovations. Our Wall-Mount Stainless Steel Bath Faucet is a prime example of a product designed for the Australian market—its brushed stainless finish and clean, round form factor create an understated luxury that designers and homeowners are actively seeking.
| Feature Comparison | Traditional Lead-Free Brass | Solid SUS304 Stainless Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Lead Content | Compliant (<0.25% lead) but not lead-free by nature. | Naturally 100% Lead-Free. No lead in the alloy. |
| Durability | Good corrosion resistance. | Superior corrosion and scratch resistance. Ideal for coastal conditions. |
| Aesthetic | Requires plating (chrome, etc.) which can chip or fade. | The material itself is the finish. Brushed look is timeless and hides fingerprints. |
| Cost & Supply | Tied to volatile international copper prices. | More stable material cost, offering better price predictability for businesses. |
Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your Needs
Australia’s tapware market offers a wealth of options, from locally handcrafted luxury pieces to globally designed, trend-setting products.
- For Homeowners & Designers: Your choice will depend on your budget, style, and priorities. Brands like Sussex and Brodware offer premium local craftsmanship, while Phoenix and Fienza provide on-trend, accessible designs.
- For Businesses, Importers, & Developers: Your strategic goal is different. You need a partner who can deliver a compliant, high-quality, and cost-effective product that allows you to compete. The brands on this list are your competition. Your partner is a manufacturer like SpringFaucet.
By leveraging our OEM/ODM expertise, you can bypass the complexities of local manufacturing, control your design and branding, and enter the market with a product that is perfectly tailored to Australian tastes and regulations. You gain the power of a factory direct relationship, ensuring quality, compliance, and profitability.
Recommended Links
Internal Links:
- The Ultimate Guide to SUS304 Stainless Steel Faucets
- How to Import Sanitary Materials From China
- Explore Our OEM/ODM Faucet Manufacturing Services
External Links (Authoritative Sources):
- Australian Government: Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme – The official source for all WELS information.
- WaterMark Certification Scheme – The official government body for WaterMark product certification.
- Housing Industry Association (HIA) – A key source for Australian housing and renovation market data.