How Long Toilets Normally Last
The porcelain bowl itself can last decades because it’s just solid ceramic sitting there minding its own business. What ages quicker are the internal bits inside the cistern. Most plumbers will tell you that a toilet usually gives you a good 10 to 15 years before the parts start wearing out more frequently. Some higher-quality ones push twenty years or more, but eventually all the little components inside begin to fail.
If yours is older and you’ve already had a few repairs in the past couple of years, there’s a good chance more problems are coming.
What Repairs Actually Cost in 2026
Most Aussie homeowners spend roughly $250 to $400 on toilet repairs, which usually covers the everyday issues plumbers see all the time. Small jobs like tightening a loose seat or adjusting a sticky handle generally fall between this price range. They’re simple fixes and usually sorted in no time.
Repairs that need a bit more work, such as replacing a fill valve or fixing a pan ring leak, tend to sit in the $300 to $500 range. These are pretty standard plumbing jobs and are often wrapped up within an hour or so.
Things start getting pricey once you’re dealing with more serious faults. Complex blockages, damaged flush valves, or anything that affects the toilet’s structure can cost anywhere from $500 up to around $3,000. When repair costs creep into that territory, it’s worth stepping back and considering whether replacing the whole toilet might be the smarter option.
The type of toilet you have also makes a difference. Link toilet suites usually cost between $300 and $500 to repair. Close-coupled toilet suites tend to fall between $400 and $600.
Labour is a big part of the bill too. Most plumbers charge a fixed fee per job to complete the repairs including any parts and labour.
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What Replacement Actually Costs in 2026
If you walk into Bunnings or look around online, you’ll notice toilet prices are all over the place. A basic model can cost under $300, while nicer mid-range models sit between $300 and $800. Premium toilets or wall-hung designs can climb well past $1,000.
Then you have the toilet installation cost. A standard like-for-like replacement usually works out to somewhere between $600 and $1,200 in total once you add the toilet and the labour. If you’re switching to something fancy like a wall-hung toilet or you need the waste pipe moved, the price goes up because there’s more work involved.
The Warning Signs Your Toilet Is Beyond Repair
Age
If your toilet is pushing 20+ years old, replacement makes financial sense even if it’s still functioning. Why? Water efficiency.
According to Energy.gov.au data, replacing an old single-flush toilet (12 litres per flush) with a modern 4-star WELS-rated toilet (3.5/4.5 litre dual flush) saves about 50 kilolitres and $148 annually on water bills for a family of four.
Over ten years, that’s $1,480 in savings. The toilet pays for itself in about 2-3 years, then keeps saving you money.
Constant Running
A toilet that will not stop running is usually caused by a flush or fill valve issue and can be repaired for about $300 to $500. If you have already replaced those components and it is still running, that points to a deeper problem.
Frequent Clogging
The odd clog happens. We’ve all been there. But if you’re keeping the plunger next to the toilet because you need it twice a week, something’s wrong.
Frequent clogging in older toilets often indicates:
- Worn internal components that aren’t generating proper flush pressure
- Mineral buildup in the rim jets restricting water flow
- First-generation low-flow designs that simply don’t work well
Modern toilets flush better with less water. Technology’s improved dramatically since the 1990s and early 2000s. If your toilet was made before 2005, newer models will outperform it significantly.
Cracks and Leaks
See a hairline crack in the bowl or tank? Replace it. Don’t wait, don’t try to seal it. Cracks only get worse, and when a toilet tank fails catastrophically, you’re dealing with 20+ litres of water flooding your bathroom.
According to Yellow Pages' replacement guidelines, a cracked tank means immediate replacement. The structural integrity is compromised, and repair isn’t worth the risk.
Leaks at the base suggest pan ring failure, which is a $300-$500 repair. If you’re also seeing rust stains or floor damage around the base, you’re likely dealing with long-term leakage that’s compromised the floor. At that point, you need both toilet replacement and possible floor repair.
Experiencing any of these warning signs? Don’t wait until a small problem becomes an expensive emergency. Contact Ezy-Plumb today for emergency plumbing services across Melbourne.
The Repair vs Replace Decision
Here’s the approach most homeowners find actually works.
Consider repair if:
- The toilet is under 10 years old
- The problem is isolated
- The repair costs under $1000
- You’ve had no previous repairs in the past 2 years
- The toilet meets modern efficiency standards (4+ star WELS rating)
Consider replacement if:
- The toilet is over 15 years old
- You’ve made 2+ repairs in the past year
- The repair costs more than $1000
- You have an old single-flush model
- There are cracks, severe leaks, or structural issues
- You’re renovating the bathroom anyway
A Few More Factors to Consider…
Water Efficiency
This is where the numbers get interesting. Australia’s Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme requires all new toilets to display their water efficiency rating.
The star rating matters:
- 3-star WELS rating: Maximum 6.5L full flush, 3.5L half flush (minimum legal standard for rentals from March 2025)
- 4-star WELS rating: Typically 4.5L full, 3L half (this is the sweet spot)
- 5-6 star ratings: Even more efficient, though less common
According to Water Rating data, 93% of toilets currently registered with WELS have 4 stars or better. That’s the new normal.
If you’re replacing a pre-2000s toilet, you’re probably going from 11-12 litres per flush to 3-4 litres. Based on 4 flushes per person per day for a 4-person household:
- Old toilet: 12L × 4 × 4 = 192 litres daily = 70,000 litres yearly
- New 4-star: 4L × 4 × 4 = 64 litres daily = 23,400 litres yearly
- Savings: 46,600 litres per year
At typical Australian water rates ($2.99/kL according to Energy.gov.au), that’s $139 saved annually. Your $400 toilet replacement pays for itself in under three years, then saves you $139 every year after that.
Ready to fix your toilet troubles once and for all? Call Ezy-Plumb today on 0402 169 096 or book online for fast, friendly service across Melbourne
Making the Call
Start with an honest assessment: How old is your toilet? How much would the repair cost? How many times have you dealt with issues in the past year?
If the toilet is pre-2005, single-flush, or you’ve repaired it twice already, replacement wins. The water savings alone justify the cost.
If it’s a newer dual-flush with an isolated problem, repair makes sense.
For everything in between, get a professional opinion. A good plumber will tell you honestly whether repair or replacement is the better investment. They see dozens of toilets every week and know which ones are worth saving.
Contact Ezy-Plumb today for an assessment — we’ll evaluate your toilet, explain your options, and provide upfront pricing with no surprises.
