Have you ever turned on the shower and thought, “Hmm, this feels too hot … or is it?” You’re not alone – it’s a very common concern. Lots and lots of Queensland households just like yours aren’t sure what their hot water temperature should be, who sets it, or what’s actually required by Australian rules.
In the end, it’s really a big balancing act:
- Hot enough to kill bacteria like Legionella in the tank
- Safe enough at the tap so no one gets scalded.
So let’s walk through what’s normal, what the standards say – and a simple step-by-step way to check if your setup is safe and compliant.
What temperature should hot water be in Australia?
Let’s get the answer out of the way straight up:
In most modern homes with storage tanks, the hot water tank temperature is set to at least 60°C.
That high internal hot water temperature helps control bacteria inside the cylinder – especially when water sits in the tank for a while.
But that doesn’t mean 60°C should be coming straight out of your taps!
For bathrooms (and showers, baths and basins), Australian rules and plumbing codes expect water to be delivered much cooler at the outlet. That’s why what temperature should hot water be at the tap Australia is one of the big plumbing-related search terms that plumbers see – and the general answer is around 50°C or lower at bathroom fixtures in a standard home.
Even lower limits apply for:
- Childcare
- Aged care
- Some other high-risk settings.
So, what temperature should a hot water system be set at? The real answer is actually split into two:
- Inside the tank – typically 60°C or above
- At the bathroom taps – tempered down to a safer level.
And this is exactly where tempering valves and thermostatic mixing valves come in.
How your home keeps hot water safe
In a typical Brisbane or Sunshine Coast home, domestic hot water temperature is managed in a couple of ways:
- The thermostat on the unit controls the storage temperature.
- A tempering valve or mixer on the outgoing line blends hot and cold before it reaches your bathroom.
So – your water heater temperature inside the unit can stay high enough for hygiene, while the actual outlet water is more skin-friendly for kids and adults.
If either part of that setup is wrong – the thermostat, the tempering valve, or the way it’s installed – you can end up with water that’s too cold to be useful or too hot to be safe!
4 Checks if you’re worried about hot water temperature
We’ve come up with a simple and practical way to approach it if you’re not sure your hot water temperature is where it should be at your place.
1. Check how the water feels at your regular taps
Start with the bathroom you use most. Let the shower or basin run for 30-60 seconds and pay attention:
- Is it lukewarm even on the “hottest” setting?
- Does it change randomly from one day to the next?
- Does it feel dangerously hot within a few seconds?
These early impressions will tell you whether your hot water tap temperature feels roughly right – or obviously out of range.
2. Use a thermometer to see what you’re actually getting
How hot does tap water get in your home? Well, don’t guess, and instead grab a basic kitchen thermometer and hold it in a mug under the hot tap. Let the water run and watch the reading climb. This gives you a real number instead of a ‘it’s too hot’ or ‘it’s too cold’ guess.
If it pushes into scalding territory quickly, or never reaches a comfortable showering range, something in the system probably needs adjustment or repair.
3. Listen for clues from the system itself
Sometimes, the behaviour of the unit will tell you more than the numbers:
- Long delays before hot water arrives
- Sudden bursts of very hot, then very cold
- Constant cycling or noisy operation.
These can point to issues with thermostats, elements, tempering valves – even pipework. In those cases, the problem isn’t just the hot water system temperature setting – it’s how the system is operating as a whole.
4. Call a licensed plumber to inspect and adjust safely
If you suspect your tap water temperature is too high or too low, don’t try to pull the system apart yourself. A licensed plumber can:
- Test outlet temperatures properly
- Confirm hot water temperature standards for your type of home
- Check the condition and setting of your tempering valve
- Adjust or repair the unit and valves so everything works together safely.
They can also explain your options if you need separate temperatures for the kitchen and bathroom – or if an older system isn’t capable of meeting current expectations.
Can you change your hot water settings?
Sometimes, yes – but it’s not always as simple as “turning it down a bit”.
Changing hot water system temperature or outlet temperatures can involve:
- Adjusting the thermostat (for storage units)
- Replacing or recalibrating tempering valves
- Upgrading older systems that can’t reliably hold safe temperatures
- Checking the network of pipes so the hot water tank temperature and outlet readings stay stable over time.
Done properly, you get hot enough water for showers, dishwashing, and washing clothes – and never flirt with dangerous scalding.
When to get professional help
Think you’ve reached the limits of your hot water temperature knowledge? You should definitely get your system checked properly if:
- Kids or older family members use the shower, and the water feels dangerously hot
- You’ve had a new bathroom or kitchen installed, and your domestic hot water temperature is now inconsistent
- Your unit is old and has never had a proper temperature or safety check
- Your shower is too cool, even with the handle fully on hot.
A fully licensed plumber can make sure your hot water tap temperature is set up correctly for everyday comfort and safety – and that your system is still compliant with current hot water temperature standards.
Need help with your hot water temperature?
Is your shower too hot? Too cold? Simply unpredictable? Our friendly team can:
- Test your system
- Check your tempering valves
- Set everything up for safe, reliable hot water.
Static Plumbing services Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay and beyond with honest advice and fast, friendly hot water repairs.
Book online right now or call today to get your hot water sorted – properly.
