Water pumps sit in a shed or under a tank and get bought once a decade — until they die and suddenly you need one on Sunday morning. Our range covers 12V camping pumps, rainwater tank pumps, bore pumps, pressure pumps for domestic supply, and solar pumps for off-grid setups. Water pumps from $89, with most quality tank pumps between $249 and $599. Stock is held across our Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane warehouses, dispatching within 1–2 business days.
What is the best water pump for a rainwater tank?
A self-priming pressure pump around 60 L/min and 40m max head handles most household tank-to-garden applications. If the tank sits well below the outlet (uphill garden), size up on head. If the tank is close to the outlet, prioritise flow rate. Cheap non-priming pumps save $100 upfront and cost hours in ritual priming — every time the pump stops, you have to manually fill it before starting again. Spend the extra $50–$100 for self-priming. Add a pressure switch and small accumulator tank if you want the pump to behave like town water.
What types of pumps are available?
| Type |
Best for |
Flow rate |
Price guide |
| 12V camping pump |
Camper trailer, marine, boat |
10–20 L/min |
$89–$249 |
| Tank pump |
Rainwater tank to garden |
40–80 L/min |
$249–$599 |
| Bore pump |
Submerged in bore, whole-property |
Varies |
$599–$1,999 |
| Pressure pump |
Domestic water pressure boost |
40–70 L/min |
$349–$899 |
| Solar pump |
Off-grid, remote water access |
Varies with sun |
$399–$1,499 |
Do you need dry-run protection on a water pump?
If it is for a rainwater tank or bore that might run empty, yes. A pump running dry burns out its impeller and mechanical seal within minutes. Dry-run cut-out sensors are $30–$80 to add or built-in on better pumps. Insurance against the most common failure mode. Cheap pumps without this feature fail exactly once — when the tank runs empty for the first time. Bore pumps that run 24/7 need it more than occasional tank pumps.
Quick buyer's checklist
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Self-priming: Saves the manual fill-before-start ritual
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Working head at pressure: Not the max head; usually 60–70% of the max
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Duty cycle: Check ratings for continuous vs intermittent use
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Dry-run protection: Cheap insurance for tank and bore pumps
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Fitting sizes: 1" fittings dominate; some pumps use 1.25" or metric
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Noise level: Matters if the pump is near a bedroom window
How long do water pumps last?
Domestic pumps last 8–15 years in normal residential use. Duty cycle abuse (running against closed outlets, dry-running, cycling on and off constantly from a mis-set pressure switch) is what kills them early. Regular pumps used sensibly outlast the house's original tap fittings. Bore pumps typically last 5–10 years because they run much more frequently. Camping 12V pumps have shorter lives — 3–7 years — because they see heavy use during trips and long storage between.
How much do water pumps cost in Australia?
Water pumps at Simple Deals start from $89 for 12V camping pumps. Most rainwater tank pumps sit between $249 and $599, with bore and pressure pumps from $399 to $1,999. All items dispatch within 1–2 business days from our Australian warehouses.
What most sites won't admit
Almost every water pump sold in Australia is manufactured in China, Italy or the US — including ours. The real difference is not where the pump is made, it's what happens after it lands in Australia. Marketplaces dropship straight from overseas containers, which is why "fast delivery" stretches into six weeks. We import in bulk, hold stock across our Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane warehouses, and ship from there.
The other thing nobody mentions is that "max head" is a misleading headline spec. Max head is measured at zero flow — the pump running against a completely blocked outlet, seeing how high it can theoretically push water. That number is useful for spec-sheet comparison but not for buying decisions. What you actually get in real use is working head — the height the pump lifts water while delivering the flow rate you need. Working head is typically 60–70% of the max head figure. A pump advertised at "40m max head" delivers around 24–28m of real lift at usable garden-tap flow.
Frequently asked questions
What if my pump arrives damaged?
Contact us within 7 days with photos. We will arrange a replacement or refund under the 12-month warranty. Transit damage is uncommon with boxed pumps.
Can I install a water pump myself?
Above-ground tank pumps yes, most DIYers can wire and plumb them in a few hours. Bore pumps and hardwired 240V pumps often need a licensed electrician for the power connection. Plumbing to town water main requires a licensed plumber.
How long does delivery take?
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane: 3–5 business days. Perth and Adelaide: 5–8 days. Regional and remote areas: 7–14 days.
Can I pay with Afterpay, Zip or PayPal?
Yes, all three. A $499 tank pump works out to four payments of $124.75 with Afterpay, four payments of $124.75 with PayPal Pay in 4, or roughly $42 a month with Zip over 12 months. Klarna is also available.
What's the warranty?
12 months on manufacturing defects, plus 30-day change-of-mind returns on unused pumps in original packaging.
Complete the water setup
A pump connects to the rest of the water system. A few things go with it. Most buyers add three at the same time: power tools for fittings and PVC glue-up, an air compressor for pressure testing and blowing out irrigation, and outdoor storage for the pump housing and nearby tool storage.
Why us
Simple Deals — family-run since 2018. Australian warehouse stock. Support on 1300 456 786. Afterpay, Zip, Klarna and PayPal. 12-month warranty, 30-day change-of-mind returns. 4.66★ from 5,363 reviews.
