Collection: Pumps

Pumps move water for irrigation, transferring from tanks, draining flooded areas and boosting household pressure. The right pump depends on the job — how much water, how far, how high, and whether the pump sits in the water or outside it. Flow rate and head height are the two figures that matter. Work out the volume you need to move and the height you need to lift it, then match the pump to both.

What type of pump do you need?

Each type suits a different job:

• Transfer pump: moves water from one place to another, such as tank to garden, sitting outside the water and drawing through a hose.
• Submersible or sump pump: sits in the water and pushes it out, used for draining, sumps and deep tanks.
• Pressure pump: maintains steady pressure for household or irrigation supply, switching on automatically with demand.
• Garden pump: for irrigation, sized to the sprinklers or drippers it runs.

What do flow rate and head height mean?

Flow rate is how much water the pump moves in a given time, usually litres per minute or hour. Head height is how high it can lift water, in metres, and the crucial point is that the two are linked — as head height increases, flow rate drops, so a pump rated at a high flow figure delivers far less at the top of its lift range. Manufacturers publish a performance curve showing this relationship. Measure the actual vertical lift plus the friction loss of your hose run, then check the flow at that head rather than the headline number.

How do you use a pump safely?

Water and mains electricity together need care. Use a residual current device with any mains pump, particularly outdoors, and check the lead and plug for damage before every use. Keep connections and plugs out of wet areas and off the ground. Never run a pump dry, since most rely on the water for cooling and lubrication and will burn out quickly without it. Submersible pumps must be fully rated for immersion and installed as the maker specifies. If a pump is being hardwired or connected to household plumbing, use a licensed electrician or plumber.

Common questions

What is head height on a pump?
How high the pump can lift water, in metres. Flow rate drops as head increases, so check the pump's performance at your actual lift height rather than its headline flow figure.

Submersible or transfer pump?
A submersible sits in the water and pushes it out, suiting draining and deep tanks. A transfer pump sits outside and draws water through a hose, suiting tank-to-garden movement.

Can a pump run dry?
No — most pumps rely on water for cooling and lubrication and burn out quickly if run dry. Some have dry-run protection, but it's best avoided regardless.

Do I need an RCD for a water pump?
Yes, use a residual current device with any mains pump, especially outdoors, and check leads and plugs for damage. Water and mains power together are a real electrocution risk.

Can I pay for a pump with Afterpay?
Yes. You can split it with Afterpay, Zip, Klarna or PayPal Pay in 4. Our pumps start from $35, which is four fortnightly payments of $8.75.

Complete your kit

Pumps work with the rest of your gear. Add garden hoses, power tools, and an air compressor.

A $35 water pump splits into four fortnightly payments of $8.75 with Afterpay, and Zip, Klarna and PayPal Pay in 4 do the same. Every order ships from our Australian warehouse, dispatched within 1–2 business days, with a 12-month warranty and 30 days to return it. We're a family-run Australian store, going since 2016, rated 4.66 out of 5 across 5,363 reviews.