Shower grab rails, fitted following the AS 1428.1 dimensions
Vertical, horizontal and angled shower grab rails, arranged across Melbourne, within 50 km of the CBD and fitted by our partner installer. Stud, masonry or fiberglass walls, each with the right fixing for the wall.
The three shower rails that actually matter
Most bathrooms need two or three rails to cover every moment you're at risk in the shower:
- Entry / step-in rail: usually vertical, near the shower door or step. This is the one you grab as you step in.
- Main horizontal rail: across the main shower wall, at least 1,200 mm long per AS 1428.1. This is the one you hold while standing under the water.
- Exit / shower-seat support: vertical or angled, near the shower seat or exit side.
Our whole-bathroom package covers all three at a lower per-rail rate than booking them individually.
The AS 1428.1-2021 dimensions rails are fitted to
- Rail diameter: 30-40 mm (knurled or anti-slip finish).
- Clearance from wall: 50-60 mm (so a full hand can wrap the rail).
- Load: the standard works to 1,100 N from any direction, minimum 110 kg.
- Horizontal rail height: 800-810 mm above the finished shower floor.
- Minimum horizontal length across the main wall: 1,200 mm.
Full AS 1428.1 breakdown → AS 1428.1 guide.
Wall types
- Timber stud walls: standard residential, most straightforward. Fixings are located into studs.
- Masonry (brick or concrete): masonry anchors rated for the load. Common in older Melbourne homes.
- Fiberglass shower surrounds: fitted through the surround to reinforced wall behind (noggings or 12 mm structural ply, per NDIS builder guidance).
- Tile over cement sheet / plasterboard: studs located, fitted through, and sealed. No drill-and-hope. Where a fixing passes through a waterproof membrane, the penetration is sealed to the sealant manufacturer's instructions.
What it costs
- Single shower rail (stud fix): typically $250-$310.
- Masonry fix: a bit more than a stud fix. The exact price depends on the wall.
- Whole-shower package (3 rails): best per-rail value, see full pricing.
- Funded work (NDIS, CHSP, HCP, SWEP, TAC, WorkSafe, DVA): quoted to your OT's scope.
Indicative ranges only. The installer confirms your price in a written quote before any work starts.
Why not suction bars?
Suction "grab bars" are a retail product, not a safety rail. They fail when the surface gets wet, soapy, or cold, which is exactly when you need them. Only permanent, fixed rails are arranged through GrabSafe. More on this → Suction vs permanent.
Common questions
Can a rail go in my fiberglass shower surround?
Yes. The installer fits through the surround into reinforced wall behind. If the wall behind isn't reinforced, noggings or 12 mm structural ply are added per NDIS builder guidance and quoted separately.
How high should my shower grab rail be?
AS 1428.1 specifies 800-810 mm above the finished shower floor for a horizontal rail. Position can be adjusted on the day if the user is particularly tall or short, and funded jobs follow the OT's exact scope.
Will it damage my tiles?
Rarely. The installer locates studs, drills through grout where possible, and seals with bathroom-grade silicone. Tile damage is uncommon but possible on very old grout lines, and you'll be told before work starts if there's a risk.
Get a free quote
Email us at rob@grabsafe.com.au. Every enquiry is read personally and answered within one business day, and our partner installer confirms your price in a written quote before any work starts.