When you have a drain blockage, if your plumber tells you that the blockage exists on the street and not on your property, it would be the Water Corporation's responsibility to deal with it. Once the plumber has inspected the sewage system and determined that the blockage truly lies outside your lot's boundary, they will call the water corporation and tell them that the blockage exists. The latter will then pay the plumber a specific standard fee for identifying where the blockage is.

Pricing depends on the location and severity of the blockage. A simple sink or shower clear typically starts around $150–$250, while a main sewer line that needs CCTV inspection and high-pressure jetting usually sits between $400 and $900. Before any work starts you will get an upfront quote, so there are never surprises on the invoice. If the cause turns out to be on the street side, the cost may be recoverable from the water authority (see the question above).

Most home and contents policies cover blocked drains only when the blockage is caused by a sudden, accidental event — for example, a collapsed pipe after a storm or tree-root intrusion that damages the pipe. Gradual build-up from grease, hair or wet wipes is usually classed as wear and tear and excluded. Always check your Product Disclosure Statement, and ask us for a written report after the job — most insurers will accept that as supporting evidence for a claim.