Washing Machine Disposal in Sydney: Every Option and What It Costs (2026)

The quickest way to dispose of an old washing machine in Sydney is to book a pickup — with us it's a flat $80, any age or condition, for kerbside collection. The cheapest way is usually a booked council collection, if your council takes washing machines and you can get it to the kerb. If it still works, a charity may take it; and if you hold a concession card, keep an eye on the NSW $250 washing machine exchange, which takes the old top-loader away when it delivers the new one.

One catch: e-waste days aren't the answer — the council ones we checked turn washing machines away. Here's how each option works, what it costs, and how to get the machine ready.

Your options at a glance

• Book a pickup: $80 with us, fixed. Please arrange for the machine to be safely placed outside at the kerbside before pickup.
• Booked council collection: no extra charge within your allowance, but you wait for a date and get it to the kerb.
• Donate it: only if it's working and in good condition.
• NSW washing machine exchange: $250 for a new front-loader if eligible — but the current round has closed.

1. Book a pickup — $80, any condition

A washing machine is a flat $80 with us, any age, working or not. Our crew collects it from the kerbside, and the metal is recycled. There's no call-out fee.

If you're replacing the fridge or TV as well, they go in the same trip at a fixed price per item: $80 for a small–medium fridge or TV, $150 for a large one. Our fridge removal guide covers getting a fridge ready.

We work Monday to Friday, 6am–4pm, from our yard in Bankstown. Book before noon and we can often come the same day; otherwise it's usually within 24–48 hours. Please arrange for the machine to be safely placed outside at the kerbside before pickup; our team does not carry items from inside homes, on stairs or from apartments. Or call 0428 01 01 01.

What we don't take: dryers, dishwashers, ovens and air conditioners. We collect washing machines, fridges, freezers and TVs only, so if your dryer is going too, it needs another route.

2. Booked council collection — cheapest, but kerb-only

Several Sydney councils collect washing machines in their booked household collections. The trade-off is time and carrying: you wait for a date, and the machine has to be out at the kerb. Three examples (all checked 28 Sep 2026):

• City of Canterbury-Bankstown lists washers among the items it collects. Houses and blocks of five or fewer units get two booked collections a calendar year, up to three cubic metres each. Book in advance and allow up to three weeks; in blocks of six or more units the caretaker, building manager or strata books it. City of Canterbury-Bankstown.
• City of Sydney residents can book a pick-up every week at no extra charge. Book washing machines under group 3, the metals-and-appliances group, by 2pm the day before your area's collection day, and put the machine out the night before. The City won't move anything from inside your property, including your driveway. City of Sydney.
• Inner West collects washing machines under its metal category and sends that category to a contractor for recycling. Book it there, not under furniture — the council says everything in its furniture category goes straight to landfill. Inner West Council.

Rules differ by council, so check yours. Our guide to Sydney council bulky collection rules explains how booked collections generally work.

Don't put a washing machine out without a booking. The NSW EPA (checked 28 Sep 2026) says illegal dumping can include "placing unwanted household items on the footpath when there is no council collection".

3. Is a washing machine e-waste?

Not for recycling purposes. The free national scheme for e-waste covers TVs, computers, printers and computer parts — the federal environment department's list (checked 28 Sep 2026) doesn't include washing machines. And council e-waste events say no to them by name:

• Georges River's E-Waste & Extras Drop Off doesn't accept large appliances that need two people to lift, washing machines included (Georges River Council, checked 28 Sep 2026).
• The Hills' E-Waste PLUS events exclude large appliances, washing machines included (The Hills Shire Council, checked 28 Sep 2026).
• The Northern Sydney Community Recycling Centre at Artarmon lists washing machines as not accepted (Northern Sydney CRC, checked 28 Sep 2026).

E-waste days are the right place for the old TV or laptop instead — see our guide to council e-waste drop-off in Sydney for dates.

4. The NSW $250 washing machine exchange

The NSW Government's Washing Machine Exchange Program lets eligible households swap an old top-loader for a new 8kg front-loader for $250. According to the NSW Government's 10 August 2026 announcement, the package includes delivery, installation, a two-year warranty and removal of the old machine for recycling, handled by The Good Guys Commercial.

To be eligible, the program page (checked 28 Sep 2026) says you need:

• a valid Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or Low Income Card from Centrelink, or a DVA gold card (a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card isn't enough)
• an existing top-loading washing machine to exchange
• not to have taken part in an earlier round

The catch: it runs in rounds, and machines go first come, first served. When we checked on 28 Sep 2026, all machines had been allocated and the current round had closed. You can subscribe on the program page for news of the next round. The old machine is removed for recycling — you aren't paid for it — and you need a street address with an accessible driveway.

5. Donate it — only if it works

The Salvos' donation guide (checked 28 Sep 2026) accepts washing machines that are working and in good condition, but not ones that are broken or damaged, and not all stores take large appliances. The Salvos offer collection for bulky donations; in high-demand areas, bookings are running three to four weeks ahead (Salvos Stores, checked 28 Sep 2026). Call 13 72 58 to book a collection.

Selling or giving it away works too, if the buyer brings a helper and a trailer or ute. Keep it inside until they arrive — leaving it on the footpath without a council booking can count as illegal dumping.

6. Buying a new one? Ask the retailer first

If you're replacing the machine, ask the store before delivery day whether they'll take the old one and what it costs. If not, book our pickup for the same morning so the laundry is clear before the new one arrives.

How to get a washing machine ready for pickup

1. Turn off both taps behind the machine and unplug it at the wall.
2. Undo the inlet hoses with a towel and bucket ready — a little water usually comes out.
3. Drain it. Unhook the drain hose from the tub or standpipe and lower the end into a bucket. Some front-loaders also have a small drain filter or emergency drain hose behind a panel at the bottom — your manual will show it.
4. Leave the door open for a day if you can, so it doesn't smell.
5. Arrange for the machine to be safely placed outside at the agreed kerbside collection point before pickup.

Frequently asked questions

Does council take washing machines?

Several do in a booked household collection. Canterbury-Bankstown lists washers, the City of Sydney takes them under its metals-and-appliances group, and Inner West takes them under its metal category. You'll need a booking, and the machine has to be out at the kerb for the collection.

Is a washing machine considered e-waste?

Not for drop-off purposes. The national e-waste scheme covers TVs and computers, not washing machines, and council e-waste events in Georges River and The Hills list washing machines as not accepted.

Who takes old washing machines away for free?

A booked council collection within your allowance, a charity if it's working and in good condition, or the NSW exchange program if you're eligible and a round is open. Otherwise, a pickup with us is a flat $80.

How much does washing machine removal cost in Sydney?

With us it's $80, any age or condition, with no call-out fee. A fridge or TV in the same trip is from $80 each — our Sydney removal price list for 2026 has the full breakdown.

Do you take dryers or dishwashers?

No. We collect washing machines, fridges, freezers and TVs, but not dryers, dishwashers, ovens or air conditioners.

Book a washing machine pickup

A flat $80, any age, working or not — collected from the kerbside anywhere in Sydney.

Book a washing machine pickup — $80 →