The short answer
Allow $220–$450 for a standard drain clear, or $450–$900 for CCTV inspection with jetting of an accessible line. These indicative Sydney budgets include GST and were checked on 21 October 2026; damaged-pipe repairs and after-hours attendance are separate.
Costs at a glance
AUD · including GSTIndicative budgets for the scope below, checked 21 October 2026. Confirm the total and any additional work before proceeding.
Standard blocked drain clear
$220–$450per job
Clearing one drain with the electric eel and testing the flow.
Allow separately: camera inspection, jetting and repairs.
CCTV drain inspection with high-pressure jetting
$450–$900per job
Camera inspection, jetting one accessible line and showing you the footage.
Allow separately: excavation, pipe repair and unusually long or complex drains.
Which drain service do you need?
A slow kitchen sink and sewage backing up through several fixtures can involve very different work. Tell us which outlets are affected, whether the problem has happened before and where the drain can be accessed. Panther’s blocked-drain service starts by assessing that pattern and agreeing on the clearing method.
| What is happening | What may be needed |
|---|---|
| One fixture drains slowly | Check the local trap or branch and clear the obstruction |
| Several fixtures back up | Investigate the shared line and suitable access for clearing |
| Roots or recurring blockages | Clear enough to inspect the pipe and review CCTV footage |
| Broken, displaced or collapsed pipe | A separate repair plan; clearing alone will not fix the defect |
What changes the price?
An accessible inspection opening usually makes the job simpler than a buried or missing access point. The distance to the blockage, pipe diameter, bends and the amount of root or grease build-up affect the equipment and time required. A drain serving several units may also need access arranged through the building manager.
The standard-clear band covers one drain and a flow check. The camera-and-jetting band covers one accessible line, not a complete survey of a large property. Ask whether footage, repeat passes and the final flow test are included. If excavation or a new access opening is needed, it should be discussed separately.
Clearing versus repairing a drain
Clearing restores a path for water. It does not seal cracks, correct a displaced joint or change the fall of a sagging pipe. If a blockage returns, compare the camera findings and repair options before paying for the same clearing repeatedly.
Pipe relining costs depend on whether the existing pipe is suitable for a liner. A collapsed section may need excavation instead. A repair quote should identify the affected section, access work and how the result will be checked.
What should a drain quote include?
- The line or fixture being cleared and the agreed method.
- Whether camera inspection and footage are included.
- Any attendance charge, including after-hours conditions.
- What happens if the obstruction cannot be cleared within the quoted scope.
- Separate pricing for a damaged pipe, excavation or reinstatement.
Do not add the standard-clear and camera-and-jetting bands automatically: the proposed scope may already combine the work. Ask for one total for the agreed job.
Is a blocked drain urgent?
Sewage backing up, an overflowing toilet or wastewater entering the property needs prompt attention. Stop using affected fixtures and keep people away from wastewater. Call 0404 939 121 to explain what is happening; attendance is confirmed on the call. For a slow drain without overflow, send the location and photos to discuss planned work.
About the author
Panther Plumbing Group
Family-owned plumbing repairs, maintenance and installations across Sydney. We assess the job, explain the options and discuss the scope and cost before work proceeds.
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