Updated 2026-07-29 · 8 min read
Mattress Buying Guide for Australia
Key takeaways
- • An Australian queen is 1530 x 2030 mm — imported sizes will not fit your sheets or base.
- • Side sleepers medium, back sleepers medium-firm, stomach sleepers and heavier bodies firm.
- • Hybrids run cooler than all-foam beds, which matters in Brisbane, Darwin and Perth.
- • Use the comfort trial — firmness is the one thing you cannot judge in a showroom.
- • A 10-year warranty covers sagging and faults, not comfort preference.
Australian sizes, in millimetres
Single 920 x 1880, king single 1070 x 2030, double 1370 x 1880, queen 1530 x 2030, king 1830 x 2030, super king 2030 x 2030. Note that a double is shorter than a queen — if anyone in the bed is over 180 centimetres, choose a 2030 millimetre length.
Allow 600 millimetres of walking space on each side of the bed you use, and 900 millimetres in front of a wardrobe.
Firmness by sleeping position
Side sleepers need enough give at the shoulder and hip to keep the spine straight, which usually means medium. Back sleepers want lumbar support without a gap under the lower back: medium-firm. Stomach sleepers and heavier bodies need firm to stop the hips sinking and the lower back arching.
Couples with different preferences should look at flippable or adjustable-layer designs rather than compromising on a single feel.
Springs, foam, latex and hybrids
Pocket springs breathe best, hold up under heavier bodies and give the best edge support. Memory foam contours deepest and isolates movement almost entirely, but traps more heat. Latex is cooler, bouncier and extremely durable. Hybrids put a foam or latex comfort layer over springs and satisfy the widest range of sleepers.
Trials, warranties and your rights
Take the trial seriously — most people need two to three weeks to adapt to a new mattress before judging it. A ten-year warranty typically covers sagging deeper than a stated depth (often 25 millimetres) with no weight on the bed, plus manufacturing faults, and requires a supportive base with slats no more than 75 millimetres apart. Separately, the Australian Consumer Law entitles you to a remedy if the mattress fails to be of acceptable quality or does not last a reasonable time for its price.
Australian mattress sizes and who they suit
| Size | Dimensions | Room minimum | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 920 x 1880 mm | 2.4 x 2.8 m | Children, bunks |
| King single | 1070 x 2030 mm | 2.5 x 3.0 m | Teens, taller solo sleepers |
| Double | 1370 x 1880 mm | 2.8 x 3.0 m | Solo adults, guest rooms |
| Queen | 1530 x 2030 mm | 3.0 x 3.2 m | Most couples |
| King | 1830 x 2030 mm | 3.4 x 3.4 m | Couples wanting space, co-sleeping |
| Super king | 2030 x 2030 mm | 3.6 x 3.6 m | Large main bedrooms |
Questions Australians ask
How long should a good mattress last?
Eight to twelve years for a premium mattress used nightly. Rotate it every three to six months, and use a protector — most warranty claims are declined for staining rather than wear.
Is a firmer mattress better for back pain?
Not the firmest. Evidence points to medium-firm support that keeps the spine neutral. Take advice specific to your own condition from your physiotherapist or GP.
Do boxed mattresses feel different to flat-delivered ones?
Not once fully expanded, which takes 24 to 72 hours. Boxed delivery is far easier through narrow Australian hallways and stairwells.