Grundfos Unilift Pumps Australia

When water ends up where it should not, a flooded site, a full sump, a pit brimming with effluent, the Grundfos Unilift AP is the submersible drainage pump Australian trades reach for first. At Pumptastic, our Perth-based team stocks the complete Unilift AP range (the AP12, AP35, and AP50) ready for fast dispatch across Western Australia and the rest of the country. After years of matching pumps to real WA jobs, from Pilbara mine sites to Mandurah building blocks, we have watched this pump earn its keep again and again. This page helps you choose the right model, understand what it can pump, and order with confidence.

What Is the Grundfos Unilift AP?

The Grundfos Unilift AP is a single-stage submersible pump built to move wastewater, grey water, and surface water that carries soft solids. Made mostly from stainless steel, it handles the wet, gritty, and demanding work that would wreck a lesser pump. You can drop it straight into a sump as a portable unit, or bolt it into a permanent pit with an auto-coupling. Grundfos, one of the largest pump makers in the world, designed the range to do both.

The model name tells you a lot. The number in each Unilift AP model is the largest solid, in millimetres, that the pump can pass without blocking. So the AP12 clears particles up to 12 mm, the AP35 up to 35 mm, and the AP50 up to 50 mm. Get this number right and the pump runs for years. Get it wrong and you risk a blockage on day one. That single choice is what most of this guide is about.

Which Unilift AP Model Do You Need? AP12 vs AP35 vs AP50

Choosing the right model comes down to two things: what is in the water, and how far you need to push it. Here is how our team sizes each one.

Unilift AP12: 12 mm Solids, Semi-Open Impeller

The AP12 is the drainage workhorse of the range. It uses a semi-open impeller and passes solids up to 12 mm, which makes it right for groundwater, rainwater, surface water, and light grey water. Think flooded cellars, leaking basements, and lowering the water table on a build. If the water is fairly clean or only lightly dirty, the AP12 is usually the smart, cost-effective pick. It comes in single-phase and three-phase versions, with or without a float switch. See the Grundfos Unilift AP12.40.08.A1 with float switch and the higher-head AP12.50.11.A1.

Unilift AP35 and AP35B: 35 mm Solids, Vortex Impeller

Step up to the AP35 when the water carries more, fibres, textiles, and larger soft solids. It swaps to a vortex impeller, which spins solids through the pump rather than forcing them past a tight clearance, so it clogs far less on effluent and dirty wastewater. The "B" in AP35B marks the Basic build, a slightly different composite and stainless construction at a sharper price. Both pass particles up to 35 mm. This is the model most rural WA properties choose for shifting grey water and effluent without a gravity system. Have a look at the AP35.40.08.A1V and the value-focused AP35B.50.06.A1V.

Unilift AP50 and AP50B: 50 mm Solids, Vortex Impeller

The AP50 is the heavy hitter of the family. With a vortex impeller and 50 mm free passage, it moves untreated wastewater and sewage loaded with solids. If you are dealing with the messiest transfer duty on a farm, worksite, or off-grid property, the AP50 (or the budget-friendly AP50B) is built for it. Like the rest of the range, it comes in single-phase and three-phase, manual or automatic. The AP50B.50.15.3V three-phase with vortex impeller is a popular heavy-duty option.

Still unsure which Unilift AP fits your job? Call our team on (08) 6384 5884. We size these pumps for WA conditions every week, and we will get you the right one the first time.

Why WA Trades and Property Owners Choose the Unilift AP

Western Australia throws a lot at a drainage pump. Perth winters flood low-lying blocks and basements. Cyclone season up north dumps a month of rain on a site in hours. Mine and construction crews across the Pilbara and the Goldfields need dewatering that just works, shift after shift. And thousands of rural and off-grid homes run grey water and effluent transfer with no mains sewer in sight. This pump suits all of it.

Because most of the Unilift AP is stainless steel, it stands up to gritty, corrosive WA water far better than a plastic-bodied pump. Its cooling jacket lets the motor keep running while the pump is only part-submerged, which matters when a pit draws down fast. And a built-in thermal switch on single-phase models shuts the pump off before it burns out. For remote WA jobs where the nearest replacement is a long drive away, that reliability is the whole point.

Unilift AP Build Quality and Key Features

Every Unilift AP shares the same tough DNA. Knowing these features shows you why it costs more than a hardware-store pump, and why it lasts far longer.

The build starts with stainless steel housings and a stainless outer sleeve that channels pumped water around the motor for cooling. Inside sits a totally enclosed motor in insulation class F, protected by a double shaft seal with an oil-filled chamber between the seals to keep water out of the windings. The bearings are greased for life. Each pump ships ready to run with a carry handle, a suction strainer, and a 10 metre power cable fitted with a sealed plug. Single-phase models include thermal overload protection as standard. The pump handles liquid up to 55 degrees Celsius continuously, so warm grey water and process water are no trouble.

You can run any Unilift AP two ways. Automatic models come with a float switch that starts and stops the pump as the water rises and falls, which is ideal for an unattended sump. Manual models run whenever they have power, which suits controlled dewatering or pairing with a separate level controller. For permanent installs, the range accepts an auto-coupling, so the pump lifts out of the pit for service without anyone getting wet.

How to Buy the Right Unilift AP from Pumptastic

Ordering from us is simple, and you are never guessing alone. Start by matching the solids in your water to a model: the AP12 for clean-to-light water, the AP35 for effluent and fibres, the AP50 for heavy wastewater and sewage. Next, choose single-phase (240V, most homes and light commercial) or three-phase (415V, larger sites). Then decide whether you want a float switch for hands-off running, or a manual pump paired with a level controller. Finally, add an auto-coupling if the pump is going into a permanent pit.

If any of that feels like a lot, that is exactly what we are here for. Every Unilift AP we sell is genuine Grundfos stock with full Australian warranty, and it ships fast, with free shipping on orders over $100. Our Perth team answers the phone on (08) 6384 5884 and sizes pumps for WA jobs all day. Choose your pump from the models above, then match it with the right float switch or controller so it is ready to install straight out of the box.

Explore related gear to complete your install:

• Level control components and float switches
• Pump controllers
• Sump pumps
• All Grundfos pumps for WA
• Submersible bore pumps

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the number in AP12, AP35, and AP50 mean?

It is the biggest solid, in millimetres, the pump can pass without clogging. The AP12 clears 12 mm, the AP35 clears 35 mm, and the AP50 clears 50 mm. Match this number to the dirtiest water your pump will ever see and it will keep flowing.

Can a Unilift AP pump sewage?

Yes, within limits. The AP35 and AP50 use vortex impellers and handle untreated wastewater and sewage with solids up to their rated size. For domestic wastewater in a pressurised system with a grinder, look at the Grundfos Unilift APG instead, which we also stock.

What is the difference between the standard and Basic models (AP35B, AP50B)?

The "B" models are the Basic line. They share the same solids handling and vortex impeller as the standard pumps, but use a slightly different, more cost-effective build. If budget matters and the duty is standard, the AP35B or AP50B is excellent value.

Should I choose a single-phase or three-phase Unilift AP?

Single-phase (240V) suits most homes, farms, and light commercial sites. Three-phase (415V) suits larger or industrial installs that already have three-phase power. If you are not sure which supply you have on site, call us and we will help you check before you buy.

Do I need the float switch version?

If the pump will run unattended in a sump or pit, yes. The automatic float-switch model starts and stops on its own as the water level changes. If you are doing controlled dewatering or already running a separate controller, a manual pump is the better fit.

How deep can a Unilift AP be submerged?

It is rated for submerged operation to 10 metres below the liquid surface. The cooling jacket also lets it run while only partly submerged, which is handy when a pit draws down quickly during heavy pumping.

Is the Unilift AP suitable for continuous running?

It is designed for intermittent duty, but copes with long runs thanks to the cooling jacket and thermal protection. For true around-the-clock sewage duty, ask us about the Grundfos SEG or SEV range, which is built for that job.

Does the pump come with a warranty in Australia?

Yes. Every pump from Pumptastic is genuine Grundfos stock and carries the full manufacturer Australian warranty, backed by your consumer guarantees under Australian Consumer Law.

How fast can I get a Unilift AP in WA?

We hold stock and dispatch quickly, with free shipping on orders over $100. Perth and regional WA orders move fast by Australia Post and courier, and our team can confirm timing when you call.

Which model is best for construction dewatering?

For clean-to-light groundwater on a build, the AP12 is usually enough. If the water carries clay, fibres, or larger solids, step up to the AP35. Send us your site details and we will size the right pump for the conditions.

Ready to order? Choose your Unilift AP from the range above, or call our Perth team on (08) 6384 5884 for same-day sizing advice. Genuine Grundfos, real stock, and fast dispatch across WA and Australia.