Buy Split System Air Conditioner Online Australia [2026]

Buying a split system air conditioner online in Australia works well for most buyers. You get the same unit that sits on the showroom floor at Harvey Norman, often at a lower price, with the same manufacturer warranty.

The difference is in what comes with the purchase: a big-box retailer hands you a box; a specialist dealer gives you a box plus 35 years of technical knowledge and someone to call if something goes wrong.

Three things matter before you click buy: whether the warranty is the manufacturer's own, whether the unit is correctly sized for your room, and whether shipping reaches your postcode.

Get those right and the rest is straightforward. This guide covers all of it.

In this article

Online specialist vs big-box: what actually differs

Harvey Norman and The Good Guys both sell split systems online. So does Appliances Online. The units on their shelves are genuine, and the prices are competitive. What these retailers cannot offer is what happens before and after the sale.

A Harvey Norman salesperson covers fridges, washing machines, televisions, and laptops in the same shift. An air conditioning specialist covers one category.

That difference shows up when you need to know whether a 5kW unit will handle a north-facing room with a 3m ceiling in Brisbane, or whether the Daikin Cora or Alira X is the right call for a household with a child who has asthma.

The other meaningful difference is Authorised Dealer status. For Daikin specifically, the manufacturer warranty is only valid when the unit is purchased from an authorised source. Alpha & Omega is an Authorised Daikin Specialist Dealer.

Harvey Norman and The Good Guys are not listed as Daikin Authorised Dealers. That does not mean the unit is non-genuine, but it can affect warranty claim handling.

Beyond Daikin, the same logic applies to every brand we carry: we stock only models we can fully back, from manufacturers with Australian support networks, with warranties that run through Daikin Australia, Samsung Australia, Midea Australia, and Haier Australia directly.

Split system air conditioner available to buy online Australia with full manufacturer warranty
Every split system we sell ships with the full Australian manufacturer warranty. Supply pricing, not installed pricing. Installation by a licensed technician is arranged separately.

5 things to check before buying a split system online

1. Is the warranty the manufacturer's own?

This is the most important check. Some online retailers offer a "store warranty" rather than passing through the manufacturer's warranty.

A 5-year Daikin warranty from an Authorised Daikin Dealer is backed by Daikin Australia's national support network. 

A 5-year store warranty is backed by the retailer, which disappears if they close. Always confirm the warranty is the manufacturer's parts and labour warranty, not a retailer substitute.

2. Is the retailer an Authorised Dealer for the brand you want?

For Daikin units specifically, Authorised Dealer status matters. Daikin publishes a dealer locator on their website.

If a retailer does not appear there, they may still sell genuine Daikin units, but the warranty claim process can differ.

We appear on Daikin's authorised dealer network because we have operated as a Daikin Specialist Dealer since 1989.

3. Does the price include GST?

All reputable Australian retailers include GST in their displayed prices. Watch for imported product listings on marketplaces where prices can be shown ex-GST or in USD. Every price in our store includes GST and is in Australian dollars.

4. What does shipping to your postcode actually cost?

Split systems are bulky freight. Free shipping offers often apply to metro postcodes and exclude regional or remote areas.

We offer free shipping on selected systems to metro areas across Australia. For regional postcodes, call us on 1300 156 466 for a shipping quote before ordering.

Most regional deliveries are still cost-effective; the price just varies by distance.

5. Is the price supply-only or installed?

Online split system prices are almost always supply-only: the unit, shipped to your door. Installation is a separate cost arranged with a licensed refrigerant technician.

This is not a trap; it is simply how the category works. Knowing this upfront lets you budget correctly. See the cost section below for realistic installation price ranges.

What does a split system cost to buy online in Australia?

Split system pricing splits into two components: supply (buying the unit) and installation (a licensed technician connecting and commissioning it).

Capacity Supply price (our store) Typical installation (metro) Estimated total
2kW (small bedroom) From $764.99 $600 to $900 ~$1,400 to $1,700
2.5 to 3.5kW (bedroom / study) From $948.51 $700 to $1,000 ~$1,650 to $2,300
5kW (medium living area) From $1,179.05 $800 to $1,100 ~$2,000 to $2,300
7.1kW (large open-plan) From $1,262.33 $900 to $1,200 ~$2,200 to $2,500

Installation costs vary with the complexity of the job. A straightforward install on an external wall with a short pipe run is at the lower end.

Running pipes around corners, through walls, or over long distances pushes the price up. Always get two or three quotes from licensed technicians in your area.

In Sydney and the Sutherland Shire, our own installation team can quote directly. Call 1300 156 466 or visit our contact page.

Not sure what size you need? Use our split system size calculator before ordering. Getting the capacity right is more important than choosing the right brand.

Top models available online right now

Every model below ships with the full Australian manufacturer warranty and free delivery to selected metro areas.

Daikin Cora Series split system air conditioner
Best All-Rounder | Authorised Daikin Dealer
Daikin Cora Series

Australia's most popular Daikin model. R-32, Intelligent Eye, enzyme filter, 5-year warranty. 2kW to 7.1kW.

From $1,262.33 Buy Online →
Daikin Alira X split system air conditioner
Best for Air Quality | Authorised Daikin Dealer
Daikin Alira X

Streamer Technology, built-in Wi-Fi, Coanda airflow. Asthma Council approved. 2kW to 7.1kW.

From $1,179.05 Buy Online →
Samsung Arise Windfree split system air conditioner
Best for Bedrooms | Samsung
Samsung Arise Windfree Series

WindFree airflow through 23,000 micro holes. Ultra-quiet. No cold-air draft. 2.5kW to 8kW.

From $1,455.82 Buy Online →
Midea Athena split system air conditioner
Best Budget Option | Midea
Midea Athena Series

From $764.99 supply. Wi-Fi included. 10-year Australian warranty. Inverter across all sizes. 2kW to 7kW.

From $764.99 Buy Online →

Browse the full range across all brands in our split system collection.

What about installation?

Split system air conditioner installed on wall in Australian home
Installation must be carried out by a licensed refrigerant technician under Australian law. Buying the unit online and arranging installation separately is the standard approach for online AC purchases across Australia.

In Australia, any work involving the connection or disconnection of a refrigerant circuit must be carried out by a licensed refrigerant handling technician holding a current ARC tick certification.

This is a legal requirement, not just a warranty condition. Connecting the unit yourself invalidates the manufacturer warranty and exposes you to a fine.

The good news is that buying the unit online and arranging installation separately is completely normal and often works out cheaper than a supply-and-install package from a local installer. You control both costs independently.

How to arrange installation after buying online:

Search for licensed air conditioning installers in your area and ask for a quote to install a supplied unit. Give them the make, model, and kilowatt size.

Most installers will quote on a supplied unit. Expect to pay $600 to $1,200 in metro areas depending on the complexity of the job, with regional installs varying by location. Ask your installer to confirm their ARC tick number before work begins.

In Sydney and the Sutherland Shire, we offer installation directly through our own team. Call us on 1300 156 466 and we can coordinate both the unit supply and the installation in a single call.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy a split system air conditioner online in Australia and have it delivered to my door?

Yes. We ship split systems Australia-wide. Free shipping applies to selected metro postcodes. For regional and remote areas, contact us before ordering for a shipping quote.

Units are delivered as freight on a pallet or in their original packaging; you do not need to be home in all cases, but it is recommended for large items.

Does buying online affect the manufacturer warranty?

Not when you buy from an authorised source. Our Daikin units carry the full 5-year Daikin parts and labour warranty because we are an Authorised Daikin Specialist Dealer.

Samsung, Midea, and Haier warranties are similarly backed by their Australian subsidiaries. The warranty does require that the unit is installed by a licensed refrigerant technician; a DIY install voids it regardless of where you bought the unit.

How is a split system air conditioner delivered when ordered online?

Split systems ship as large freight items. The indoor and outdoor units typically ship together on a pallet or in their original manufacturer packaging.

Delivery is to your door or building entrance; installation crews are not part of the delivery. Plan for the delivery to arrive on a weekday within the carrier's stated window, and have someone available to receive it.

Do I need a licensed installer even if I bought the unit online?

Yes, without exception. The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) requires a current refrigerant handling licence for anyone connecting or disconnecting refrigerant circuits.

This applies regardless of where you purchased the unit. Installation by an unlicensed person is illegal under Australian law and voids your manufacturer warranty immediately.

Which brands can I buy online with a genuine Australian manufacturer warranty?

From our store: Daikin (Authorised Specialist Dealer), Samsung, Midea, Haier, Mitsubishi Ciara, and Fujitsu.

Every unit we stock carries the Australian manufacturer warranty, not a store warranty. Browse the full range in our split system collection or call us on 1300 156 466 to confirm warranty details for a specific model before you buy.

Ready to buy online?

Browse our full split system range. Every unit ships with the full manufacturer warranty, free to selected metro areas. Not sure which size or model? Our team is available 7 days a week on 1300 156 466: no obligation, no sales pressure, just straight answers.

Authorised Daikin Specialist Dealer. 35 years in Australian air conditioning. Expert advice 7 days a week.

Leave a comment

All comments are moderated before being published