Best hand sanitiser in Australia for 2021

Are you looking for the best hand sanitiser available to buy in Australia right now? Due to recent events, many stores are experiencing shortages of these hot in demand products, but we'll show you the best places to find them. 

To prevent the spread of viruses and infections you should regularly wash your hands with soap and water. But what happens when you're outside and you've got to press the traffic light crossing button or touch a handrail, or even shake hands with an unknown individual. 

In these cases, you'll want to buy hand sanitiser online and take it in your pocket or handbag wherever you go. But before you go and buy any old sanitiser, you need to ensure it's at least 60% alchohol-based to actually be effective, according to the Department of Health.  


How did we pick this list?

One of the best ways to avoid spreading disease recommended by WHO is by washing your hands with soap and water however that's not always available so the second best option is hand sanitiser. It's a good alternative. 

Our team have spent over 10 hours researching the best hand sanitiser by looking at the top sellers, customer services, ratings and independent reviews for each brand. We then carefully selected the ones that are best suited to Australian consumers. 

All the sanitisers below include a minimum of 70% ethanol as the Department of Health advises that those under 60% may be effective against bacteria and viruses.

Learn more about our methodology.  

1. Dettol Hand Sanitiser

Best Pocket Sized Option

  • Available in 50ml
  • Usually cheap
  • Effective at killing germs

RRP: $3.49 for 50mls

Dettol Instant Liquid Hand Sanitiser Original is definitely one of the world's most famous compact hand sanitisers available in a 50ml size, perfect for carrying around discreetly, the sanitiser claims to kill 99.99% of germs. 

It contains denatured alcohol so only rub it on your hands and avoid any sensitive areas. Dettol is a household brand here in Australia and this product offers many 4 and 5 star reviews. 

Like all hand sanitisers, getting your hands on some during a pandemic can be difficult so when you get the opportunity, be sure to stock up on a few bottles. 


2. Dettol Refresh Liquid Sanitiser

Best For Home Use

  • Available in 200ml
  • Good for home, work or travel
  • Aloe vera extract
  • No sticky residue

RRP: $6.99 for 200mls

The bigger brother of Dettol's range, offers 200ml of antibacterial sanitiser that's popular in homes, offices and gyms around the country. 

The product offers a high level of alcohol content and kills 99% of germs. Simple apply and rub together, no water needed. 

The Dettol refresh health touch has been dermatological tested and pH balanced to help protect your skin. It also includes an aloe vera extract for helping to soothe your hands. 

There's no stick residue left on your hands either thanks to the fast drying approach. 


3. Aqium Hand Sanitiser

Best Value Sanitiser

  • Available in 1 Litre
  • Contains aloe vera
  • Hospital grade

RRP: $14.99 for 1L

If you're looking for value for money then you'll want to consider the Aqium which offers a lot of liquid for your buck. It's highly rated on Chemist Warehouse with many 4 and 5 stars. 

You'll find it's hospital grade standard and kills 99.99% of germs. Inside the liquid there is aloe vera as well as provitamin B5 to help with moisturising your hands, making this product good for those that have sensitive skin as there's no irritation. 

You'll be pleased to know this sanitiser also comes with a decent scent and is fast drying. 


4. Microshield Angel Blue

Best High End Sanitiser

  • Available in 500ml
  • Clinical standard
  • Doesn't dry out skin

RRP: $15.99 for 500ml

Often referred to as the best alternative to Dettol, Microshield is a more expensive brand that offers various sizes from 500ml to 1L. 

They offer a clinical standard that offers no sticky feeling after it dries up and a much longer refreshing smell on your hands after use. It feels like you've just washed your hands. 

It's the number one best seller on Chemist Warehouse, thanks to it's 5-star rating. It comes with a 70% ethanol concentration and like Dettol claims to kill 99.99% of germs. 


5. Health & Beauty Hand Sanitiser

Cheapest On The Market

  • Available in 350ml
  • Aloe vera and vitamin E
  • Leaves hands fresh

RRP: $8.99 for 350mls

Health and Beauty offer a reasonably prices hand sanitiser in various sizes with their most popular option being the Pump 350ml which is used in hospitals around the country. 

It claims to kill 99.99% of germs and leaves your hands feeling soft. There's aloe vera and Vitamin E inside the liquid to give a nice fragrance and ensure your hands aren't irritated if you've got sensitive skin. 

Getting hold of this sanitiser can be difficult, but it's very affordable if you can. 


How We Picked

  • Our editorial team compared hand sanitiser from major brands within Australia
  • We looked at hundreds of reviews from consumers, as well as ratings and expert advice
  • We selected these models based on our own opinions, not through commercial advice.

Where To Buy Hand Sanitiser Online?

One of the best places to start is on Amazon.com.au which offers the largest collection of sanitisers with fast shipping. You might not find what you're looking for on there, especially during pandemics such as Coronavirus. 

You may need to purchase direct from your pharmacy. Online pharmacies are also good places to purchase from such as ChemistWarehouse, MyChemist, Amcal, ChemistDirect, SuperPharmacy, Priceline, Pharmacy4Less. 

You can also now buy sanitiser from supermarkets such as Woolworths, Coles and Aldi. You may even find Aldi's own brand there which can be cheaper but may be limiting in ethanol rating. 

Other stores such as BigW, Target and Kmart also sell their own brands. 


Kirsty Scott

Last Updated: December 3, 2021 by Rhys