You're planning an event in Brisbane and you know you need portable toilets. But how many? What type? And how do you avoid ending up with too few (disaster) or too many (wasted money)?
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about choosing portable toilets for events — whether you're organising a wedding, corporate function, festival, birthday party, or community event.
Standard Portaloos vs Event-Grade Portaloos
Not all portable toilets are created equal, and the difference matters when guests are involved.
Standard Construction Portaloos
These are the workhorses you see on building sites. They're functional, durable, and designed for daily use by trade crews. They include a toilet, hand sanitiser, toilet paper, and ventilation. They do the job, but they're not designed to impress your wedding guests.
Best for: Music festivals, outdoor sports events, school fetes, and any event where practicality trumps presentation.
Event-Grade Portaloos
Event-grade units are the same fundamental portable toilet, but presented to a higher standard. They're thoroughly cleaned before delivery, have fresh consumables, and look noticeably better. Some providers offer premium units with flushing toilets and hand wash basins — but honestly, a well-presented standard unit will serve most events perfectly.
Best for: Weddings, corporate events, private parties, and any event where guest experience matters.
How Many Portable Toilets Do You Need?
This is the most common question we get from event organisers, and the answer depends on a few key factors.
The Basic Rule: 1 Portaloo Per 50 Guests
For a standard event lasting 4-6 hours with no alcohol, the industry guideline is 1 portable toilet per 50 guests. So a 200-person event needs at least 4 units.
The Alcohol Factor: Add 20%
If your event involves alcohol — and let's be honest, most Brisbane events do — increase your count by at least 20%. Alcohol increases bathroom frequency significantly. That 200-person event now needs 5 units instead of 4. For a 100-person wedding with a full bar, you'd want at least 3 portaloos rather than the base calculation of 2.
Event Duration Matters
A 2-hour corporate morning tea is different from a weekend-long festival. For events longer than 6 hours, add an extra unit per 50 guests. For multi-day events, you'll need daily or mid-event servicing to keep units clean and stocked — we can schedule this as part of your hire.
Quick Reference Guide
50 guests, no alcohol: 1 unit. 100 guests, no alcohol: 2 units. 100 guests with alcohol: 3 units. 200 guests, no alcohol: 4 units. 200 guests with alcohol: 5 units. 500 guests with alcohol: 12-13 units. These numbers assume a single-day event of 4-6 hours.
Accessible Portable Toilets
If your event is open to the public, you should provide at least one accessible (wheelchair-friendly) portable toilet. This isn't just good practice — for public events in Queensland, it's often a council permit requirement.
Accessible units are larger than standard portaloos, with wider doors, internal grab rails, and enough interior space for a wheelchair to manoeuvre. They also serve double duty as family-friendly units — parents with prams appreciate the extra space.
Hand Wash Stations
Hand sanitiser comes standard in every portaloo, but for events where food is being served, a dedicated hand wash station is worth considering. These standalone units provide running water, soap, and paper towels — a noticeable step up from sanitiser alone.
Hand wash stations are particularly recommended for weddings, corporate events, and any event where food handling or catering is involved. Your local council may also require them as part of your event permit conditions.
Weekend vs Week-Long Event Hire
Weekend events (1-3 days): Units are delivered Friday and collected Monday (or similar). They arrive freshly serviced and ready to go. For a single-day event, one service is usually sufficient. For a weekend festival, we'll schedule a mid-event service to keep things fresh.
Week-long events: For events running five or more days, servicing becomes critical. We'll set up a servicing schedule to match your event's peak days and ensure units are maintained throughout.
Event Portaloo Pricing in Brisbane
Our event portable toilets start from $7.50 per day (ex GST). For events requiring three or more units, we apply a 20% multi-unit discount — so the more you hire, the more you save. This discount is applied automatically when you order through our online form.
Delivery within our standard zone (40km from Capalaba) is competitively priced, and collection is included. For a typical 100-person Brisbane wedding with 3 portaloos over a weekend, you're looking at a very affordable total — far less than most people expect.
Event Types We Service
Weddings
Outdoor and semi-outdoor weddings at Brisbane venues, hinterland properties, and farm stays almost always need portable toilets. We deliver event-grade units that won't detract from your big day. Read more on our weddings portaloo page.
Corporate Events
Team building days, product launches, client hospitality events — if you're taking your team or clients outdoors, professional toilet facilities are essential. Nothing undermines a corporate event faster than inadequate amenities. See our events portaloo page for details.
Festivals and Markets
Brisbane's festival scene runs year-round. From Eat Street to local community markets, festivals need sufficient toilet capacity to handle peak crowds. We provide bulk portaloo hire with the servicing schedules that multi-day festivals require. Details on our festivals portaloo page.
Parties
Hosting a big birthday, engagement party, or family gathering at home? If your house toilets can't handle the traffic (they can't — trust us), a portaloo in the yard saves your plumbing and your sanity. Check out our parties portaloo page.
Tips for Placing Portable Toilets at Your Event
Location matters. Place portaloos close enough that guests can find them easily, but not so close that they're the first thing everyone sees. A 30-60 second walk from the main event area is ideal.
Level ground. Portaloos need to sit on reasonably flat, firm ground. Slopes, mud, and soft grass can cause problems. If your event is on uneven ground, let us know and we'll advise on placement.
Vehicle access. Our delivery truck needs to get reasonably close to the drop point. If access is tight (narrow driveways, gates, etc.), let us know when ordering so we can plan accordingly.
Signage. For larger events, put up simple signs directing guests to the toilets. It sounds obvious, but it makes a big difference — especially at night.
Get a Quote for Your Event
Not sure exactly what you need? Use our online order form for an instant quote, or call us on (07) 3367 2237. We're happy to talk through your event requirements and recommend the right number of units. We'd rather you order the right amount than over-order or under-order.
Related Service
Portaloo & Portable Toilet Hire
Explore our portable toilet hire options for construction sites and events.
