Australia has introduced an updated safety requirement for washing machines. Under this regulation, new models are required to feature a two-button start process, designed to reduce the risk of unintentional operation.
New Hitachi models launching from May 2026 onwards will include a two-button start process.
Simply put, starting a wash cycle now requires a deliberate, two-step action.
Rather than beginning with a single button press, the machine only starts when two designated buttons are pressed one
after the other. This ensures the cycle begins intentionally, not accidentally.
The update is focused on enhancing household safety, particularly in family environments. By requiring a more deliberate action to begin a wash cycle, the risk of accidental activation--whether by children or unintended contact during cleaning--is significantly reduced.
It's a small additional step that delivers a meaningful safety benefit.
No. The two-button start is a safety activation feature designed to prevent accidental starts. Some models may also include a separate child lock function.
Not at all. The action is quick and intuitive, and most users adapt to it immediately.
No. Wash results and performance remain unchanged. The update only affects how the cycle is initiated.
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