Geberit

A wall-faced (close-coupled) toilet has the cistern sitting on top of and against the pan, with both visible. A behind-the-wall (in-wall/concealed) toilet hides the cistern inside the wall cavity, leaving only the pan and a flush plate visible. A wall-hung toilet goes further again, mounting the pan itself off the floor for a fully floating look.

The cistern is housed in a pre-fabricated in-wall frame (called a carrier frame or in-wall system), which is installed by a plumber before the wall is tiled or sheeted. The flush button on the wall face connects via a pneumatic or mechanical system to the cistern inside the wall. Brands like Geberit are the industry standard for in-wall frames in Australia, known for their reliability and long service life.

Modern in-wall cistern systems are designed for ease of maintenance. Most allow access to the cistern via the flush plate itself, which can be removed without breaking tiles, the Geberit Sigma and similar systems include access panels specifically for this purpose.

Yes, but it requires more planning than a standard toilet replacement. The wall behind the toilet position needs to be opened up to install the carrier frame before wall lining and tiles go on. This is typically done during a full bathroom renovation rather than a simple toilet swap-out. Consult a licensed plumber early in the design process to ensure the in-wall frame can be accommodated.