Tilers install ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, and mosaic tiles on floors, walls, splashbacks, and outdoor areas in homes and commercial spaces. In Australia, tiling is closely linked to waterproofing — particularly in wet areas such as bathrooms, showers, and laundries where incorrect tiling or failed waterproofing membranes are among the most common and costly building defects. A skilled tiler understands substrate preparation, adhesive selection, expansion joint placement, and grout specification. Homeowners typically engage a tiler for bathroom renovations, kitchen splashbacks, laundry floor tiling, outdoor entertaining areas, and pool surrounds. Tiling over existing tiles, levelling uneven floors, and working with large-format porcelain panels all require specialist skills beyond basic tile laying.

NSW Fair Trading — Regulatory Overview

NSW Fair Trading is New South Wales's principal regulator for the building and construction industry, responsible for licensing all tilers who perform regulated work in the state. The NSW Fair Trading issues and renews licences, sets minimum requirements for licensees, investigates complaints, and takes disciplinary action against non-compliant operators.

As of February 2026, NSW Fair Trading oversees 4,320 licensed tilers across New South Wales, covering 1 licence class. This represents one of the most comprehensive licensing regimes in Australia, designed to protect consumers and maintain industry standards.

Penalties for Unlicensed Work

Performing unlicensed tiler work in New South Wales carries significant fines. Homeowners who engage unlicensed tilers lose access to statutory consumer protections and may face voided insurance, failed inspections, and other consequences.

How to Verify a Tiler in New South Wales

Verifying a tiler's licence in New South Wales is straightforward and should be done before engaging any tradesperson for work. You can use TradieVerify's free search tool to instantly look up any New South Walestiler by name, licence number, or business name. Alternatively, you can search directly through NSW Fair Trading at https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au.

When verifying, confirm: (1) the licence is current and active, (2) the licence class covers the type of work you need, (3) there are no conditions or restrictions on their licence, and (4) there is no disciplinary history. A legitimate tiler will have no hesitation providing their licence number for verification.

How to Hire a Tiler in New South Wales

1
Ask whether they hold a waterproofing licence or endorsement
In wet areas (bathrooms, showers, laundries), waterproofing is required under the National Construction Code before tiling commences. In some states, waterproofing requires a separate licence. Ask whether the tiler will apply the waterproofing membrane themselves (and is licensed to do so) or whether a separate waterproofer is needed.
2
Confirm their experience with your chosen tile format
Large-format tiles (600 x 1200 mm and above) require different adhesives, notch trowels, and levelling systems compared to standard tiles. Natural stone requires sealing and special adhesives. If you have chosen an unusual format or material, ask whether the tiler has recent experience with it.
3
Ask how they handle tile layout and cuts at edges
A professional tiler will dry-lay tiles or plan the layout to ensure cuts are symmetrical, no sliver cuts appear at doorways or focal walls, and patterns are centred. Ask to see the layout plan before work begins — poor layout planning is the hallmark of an inexperienced tiler.
4
Check they will use the correct adhesive for each application
Different substrates and locations require different adhesives. Cement-based adhesive for concrete, flexible adhesive for timber floors, and rapid-set for time-critical areas. A tiler who uses a single "all-purpose" adhesive for every situation risks bond failure and cracked tiles.
5
Verify their QBCC or equivalent tiling licence
In Queensland, wall and floor tiling over $3,300 (inc. GST) requires a QBCC licence. NSW requires a licence for tiling work over $5,000. Ask to see the licence and verify it online. An unlicensed tiler cannot provide the consumer protections that licensing bodies offer if defects appear.

Red Flags When Hiring a Tiler

Proposes tiling wet areas without addressing waterproofing:Waterproofing under tiles in wet areas is mandatory under the National Construction Code. A tiler who starts laying tiles in a bathroom or shower without confirming that waterproofing has been applied, inspected, and passed is setting you up for the most expensive bathroom defect — water leaking into your subfloor or the storey below.
No expansion or movement joints in large tiled areas:Large tiled areas (generally over 40 square metres for floors) and junctions between different substrates require movement joints to prevent cracking. A tiler who lays tiles wall-to-wall without incorporating flexible joints is ignoring Australian Standards and the tiles will likely crack as the building moves.
Uses incorrect notch trowel size for the tile format:The adhesive notch trowel size must match the tile size to ensure adequate coverage — large-format tiles require a 12–15 mm notch trowel and often back-buttering. If you see a tiler using a small notch trowel for large tiles, the adhesive coverage will be insufficient and tiles will debond or sound hollow.
Cannot show a waterproofing compliance certificate for wet areas:Before tiling a wet area, the waterproofing must be inspected and a compliance certificate issued. If the tiler cannot produce this document and has already tiled over the membrane, there is no way to verify the waterproofing was done correctly without removing the tiles.

Typical Tiler Costs in New South Wales

Hourly Rate

$65 – $105

Callout Fee

$65 – $105

Common Tiler Jobs & Estimated Costs

Job	Estimated Cost
Bathroom floor tiling (per sqm)	$65 – $125
Full bathroom retile	$2,100 – $5,250
Kitchen splashback tiling	$525 – $1,575
Outdoor patio tiling (per sqm)	$75 – $135
Tile repair and re-grouting	$210 – $525

Tiler Complaints & Disputes in New South Wales

NSW Fair Trading

13 32 20 Website

How to Lodge a Complaint

1Write to the tradesperson describing the problem and requesting a solution within a reasonable time (14–21 days)
2If unresolved, lodge a complaint with NSW Fair Trading online or by calling 13 32 20
3Fair Trading will assess your complaint and may contact the tradesperson on your behalf
4If mediation fails, Fair Trading can inspect the work and issue rectification orders
5For unresolved disputes, you can escalate to NCAT (NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal)

Related Directories

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my tiler also do the waterproofing?

Sometimes, but not always. Waterproofing in wet areas is a separate trade in some states and requires its own licence. In Queensland, waterproofing requires a specific QBCC licence class. Some tilers hold both a tiling and waterproofing licence, while others subcontract the waterproofing to a specialist. Either way, the waterproofing must be inspected and certified before tiles are laid.

Can I tile over existing tiles?

Yes, provided the existing tiles are firmly bonded, the surface is level, and there is enough floor-to-ceiling height to accommodate the extra thickness. The existing tiles must be thoroughly cleaned and roughened or coated with a bonding primer. Tiling over tiles in wet areas is more complex as the waterproofing membrane under the original tiles must still be intact and compliant.

How much does tiling cost per square metre in Australia?

Labour costs for tiling typically range from $35–$60 per square metre for standard floor tiles and $40–$75 for wall tiles. Large-format tiles, intricate patterns, and natural stone cost more due to additional preparation and cutting time. Waterproofing, if required, is an additional $25–$50 per square metre. These figures exclude the cost of the tiles themselves.

How many licensed tilers are there in New South Wales?

As of February 2026, there are 4,320 licensed tilers registered with NSW Fair Trading in New South Wales. This includes all licence classes: Wall & Floor Tiler.

How do I verify a tiler's licence in New South Wales?

You can verify any New South Wales tiler's licence using TradieVerify's free search tool or directly through NSW Fair Trading at https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au. Enter the tiler's name or licence number to confirm their registration status, licence class, and any disciplinary history.

Find Tilers by City

New South WalesTiler Statistics

Breakdown by Licence Class

Breakdown by Financial Category

Tiler Licensing in New South Wales