Antonios Nadwie — Licensed Tiler (New South Wales)
Licence Details
| Licence Number | 8276C |
|---|---|
| Licence Class | Wall & Floor Tiler |
| Status | Expired |
| Issue Date | 28 November 1990 |
| Expiry Date | 28 November 2024 |
| Source | NSW_FT |
This data is sourced from public government registers and may not reflect real-time changes. Always confirm licence details with NSW Fair Trading directly. Full disclaimer.
What a Tiler Licence Means in New South Wales
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.
Hiring a licensed tiler means you are protected by the state's regulatory framework. Licensed tradespersons must comply with industry standards, maintain appropriate insurance, and can be held accountable through the licensing body's complaint and disciplinary processes.
Hiring a Licensed Tiler in NSW
Before hiring any tiler in New South Wales, use this five-point checklist to protect yourself and ensure you're working with a properly licensed and insured professional.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 to Watch For
- 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 |
| Bathroom floor tiling (per sqm) | $65 – $125 |
| Full bathroom retile | $2100 – $5250 |
| Kitchen splashback tiling | $525 – $1575 |
Your Rights — Complaints & Disputes in New South Wales
NSW Fair Trading
How to Lodge a Complaint
- 1 Write to the tradesperson describing the problem and requesting a solution within a reasonable time (14–21 days)
- 2 If unresolved, lodge a complaint with NSW Fair Trading online or by calling 13 32 20
- 3 Fair Trading will assess your complaint and may contact the tradesperson on your behalf