Tiling has a licensing quirk that affects your income more than the award rate does, and most apprentices don’t hear about it until late in their training. First though, the actual Fair Work minimums as at 1 July 2026.
What a tiling apprentice earns
Legal minimums for a four-year wall and floor tiling apprenticeship in the residential sector under the Building and Construction General On-site Award (MA000020), for apprenticeships started after 1 January 2014.
| Stage | Weekly (38 hrs) | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year — did not complete Year 12 | $654.49 | $17.22 |
| 1st year — completed Year 12 | $710.45 | $18.70 |
| 2nd year — did not complete Year 12 | $766.40 | $20.17 |
| 2nd year — completed Year 12 | $822.36 | $21.64 |
| 3rd year | $934.27 | $24.59 |
| 4th year | $1,102.13 | $29.00 |
Tilelayers sit in the same award band as carpenters and stonemasons — the top of the residential trade rates — because the tool allowance for the trade is set at the higher level.
Waterproofing is where the money and the risk are
Waterproofing is separately licensed in most Australian states, and it’s the single most consequential thing about this trade commercially. Wet area failures are one of the most common and expensive defect claims in residential construction, which is exactly why the work is regulated.
Getting waterproofing accreditation alongside your tiling qualification means you can quote the full bathroom rather than tiling over someone else’s membrane. It materially changes what you can charge. It also means you carry the liability if it fails, so it’s worth doing properly rather than treating it as a box to tick.
Square-metre rates after you qualify
Most qualified tilers work per square metre rather than hourly, and the rate varies enormously with tile size, substrate, pattern and how much cutting is involved. Large-format tiles and mosaic work sit at opposite ends of the effort scale for the same floor area, which is why experienced tilers price carefully rather than quoting a flat rate.
None of that applies while you’re an apprentice. You’re entitled to the award rate above regardless of how many metres you lay.
The physical and dust side
Tiling is hard on knees, and cutting tile generates silica dust — particularly with porcelain and engineered products. Wet cutting and extraction matter here as much as they do in stonework. Knee protection is worth taking seriously in your first year rather than your tenth.
What sits on top of the base rate
Ordinary hours only in the table. Overtime is time-and-a-half for the first two hours then double time, with weekend and public holiday penalties on top, and most on-site apprentices receive the daily fares and travel allowance. Commercial and civil work pays on a higher schedule, and an enterprise agreement on your site overrides the award entirely.
Your qualification
The trade qualification is CPC31320 Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling, covering ceramic, porcelain, glass, slate, marble and clay tiling to interior and exterior walls and floors. Waterproofing accreditation is generally pursued separately through your state regulator.
How to check your exact rate
Use the Fair Work Pay Calculator with your award, sector, apprenticeship year and start date. If the figures don’t match your payslip, the Fair Work Ombudsman helpline on 13 13 94 is free and can investigate.
FAQ
How much does a first-year tiling apprentice get paid?
From 1 July 2026, $654.49 a week without Year 12 or $710.45 with it, for residential work under MA000020 — $17.22 and $18.70 an hour.
Do I need a separate licence to waterproof?
In most states, yes. Waterproofing is regulated separately from tiling and requires its own accreditation. Check your state regulator.
Do tilers get paid per square metre?
Qualified tilers usually do. Apprentices are on the award rate regardless of output.
Why do tilers earn more than plasterers on the award?
Only marginally, and it comes from a higher tool allowance built into the rate rather than a different base percentage.
General information only — not financial or legal advice. Rates were correct at 1 July 2026 and change annually. Check the official source and your state authority before acting.
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