--- title: "Strata flooring rules: a clear route to a considered floor" description: "The NCC sets floor sound ratings for new buildings; your registered by-laws decide what you must do. Compare NSW, QLD and VIC rules and approval steps." canonical: "https://monkeyfloors.com/strata-flooring-rules" language: "en-AU" published: "2026-09-25" updated: "2026-09-27" --- # Strata flooring rules: a clear route to a considered floor Quick answer The National Construction Code sets sound ratings for floors when an apartment building is built, but your scheme's registered by-laws or rules decide what you must do before you replace a floor. In NSW, Queensland and Victoria, no state law sets one acoustic figure for hard floors, so ask your committee in writing for the rating it requires. By [Monkey Floors editorial team](https://monkeyfloors.com/about) · Published 25 September 2026 · Updated 27 September 2026 · 12 min read ## At a glance Who it is for Apartment and unit owners who want a hard floor, and the committees that approve it What it covers The NCC and by-law layers, NSW, Queensland and Victoria compared, the other states and territories, rating schemes, approval, testing and enforcement Rating schemes involved AAAC stars, L'nT,w (field), Ln,w (laboratory), IIC and FIIC Last verified 25 September 2026, against the NCC, the AAAC guideline, state legislation sites and tribunal decisions Choosing a new floor is easier when the building’s requirements are clear. Ask for the registered rules, the approval process and any acoustic condition before narrowing your material shortlist. Australia has no single strata flooring approval process. The relevant state law, your scheme’s documents and the proposed work all matter. Use this guide to organise the questions, then follow the state guide for the detail. ## Who sets the flooring rules in an apartment building? Two layers of rules apply, and they do different jobs. The first layer is the National Construction Code (NCC). It sets the construction standard for new buildings. Clause F7D5 of [NCC 2022 Part F7](https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/editions/ncc-2022/adopted/volume-one/f-health-and-amenity/part-f7-sound-transmission-and-insulation) says a floor between sole-occupancy units in a Class 2 or 3 building must have “an Rw + Ctr (airborne) not less than 50 and an Ln,w (impact) not more than 62”. Those are laboratory ratings. The performance requirement, F7P1, gives the on-site version: an LnT,w not more than 62 for impact sound and a DnT,w + Ctr not less than 45 for airborne sound. [NCC 2025 Part F7](https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/editions/ncc-2025/adopted/volume-one/f-health-and-amenity/part-f7-sound-transmission-and-insulation) keeps the same floor figures. The [ABCB adoption table](https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/ncc-2025/ncc-2025-state-and-territory-adoption-information) shows NCC 2025 started in Victoria on 1 May 2026 and starts in NSW and Queensland on 1 May 2027. The second layer is your scheme’s registered by-laws. Victoria calls them rules. They decide what an owner must do in an existing building: whether you need approval, what rating you must reach and what evidence you must give. The NCC does not do that job. In [McLeod v Body Corporate for Stradbroke Tower and Villas](https://archive.sclqld.org.au/qjudgment/2015/QCATA15-146.pdf) \[2015\] QCATA 146, Queensland’s appeal tribunal said the building code “is a minimum construction standard with which builders must comply. It does not set levels for the purposes of good neighbourly relations”. The reason by-laws care about floors is simple. The [ABCB handbook](https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/sites/default/files/resources/2023/Sound%20Transmission%20and%20Insulation%20in%20Buildings%20handbook%202022.pdf) (section 5.1.1) says that when carpet is replaced with a hard floor, impact performance “will invariably reduce”, by “as much as 25 to 30 dB extra sound transmission”. ## Why are the model by-laws not your by-laws? Each state publishes a standard or model set of by-laws. It is easy to read that set and stop, but it is often not the set that binds you. - **NSW.** The model by-laws in [Schedule 3 of the Regulation](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2016-0501#sch.3) “do not apply to a strata scheme unless they are adopted by the owners corporation for the strata scheme or lodged with the strata plan”. Schemes that existed before 1 July 1997 have the [Schedule 2](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2016-0501#sch.2) by-laws, including by-law 14 Floor coverings, plus any changes made since ([section 134(3)](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2015-050#sec.134)). - **Queensland.** Your by-laws are the ones in your community management statement ([section 168](https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-1997-028)). The default schedule 4 set applies only if that statement lists none, and the Queensland Government says there are “no other circumstances” where it applies ([What by-laws apply](https://www.qld.gov.au/law/housing-and-neighbours/body-corporate/by-laws/what-by-laws-apply)). - **Victoria.** The model rules apply only if the owners corporation has no rules, or to a matter its own rules do not cover ([section 139](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/owners-corporations-act-2006/024)). By-laws also change. In each state, a new or changed by-law needs a special resolution and must then be lodged for recording ([NSW section 141](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2015-050), [Queensland section 62](https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-1997-028), [Victoria sections 138 and 142](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/owners-corporations-act-2006/024)). In [Jiang v Sui](https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/18b26252886904331377a3f3) \[2023\] NSWCATCD 127, NCAT held that an amended flooring by-law applied to a floor already installed. Ask the secretary or manager for the current registered set before you choose a floor. ## How do NSW, Queensland and Victoria compare? The three states use different names and different paths, but the pattern is the same: the Act sets the framework, and your scheme’s by-laws set the flooring detail. The table draws on the [Strata Schemes Management Act 2015](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2015-050), the [Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997](https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-1997-028), the [Standard Module](https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2020-0233), the [Owners Corporations Act 2006](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/owners-corporations-act-2006/024) and the [Victorian model rules](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/owners-corporations-regulations-2018). Strata flooring rules compared: NSW, Queensland and Victoria (state Acts, regulations and model by-laws, checked 25 September 2026) | Topic | NSW | Queensland | Victoria | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Governing Act | Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 | Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 | Owners Corporations Act 2006 | | Regulation or module | Strata Schemes Management Regulation 2016 | Standard, Accommodation, Commercial or Small Schemes Module 2020 | Owners Corporations Regulations 2018 | | Name of the body | Owners corporation | Body corporate | Owners corporation | | Model or default by-law on noise or floors | By-law 14 Floor coverings, Schedule 2 (schemes that existed before 1 July 1997); model by-law 6 Noise, Schedule 3 | Schedule 4 by-law 1 Noise, only if the community management statement lists no by-laws | Model rule 6.2 Noise and other nuisance control, Schedule 2 | | Floor rule in the current model set | None in Schedule 3 | None in schedule 4 | None in Schedule 2 | | Does a hard floor need approval? | Yes: a minor renovation under s 110(3)(c) | Only if your by-laws require it, or the work is an improvement to common property (Standard Module s 187) | Only if your registered rules require it, or the work alters common property (model rule 4.3) | | Who decides | A general meeting, or the strata committee if a by-law delegates it (s 110) | The committee under an existing by-law; a by-law change needs a special resolution at a general meeting | The committee by delegation (s 11), unless a general meeting or special resolution is needed; see the state page | | Deadline for a committee decision | 3 months to refuse with written reasons, or taken as approved (s 110(6A) and (6B)) | 6 weeks, or up to 12 weeks with notice; undecided means not agreed (Standard Module s 58) | None in the Act | | Tribunal or adjudicator | NCAT, usually after NSW Fair Trading mediation | BCCM conciliation and adjudication; appeal to QCAT on a question of law | VCAT, after the internal grievance procedure | | Floor noise decisions on the state page | Eight NCAT and Appeal Panel decisions | Six adjudicators' orders and QCAT appeals | None yet; see the state page | For the full rules, read [strata flooring rules in NSW](https://monkeyfloors.com/strata-flooring-rules/nsw), [body corporate flooring rules in Queensland](https://monkeyfloors.com/strata-flooring-rules/qld) or [owners corporation flooring rules in Victoria](https://monkeyfloors.com/strata-flooring-rules/vic). ## What about WA, SA and the other jurisdictions? Read the dedicated guides for [Western Australia](https://monkeyfloors.com/strata-flooring-rules/wa) and [South Australia](https://monkeyfloors.com/strata-flooring-rules/sa) for their scheme documents, approval questions and dispute routes. SA strata and community titles need to be distinguished; WA scheme by-laws and boundaries need to be checked for the particular property. For the ACT, Tasmania and the NT, the following legislation links are starting points only. This page does not establish a flooring approval procedure for those jurisdictions. The legislation titles were checked on 25 September 2026: - **Western Australia:** the [Strata Titles Act 1985](https://www.legislation.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/main_mrtitle_938_homepage.html), with the Strata Titles (General) Regulations 2019. - **South Australia:** start with the [Legal Services Commission’s strata and community titles guidance](https://lsc.sa.gov.au/handbook/print/ch23s07.php) and the [dedicated SA flooring guide](https://monkeyfloors.com/strata-flooring-rules/sa). - **Australian Capital Territory:** the [Unit Titles (Management) Act 2011](https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/2011-41). - **Tasmania:** the [Strata Titles Act 1998](https://www.legislation.tas.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/current/act-1998-017). - **Northern Territory:** the [Unit Title Schemes Act 2009](https://legislation.nt.gov.au/Legislation/UNIT-TITLE-SCHEMES-ACT-2009). The [Unit Titles Act 1975](https://legislation.nt.gov.au/Legislation/UNIT-TITLES-ACT-1975) is also still in force, and section 111 of the 2009 Act lets an older units plan convert to a scheme under it. Check which Act your scheme falls under. The NCC also differs in the Northern Territory. Its [variation to Part F7](https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/editions/ncc-2022/adopted/volume-one/6-northern-territory/f7-sound-transmission-and-insulation) has no impact figure for floors between units. Wherever you live, the steps further down this page still apply: get your registered by-laws and ask for the required rating in writing. ## What can a by-law require, and where are the limits? The NSW, Queensland and Victorian examples below illustrate four kinds of requirement: - **Approval in writing before the work.** In NSW, [section 110](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2015-050#sec.110) requires written notice and approval for hard floors. In Victoria, [Consumer Affairs Victoria](https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/owners-corporations/rules/what-can-an-owners-corporation-make-rules-about) says rules can include “restrictions on floor coverings in lots to reduce disturbance by noise”. - **An acoustic standard.** Examples include AAAC star ratings in NSW ([Anderson](https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/59f79b7ce4b074a7c6e19bac) \[2017\] NSWCATCD 85) and an L’nT,w of “not more than 45” in Brisbane ([Admiralty Towers II](https://archive.sclqld.org.au/qjudgment/2017/QCATA17-029.pdf) \[2017\] QCATA 29). - **A consultant’s report or certificate.** The Admiralty Towers II by-law wanted a report from an acoustical consultant. NSW Fair Trading’s [renovation rules](https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/strata/living/renovations) ask for “an acoustic certificate to show sound insulation”. - **Conditions on the approval.** NSW approvals “may be subject to reasonable conditions” (section 110(2)). In [Kim](https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/1896184f2da3ec8c56ab2ff6) \[2023\] NSWCATCD 39, the approval named “12 mm laminate flooring with 2mm acoustic underlay for a 5 star rating”, and NCAT enforced it against a later owner. There are limits. In NSW a by-law must not be “harsh, unconscionable or oppressive” ([section 139](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2015-050#sec.139)), and approval “cannot be unreasonably withheld”. In [Gurram](https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/5bcd4fece4b06629b6c62e55) \[2018\] NSWCATCD 39, a ban on hard floors above the ground floor had no force. But in [Norman](https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/184ea17a7d5cf5511f2feda0) \[2022\] NSWCATCD 152, a by-law stricter than the building code was upheld. In Queensland a by-law “must not be oppressive or unreasonable” ([section 180(7)](https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-1997-028)). In [The Republic Apartments](https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/qld/QBCCMCmr/2022/290.html) \[2022\] QBCCMCmr 290, the adjudicator said a body corporate may impose “a high standard of acoustic amenity, so long as the standard does not amount to de facto prohibition on hard flooring”. In [McLeod](https://archive.sclqld.org.au/qjudgment/2015/QCATA15-146.pdf), the adjudicator replaced a condition of FIIC 77, which no hard floor could meet, with FIIC 65, and QCAT dismissed the owner’s appeal. In Victoria a rule has no effect if it is “oppressive to, unfairly prejudicial to or unfairly discriminates against” an owner or occupier ([section 140](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/owners-corporations-act-2006/024)). The AAAC itself warns in its [explanatory note](https://www.aaac.org.au/resources/Documents/Public/AAAC%20Guideline%20for%20Apartment%20and%20Townhouse%20Acoustic%20Rating%20-%20Explanatory%20Note%20V2.0.pdf) that its guideline should not be used “to arbitrarily determine and set a minimum” standard or by-law without specialist advice. ## Which acoustic ratings can a by-law cite? You will see five measures. For how they relate and how to read a test report, see [acoustic ratings explained](https://monkeyfloors.com/acoustic-ratings-explained). **AAAC star ratings.** The [AAAC Guideline for Apartment and Townhouse Acoustic Rating](https://www.aaac.org.au/resources/Documents/Public/AAAC%20Apartment%20and%20Townhouse%20Acoustic%20Rating%20V1.0.pdf), Version 1.0 (June 2017), rates floor impact from 2 to 6 stars using on-site results: L’nT,w less than 65 for 2 stars, 55 for 3, 50 for 4, 45 for 5 and 40 for 6. Only an AAAC member firm may issue a star rating certificate. The AAAC says its guidelines “are advisory in nature and they are not statutory documents” ([Guidelines and Downloads](https://www.aaac.org.au/Guidelines-&-Downloads)). **L’nT,w (field).** This is impact sound measured between two rooms in your building, also written LnT,w or LnTw. Lower is quieter. It is the on-site measure in [NCC Part F7](https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/editions/ncc-2022/adopted/volume-one/f-health-and-amenity/part-f7-sound-transmission-and-insulation) (not more than 62) and the one Queensland by-laws used in [Admiralty Towers II](https://archive.sclqld.org.au/qjudgment/2017/QCATA17-029.pdf) and [The Republic Apartments](https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/qld/QBCCMCmr/2022/290.html). **Ln,w (laboratory).** This is impact sound measured on a test floor in a laboratory, and it is the NCC deemed-to-satisfy figure (not more than 62). It is often the figure on a spec sheet. The [ABCB handbook](https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/sites/default/files/resources/2023/Sound%20Transmission%20and%20Insulation%20in%20Buildings%20handbook%202022.pdf) (Appendix D.1) says field results “can be affected by flanking paths and non-ideal measurement conditions”. In [Kim](https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/1896184f2da3ec8c56ab2ff6), a certificate claimed 5 stars but the floor measured 60 and 61 L’nT,w in the building. **IIC.** Impact Insulation Class is an American laboratory rating from [ASTM E492](https://store.astm.org/e0492-22.html), classified under [ASTM E989](https://store.astm.org/e0989-21.html). Higher is better. The AAAC guideline says either IIC or L’nT,w can be subtracted from 110 “to approximately indicate the other”, so treat any conversion as rough. The NSW by-law in [Norman](https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/184ea17a7d5cf5511f2feda0) asked for an IIC of 57. **FIIC.** Field Impact Insulation Class comes from older editions of [ASTM E1007](https://store.astm.org/e1007-04e01.html). Higher is better. The Queensland by-law in [McLeod](https://archive.sclqld.org.au/qjudgment/2015/QCATA15-146.pdf) allowed conditions of FIIC 77, and the adjudicator set FIIC 65 “or equivalent”. A [2014 South-East Queensland study](https://www.acoustics.asn.au/conference_proceedings/INTERNOISE2014/papers/p227.pdf) reported “more and more body corporate by-laws” moving “from FIIC to L’nT,w”. The scale below shows the AAAC star thresholds and the NCC on-site limit. All six are field L’nT,w figures, so compare them with an on-site test, not a laboratory Ln,w. Ln,w and L'nT,w scale. A scale from 40 to 70 with lower values to the left. Lower is quieter within the same measure and test context. Numbered marks: 1, 40: AAAC 6 star: under 40 (AAAC Guideline V1.0); 2, 45: AAAC 5 star: under 45 (AAAC Guideline V1.0); 3, 50: AAAC 4 star: under 50 (AAAC Guideline V1.0); 4, 55: AAAC 3 star: under 55 (AAAC Guideline V1.0); 5, 62: NCC on-site limit: 62 (NCC 2022 F7P1); 6, 65: AAAC 2 star: under 65 (AAAC Guideline V1.0). 1. **40** AAAC 6 star: under 40 (AAAC Guideline V1.0) 2. **45** AAAC 5 star: under 45 (AAAC Guideline V1.0) 3. **50** AAAC 4 star: under 50 (AAAC Guideline V1.0) 4. **55** AAAC 3 star: under 55 (AAAC Guideline V1.0) 5. **62** NCC on-site limit: 62 (NCC 2022 F7P1) 6. **65** AAAC 2 star: under 65 (AAAC Guideline V1.0) Marks are figures from the sources this guide names. A scheme’s by-law may set a different figure. Laboratory Ln,w and field L'nT,w are different measures. ## How do you get approval for a hard floor? The forms and deadlines differ, but these six steps hold in NSW, Queensland and Victoria. They follow [section 110](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2015-050#sec.110) in NSW, [section 58 of the Standard Module](https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2020-0233) in Queensland, and model rules 4.3 and 5.3 in [Victoria](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/owners-corporations-regulations-2018). 1. ### Get your registered by-laws Ask the secretary, strata manager or body corporate manager for the current registered by-laws or rules. Look for any rule about floor coverings, hard floors, noise, renovations or common property. 2. ### Ask the committee what it needs, in writing Ask for the rating, the rating scheme, the rooms it applies to, and the evidence it will accept. Ask whether it wants a laboratory result or an on-site test. 3. ### Choose the full floor system and get its evidence Pick the exact board, underlay and fixing method. Get the acoustic report for that build-up, and check whether its figure is a laboratory or a field result. 4. ### Apply in writing Describe the product, underlay, thickness, rooms, installer, dates and working hours. Attach the acoustic evidence. Name the exact system, because the decision will be on those words. 5. ### Get the decision and every condition in writing Check for a required rating, an inspection or a test after installation, and who arranges and pays for any test. 6. ### Install exactly what was approved and keep the records Use the approved product and underlay. Keep the approval, invoices, the installer's details and any test report together. Flooring approval paperwork flow. Five numbered boxes: check by-laws, choose a tested system, apply in writing, committee decision, install and keep the paperwork. The last step follows written approval. Use the process required by your building. Installation follows written approval. Use the [strata flooring checker](https://monkeyfloors.com/tools/strata-flooring-checker) to list what to ask your committee, and take the [strata flooring approval checklist](https://monkeyfloors.com/downloads/strata-flooring-approval-checklist) with you. ## What happens after the floor goes in? In the legislation we read for NSW, Queensland and Victoria, no law requires a test after every new floor. A test is required when your by-law or approval conditions say so, or when a tribunal orders one. The NSW by-law in [Anderson](https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/59f79b7ce4b074a7c6e19bac) required an acoustic report after installation. The Queensland by-law in [The Republic Apartments](https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/qld/QBCCMCmr/2022/290.html) required a test only if there were reasonable concerns. The AAAC [explanatory note](https://www.aaac.org.au/resources/Documents/Public/AAAC%20Guideline%20for%20Apartment%20and%20Townhouse%20Acoustic%20Rating%20-%20Explanatory%20Note%20V2.0.pdf) says: “For certainty, the finished floor should be tested”. We found no general rule on who pays for a test in any of the three states. It depends on the by-law, the approval conditions or the order. In [Into Ballymore](https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/qld/QBCCMCmr/2012/166.html) \[2012\] QBCCMCmr 166, the adjudicator refused a neighbour’s claim for the cost of an acoustic report. For the NSW, Queensland and Victorian processes described here, formal notices may be required before escalation: a notice to comply in NSW ([section 146](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2015-050#sec.146)), a contravention notice in Queensland ([section 182](https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-1997-028)), and a notice to rectify in Victoria ([section 155](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/owners-corporations-act-2006/024)). The tribunals can then order work. NCAT ordered one owner to restore carpet or reach 5 stars ([Jiang v Sui](https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/18b26252886904331377a3f3)). A Queensland adjudicator ordered tiles covered or re-laid over an acoustic membrane ([18 Kingsford Street](https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/qld/QBCCMCmr/2016/78.html) \[2016\] QBCCMCmr 78). [VCAT](https://www.vcat.vic.gov.au/case-types/owners-corporations/apply-owners-corporations) hears noise disputes and, under [section 165](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/owners-corporations-act-2006/024), can order a party to do or refrain from doing something. Penalties and time limits differ, so read your state page for the detail. ### Where the sources are Each state page lists every source it relies on, with a link to the Act, regulation or decision. The Victorian page names no tribunal decision on hard floor noise yet, because we could not verify one at the time of writing. ## Find your state’s guide The state guides listed below give the full rules, tribunal decisions and sources for NSW, Queensland and Victoria. ## In this section Strata rules ### [Strata flooring rules in NSW: approval before installation](https://monkeyfloors.com/strata-flooring-rules/nsw) In NSW, a hard floor is a minor renovation under s 110 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015. You need approval, and your by-laws set the acoustic rating. 13 min read Strata rules ### [Body corporate flooring rules in Queensland](https://monkeyfloors.com/strata-flooring-rules/qld) Queensland body corporate law sets no floor acoustic rating; your by-laws do. How approval works, what FIIC and L'nT,w mean, and what QCAT has decided. 14 min read Strata rules ### [Owners corporation flooring rules in Victoria](https://monkeyfloors.com/strata-flooring-rules/vic) Victoria's model rules have no hard floor rule. Your owners corporation's registered rules set any acoustic standard, and VCAT decides disputes. 13 min read Strata rules ### [Changing flooring in a South Australian unit](https://monkeyfloors.com/strata-flooring-rules/sa) Check South Australian strata or community title rules before changing a unit floor, with practical guidance on evidence, approval and disputes. 3 min read Strata rules ### [Changing flooring in a Western Australian strata home](https://monkeyfloors.com/strata-flooring-rules/wa) Plan a WA strata flooring change with your registered by-laws, lot boundaries, acoustic evidence and written approval requirements in view. 3 min read Strata rules ### [Choosing hard floors for an investment apartment](https://monkeyfloors.com/guides/landlord-hard-floors-investment-unit) Plan hard flooring for a rental apartment around strata approval, tenant access, repair needs and a clear installation record for your manager. 3 min read ## Questions, answered ### Do I need approval to install hybrid flooring in a strata apartment? In NSW, almost always. Section 110(3)(c) of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 makes installing or replacing wood or other hard floors a minor renovation that needs approval. The Act does not name hybrid, but we read hybrid as a hard floor. In Queensland and Victoria it depends on your scheme's registered by-laws or rules. Even without a flooring by-law, Queensland's section 167 bars unreasonable interference with another lot, and, where your rules are silent, Victorian model rule 4.3 needs written approval before you alter common property. Ask your committee in writing before you buy. ### What acoustic rating do strata by-laws usually ask for? We could not source a typical figure. No state law in NSW, Queensland or Victoria sets one, and we found no survey of by-laws. The by-laws we read in tribunal decisions vary: an AAAC 3 star rating for hard floors, an AAAC 5 star rating and an IIC of 57 in NSW; an L'nT,w of not more than 45, an L'nT,w of 55 or less, and FIIC conditions of up to 77 in Queensland. We found no Victorian example. Ask your committee for the exact figure, the rating scheme and whether it is a field or laboratory result. ### Can the body corporate make me remove a hard floor? Not on its own say. It can give you a formal notice and then apply to the state tribunal or, in Queensland, an adjudicator. Those bodies have ordered owners to restore carpet or reach a set rating (Jiang v Sui \[2023\] NSWCATCD 127), to treat a floor to 50 L'nT,w (Kim \[2023\] NSWCATCD 39) and to cover tiles or re-lay them over an acoustic membrane (18 Kingsford Street \[2016\] QBCCMCmr 78). In Victoria, VCAT can order a party to do or refrain from doing something under section 165 of the Owners Corporations Act 2006. ### Does the NCC apply when I replace the floor in my existing apartment? We could not confirm that it does. Part F7 of the NCC sets sound ratings for floors in Class 2 and 3 buildings, and applies to building work. We found no official source that says whether replacing a floor finish in an existing apartment is building work that must meet it, so ask a building certifier or surveyor. Your by-laws apply either way, and Queensland's appeal tribunal has said the building code does not set levels for good neighbourly relations. ### What is the difference between strata, a body corporate and an owners corporation? They are different state names for the body that manages a building's common property and by-laws. NSW uses owners corporation under the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015. Queensland uses body corporate under the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997. Victoria uses owners corporation under the Owners Corporations Act 2006, and calls its by-laws rules. ### Can a by-law ban hard floors completely? The decisions we read say a flat ban is unlikely to stand, but a strict standard can. In Gurram \[2018\] NSWCATCD 39, NCAT found a ban on hard floors above the ground floor had no force because it was inconsistent with section 110. In The Republic Apartments \[2022\] QBCCMCmr 290, a Queensland adjudicator upheld an L'nT,w 55 standard because it was achievable and was not a prohibition. ## Sources 1. [NCC 2022 Volume One, Part F7 Sound transmission and insulation](https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/editions/ncc-2022/adopted/volume-one/f-health-and-amenity/part-f7-sound-transmission-and-insulation) · Australian Building Codes Board · Accessed 2026-09-25 2. [NCC 2025 Volume One, Part F7 Sound transmission and insulation](https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/editions/ncc-2025/adopted/volume-one/f-health-and-amenity/part-f7-sound-transmission-and-insulation) · Australian Building Codes Board · Accessed 2026-09-25 3. [NCC 2025 state and territory adoption information](https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/ncc-2025/ncc-2025-state-and-territory-adoption-information) · Australian Building Codes Board · Accessed 2026-09-25 4. [NCC 2022 Volume One, Northern Territory Part F7](https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/editions/ncc-2022/adopted/volume-one/6-northern-territory/f7-sound-transmission-and-insulation) · Australian Building Codes Board · Accessed 2026-09-25 5. [Sound Transmission and Insulation in Buildings Handbook (NCC 2022)](https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/sites/default/files/resources/2023/Sound%20Transmission%20and%20Insulation%20in%20Buildings%20handbook%202022.pdf) · Australian Building Codes Board · Accessed 2026-09-25 6. [Guideline for Apartment and Townhouse Acoustic Rating, Version 1.0 (June 2017)](https://www.aaac.org.au/resources/Documents/Public/AAAC%20Apartment%20and%20Townhouse%20Acoustic%20Rating%20V1.0.pdf) · Association of Australasian Acoustical Consultants · Accessed 2026-09-25 7. [Explanatory notes regarding the impact sound insulation rating, Version 2.0 (May 2023)](https://www.aaac.org.au/resources/Documents/Public/AAAC%20Guideline%20for%20Apartment%20and%20Townhouse%20Acoustic%20Rating%20-%20Explanatory%20Note%20V2.0.pdf) · Association of Australasian Acoustical Consultants · Accessed 2026-09-25 8. [Guidelines and Downloads](https://www.aaac.org.au/Guidelines-&-Downloads) · Association of Australasian Acoustical Consultants · Accessed 2026-09-25 9. [ASTM E492-22, laboratory measurement of impact sound transmission (IIC)](https://store.astm.org/e0492-22.html) · ASTM International · Accessed 2026-09-25 10. [ASTM E989-21, classification for impact sound ratings](https://store.astm.org/e0989-21.html) · ASTM International · Accessed 2026-09-25 11. [ASTM E1007-04e01, field measurement of impact sound (defines FIIC)](https://store.astm.org/e1007-04e01.html) · ASTM International · Accessed 2026-09-25 12. [Field Floor Impact Noise South-East Queensland (Australia), Inter-noise 2014](https://www.acoustics.asn.au/conference_proceedings/INTERNOISE2014/papers/p227.pdf) · Australian Acoustical Society · Accessed 2026-09-25 13. [Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW)](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2015-050) · NSW Legislation · Accessed 2026-09-25 14. [Strata Schemes Management Regulation 2016 (NSW)](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2016-0501) · NSW Legislation · Accessed 2026-09-25 15. [Strata renovation rules](https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/strata/living/renovations) · NSW Fair Trading · Accessed 2026-09-25 16. [The Owners - Strata Plan No 82306 v Anderson \[2017\] NSWCATCD 85](https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/59f79b7ce4b074a7c6e19bac) · NSW Caselaw · Accessed 2026-09-25 17. [Gurram v Owners Corporation SP 36589 \[2018\] NSWCATCD 39](https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/5bcd4fece4b06629b6c62e55) · NSW Caselaw · Accessed 2026-09-25 18. [Norman v The Owners Strata Plan No 60182 \[2022\] NSWCATCD 152](https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/184ea17a7d5cf5511f2feda0) · NSW Caselaw · Accessed 2026-09-25 19. [The Owners - Strata Plan No 7704 v Kim \[2023\] NSWCATCD 39](https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/1896184f2da3ec8c56ab2ff6) · NSW Caselaw · Accessed 2026-09-25 20. [Jiang v Sui \[2023\] NSWCATCD 127](https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/18b26252886904331377a3f3) · NSW Caselaw · Accessed 2026-09-25 21. [Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 (Qld)](https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-1997-028) · Queensland Legislation · Accessed 2026-09-25 22. [Body Corporate and Community Management (Standard Module) Regulation 2020](https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2020-0233) · Queensland Legislation · Accessed 2026-09-25 23. [What by-laws apply](https://www.qld.gov.au/law/housing-and-neighbours/body-corporate/by-laws/what-by-laws-apply) · Queensland Government (Office of the Commissioner for Body Corporate and Community Management) · Accessed 2026-09-25 24. [The Republic Apartments \[2022\] QBCCMCmr 290](https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/qld/QBCCMCmr/2022/290.html) · AustLII (BCCM Commissioner, adjudicator's order) · Accessed 2026-09-25 25. [Body Corporate for Admiralty Towers II v Johnson \[2017\] QCATA 29](https://archive.sclqld.org.au/qjudgment/2017/QCATA17-029.pdf) · Supreme Court Library Queensland (QCAT Appeal Tribunal) · Accessed 2026-09-25 26. [McLeod v Body Corporate for Stradbroke Tower and Villas \[2015\] QCATA 146](https://archive.sclqld.org.au/qjudgment/2015/QCATA15-146.pdf) · Supreme Court Library Queensland (QCAT Appeal Tribunal) · Accessed 2026-09-25 27. [18 Kingsford Street \[2016\] QBCCMCmr 78](https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/qld/QBCCMCmr/2016/78.html) · AustLII (BCCM Commissioner, adjudicator's order) · Accessed 2026-09-25 28. [Into Ballymore \[2012\] QBCCMCmr 166](https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/qld/QBCCMCmr/2012/166.html) · AustLII (BCCM Commissioner, adjudicator's order) · Accessed 2026-09-25 29. [Owners Corporations Act 2006 (Vic), version 024](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/owners-corporations-act-2006/024) · Victorian Legislation · Accessed 2026-09-25 30. [Owners Corporations Regulations 2018 (Vic), Schedule 2 model rules](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/owners-corporations-regulations-2018) · Victorian Legislation · Accessed 2026-09-25 31. [What can an owners corporation make rules about?](https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/owners-corporations/rules/what-can-an-owners-corporation-make-rules-about) · Consumer Affairs Victoria · Accessed 2026-09-25 32. [Before you apply: Owners corporation disputes](https://www.vcat.vic.gov.au/case-types/owners-corporations/apply-owners-corporations) · VCAT · Accessed 2026-09-25 33. [Strata Titles Act 1985 (WA)](https://www.legislation.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/main_mrtitle_938_homepage.html) · Western Australian Legislation · Accessed 2026-09-25 34. [Unit Titles (Management) Act 2011 (ACT)](https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/2011-41) · ACT Legislation Register · Accessed 2026-09-25 35. [Strata Titles Act 1998 (Tas)](https://www.legislation.tas.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/current/act-1998-017) · Tasmanian Legislation · Accessed 2026-09-25 36. [Unit Title Schemes Act 2009 (NT)](https://legislation.nt.gov.au/Legislation/UNIT-TITLE-SCHEMES-ACT-2009) · Northern Territory Legislation · Accessed 2026-09-25 37. [Unit Titles Act 1975 (NT)](https://legislation.nt.gov.au/Legislation/UNIT-TITLES-ACT-1975) · Northern Territory Legislation · Accessed 2026-09-25 ## Goes well with Apartments ### [Best flooring for apartments: quiet, finish and fit](https://monkeyfloors.com/guides/best-flooring-for-apartments) Choose apartment flooring around sound, appearance, installation and scheme approval, with evidence to compare carpet, timber, laminate and hybrid. 25 min read Ratings ### [Flooring acoustic ratings explained: read the whole result](https://monkeyfloors.com/acoustic-ratings-explained) Read flooring acoustic ratings with confidence: laboratory and field results, IIC, impact sound levels, AAAC stars and the evidence a by-law needs. 13 min read Tool ### [Strata flooring checker](https://monkeyfloors.com/tools/strata-flooring-checker) Five questions about your state, building and floor. See what to ask your committee for in writing. Open