What’s Normal and What’s Not? Understanding the Australian Guide to Standards and Tolerances

When buying a house, it’s easy to panic if you see cracks, uneven plaster, or a slightly crooked door. But here’s the good news: not every imperfection is a disaster waiting to happen.

To help buyers, builders, and inspectors separate minor issues from serious defects, Australia has a handy rulebook called the Australian Guide to Standards and Tolerances (often just called the “Guide”).

Bonus tip: The Guide is freely available online, so anyone curious can download it and check out the detailed standards for themselves.

What Is the Guide to Standards and Tolerances?

The Guide is a practical document that sets acceptable limits for common building issues — basically, how much cracking, unevenness, or other imperfections are considered normal in a typical home.

It helps answer questions like:

• How big or wide can a crack be before it’s a problem?

• How smooth should plaster walls be?

• What counts as an acceptable slope or unevenness?

• How should defects be viewed and reported by inspectors?

• When should defects reasonably appear after construction?

Keeping Builders Accountable — Fairness for Everyone

One of the biggest reasons the Guide exists is to hold builders accountable for their workmanship. It sets clear, objective tolerances so that:

• Builders know exactly what quality and finish level is expected

• Buyers have a fair benchmark to compare against when inspecting a new home

• Disputes between buyers and builders can be resolved with clear references rather than opinions

Without the Guide, “acceptable quality” would be subjective — which could lead to endless arguments, delays, and costly fixes.

Cracks: When Should You Worry?

Most homes will have some cracks. The Guide explains that hairline cracks under 1mm wide in plaster or concrete are usually normal and caused by natural shrinkage as materials cure.

Cracks wider than 3mm or those that keep growing may need further investigation — especially if they’re near windows, doors, or the foundation.

What Is a “Normal Viewing Position”?

When the Guide talks about assessing defects, it means looking at them from a typical, reasonable distance — not up close with a magnifying glass or right on top of the wall.

Generally, the “normal viewing position” is considered to be about 1.5 meters (roughly 5 feet) away from the surface being inspected. This is roughly the distance a person would naturally stand in a room while viewing walls, ceilings, or other finishes.

This standard prevents inspectors from flagging tiny cosmetic issues that aren’t noticeable in everyday use — keeping reports relevant and practical.

Plaster & Finishes: Perfect Isn’t Realistic

The Guide acknowledges that plaster and paint can’t be factory-perfect. Slight variations in texture or minor marks are expected, especially when viewed up close.

Inspections should report plaster defects as they appear from a normal viewing position (usually standing on the floor, about 1.5 meters away, not peering inches from the wall).

Viewing Position & Lighting Matter

The way defects are seen can change based on:

• Your angle or distance — a tiny dent may be invisible from a few steps back but glaringly obvious if you get close. The Guide says inspections should consider defects from a reasonable, normal viewing distance.

• Natural light vs. artificial light — bright, direct sunlight can highlight imperfections that don’t show up under soft indoor lighting.

Inspectors learn to consider these factors when deciding what’s worth reporting.

Why This Guide Matters to You

Without clear tolerances and timelines, every tiny imperfection could be a red flag — leading to unnecessary stress, negotiation headaches, or wasted money on repairs.

The Guide helps:

• Buyers understand what’s normal wear and tear and when it usually appears

• Builders know what’s acceptable workmanship and timing

• Inspectors provide fair, balanced reports

• Everyone keep expectations reasonable and transparent

The Takeaway

Next time you see a small crack or a less-than-perfect wall, remember the Australian Guide to Standards and Tolerances. It’s designed to help you separate the cosmetic from the critical — so you can make smart decisions without sweating the small stuff.

If you want me to walk you through specific examples from the Guide or explain how I use it in my assessments, just give me a shout!