
Floor joists are an integral part of any house as they form the foundation and support the weight of the building and its occupants. The Australian building code outlines specific requirements for floor joists in terms of their size, material, spacing, and installation. The standard joist spacing is 450mm, with a depth of 90mm. However, the spacing can vary depending on the type of flooring material used and the load-bearing requirements. The size of the joists also depends on the length and the load they must support. Different types of joists are available, such as solid lumber joists, I-joists, and open-web floor trusses, each with its own advantages and considerations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Typical joist spacing | 450mm or 600mm apart |
| Minimum joist thickness | 35mm |
| Joist thickness for butt-joined flooring | 45mm or 50mm |
| Joist depth | 90mm |
| Space between standard joists | 430mm |
| Joist material | Solid lumber, I-joists, open-web floor trusses, steel |
| Australian standard for floor bearers and joists | AS 1684 – Residential timber-framed construction |
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What You'll Learn

Standard joist spacing is 450mm
In Australia, the standard joist spacing is 450mm, also known as 450 centres in the trade. This means that there is a 430mm space in between the joists. The Australian building code mandates that all floor bearers and joists meet specific requirements in terms of their size, material, spacing, and installation. The standard joist spacing is essential for ensuring that floors are safe, durable, and capable of supporting the weight of the building and its occupants.
The AS 1684 Residential Timber-framed Construction standard provides guidelines for designing and constructing bearers and joists in Australia. This standard specifies the maximum allowable spans for bearers and joists based on the size and spacing of the timber used. The span tables for bearers and joists are divided into different grades of timber, such as MGP10, MGP12, and F17, and are based on the loads that the subfloor system will be subjected to.
It is important to note that the subfloor system must be designed to withstand not only the weight of the flooring material and the contents of the room but also any additional loads that may be placed on it. For example, if heavy equipment or furniture will be used in the room, the subfloor system must be designed to support the extra weight. The spacing of the bearers and joists will depend on the size of the timber used and the loads that will be placed on the subfloor system.
When constructing a subfloor system, it is crucial to ensure that the bearers and joists are level and straight. Any variations in the levelness or straightness of the bearers and joists can lead to issues with the flooring material, such as squeaks or unevenness. The standard joist spacing of 450mm is commonly used in Australia to ensure the safety and durability of the floor.
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Joist thickness depends on load
In Australia, the AS 1684 Residential Timber-framed Construction standard provides guidelines for designing and constructing bearers and joists. The standard specifies the maximum allowable spans for bearers and joists based on the size and spacing of the timber used. The span tables for bearers and joists are divided into different grades of timber, such as MGP10, MGP12, and F17, and are based on the loads that the subfloor system will be subjected to.
The spacing of the bearers and joists will depend on the size of the timber used and the loads that will be placed on the subfloor system. The AS 1684 standard provides tables that specify the maximum allowable spans for different timber sizes and spacings. It is important to note that the subfloor system must be designed to withstand not only the weight of the flooring material and the contents of the room but also any additional loads that may be placed on it. For example, if heavy equipment or furniture will be placed in the room, the subfloor system must be designed to support the additional weight.
The Australian building code mandates that all floor bearers and joists meet specific requirements in terms of their size, material, spacing, and installation. For example, the standard specifies the minimum thickness and width of floor bearers and joists, depending on their length and the load they must support. It also outlines the maximum spacing between joists and bearers, which varies depending on the type of flooring material used.
The strength of a given joist board is most dramatically affected by the board's top-to-bottom width. For example, a joist made from doubled 2x6s can span a distance about 25% more than a single 2x6, but a 2x12 can span about 80% more than a 2x6, even though it uses the same amount of wood as a doubled 2x6. The width is considerably more important than the thickness of a board.
The size of the joists you choose depends on the distance they need to span and the load they need to carry. The larger the span and the more weight they need to support, the larger the joists need to be.
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Timber grade and size matter
The Australian standard for floor bearers and joists is AS 1684 – Residential Timber-framed Construction. This standard outlines the requirements for designing and constructing timber-framed buildings, including floors. The National Construction Code (NCC) also contains performance requirements for floors, including Performance Requirement P2.1.1. This requirement specifies that floors must be designed and constructed to support the weight of the building and its occupants and resist lateral forces such as wind and earthquake loads.
The AS 1684 standard provides tables that specify the maximum allowable spans for different timber sizes and spacings. The span tables for bearers and joists are divided into different grades of timber, such as MGP10, MGP12, and F17, and are based on the loads that the subfloor system will be subjected to. The size and spacing of timber bearers and joists will depend on the load they need to support.
When constructing a subfloor system, it is important to ensure that the bearers and joists are level and straight. Any variations in the levelness or straightness of the bearers and joists can cause problems with the flooring material, such as squeaks or unevenness.
The Australian Standards also specify the types of fixings and fasteners that can be used for different types of timber. For example, for softwood bearers and joists, a 75mm x 3.75mm nail should be used, while for hardwood bearers and joists, an 80mm x 4.0mm nail is specified.
When using timber for framing, it is important to use timber that is graded and treated to meet Australian standards. Typically, floors would be constructed from MGP10 H2 Pine or hardwood or laminated veneer lumber with a joist spacing of 450mm.
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Australian standards for joists
When building or renovating a house in Australia, it is crucial to adhere to the Australian standards for joists to ensure the safety and stability of the structure. The primary Australian standard for floor bearers and joists is AS 1684 – Residential Timber-Framed Construction. This standard provides guidelines for designing and constructing timber-framed buildings, including floors.
The Australian Building Code mandates that all floor bearers and joists meet specific requirements in terms of their size, material, spacing, and installation. The AS 1684 standard includes tables that specify the maximum allowable spans for different timber sizes and spacings, depending on the load they need to support. The spacing of the bearers and joists will depend on the size of the timber used and the weight that will be placed on the subfloor system.
For example, if the room will be used for heavy equipment or furniture, the subfloor system must be designed to support the additional weight. The standard also outlines the maximum spacing between joists and bearers, which varies depending on the type of flooring material used. Typically, floors are constructed using MGP10 H2 Pine, hardwood, or laminated veneer lumber with a joist spacing of 450mm.
To ensure the serviceability of the floor, deflection must be checked as per AS 1170.1-2002 - Structural Design Actions Part 1: Permanent, Imposed, and Other Actions. This standard specifies the limits on deflection for different floor spans based on floor use. Additionally, the National Construction Code (NCC) contains performance requirements for floors, including Performance Requirement P2.1.1, which specifies that floors must be designed and constructed to support the weight of the building and its occupants and resist lateral forces such as wind and earthquake loads.
Compliance with these Australian standards is essential to ensure that the floor is safe, stable, and durable, and can support the expected loads without sagging or cracking.
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Joist alternatives
In Australia, the AS 1684 Residential Timber-framed Construction standard provides guidelines for designing and constructing bearers and joists. The standard specifies the maximum allowable spans for bearers and joists based on the size and spacing of the timber used. The span tables for bearers and joists are divided into different grades of timber, such as MGP10, MGP12, and F17, and are based on the loads that the subfloor system will be subjected to.
The Australian building code mandates that all floor joists meet specific requirements in terms of their size, material, spacing, and installation. The standard specifies the minimum thickness and width of floor joists, depending on their length and the load they must support. It also outlines the maximum spacing between joists, which varies depending on the type of flooring material used.
If you're looking for alternatives to the Joist app for estimating and invoicing, here are some options:
- Trackfront: This software is designed for project-based small businesses and teams, simplifying complex pricing scenarios and giving control over the visibility of the cost breakdown.
- Estimate Rocket: This app is for contractors that work in team collaboration, helping with bid and client management.
- InvoiceOwl: This app offers an easy user interface and lower pricing than Joist, with features like logo customization, photo or file attachments, and tracking notifications.
- Pixid VMS: This cloud-based recruitment Vendor Management System is designed for small to mid-scale temporary staffing, offering one centralized ecosystem connecting companies, recruiters, and workers.
- Zoho Invoice: This free online invoicing software is for freelancers and small to medium-sized enterprises, helping to craft professional invoices and send payment reminders.
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Frequently asked questions
The standard spacing between house joists in Australia is 450mm, also known as 450 centres. However, the spacing can vary depending on the type of flooring material used and the load-bearing requirements. In some cases, joists can also be spaced 600mm apart.
The size of house joists in Australia is determined by the Building Code of Australia and the AS1684 Residential Timber-Framed Construction standard. The AS1684 standard provides tables specifying the maximum allowable spans for different timber sizes and spacings based on the loads that the subfloor system will be subjected to.
The standard depth of house joists in Australia is typically 90mm. However, the depth can vary depending on the type of flooring and the weight placed on the floor. For example, joists that support butt-joined flooring need to be 45-50mm thick to reduce splitting.

































