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Australian Made Flooring: Why It Matters and How to Check

Written by Matthew Kuo | Jan 28, 2026 5:01:49 AM

Australia Day is a good reminder to buy local, but buying Australian-made isn’t just a once-a-year feel-good moment. If you’re spending real money on flooring, you want the confidence that you’re getting quality, sensible lead times, and support you can actually access if you ever need it.

This guide is a practical one. I’ll explain what “Australian made” means for flooring, how to check origin claims, why it matters, and which Australian manufacturers to look for when you’re shopping at Floorworld.

 

Quick takeaways

  • For non-food products like flooring, Australian law doesn’t force brands to display country-of-origin labels. But if they do make a “Made in Australia” claim, it must be truthful and not misleading. ACCC
  • In 2024, Roy Morgan research found that 86% of Australians say buying Australian-made is important. Roy Morgan
  • In 2025, Roy Morgan research also reported Australian-made support at 95% (showing the preference remains very strong). Roy Morgan
  • In one Roy Morgan survey summary published by the Australian Made Campaign, 67% said they “often” or “always” buy Australian-made, and 35% said they’re buying more Australian-made products than before. Australian Made
  • When you factor in install and prep, local supply can influence lead times and overall project friction, especially for large jobs.

 


Table of contents

 

What “Australian made” means for flooring

This is where people get tripped up, so it’s worth clearing up early.

Flooring doesn’t have to show origin labels

The ACCC explains that the Australian Consumer Law doesn’t require country-of-origin information for non-food products. Flooring falls into that bucket. ACCC

So if you don’t see an origin label on a flooring box, it doesn’t automatically mean it’s imported or hiding something. It can just mean the brand hasn’t chosen to label it.

But origin claims must still be accurate

If a business says, “Made in Australia” (or anything that implies it), that becomes a country-of-origin representation, and it must not be false, misleading or deceptive. ACCC

The ACCC’s guidance also explains that “made in” is linked to where a product’s substantial transformation happened. 

How to check Australian-made claims

When you’re researching flooring (or you’re in-store), do this:

  1. Look for clear language like “Manufactured in Australia” or “Made in Australia” on the product page, spec sheet, or packaging.
  2. Check the manufacturer’s “About” or “Local manufacturing” page for where production happens.
  3. If the claim is vague (“Australian owned”, “Designed in Australia”), ask what’s actually made here. “Owned” and “made” are different things under consumer expectations. ACCC
  4. Confirm it at range level (for example: some brands manufacture certain categories locally but not every range).
  5. If you’re comparing options for sustainability, ask whether the product has ECS certification (especially for commercial or spec projects). Carpet Institute


Simple, repeatable, and it doesn’t rely on any one label.

Why buy Australian-made flooring?

This isn’t a niche preference. In 2024, Roy Morgan found 86% of Australians say it’s important to buy Australian-made. Roy Morgan

And in more recent reporting, Roy Morgan put support at 95%, which tells you the sentiment hasn’t faded. Roy Morgan

In the Australian Made Campaign summary of that Roy Morgan research, 67% said they often or always buy Australian-made, and 35% said they’re buying more now than before. Australian Made

 

The practical upsides for flooring

Flooring is a big, awkward, high-stakes purchase. If something goes wrong, you want answers quickly.

Australian manufacturing and supply can help with:

  • Shorter lead times and easier availability (especially for follow-up orders, matching products, or project extensions)
  • Local technical support and clearer warranty pathways
  • Products that tend to be designed with Australian conditions and building styles in mind

 

Sustainability

Sustainability gets thrown around a lot, so here’s the flooring-specific version.

Lifespan matters more than people think

A longer-lasting floor means fewer replacements. That reduces material use and waste over time. With flooring, durability is sustainability in plain clothes.

Use proper frameworks when you can

If you want something credible that goes beyond marketing claims, the Environmental Certification Scheme (ECS) is an Australian program administered by the Carpet Institute of Australia. They describe it as evaluating products across their lifecycle, from raw materials through to disposal. Carpet Institute

That’s especially useful for commercial clients, architects and designers who need documentation, but it can also help homeowners who want a clearer comparison tool.

Australian-made suppliers to look for at Floorworld


Resilient flooring (commercial sheet vinyl)

Armstrong Flooring

Armstrong is Australia’s only manufacturer of commercial sheet vinyl flooring, and it has been manufacturing in Australia since 1969. Armstrong Flooring

 

Carpet (residential + commercial)

Godfrey Hirst

Godfrey Hirst has multiple manufacturing facilities in Geelong, Victoria, and is a major employer of the local community. Godfrey Hirst

Beaulieu Australia

Beaulieu has been manufacturing flooring since its time as Sterling Carpet Mills in Queensland since 1973. Beaulieu

 

Victoria Carpets

Victoria Carpets manufactures carpet at its Dandenong plant in Victoria. Victoria Carpets

 

EC Carpets

EC Carpets has been manufacturing its carpets at a state-of-the-art facility at Lonsdale in South Australia since 1963. EC Carpets

 

Interface (carpet tiles)

Interface has manufactured modular carpet tiles locally in south-west Sydney since 1971. Interface

 

Underlay

Dunlop

Dunlop has been proudly manufacturing underlay in Australia since 1972. Dunlop Flooring


Some brands manufacture locally, but not every range is necessarily made in Australia. If “Australian-made” is a priority, confirm the manufacturing location for the exact product you’re quoting or simply ask your local Floorworld store for more details. The ACCC is clear that origin claims must not mislead. ACCC

 

Where and how to buy Australian-made flooring


Step 1: Pick your category

Carpet, underlay, resilient, or commercial carpet tile. You’ll narrow choices faster and avoid comparing apples with oranges.

 

Step 2: Visit your nearest Floorworld store

This is where you can compare samples properly, talk through your room use, and confirm which ranges are manufactured in Australia.

 

Step 3: Request a measure and quote

Flooring cost isn’t just the product. A quote helps you plan for prep, removal, underlay, transitions, and installation. It also prevents surprise costs that may come up.

 

Local tips (Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth + more)

If you’re searching “Australian made flooring near me”, here’s the shortcut: go in-store with a couple of photos of your space and ask two questions:

  1. “Which ranges in this category are manufactured in Australia?”
  2. “What will the total installed cost look like once prep and underlay are included?”

 

Whether you’re in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, or the Sunshine Coast, this keeps the decision clear and avoids assumptions.

 

FAQs: Australian-made flooring

Does flooring have to show country-of-origin labelling in Australia?

For non-food products, the ACL doesn’t require origin labelling. But if a business makes a country-of-origin claim, it must be clear, truthful and accurate. ACCC

What does “Made in Australia” mean in plain terms?

The ACCC explains that “made in” claims relate to where the product’s substantial transformation occurred. In other words, it’s about where the final meaningful manufacturing step happened, not necessarily where every component originated. 

Why would a product be Australian-made but not show a certification logo?

Participation in certification marks and programs can be voluntary. The key is verifying the manufacturer’s stated production location and confirming it at the product/range level. Australian Made

 

Is Australian-made flooring automatically more sustainable?

Not automatically. Sustainability depends on lifecycle impacts, durability, and manufacturing practices. Programs like the Carpet Institute’s ECS assess products across lifecycle stages and can provide a more credible comparison. Carpet Institute

 

What’s the best way to confirm Australian-made flooring before I buy?

Check the manufacturer’s published information, then confirm the manufacturing location for the exact range you’re choosing. Origin claims matter under consumer law, so you want them documented and specific.