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Looking for answers?

There's a high chance you're here because you've decided that your facility needs slip resistance testing and you need answers to one of these three questions:

How much does slip testing cost in Australia? When do you need a slip test? And, our personal favourite, "How do I find a commercial slip resistance testing provider that won't muck my stuff up?"

The provider you choose and their prices determine how often you can have floor slip testing, which, in turn, directly affects AS 4586 compliance and liability. You'll benefit more from a testing provider who doubles as a fixer.  

That's where we come in — with all you need to know before booking a slip resistance test.

Key Takeaways

• Slip resistance testing in Australia typically costs $150 - $200 per lab test (wet or dry)
• On-site testing is more expensive due to travel and complexity
• We recommend annual or biannual testing schedules for regulated commercial facilities
• Regular floor slip tests supports AS 4586 compliance and helps meet WHS obligations
• Stellmann combines testing and remediation services to save you time and money

How Much Does Slip Resistance Testing Cost?

There's no one-size-fits-all price for slip resistance testing. Still, we'll start with numbers for managers, builders, and product suppliers who want an idea of baseline costs.

In Australia, the pendulum slip test typically costs around $200 + GST per surface classification. Dry floor friction tests also cost between $150 and $200 per sample. 

This pricing covers in-house tests in which sample materials are sent to the providers' laboratories. However, several factors affect the final cost of slip resistance testing. 

Pricing varies based on:

1. Number of samples or test sites
2. Size and layout of the site
3. Travel costs and requirements
4. Accessibility
5. Urgency

Some providers offer reduced pricing for combined wet and dry tests run on the same material in the lab, and others offer bulk discount rates for multiple samples in the same batch.

For example, Zerofal drops the price of wet pendulum testing from $200 to $175 for up to 6 samples in the same submission, while Safetech Consult offers wet pendulum testing (both shoes & barefoot) combined with dry floor friction testing at $450 instead of $500.

On-site or field testing typically costs much more, as it may include travel or mobilisation fees and cover multiple sites. You can get an accurate quote after consultation and site inspection.

Professional slip resistance testing is important for commercial facilities. You're looking at $40,000 to $100,000 in injury claims — plus reputational damage — if a slip-and-fall accident occurs on your non-compliant floors. 

Further Reading: Learn How Slip Testing Works

How Often Should You Test?

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There's no appointed legal schedule for slip resistance testing in Australia. Testing schedules should be based on how your facility is used and its level of risk exposure. 

Commercial facilities are liable for injury claims if the courts can prove negligence, so there's a higher risk of exposure for business owners and managers than for homeowners. 

Here are our recommendations for commercial facilities with high-risk areas:

Note: For commercial facilities in hospitality and other regulated industries, annual or biannual testing is a reasonable baseline. However, surfaces exposed to heavy foot traffic, moisture, and other contaminants, or frequented by vulnerable populations, may require more frequent testing.

Proactive testing helps establish protections from liability claims. This approach aligns with the AS/NZS ISO 31000 risk management framework by covering risk identification, analysis, evaluation, and treatment.

In addition to your routine testing, you can schedule an additional slip resistance audit when the situation calls for it. For instance:

1. After chemical floor treatments or anti-slip coatings
2. After installing new floors
3. Following a change in cleaning products or pressure washing
4. Following a slip incident or even a near miss

How to Choose a Slip Resistance Testing Provider

Here's where you learn how to pick a slip testing provider whose offerings, methods, and services match your needs — you cannot cut corners. Consider the following:

Must Haves

1. NATA Accredited Slip Testing

Choose a slip testing provider accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) to get legally defensible results. 

2. AS 4663 On-Site Testing

Operational facilities floor slip tests to determine real risks to visitors. Choose a provider that supports on-site testing of installed surfaces — not just lab tests. 

Details to Verify

1. What equipment do they use?

Calibrated pendulum testers are generally reliable and preferred for laboratory or on-site slip resistance testing. Due to some performance limitations, Tortus III devices are less popular in professional settings and are often used as a complementary method.

2. Do they offer detailed slip test reports?

Reports should include test results, procedures, photos, and maintenance recommendations to be recognised for NCC compliance, WHS audits, and insurance protection.

3. Do they offer remediation services?

Providers who offer both slip resistance inspection services and remediation can save time and money. However, they should work with independent testing providers to avoid bias and conflicts of interest, especially where test reports may be used to prove compliance in legal cases. 

Bonus points if they have experience upgrading non-compliant floors across different industries.

Case Study: Translink Busway Stations

Stellmann has worked with facility managers, home owners, flooring installers, NDIS families, and OTs across aged care, hospitality, retail, and other industries to eliminate slip hazards before they become disasters. 

During a free compliance call, our slip-resistance specialists will assess your site's risk level and schedule a floor slip test with an independent NATA-accredited tester. You can also use our slip rating finder tool to find the ideal slip-safety solution for your space.

FAQs

1. Is slip resistance testing mandatory in Australia?

There's no law that mandates it by name, but WHS legislation requires facility managers to identify slip hazards, assess risks, and implement controls. Hence, routine slip-resistance testing is a legal necessity.

2. How long does a slip resistance inspection take?

The duration of on-site testing depends on the size and number of test areas, lasting anywhere from a few hours to a full working day. Laboratory tests are typically faster, but the logistics of delivering samples also take some time. Results are typically delivered within 24 hours, but some providers have a turnaround of 3-5 business days.  

3. Can I do my own slip resistance testing?

No, you can't. You need NATA-accredited slip testing providers and professional operators following AS 4586 and AS 4663 standards to get legally defensible results. However, you can use DIY anti-slip kits to upgrade surfaces in high-risk areas. 

4. What happens if my floors fail a slip test?

If this happens, immediately restrict access to the hazardous areas and seek out remediation services. Stellmann CSIRO-certified anti-slip coatings can restore compliance in under 24 hours 

Get Slip Testing and Remediation Services With Stellmann

Commercial facilities need at least one floor slip test a year. It's better to spend a couple hundred dollars on slip resistance testing and compliance than face potential injury claims running into tens of thousands. 

At Stellmann, we don't just identify the problem. We fix it. 

While some testing providers will hand you a failed slip test report and leave you to figure out the next steps, we offer remediation services that take you to a compliant surface in 24 hours. 

Want slip compliance without replacing your floors? Book a compliance call today.