Is Your Shower Screen Actually Legal?

What Perth Homeowners Need to Know in 2026

If you have been eyeing a bathroom refresh lately, you’ve probably spent a lot of time looking at tile patterns and tapware finishes. But there is one detail that is far more important than the colour of your grout: the legality of your glass.
It might sound dramatic, but in Western Australia, shower screens aren’t just a design choice—they are a regulated safety feature. With so many DIY kits and cheap imports hitting the market lately, we are seeing more and more homeowners get caught out with glass that doesn't actually meet Australian standards.
Here is a quick look at why compliance matters more than a bargain price tag when it comes to your bathroom.

The invisible standards
In Australia, we have very specific rules (specifically AS/NZS 1288) that dictate exactly what kind of glass can go into a "high-risk" area like a bathroom. Because floors get slippery and glass is surrounded by hard surfaces, the regulations are there to ensure that if a slip does happen, the glass performs exactly how it should.
For a shower screen to be legal in Perth, it must be Grade A Safety Glass. Usually, this means it has been toughened or laminated. If you buy a cheap screen online or from a discount warehouse that hasn't been certified to these local standards, you aren't just taking a safety risk; you’re potentially voiding your home insurance.

How to spot a compliant screen
You shouldn't have to be a glass expert to know if your bathroom is safe. There are a few simple things we always tell people to look for:

• The Safety Stamp: Look for a small, permanent etched mark in the corner of the glass. This is the manufacturer’s birth certificate for that panel, proving it has been toughened to Australian standards.
• The Fit: A screen that rattles or has large gaps isn't just annoying; it’s a sign of poor structural integrity. Custom-fitted glass is designed to handle the specific weight and tension of your bathroom’s layout.
• The Paperwork: A professional installer should always be able to provide the peace of mind that the product meets current regulations.

Why DIY can be a trap
We get it—the off-the-shelf kits look tempting when you’re trying to save a few dollars. However, those kits are often made to a one-size-fits-all standard that doesn't account for the unique movements of your home or the specific heights required by law.
If a screen isn't installed with the right hardware or at the correct thickness for its size, it can lead to spontaneous shattering or leaks that rot your floorboards over time. When you weigh up the cost of a professional installation against the cost of replacing a bathroom floor, the professional route wins every time.

Peace of mind with All Things Glass
At All Things Glass, we don’t expect you to keep up with the latest changes in building regulations—that is our job. We’ve been working in the Perth community for years, and we know exactly what it takes to make a bathroom both beautiful and compliant.
When we handle your installation, you aren't just getting a new look; you’re getting the certainty that your home is safe, insured, and built to last.

Not sure if your current screen is up to scratch? Give All Things Glass a call today for a free measure and quote. Let’s make sure your 2026 renovation is beautiful, legal, and built for the long haul.​