Walk into any new home and the walls look smooth, but how smooth depends on the “level of finish” the plasterer was asked to deliver. Plastering work in Australia is rated from Level 1 to Level 5 under AS/NZS 2589, and choosing the right level affects how your paint looks for years.
What is a Level 4 plasterboard finish?
A Level 4 finish is the standard finish for most painted walls and ceilings in Australian homes. All joints and internal angles are taped and coated, fastener heads are covered, and the surface is sanded smooth, ready for primer and paint.
In practice, the plasterer embeds paper tape in a bedding coat of compound, then applies two further coats over the joints, feathering each one wider than the last. Screw heads get the same treatment. Once everything is dry, it’s sanded flat. Level 4 suits flat or low-sheen paint and light textured coatings in normal lighting, which covers most bedrooms, living areas and ceilings.
What is a Level 5 plasterboard finish?
A Level 5 finish is the highest quality finish. It’s a Level 4 job plus a thin skim coat of compound over the entire wall or ceiling, which gives paint one uniform, ultra-smooth surface to sit on.
Plasterboard paper and joint compound soak up paint differently. On a Level 4 wall, joints can show through as dull or shiny patches, an effect plasterers call “flashing”. The full skim coat evens out that absorbency so the paint dries consistently across the whole surface. It takes extra labour, materials, and drying time, so it costs more than Level 4.
What’s the difference between Level 4 and Level 5?
The only real difference is the full-surface skim coat. Level 4 finishes the joints and fixings, while Level 5 finishes the entire surface.
- Level 4: joints and fasteners coated, no skim coat. Best for flat and low-sheen paint in normal lighting. The cost-effective choice for most homes.
- Level 5: skim coat over the whole surface. Best for gloss and semi-gloss paint, dark colours, and strong side lighting. Higher cost and a longer job.
Which finish do I need for my project?
Choose Level 4 for typical painted walls and ceilings, and Level 5 where the lighting or paint will highlight every flaw. Level 5 is worth considering for walls with large windows or skylights that throw light across the surface (known as raking light), downlights or feature lighting washing down a wall, gloss, semi-gloss or dark paint, and high-end renovations or feature walls. Always check your plans or specification, and confirm the level with your plasterer before work starts so the quote matches the result you expect.
Why can I see joints through my paint?
Visible joints usually mean the finish level didn’t suit the lighting or paint, or the coats weren’t sanded and sealed properly.
Common causes include a Level 4 finish under glossy paint, thick joint coats that leave ridges, poor sanding, or skipping the primer. Fixing it often means skimming, sanding, and repainting, which costs far more than getting the finish right the first time.
What do Levels 1 to 3 mean?
Levels 1 to 3 are for areas that won’t be seen or will be covered by something heavier than paint. These lower levels suit concealed areas such as inside ceiling spaces, walls that will be tiled, and heavy textured coatings. They need less compound and sanding, so you save time and money where a perfect surface doesn’t matter.
How do you get a good Level 4 or Level 5 finish?
Use the right materials, apply thin even coats, sand lightly, and seal before painting.
- Fit the plasterboard with fasteners set just below the paper surface.
- Embed paper tape in a bedding coat over every joint and internal angle.
- Fix metal or PVC beads to external corners.
- Apply two thin topping coats, feathering wider each time and letting each coat dry fully.
- For Level 5, skim the entire surface.
- Sand smooth, wipe off the dust, and apply a plasterboard primer or sealer before painting.
Thin coats take a little longer, but they sand easier and give a flatter result than one thick coat.
Recommended products
Here’s what we’d put in the ute for a Level 4 or Level 5 job:
- Siniat MastaMate Paper Tape 75m: paper tape for strong, flat joints on walls and ceilings.
- Plastermate Base Coat 5kg Bag: a base coat for bedding tape and the first fill over joints.
- Gyprock Cornice Cement 5kg Bag: for fixing cornice and finishing the wall-to-ceiling join.
- Metal Beads: for crisp, durable external corners.
- Plastering Compounds & Tape: browse topping and finishing compounds for your coats and skim coat.
- Plasterboard sheets: standard, wet area, fire-rated and acoustic boards. Use our plasterboard calculator to work out how many sheets you need.
Get your plastering supplies delivered Australia-wide
Whether you’re a plasterer, builder or weekend renovator, Building Supplies Australia Network delivers across Australia. In Brisbane or Melbourne, order before 10am for same-day warehouse pickup. Order online any time, or request a quote for bulk and trade pricing.