A floor waste (sometimes called a floor drain) is a small drain in the floor, usually in the corner or centre of a bathroom or laundry. It’s designed to catch any excess water that escapes from showers, sinks, baths, or other fittings, and helps avoid unwanted puddles or worse, water damage.
It’s not always about cleaning up spills either, in some homes, plumbing fixtures are designed to drain to the floor waste as part of the water management plan.

That depends on your bathroom setup and the type of home you're in.
According to the National Construction Code (NCC), here’s the general rule:
You need a floor waste in bathrooms and laundries in Class 2, 3, or 4 buildings (think apartments, hotels, and some multi-unit townhouses), especially when there's no built-in overflow in fixtures like the bath or basin.
But for standalone homes (Class 1), it’s a bit more flexible. You might not need a floor waste if all your plumbing fixtures have proper overflow protection (like an overflow hole in the basin or bath) and the bathroom is designed to contain water.

Apartment / multi-dwelling: Yes (usually), Especially if no built-in overflows on fixtures.

Freestanding homes (Class 1): Not always, depending on layout and drainage design.

Bathroom with hobless shower: Often required.

Laundry: Yes, floor waste required in most builds.

Best bet? Always check with your plumber or builder to make sure you’re ticking all the boxes for your build type.

Even if you’re not technically required to have one, there are a few reasons why you might still want to include a floor waste:

• Peace of mind - especially if you’ve got kids who treat the bathroom like a splash park
• Walk-in or open showers - where water can spread across the floor more easily
• Easier to clean - you can hose down or mop the floor without worrying
• No built-in overflow in your fixtures - like some freestanding baths or wall-hung basins

You can potentially skip a floor waste if:

• Your bathroom fixtures all have built-in overflows
• The floor is fully waterproofed and contained, with no risk of water spilling out
• You’re in a freestanding house, and your builder signs off on the design
  But again, check your local codes and builder’s advice. Some councils or certifiers may still prefer (or require) one just to be safe.