Asbestos

Asbestos was used widely in the construction industry until the 1970s and could be in any home built or renovated before 1987.

Key facts about asbestos in the home

  • Every home built or renovated in the years leading up to 1987, most likely will contain asbestos.
  • A conservative estimate is that 1 in 3 homes in Australia contain asbestos, including brick.
  • If asbestos is undisturbed, it generally does not pose a health risk.
  • Many Australians may unknowingly be putting their health and the health of their children and neighbours at risk because they don't really understand the dangers of working with asbestos or know where it might be found in and around their home.
  • During renovations or the demolition of homes containing asbestos, asbestos fibres can be released into the air and be inhaled leading to asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
  • Not only homes constructed of fibro contain asbestos.
  • Asbestos may be found in every room in the home - behind wall and floor tiles, in walls, ceilings, under lino and carpet and around hot water systems.
  • Only scientific testing of a sample of material by an accredited National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) asbestos testing laboratory can confirm the presence of asbestos.

For information on testing and accredited laboratories in your area, visit the National Association of Testing Authorities website.

Renovating your home

If your home was built or renovated before 1987, asbestos products may be in your home(PDF, 348KB).

Whether your home is constructed of weatherboard, brick, fibro or cladding, asbestos can be found in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry, under floor coverings, behind walls and floor tiles, on the roof or in the eaves. Asbestos was also commonly used for insulating around hot water piping and tanks, as loose roof insulation, or as backing for electrical meter boards.

Before you renovate, visit Asbestos NSW or Asbestos Awareness to learn where asbestos might be found in your home, the dangers of disturbing it and how best to manage it.

Please be aware that if more than 10 square metres of bonded asbestos needs to be removed, you must engage a bonded asbestos removalist who is licensed by SafeWork NSW.

Most building or demolition work requires some form of approval, so before you commence any home renovations or demolition, contact us on 02 4645 4000 to see if you need a development consent or complying development certificate.

Before you remove any asbestos, advise your neighbours of the time and date of removal, and the name of the licensed removalist.

For more information, see the SafeWork NSW website.

Safe disposal

Asbestos is classified as a hazardous material. There are strict guidelines about how it should be packaged and transported, and where it can be disposed.

All asbestos must be specially wrapped, labelled and disposed of, as soon as possible, at a facility that can lawfully receive asbestos waste.

The dangers of asbestos

  • In the mid 1970s the dangers of asbestos became evident and it was gradually replaced by alternative products.
  • In 2003 it was banned entirely and can no longer be used, recycled or imported.

NSW Asbestos Coordination Committee

The NSW Asbestos Coordination Committee (NACC) works to improve the management, monitoring and response to asbestos issues in NSW through collaboration and programs. A number of NSW state agencies and other organisations collaborate through the NACC. The NACC is proudly supported by the NSW Environment Protection Authority

More information

A hotline number is available to provide free advice and guidance on asbestos related issues. 1800 Asbestos or 1800 272 378 provides a central point of contact for making enquiries about asbestos and calls will be answered by the SafeWork NSW Customer Contact Centre staff who regularly manage general asbestos enquiries.

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Related Information

 

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