Asbestos and Building Requirements

Asbestos was used in a wide range of building materials and other products in Australia prior to being phased out by 1990 and fully banned in 2003.

If you are planning to renovate, demolish or carry out building work on an older property, asbestos may be present and must be appropriately identified, managed and, where necessary, removed.

For information about protecting yourself from exposure to asbestos, head to the public health section here. 

Why asbestos needs to be considered during building works

Asbestos is hazardous when materials are damaged, disturbed or deteriorating, as microscopic fibres can become airborne and easily inhaled or ingested.

It is not possible to determine whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it. Laboratory testing using a microscope is required to confirm the presence of asbestos. If you are unsure, treat materials as though they contain asbestos until confirmed otherwise.

Asbestos in the home

If your home was built before 1990, it is likely that asbestos-containing materials may be present in some building products.

Asbestos is commonly encountered during:

  • Renovations and alterations

  • Repairs and maintenance

  • Demolition of buildings or structures

Common locations for asbestos in the home

Asbestos has been used in a range of building materials, including (but not limited to):

  • Wall and ceiling sheeting

  • Eaves and soffits

  • Roofing and fencing

  • Vinyl floor backing

  • Pipes and flues

Find out more by visiting the The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency

The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency

Identifying asbestos and removing it

Professionals who can assist with identifying asbestos include:

  • Occupational hygienists with asbestos experience

  • Licensed asbestos assessors

  • Licensed asbestos removalists

  • Individuals who have completed recognised asbestos identification training

Find a licensed professional using the links below:

If removing more than 10 square metres of asbestos, a licence is required which is issued by WorkSafe WA. There are two types of licensed asbestos removalist:

  • Class A removalist - can remove all types of asbestos, including friable asbestos, contaminated dust or debris; or
  • Class B removalist - can only remove non-friable asbestos.

The WorkSafe website has further information on the different license types here. 

Minor removal and maintenance work

If you are considering removing a small amount (less than 10m²) of intact, non-friable asbestos, or undertaking minor renovations or maintenance, it is important to understand how to do this safely.

Guidance and resources are available from:

Asbestos and trades or construction work

People working in the building and construction industry are likely to encounter asbestos when working on older buildings and infrastructure.

Those most at risk include workers undertaking:

  • Repairs and maintenance

  • Renovations

  • Alterations to older structures

Guidance for trades and construction workers is available here:

Asbestos disposal

Asbestos waste must be disposed of at a facility licensed to accept asbestos.

Minimum disposal conditions typically include:

  • Double-wrapping in heavy-duty (200 micron) plastic

  • Securing Sealing with strong tape ie: gaffer tape

  • Clearly labelling the package “Caution Asbestos”

  • Ensuring material is secure for transport and disposal

Always check disposal requirements with the receiving facility before transporting asbestos waste.

Facilities that accept asbestos material

Further information and resources

Related information