Where asbestos is found
If a house, garage, shed or commercial building was built or renovated before the 1990s, it probably contains some form of asbestos.
Asbestos was added to over 3,000 products, including (but not limited to) those used in home areas commonly renovated or repaired:
- bathrooms
- kitchens
- under vinyl floors, behind tiles and in carpet underlay
- carports, sheds and outbuildings
- electrical meter boxes
- guttering, downpipes and roof sheeting.
As a general guide, if a house/building was built:
- before the mid-1980s: it’s highly likely it contains some asbestos products
- between the mid-1980s and 1990: it’s likely it would contain asbestos
- after 1990: it’s unlikely it would contain asbestos.
If you are unsure whether your building contains asbestos you can ask a licensed asbestos assessor or removalist for advice.
With many Australian homes and buildings containing asbestos, whether you’re a workplace/tradesperson or a DIY renovator, you’re likely to come across asbestos — and exposure could affect your health.
Find and identify asbestos tool: Asbestos Vic
Health risks
Asbestos is a known carcinogen.
Disturbing any amount of asbestos can release fibres into the air. These could be inhaled or swallowed, which may lead to diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma in later years.
Even limited or short-term exposure to asbestos fibres can be dangerous.
And even people who haven’t worked with asbestos could get an asbestos disease. We’re now seeing people exposed to it through activities such as home renovations suffering from these diseases.
Asbestos safety for workplaces/tradespeople
If you’re doing renovations, repairs or building work, it’s important to first know whether asbestos may be present and how to deal with it safely.
- For houses (including garages, sheds and outbuildings): you should make sure any asbestos is identified and if possible, have it removed by a licensed asbestos removalist. See Removing asbestos below.
- For non-residential buildings: ask the person with management or control for a copy of the asbestos register before you start work. If there’s no register, make sure the building is inspected to determine if any asbestos is present — or simply assume it is present.
About asbestos registers
A person with management or control of a workplace must ensure an asbestos register is prepared and kept at the workplace. The asbestos register:
- is a document that lists all identified (or assumed) asbestos in a workplace
- is intended to ensure workers and others in the workplace do not accidently disturb asbestos.
For more information about registers and what they must cover, including a template and sample asbestos register, see the How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace code of practice.
Safe Work Australia has also published guidance on how to develop and maintain a comprehensive asbestos register. See Safe Work Australia's Asbestos registers in the workplace.
Asbestos safety for DIY renovators
If you’re planning home renovations, it’s important to first know whether asbestos may be present and how to deal with it safely. See Getting an asbestos survey below.
It’s not mandatory for building inspection reports to identify asbestos. The seller is not obliged to tell you if the house contains asbestos, either.
Getting an asbestos survey
If you’re unsure whether your home or the building you’re working on contains asbestos, an asbestos survey will help you learn its location and condition, and give guidance on how to manage the risk.
It’s important that a survey be conducted before you start work to avoid disturbing any asbestos containing material.
It’s recommended that you engage an experienced asbestos assessor to conduct an asbestos survey to identify any potential asbestos materials.
Read more about getting a residential asbestos survey.
Find a licensed asbestos assessor in Tasmania.
Removing asbestos
If asbestos is in good condition and unlikely to be disturbed, it can be left in place and monitored over time.
However, if asbestos is in poor condition or is likely to be damaged or disturbed during renovations, it should be removed.
Removal requirements depend on the type and amount of asbestos containing material present.
Find a licensed asbestos removalist in Tasmania.
National protocol for importing asbestos material
WorkSafe Tasmania has endorsed the national Rapid Response Protocol, which aims to:
- provide a consistent approach to the risk assessment and treatment of asbestos containing materials identified in Australia
- reflect the expectations of the government and community.
Resources and solutions
About asbestos
WorkSafe Tasmania TV campaign ad (Youtube)
Be Asbestos Aware (PDF, 597.7 KB)
Find and identify asbestos tool: Asbestos Vic
Asbestos surveys
Getting a Residential Asbestos Survey
Find a licensed asbestos assessor
Asbestos removal
Find a licensed asbestos removalist
Search for a disposal facility: Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency
Info for workplaces/tradespeople
Asbestos in the workplace: Asbestos Vic
Asbestos registers in the workplace: Safe Work Australia
Asbestos Management Handbook for Commercial and Non-Residential Properties: Asbestos Awareness
Builders and trades: Asbestos Vic
How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace code of practice
How to Safely Remove Asbestos in the Workplace code of practice
Managing asbestos in the Workplace webinar: WorkSafe Tasmania (Youtube)
Tradies fact sheets and checklists: Asbestos Awareness
Other resources
Asbestos safety in bushfire affected areas
Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency (ASSEA)
ASSEA National Asbestos Exposure register
Tasmania’s asbestos compensation scheme
National plan for asbestos awareness/management
On 23 September 2022, following the Tasmanian Government agreement in 2019 to implement the National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Awareness and Management 2019−2023, the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency has completed a Mid-Term Review Report 2019-2023 and a Mid-Term Progress Report 2019-2023.
These reviews monitor progress against the Asbestos National Strategic Plan, and ensure the National Strategic Plan is focussed and effective in its aim of eliminating asbestos-related diseases in Australia.
Asbestos National Strategic Plan Mid-term Progress Report: Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
Mid-term review of the Asbestos National Strategic Plan: Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency