300+ 5 Star Reviews
Explore expert-written blogs covering the latest trends, practical tips, and in-depth guidance on asbestos safety, inspections, and compliance—helping you stay informed and confident in every decision.
This advice applies to businesses and private householders in Australia. It is estimated that over 60% of all production and 90% of all consumption of asbestos fibre occurred in the asbestos cement manufacturing industry with many of these building materials still in use today.
Asbestos was used because it was cheap, durable and was used extensively in the building industry. After World War II until 1954, in New South Wales alone, 70,000 houses were built using asbestos cement (52% of all houses built). Up until the 1960s, 25% of all new housing was clad in asbestos cement in Australia. In Victoria, it is estimated that 98% of homes constructed before 1976 contained asbestos products (most likely asbestos sheeting) and that 20% of all domestic roofs of that period contained asbestos.
Asbestos has not been used in domestic building materials since the 1980s but it was not until 31 December, 2003 that asbestos and all products containing asbestos were banned throughout Australia. It is illegal to import, store, supply, sell, install, use or re-use these materials. The ban does not apply to asbestos installed prior to this date (e.g. asbestos in houses).
According to the Queensland Government website – If you live in a Queensland government home that was built before 2004 it may have asbestos in the materials used to build it. Many buildings in Queensland built in this period contain asbestos. Asbestos-containing materials have mainly been used as wall and floor sheeting, roofing and pipes.
Asbestos is in one out of every three homes in Queensland.
Asbestos cement is a mixture of cement and asbestos (usually about 10-15% of the total product but could contain up to 40%) forming a hard material often used as corrugated roofing on sheds, garages and farms. It was also used to make drainpipes, flues, water
tanks and other products.
Asbestos cement usually contained white asbestos (chrysotile) but older types may contain blue (crocidolite) or brown (amosite). The type used is not really important as all asbestos is hazardous, although asbestos cement does not release many fibres and is relatively low risk if left undisturbed.
Please take the hazard seriously and remember that the irreversible effects of asbestos exposure can take between 15 and 60 years to develop.
Asbestos use declined steadily from the 1970’s but white asbestos (chrysotile) could still be used until 2004, and can be found in some relatively new buildings.
No, asbestos cement products are very durable and are likely to last for many years. However, if they need to be removed this can be done without a licence or specialist firm, although care must be taken to minimise any fibre release.
Business owners have a legal duty to manage any asbestos in their premises and this would include monitoring the condition of asbestos cement. A cement product may need to be removed if it is in very poor condition and breaking up or needs uneconomical repair.
Householders do not have the same duties, although they are required to follow the procedures for safe disposal.
This often happens to asbestos cement, and can eventually cause it to become brittle and break up. It is a good idea to keep the roof clear but care must be taken to do it in a way that doesn’t damage the surface and release fibres.
The only way that is recommended is to apply a commercially available biocide, then when it has had time to act, apply water with a hose (not a jet wash!) and gently brush the moss off.
You should never attempt to brush the moss off dry or use a wire brush. If any lichen or moss roots prove difficult to remove, it is better to leave them to avoid damaging the roof.
Yes, you can remove it yourself (a licence is not needed for up to 10m²) but you will need to take some precautions.
If removal of asbestos cement is done according to these rules, it will never fall into the category where it must be notified to the enforcing authority (HSE or Local Authority, depending on the premises) this would only happen if there was likely to be exposure
beyond the “action level” given in the Regulations.
Please remember that this advice only applies to asbestos cement. Other asbestos materials are more dangerous and you should not attempt to remove them without specialist advice.
When in doubt, contract the work to a licensed, insure professional.
Please remember that this advice only applies to asbestos cement. Other asbestos materials are more dangerous and you should not attempt to remove them without specialist advice. When in doubt, contract the work to a licensed, insure professional.
You can order a skip to be delivered to your property – make sure you specify that it is for asbestos sheeting so that it comes already lined. There are bags of varying sizes that you buy from most hardware stores – there is a number on the bags for the removalists to
come and collect the bags when you are finished and ready to the collection If the amount to be disposed of is very large, the site may refuse to take it and you will have to follow the advice for business owners.
Contact a local asbestos contractor (these are listed in yellow pages) and arrange for them to take the waste to a site licensed for the disposal of hazardous waste. It is necessary to comply with the 2011 WHS legislation so using a contractor is likely to be easier than making the arrangements yourself. There will be a charge, so it is worth getting several quotes.
Take the first step toward a safer space today. Our licensed experts provide thorough inspections, and full compliance with Australian safety standards—giving you peace of mind that your home or workplace is protected.
