Asbestos is still in 1 in 3 homes across Australia
Published on 25 November 2024
If your home was built before the 1990s there’s a good chance it has some asbestos.
Asbestos can be found throughout the home, in walls, bathrooms, ceilings, floors, laundries, kitchens, roofs, fences and garages.
National Asbestos Awareness Week (25 November to 1 December 2024) raises awareness of the continued presence of asbestos. We are reminded to be asbestos-aware before starting any work around the home - because it lurks in more places than you’d think.
Asbestos is dangerous when damaged, disturbed or deteriorating so you shouldn't remove it yourself. Four times more people die from asbestos related diseases annually than on our roads.
Know the risks
Don't risk the possible health effects of asbestos exposure.
Asbestos becomes dangerous once the fibres are disturbed, become airborne and then inhaled. This can happen if you’re sanding, drilling, cutting or sawing asbestos-containing materials.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen and inhaling asbestos fibres can cause a number of life-threatening diseases including pleural disease, asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Asbestos-related diseases cause approximately 4,000 deaths a year - three times the annual road toll.
Be aware of where asbestos might be in your home
Asbestos was used in hundreds of building materials, commonly found in bathrooms, laundries, and kitchens as well as behind tiles and under flooring.
Find out where asbestos might be here
Be Asbestos Ready
If you're looking to renovate, planning ahead will help avoid delays and cost blow outs.
Before you begin a renovation, please follow these three simple steps.
1. Think ahead:
Remember that asbestos was used in over 3,000 building products and can be found throughout the home.
2. Plan ahead:
Exposure to asbestos fibres can cause cancer. Fibres from disturbed, damaged or deteriorating asbestos are easily inhaled and can be a health risk. This can happen if you’re sanding, drilling, cutting or sawing asbestos-containing materials. There’s no fast or easy way to remove it, so plan ahead to avoid delays and cost blow outs.
3. Get a professional:
Please don’t risk your health, or anyone else’s health. If you’re renovating, start by contacting a licensed asbestos professional if you aren’t trained to locate, manage or remove it.
Make sure you’re aware of where asbestos might be found so you know how to stay safe.
Just like plumbing and electrical work, asbestos removal – or jobs around the home that might uncover asbestos - are jobs best left to the experts.
This Asbestos Awareness Week we are calling on Australians to know the health risk, be aware of where asbestos might be found before starting work and call a professional for advice and help.
Complaints about unsafe work with asbestos
Any concerns or complaints about unsafe work on a building or work site that may contain asbestos are to be reported to SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50.
Concerns and complaints about unsafe work at a residential property by the home owner or tenant as part of home maintenance and small scale demolition can be reported to Council on 9391 7000.
Asbestos information
For information regarding asbestos, please refer to the following NSW Government and independent websites:
Safework NSW
Health
Environment & Heritage (encompassing the Environment Protection Authority)
Asbestos Disease Research Institute