Understanding Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of fine fibres, once widely used in Australian building materials for its heat and fire resistance. It’s estimated that one in three Australian homes contains some form of asbestos. Although its use declined in the 1990s, asbestos was completely banned in 2003. Because asbestos remains in many homes and commercial properties, it’s vital to arrange professional inspections before any renovation, demolition, or maintenance work.
Asbestos and Hazardous Materials Services
Asbestos Registers Workplace and Commercial Buildings
If you own, manage, or control a workplace, you are legally responsible for identifying and managing asbestos risks. This includes ensuring that an Asbestos Register is prepared, maintained, and readily available at the workplace.
In New South Wales, all workplaces including commercial and non-residential buildings constructed before 31 December 2003 must maintain an Asbestos Register in accordance with Clause 425 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW) and SafeWork NSW guidance.
In Victoria, workplaces are required to maintain an Asbestos Register for any building constructed prior to 1 January 2004, as outlined in Regulation 227 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic) and managed under WorkSafe Victoria guidelines.
This requirement applies to offices, factories, schools, hospitals, retail premises, and public buildings. Maintaining an accurate Asbestos Register ensures compliance with occupational health and safety laws and helps protect the health of employees, contractors, and visitors from potential asbestos exposure.
Hazardous Materials and Asbestos Audits Before Refurbishment or Demolition
Before any refurbishment, renovation, or demolition work, it is a legal requirement to identify and manage potential hazardous materials — including asbestos, lead paint, synthetic mineral fibres, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
In New South Wales, this requirement is governed by the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW), specifically:
- Clause 448 – Identification of Asbestos Before Demolition or Refurbishment, and
- Clause 452 – Duty to Identify Asbestos or ACM at a Workplace.
These regulations, administered by SafeWork NSW, require a Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Audit or Refurbishment/Demolition Asbestos Survey to be undertaken before any intrusive works begin. The audit ensures that all asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and other hazardous substances are identified, assessed, and safely managed or removed by licensed professionals.
In Victoria, similar duties apply under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic), particularly Part 4.4 – Asbestos. Regulation 228 requires employers or persons in management or control of a workplace to identify asbestos before demolition or refurbishment work. This process is overseen by WorkSafe Victoria, which also mandates that asbestos removal work be carried out by appropriately licensed removalists.
Conducting a comprehensive Hazardous Materials and Asbestos Audit prior to refurbishment or demolition not only ensures compliance with state legislation but also protects workers, contractors, and the public from exposure to dangerous materials.
Asbestos Materials for Homeowners
If you’re buying an older home or planning renovations, it’s important to understand that many Australian houses built before 1990 may contain asbestos and other hazardous materials. In both NSW and Victoria, authorities such as SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe Victoria, and the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency strongly recommend engaging a qualified asbestos assessor to conduct a pre-purchase or pre-renovation asbestos materials inspection.
These inspections help identify asbestos-containing materials in common areas such as wall linings, eaves, flooring, bathrooms, and roofing. Knowing where asbestos is located allows you to plan your renovation safely, avoid accidental exposure, and comply with your legal obligations when disturbing building materials.
Whether you’re purchasing a property or updating an existing home, an asbestos inspection provides peace of mind and ensures your family’s safety before any work begins.
Asbestos Sampling and Laboratory Analysis
Proper identification of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) requires accurate sampling and laboratory analysis. Collected samples are sent to a NATA-accredited laboratory for testing, ensuring reliable and legally recognised results.
Laboratory analysis provides a definitive determination of the presence, type, and concentration of asbestos in building materials or soil, which is essential for developing safe removal or management strategies. Using NATA-accredited laboratories ensures compliance with Australian standards and provides confidence that your asbestos management program meets regulatory requirements in both NSW and Victoria.
Asbestos Air Monitoring
Asbestos air monitoring is a critical safety measure to ensure that airborne asbestos fibres remain below safe exposure limits during and after removal work.
In New South Wales, the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW), Clause 475, requires that licensed asbestos assessors conduct air monitoring during removal activities for all friable asbestos removal work to verify that asbestos has been effectively contained and that the area is safe for reoccupation.
In Victoria, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic), Part 4.4 – Asbestos, Regulation 231, requires that a competent person perform air monitoring during friable asbestos removal or whenever there is a risk of airborne asbestos fibres. This ensures compliance with exposure limits and provides the basis for issuing Asbestos Clearance Certificates.
Special consideration is given to sensitive sites, such as hospitals, childcare centres, and schools, where non-friable asbestos removal may necessitate air monitoring. These measures ensure that asbestos removal is conducted safely and that the environment remains safe for staff, students, patients, and visitors.
Asbestos Clearance Certificates
An Asbestos Clearance Certificate is a critical document that verifies a site, or area is safe following the removal of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). In both NSW and Victoria, clearance certificates must be issued by a licensed asbestos assessor after removal work has been completed in accordance with state regulations.
Obtaining a properly issued Asbestos Clearance Certificate ensures compliance with state legislation, protects workers and occupants, and provides documented evidence that asbestos removal has been completed safely and professionally.
In New South Wales, the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW), Clause 474 outlines the requirements for asbestos clearance, including visual inspections and air monitoring (if required), to confirm that asbestos has been removed as far as reasonably practicable. Clearance certificates must be retained as part of the site’s asbestos management records.
Similarly, in Victoria, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic), Part 4.4 – Asbestos, Regulation 234, requires a competent person to inspect and confirm that the area is free of visible asbestos debris. The competent person then issues a Clearance Certificate upon completion, which is essential for compliance, project handover, or before reoccupation of the site.
Lead Consulting
Lead contamination can occur in older buildings, soil, and dust, posing serious health and environmental risks. Our lead consulting services provide accurate testing and tailored solutions to ensure safe and compliant environments for occupants and workers. Our lead services include:
- Lead Paint Sampling: Testing for lead-based paints on building surfaces.
- Lead in Soils Sampling: Assessing contamination levels in soil.
- Lead Dust Sampling: Measuring dust levels for potential lead exposure.
- Lead Risk Assessments: Identifying hazards and outlining safety actions.
- Lead Management Plans: Providing long-term compliance strategies.
- Lead Air Monitoring: Measuring airborne lead during removal or maintenance works.
- Lead Clearance Certificates: Confirming the area is safe following remediation.
Mould Consulting Services
We offer a comprehensive range of mould consulting services designed to identify, assess, and manage mould-related issues in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Our services include:
- Visual Mould Inspections: Thorough on-site inspections to identify visible and hidden mould or water damage.
- Air and Surface Sampling: Air and surface tests to detect mould spores and assess air quality.
- Moisture and Risk Assessments: Identifying moisture sources and assessing the risk of mould growth using advanced tools.
- Post-Remediation Verification (PRV): Ensuring successful mould removal through follow-up testing and reporting.
- Mould Management Plans: Customized plans to prevent future mould growth with ongoing monitoring and maintenance.