Asbestos waste can only be disposed of at specified landfill sites, so it is important to contact the landfill beforehand to check if the material is accepted and any special requirements for delivery. Many landfill operators require a booking to be made, as careful handling and greater supervision of the waste is required to prevent the release of asbestos fibres into the air. Use the directory on this page to find a safe disposal location near you.
Licensed asbestos removal companies can be hired to remove asbestos waste from your home, workplace, or construction site for safe disposal. If the amount of asbestos materials or products to be removed is less than 10m2, an asbestos removal certificate is not required but strict guidelines must still be adhered to (a licence is still required for residents in the Australian Capital Territory).
When handling asbestos, wearing the right protective gear is important, but it is not enough to fully protect you and others. Specific equipment and methods must be used to prevent asbestos contaminating everything around you. In many circumstances, it is easier and safer to engage a licensed professional to remove the asbestos for you.
For tips on how to safely handle asbestos, use the Australian Government’s Asbestos Safety guide for homeowners.
Asbestos is best known for its use as insulation and as a building material found in many older properties across the country. Asbestos is classed as a hazardous material and can only be disposed of at certain locations in Australia.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral rock that was mined in Australia from the 1940s to late 1980s.
Asbestos was used in a variety of products and materials, most commonly in the construction, car manufacturing, and textile industries. From the 1940s until the late 1980s, fibro was one of the most commonly used building products. Fibro products made before 1987 contained around 15% asbestos.
Fibro was widely used as wall and ceiling sheeting in houses, workplaces, and government buildings because of its strength and resistance to chemicals and heat. Asbestos can be found in many areas inside and outside the home including sheds, fences, roofs, gutters, kitchens, and bathrooms. If you are unsure if your home contains asbestos, you can hire a licensed professional to inspect your home.
According to the NSW EPA, most asbestos within the home is safe, provided it is not damaged or disturbed.
Asbestos is made up of tiny fibres that, if disturbed, can be released into the air and may be inhaled into the lungs causing devastating health effects and even death. Importantly, only fibro products made before 1987 contain asbestos.
Asbestos is classified as a hazardous material. Under environmental protection laws, it is an offence to pollute the environment with asbestos waste or to unlawfully dispose of asbestos waste. You can be fined for placing asbestos waste in household garbage or recycling bins, or illegally dumping asbestos products. Asbestos should always be handled by licensed professionals and taken to designated locations for safe disposal.
All asbestos waste must be wrapped in two layers of plastic no less than 200µm (0.2mm) thick before being transported. Once it has been taken to an approved landfill, it will be buried. The waste is compacted by machinery only after it has been covered with a layer of general waste.
Businesses or workplaces with large quantities of asbestos to dispose of can use a commercial waste service.
Asbestos Awareness provides advice on various topics related to asbestos including health and safety.
ACT residents – visit WorkSafe ACT.
NSW residents – visit Asbestos in NSW.
NT residents – visit Asbestos in the NT.
Queensland residents – visit the Queensland Government’s website for resources.
SA residents – visit SafeWork SA.
Tasmanian residents – visit WorkSafe Tasmania.
Victorian residents – visit Asbestos in Victoria.
WA residents – visit Healthy WA.
Materials containing asbestos come in a variety of forms, colours, and textures. Asbestos cannot be identified by eye – this requires scientific testing by a qualified professional.
Asbestos can be found in many areas of Australian homes, particularly if your home was built before 1990. For guidance on which locations within the home may contain asbestos, visit Asbestos Awareness.
According to the NSW EPA, most asbestos within the home is safe, provided it is not damaged or disturbed.
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring mineral fibres that were previously used by many industries – particularly in construction, due to its flexibility, strength, and success as an insulator.
There are two different types of materials containing asbestos:
•Asbestos which has been mixed with a bonding material, like cement.
•Asbestos that can be easily crumbled, such as insulation materials.
Asbestos poses a significant health risk as the tiny fibres can become trapped in the lungs if breathed in. Therefore, materials containing asbestos must not be damaged or disturbed unless you are qualified to do so and have appropriate equipment. Asbestos repair or removal must be undertaken by a qualified professional.
Although the use of asbestos was banned in Australia in 2003, it can still be found in many materials developed before this time including roofing, gutters, walls, vinyl, floor tiles, tile underlay, carpet, fencing, sheds, cement pipes, adhesives, textiles, textured paints, and automobile parts.
Asbestos cannot be identified by eye – this requires inspection and scientific testing by a qualified professional.
Since improper handling and disposal of asbestos poses a significant health risk, it is important to be aware of the locations within your home where it may exist. One third of Australian homes are likely to contain asbestos, especially those built before 1990. For more information on where asbestos may be found in your home, visit Asbestos Awareness.
If you suspect an area of your home may contain asbestos, do not disturb or damage any of the materials in the area. Hire a qualified professional to inspect the area. For more information, visit the government’s website, Asbestos Safety.
Vintage furniture, especially pieces made between 1930 and 1960, may contain asbestos. Asbestos was often used in chair padding and in lounges. If you’re unsure if your vintage furniture may contain asbestos, you can have the items inspected by a qualified professional.
If you suspect an area of your home may contain asbestos, it is safest to treat it as such until you know more. Asbestos can only be identified via scientific testing in a qualified laboratory. Therefore, you must contact a licensed asbestos assessor to inspect the area – do not attempt to remove or inspect the suspected materials yourself.
For more information on where asbestos may be found in your home, visit Asbestos Awareness.
Until the mid-1980s, Australia had one of the highest rates of asbestos use in the world. As a result, about one third of all homes in Australia contain asbestos. Your home is more likely to contain asbestos if it was built between the 1940s and 1987.
Asbestos may be found in numerous locations within Australian homes, including roofing and gutters, walls, vinyl, carpet, tile underlay, fencing, and sheds.
Australia began to phase out the use of asbestos in the 1980s until it was eventually banned on the 31st of December 2003.
Prior to this, Australia had one of the highest rates of asbestos use in the world. Therefore, many Australian homes and buildings (especially those built before 1990) contain some form of asbestos.
Since improper handling and disposal of asbestos poses a significant health risk, it is important to have any material containing asbestos repaired or removed by a qualified professional. For more information, visit the government’s website, Asbestos Safety.
Most asbestos within the home is safe, provided it is not damaged or disturbed.
Asbestos exposure has been linked to a number of life-threatening illnesses. As a result, its use is now banned in many countries, including Australia. Asbestos is very fibrous and, if disturbed, the tiny fibres may be breathed in and get trapped in the lungs. Exposure to asbestos may lead to lung, ovary, and larynx cancer, as well as mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lung).
Exposure may also lead to Asbestosis, a chronic lung disease that can lead to respiratory impairment. These diseases can develop decades (up to 40-50 years) after initial exposure.
Due to the risks of breathing in asbestos fibres, it is important to have any asbestos containing materials repaired or removed by a qualified professional. Materials containing asbestos must be safely disposed of to minimise the risk of exposure to both humans and the environment.
If you’re looking to do any DIY or renovation work in your home and are unsure whether your home contains asbestos, the safest thing to do is to have the area assessed by a qualified professional.
If you accidentally disturb materials containing asbestos, you can minimise exposure by wiping up any dust with a wet cloth – make sure to wear appropriate PPE, including a mask and gloves. You should then place the cloth in two plastic bags (both tied up) and place the bags in your general waste bin. If the material is cracked, you should seal the crack with PVA glue or paint. Your local council should be able to provide you with more advice.
It is best to contact a qualified professional as soon as possible, who will be able to repair the damage and safely dispose of any infected material.
Most asbestos within the home is safe, provided it is not damaged or disturbed.
Exposure to asbestos poses a significant health risk, as the tiny fibres are easily breathed in and can get stuck in the lungs. Exposure can lead to life-threatening illnesses which may take many decades to develop. To minimise the risk of exposure, it is safest to have a qualified professional conduct any DIY/renovations in areas around the home that are likely to contain asbestos.
However, if you’re exposed to asbestos within the home, clean up any dust with a damp cloth (wearing appropriate PPE, including a mask and gloves) and then dispose of the cloth within a double plastic bag. Your local council should be able to provide more advice on this.
Exposure to asbestos poses no immediate health risks, as the associated diseases take a long time to develop. If you are worried you have been exposed to asbestos, either recently or in the past, speak with your doctor as soon as possible.
