Asbestos was used in thousands of building products, which are now between 30 to 100 years old. The older these materials become, the more likely they are to release harmful asbestos fibres.
Don’t risk exposure, find out if asbestos is in your home.
How to identify asbestos
You can’t identify asbestos by looking at it, so you should have a sample tested by an accredited laboratory
Asbestos-containing materials can be either friable or non-friable.
Friable asbestos is high risk. Friable asbestos can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to a powder by hand pressure.
Non-friable asbestos is lower risk. It is mixed with cement or other hard bonding materials.
Non-friable asbestos can become friable if damaged or old.
Asbestos-containing materials can be either friable or non-friable.
Friable asbestos is high risk. Friable asbestos can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to a powder by hand pressure.
Non-friable asbestos is lower risk. It is mixed with cement or other hard bonding materials.
Non-friable asbestos can become friable if damaged or old.
Examples of common friable asbestos products include:
Examples of common non-friable asbestos products include:
You can’t confirm asbestos by sight or smell. Use a licensed asbestos assessor, who will test the sample to confirm asbestos.
You can use the 20 point checklist from Asbestos Awareness to help you identify where asbestos may be located.
You can use the 20 point checklist from Asbestos Awareness to help you identify where asbestos may be located.
How to test for asbestos
A licensed asbestos assessor or removalist can take a sample to test for asbestos.. The sample will then be tested in a NATA accredited laboratory to see if it contains asbestos.
Where to find asbestos
Asbestos was found in more than 3000 products. To learn more go to The Asbestos Product Guide, developed by the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency (ASSEA), provides a visual reference for various types of products with asbestos containing material (ACM) that can still be found in Australia.
What to do if you find asbestos
If you suspect asbestos, treat it as if it is asbestos. Disturbing asbestos releases fibers into the air, which can be hazardous.
If the asbestos containing material is in good condition, it is best to leave it alone unless it is likely to be exposed and damaged. If it’s in good condition and is left undisturbed, non-friable asbestos presents no known health risks.
In South Australia, a licence is required to remove more than 10m2 of non-friable asbestos-containing material.
Find your nearest asbestos disposal facility
You can find asbestos disposal facilities in South Australia through the EPA SA website or by contacting your local authority.
Always call or contact your disposal facility prior to transporting any asbestos waste.
Many facilities will only accept and handle asbestos waste at certain times, in order to maximise landfill efficiency and minimise health risks. Most facilities also have procedures (for example, asbestos waste wrapping requirements) that people disposing will need to follow carefully, to ensure asbestos waste is accepted by the facility.
Asbestos Waste Disposal Facilities updated by ASEA 2023
Search for disposal facilities (takes you to ASSEA)
Asbestos Waste Disposal Facilities updated by ASEA 2023
Search for disposal facilities (takes you to ASSEA)
ASBESTOS DISPOSAL Frequently asked questions (EPA South Australia)
Do not dispose of asbestos during council ‘hard rubbish’ collections or dump waste illegally.
Licenced asbestos removalists
Find a licenced asbestos removalist (Safework SA) in South Australia
Asbestos removalists must be appropriately licensed(external site) and comply with all the relevant duties under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA)(external site) and Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012(external site) (SA).
Class A asbestos removal licence holders(external site) can remove all asbestos-containing materials including friable asbestos.
Class B asbestos removal licence holders(external site) can remove any amount of non-friable asbestos.
Asbestos removalists must be appropriately licensed(external site) and comply with all the relevant duties under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA)(external site) and Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012(external site) (SA).
Class A asbestos removal licence holders(external site) can remove all asbestos-containing materials including friable asbestos.
Class B asbestos removal licence holders(external site) can remove any amount of non-friable asbestos.
Asbestos in the home
Are you thinking of making improvements to your home?
However, it’s important to know that many houses built before 1990 contain asbestos cement materials, especially in the eaves, ceilings, internal and external wall cladding (particularly in wet areas such as bathrooms and laundries), as well as under tiling and lino. Old sheds and fences may also contain asbestos.
These can often be in poor condition due to age or weather exposure and pose a significant risk if asbestos fibres are released, become airborne and then inhaled. Breathing these fibres can cause a range of life-threatening diseases including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.
If you think there may be asbestos in or around your property, you should contact an asbestos professional (asbestos assessor or licensed removalist) before starting any work on your home.
Engaging professionals who know how to manage this work safely will protect you, your family and your neighbours from this risk. Currently, asbestos assessors and licensed removalists are continuing to work. Still, some may choose not to come to your house as a precautionary measure.
However, it’s important to know that many houses built before 1990 contain asbestos cement materials, especially in the eaves, ceilings, internal and external wall cladding (particularly in wet areas such as bathrooms and laundries), as well as under tiling and lino. Old sheds and fences may also contain asbestos.
These can often be in poor condition due to age or weather exposure and pose a significant risk if asbestos fibres are released, become airborne and then inhaled. Breathing these fibres can cause a range of life-threatening diseases including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.
If you think there may be asbestos in or around your property, you should contact an asbestos professional (asbestos assessor or licensed removalist) before starting any work on your home.
Engaging professionals who know how to manage this work safely will protect you, your family and your neighbours from this risk. Currently, asbestos assessors and licensed removalists are continuing to work. Still, some may choose not to come to your house as a precautionary measure.
Click on the image below to view the Asbestos safety for householders and home renovators brochure
Asbestos in the workplace
If you own the premises you have a duty to: identify asbestos in your workplace (including inaccessible areas, plant and machinery) so far as is reasonably practicable. document all asbestos and suspected asbestos in an asbestos register.
Tradies need to know what to look for when out on a job. All commercial and industrial buildings are required to have an Asbestos Register, which must be kept up to date. Any asbestos present in the building should have a warning sign – DANGER ASBESTOS. Ask to see the Asbestos Register before starting work.
At present residential homes are not required to keep an Asbestos Register. Knowing whether asbestos is present in a home is essential before considering renovation, repair work, or demolition.
Asbestos can be found in fibro sheeting, wet areas, pipes or partitions. The most dangerous form is friable, or loose fill. This could be located in walls or roofs as insulation, packed into meter boxes or lagging around pipes.
Asbestos cannot be identified by simply looking at it – it requires a test at a NATA accredited laboratory. If you suspect that the work area contains asbestos – STOP! Speak to your boss or the site manager, or to your health & safety rep or union rep. You can also contact SafeWork SA or your local health and safety regulator.
All asbestos is dangerous, especially when broken up or in poor condition. It can be disturbed by power tools such as electric drills, circular saws or angle grinders. It can be spread by the use of a power hose (it is illegal to use a power hose on asbestos roofs in South Australia). Asbestos fibres are invisible to the naked eye but can be easily inhaled and can lead to a life-threatening medical condition.
DON’T RISK IT! AND DON’T LET YOUR WORKMATES RISK IT!
There are also strict rules about the disposal of asbestos. It must be taken to a transfer station that is authorised to deal with asbestos. If the amount is over 10 square meters, it must be disposed of by a licenced professional.
Tradies need to know what to look for when out on a job. All commercial and industrial buildings are required to have an Asbestos Register, which must be kept up to date. Any asbestos present in the building should have a warning sign – DANGER ASBESTOS. Ask to see the Asbestos Register before starting work.
At present residential homes are not required to keep an Asbestos Register. Knowing whether asbestos is present in a home is essential before considering renovation, repair work, or demolition.
Asbestos can be found in fibro sheeting, wet areas, pipes or partitions. The most dangerous form is friable, or loose fill. This could be located in walls or roofs as insulation, packed into meter boxes or lagging around pipes.
Asbestos cannot be identified by simply looking at it – it requires a test at a NATA accredited laboratory. If you suspect that the work area contains asbestos – STOP! Speak to your boss or the site manager, or to your health & safety rep or union rep. You can also contact SafeWork SA or your local health and safety regulator.
All asbestos is dangerous, especially when broken up or in poor condition. It can be disturbed by power tools such as electric drills, circular saws or angle grinders. It can be spread by the use of a power hose (it is illegal to use a power hose on asbestos roofs in South Australia). Asbestos fibres are invisible to the naked eye but can be easily inhaled and can lead to a life-threatening medical condition.
DON’T RISK IT! AND DON’T LET YOUR WORKMATES RISK IT!
There are also strict rules about the disposal of asbestos. It must be taken to a transfer station that is authorised to deal with asbestos. If the amount is over 10 square meters, it must be disposed of by a licenced professional.
Builders & tradies
While commercial properties which contain asbestos are required to have an asbestos register for you to see before beginning any work, domestic property owners (or tenants) may not be aware that there is asbestos present.
Read more at asbestos.sa.gov.au
Read more at asbestos.sa.gov.au
Asbestos safety for trades and construction workers
Asbestos awareness information for electricians
Asbestos awareness for plumbers
Asbestos awareness for the automotive industry and historic vehicle enthusiasts
Asbestos awareness for fire protection trades
Asbestos in the environment
Asbestos can be found naturally in our environment.
