Australia was once one of the highest users of asbestos per capita in the world, and that legacy is still with us. Although asbestos was fully banned in 2003, asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) remain widespread across the country. In fact, it is estimated that around one in three Australian homes still contains asbestos, particularly those built before 1990.
That means asbestos is not just a problem from the past. It can still be hiding in a bathroom renovation, an old warehouse roof, a school boiler room or behind the walls of a suburban fibro home.
Knowing where asbestos is found is the first step in protecting yourself, your workers and your family. If you know what to look for, you are far less likely to accidentally disturb it and create a serious health risk.
Why Australia still has an asbestos problem
For decades, asbestos was used across Australian construction because it was cheap, strong, fire-resistant and highly effective for insulation. It appeared in everything from fibro walls and asbestos cement sheeting to floor tiles, pipe lagging and asbestos insulation around hot water systems and industrial equipment.
Most homes, offices and commercial buildings constructed before 1990 should be approached with caution. While the national ban came into full effect in 2003, many older buildings still contain original materials that remain in place today.
This is why the age of a building is often the first warning sign. If your home, rental property, office, warehouse or workshop was built before 1990, there is a strong chance asbestos-containing materials are present somewhere.
Importantly, asbestos is not always dangerous if it is sealed, stable and left undisturbed. The real risk begins when materials are drilled, cut, sanded, broken or start to deteriorate with age.
That is why asbestos identification matters so much. A cracked eave, damaged fibro sheet or crumbling pipe insulation should never be treated as a simple DIY fix.
Where is asbestos found in the home?
Many Australians are surprised by how common asbestos was in residential construction. It was used inside and outside the home, often in places people would never think to check.
Roofing is one of the most common examples. Corrugated asbestos cement sheeting was widely used for roofs on homes, garages, sheds and carports. It can look very similar to standard cement roofing, which makes identification difficult without professional advice.
External wall cladding is another major area. Older fibro homes often used asbestos cement sheeting for walls, gables and weather protection. This is especially common in post-war suburban housing across Australia.
Inside the home, asbestos may be found in internal wall sheeting, particularly in bathrooms, laundries and kitchens where moisture resistance was important. Wet areas often used asbestos-backed wall linings because they were durable and easy to clean.
Flooring is another frequent location. Old vinyl floor tiles and the backing beneath lino often contained asbestos, especially in homes built before the late 1980s. Pulling up flooring during renovations is one of the most common ways people unknowingly disturb ACMs.
Textured ceilings and decorative coatings may also contain asbestos, particularly older popcorn-style ceilings. Eaves, soffits and fencing around the outside of the home are also common risk areas.
Then there are the less obvious places: fuse boxes, electrical backing boards, hot water systems, flues, downpipes, fences and even old garden beds made from fibro sheeting.
Loose-fill asbestos is another serious concern, particularly in roof cavities. Unlike bonded materials, loose-fill asbestos is friable and highly dangerous because fibres can be released easily into the air. Some older homes, particularly in parts of Canberra and regional areas, were heavily affected by this type of insulation.
Pipe lagging and asbestos insulation around older hot water pipes and heating systems are especially important to recognise. These materials can become brittle with age and present significant exposure risks.
This brings us to the difference between friable and non-friable asbestos.
Non-friable asbestos is bonded into solid material like cement sheeting, floor tiles or fences. It is lower risk when intact and properly managed.
Friable asbestos is loose, crumbly or easily crushed, like pipe lagging, sprayed insulation or loose-fill insulation. This is far more dangerous because fibres can become airborne quickly.
If you are renovating an older bathroom, replacing flooring or pulling down an old shed, it is worth slowing down before reaching for the tools. One hidden asbestos sheet can completely change the job.
Where is asbestos found in commercial buildings and workplaces?
Most online advice focuses on homes, but workplaces and commercial buildings often carry even greater asbestos risks because of their size, age and infrastructure.
In office buildings, asbestos may be found in fire doors, ceiling tiles, switchboards, spray-on fireproofing, service risers and insulation around air conditioning systems. Plant rooms and maintenance areas are often where the biggest risks sit unnoticed.
Schools, hospitals and government buildings commonly contain asbestos in pipe lagging, boiler rooms, wall linings, ceiling cavities and older insulation systems. Public housing and transport infrastructure can also contain asbestos in roofing, underground pipes, electrical pits and service tunnels.
Warehouses, factories and workshops frequently have asbestos cement sheeting in roofs and wall cladding, along with insulation around machinery and older plant equipment. Brake linings, gaskets and industrial seals can also contain asbestos.
Under WHS Regulation Chapter 8, PCBUs (Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking) have a legal duty to identify and manage asbestos risks. Safe Work Australia also requires many workplaces built before 2004 to maintain an asbestos register and, where asbestos is identified, an asbestos management plan.
This means businesses cannot simply assume asbestos is someone else’s problem. If contractors are drilling, electricians are opening walls or maintenance teams are accessing ceiling cavities, the risk must already be understood and documented.
For example, if a contractor is installing cabling in an older commercial building, they need to know whether asbestos is present before drilling begins.
This is not just compliance paperwork. It is about protecting workers from exposure that can lead to serious illness decades later.
What to do if you find or suspect asbestos
The most important rule is simple: do not disturb it.
Do not drill into it, sand it, pressure wash it, break it apart or try to collect your own sample. Even well-meaning DIY testing can release dangerous fibres into the air.
Instead, engage a licensed asbestos assessor or qualified professional who can inspect the material safely and determine whether testing is needed.
Sometimes asbestos does not need to be removed. If it is stable, sealed and unlikely to be disturbed, managing it in place may be the safest option.
In other cases, removal is necessary, particularly if the material is damaged, friable or located in an area where regular work creates exposure risk. Understanding whether you need a licence for removal is also important, especially for employers and contractors managing larger jobs.
For workplaces, an asbestos register is often mandatory. This register records where asbestos is located, its condition and how it should be managed. It works alongside the asbestos management plan, which outlines control measures, responsibilities and procedures for safe maintenance or removal.
Both documents should be available to workers, contractors and anyone carrying out maintenance on site. A simple checklist can also help businesses make sure nothing important is missed.
Training matters too. Workers in construction, maintenance, plumbing, electrical work, demolition and property management should know how to recognise likely asbestos risks before starting work.
That is where asbestos awareness training becomes practical, not just compliant. It helps people identify likely ACMs, understand legal obligations and make safer decisions on site.
For higher-risk roles, additional asbestos removal training may also be required, particularly when handling friable ACMS, degraded bonded materials or supervising licensed removal work.
Sometimes the safest decision on site is simply stopping for ten minutes and asking the right question first.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1.Where is asbestos most commonly found in Australian homes?
The most common locations are roofing, fibro wall sheeting, bathrooms, laundries, floor tiles, eaves, fences, pipe lagging and asbestos insulation. Homes built before 1990 carry the highest risk.
2.How do I know if my house contains asbestos?
The age of the home is usually the first clue. If it was built before 1990, asbestos may be present. Visual clues can help, but only professional assessment can confirm it safely.
3.Can asbestos be found in homes built after 1990?
It is less common, but still possible. Some materials remained in circulation before the full 2003 ban, particularly in renovations, extensions or imported products.
4. Where is asbestos found in commercial buildings?
It is commonly found in fire doors, ceiling tiles, pipe lagging, roofing, insulation systems, plant rooms, switchboards and public infrastructure such as pipes and electrical pits.
5. What is the difference between friable and non-friable asbestos?
Non-friable asbestos is bonded into solid materials like asbestos cement sheeting. Friable asbestos is loose or crumbly and releases fibres much more easily, making it significantly more dangerous.
Asbestos remains widespread across Australian homes, workplaces and public buildings built before 1990. Knowing where to look is the first step in managing the risk safely.
Whether you are planning a renovation, managing a property or running a worksite, understanding asbestos matters. AlertForce asbestos awareness training helps individuals and businesses stay compliant, informed and safer every day.
