Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — if your workplace is in a building constructed before 31 December 2003 (or before 1 January 1990 in Queensland), you are required under the Work Health and Safety Regulations to have an asbestos register prepared and kept on site. This applies to any Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) who has management or control of the workplace. Even if no asbestos is found, a register must still be prepared stating that fact.

A PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking) is broadly any business or organisation operating a workplace in Australia. Under WHS regulations, a PCBU must:

• Identify all asbestos or asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) at the workplace
• Maintain an up-to-date asbestos register
• Have an asbestos management plan in place if asbestos is found
• Ensure workers and contractors can access the register before starting any work that could disturb it

Your asbestos register and management plan must be reviewed at least every five years. However, a review is also required sooner if:

• Asbestos is removed, disturbed, sealed or enclosed
• Changes are made to control measures
• The plan is no longer adequate
• A health and safety representative requests a review

Queensland workplaces may face additional review requirements under state-specific regulations.

In most cases, buildings constructed after 31 December 2003 are not required to have an asbestos register, since asbestos use was banned in Australia from that date. However, if there is any reason to believe asbestos-containing materials may be present — for example, renovation materials imported from overseas, or legacy components — an inspection is still advisable. If in doubt, Global Asbestos Audits can provide a rapid assessment.

Operating without a compliant asbestos register can result in improvement notices, infringement notices, and significant financial penalties from state workplace health and safety regulators. Queensland’s WHSQ conducted a statewide audit campaign from August to October 2024, issuing over 150 notices to non-compliant businesses. Beyond penalties, the legal liability exposure in the event of a worker being exposed to asbestos fibres is substantial.

Residential properties used purely as private dwellings are generally not required to have a formal asbestos register under WHS legislation. However, if any part of a residential property is used as a workplace (for example, a home-based business employing workers), the obligations may apply. We strongly recommend that homeowners planning renovations or demolitions on pre-2004 homes arrange an asbestos inspection before any work begins.

A licensed asbestos assessor (LAA) conducts a thorough visual inspection of your entire site, identifying any materials that may contain asbestos. Suspect materials are sampled and sent to a NATA-accredited laboratory for analysis using polarised light microscopy (PLM). The assessor then documents all findings — including photos, risk ratings, and locations — in a detailed asbestos register, accompanied by an asbestos management plan and action plan tailored to your site.

Inspection time depends on the size and complexity of the site. A small commercial premises may take 2–4 hours, while a large industrial facility or multi-building campus can take a full day or more. Laboratory analysis typically adds 3–5 business days to the process. Global Asbestos Audits uses our FMS1 reporting system to produce reports efficiently, and our quality-check process ensures accuracy before any report is released.

These terms come from the Work Health and Safety Regulations:

• Division 5 audit (management survey) — the standard inspection required for buildings that are occupied and in normal use. It covers accessible areas and materials likely to be disturbed during routine activities.
• Division 6 audit (refurbishment/demolition survey) — a more intrusive and comprehensive survey required before any renovation or demolition work. It may involve destructive inspection of walls, floors, and ceilings that would not be opened during normal use.

For a standard Division 5 management survey, vacating is not usually required — our assessors work around normal business operations wherever possible. A Division 6 refurbishment or demolition survey may require certain areas to be unoccupied, as it involves more intrusive investigation. We will discuss site access requirements with you during the quoting stage.

Asbestos documentation must be kept for 30 years under WHS regulations. However, the register itself must be actively maintained and reviewed at least every five years — it is not a one-time document. Any changes to asbestos on site (removal, encapsulation, disturbance) must be updated in the register as they occur. Global Asbestos Audits’ management system allows for ongoing document uploads that are automatically recorded in your management plan.

Yes — we operate Australia-wide from our offices in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. We offer multi-site summary reports that allow facility managers, councils, and property portfolios to assess asbestos risk across all locations at a glance. Our colour-coded priority system makes it easy to identify which sites require urgent action without needing to read through each individual report.

The cost of an asbestos audit varies depending on the size and type of building, the number of suspect materials requiring sampling, and your location. We encourage you to contact us for a free, no-obligation quote — we aim to provide transparent, competitive pricing with no hidden fees.

Laboratory testing of samples is included in our comprehensive audit packages. We use NATA-accredited laboratories for all sample analysis using polarised light microscopy (PLM) and dispersion staining. If you have an existing suspected asbestos sample that you would like tested independently, we also offer standalone bulk sample testing services at an affordable fixed rate.

Yes — Division 6 refurbishment and demolition surveys are typically more expensive than Division 5 management surveys, because they are more intrusive and time-intensive. They require access to enclosed spaces, may involve minor destructive investigation, and must be completed when areas are unoccupied. The specific cost will be assessed based on your site and the scope of planned works. We provide detailed quotes before any work begins.

Asbestos removal costs vary significantly based on the quantity, type (friable vs non-friable), and accessibility of the material, as well as disposal requirements. We project-manage asbestos removals from scope of works through to the final clearance certificate, coordinating licensed Class A or Class B removalists as required. Contact us for a removal quote and we will assess your specific situation.

Asbestos fibres, when disturbed, can become airborne and be inhaled. Long-term or intense exposure can cause serious and potentially fatal diseases including:

• Mesothelioma — a cancer of the lung lining
• Asbestosis — scarring of lung tissue
• Lung cancer

These diseases typically have a long latency period — symptoms may not appear for 20–40 years after exposure. This is why professional identification, management, and controlled removal of asbestos is so critical.

Asbestos that is in good condition and is not being disturbed is generally considered lower risk, as fibres are only released when materials are damaged, drilled, cut, or deteriorate over time. However, “good condition” must be professionally assessed — materials that appear intact can still be fragile or deteriorating in ways that are not visible. Our risk assessments use a colour-coded priority system to clearly indicate which materials require immediate action and which can be safely monitored in place.

Asbestos was used in more than 3,000 building products in Australia. Common sources include:

• Fibrous cement sheeting (walls, ceilings, roofing, eaves)
• Vinyl floor tiles and their adhesives
• Pipe lagging and insulation
• Textured paint and plaster
• Electrical switchboard components
• Gaskets and rope seals
• Roofing felt

Buildings constructed between the 1950s and the late 1980s are most likely to contain asbestos, though it can be found in buildings constructed up to 2003.

Non-friable asbestos (also called bonded asbestos) is embedded in a solid matrix such as fibrous cement and can only be crumbled with significant mechanical force. It is lower risk when in good condition.

Friable asbestos can be crumbled by hand pressure — it includes pipe lagging, insulation, and sprayed coatings — and poses a much higher risk of releasing airborne fibres.

Friable asbestos removal must be performed by a licensed Class A removalist, whereas non-friable asbestos (up to certain quantities) can be handled by a Class B removalist.

A clearance certificate (also called a re-occupation certificate) is issued by a licensed asbestos assessor after asbestos removal work has been completed. It confirms that the area has been inspected and is safe for re-occupation. A clearance certificate is legally required before anyone can re-enter an area where asbestos removal has taken place. Global Asbestos Audits provides independent clearance inspections and certificates across Australia.

Asbestos air monitoring involves collecting air samples during or after asbestos removal work to measure the concentration of airborne asbestos fibres. It is legally required during the removal of friable asbestos and in certain other high-risk removal scenarios. Our air monitoring service uses calibrated equipment and NATA-accredited laboratory analysis to ensure your site meets the required exposure standards before workers re-enter.

Yes — in addition to our asbestos services, Global Asbestos Audits provides crystalline silica air monitoring. Silica dust is a serious occupational health hazard, particularly in construction, mining, and engineered stone industries, and is now subject to increasing regulatory attention across Australia. We assess whether your control measures are effective and compliant with the relevant workplace exposure standards.

We work across a broad range of sectors including:

• Commercial and industrial properties
• Councils and local government
• Mining operations
• Marine and shipbuilding
• Rural and agricultural properties
• Retail, aged care, education and hospitality

Our assessors hold WHS licences and have experience with the unique asbestos challenges in each of these environments. We also manage multi-site portfolios for property managers and national companies.

Several things set us apart:

• Our proprietary FMS1 reporting system produces reports with colour-coded priority ratings, five photos per ACM item, and site-specific management plans — not generic templates.
• Our team has over 60 years of combined experience in health, safety and asbestos management.
• We are an award-winning firm recognised by the APAC Australian Enterprise Awards, Small Business Awards 2023, and BUILD Facilities Management Awards 2023.
• We operate Australia-wide, servicing clients from councils and CSIRO to major retail chains and airports.