How to Tell if Your NSW Home Has Asbestos

The age rule of thumb

Asbestos cement products were used widely in Australian housing from the 1940s until they were phased out through the 1980s, with a full national ban from the end of 2003. Homes built before 1990 are the highest risk, and even later renovations can contain leftover stock.

Where it usually turns up

• Flat fibro wall cladding and internal sheeting
• Eaves, soffits and gable infill panels
• Corrugated cement roof sheeting on garages, sheds and carports
• Wet-area sheeting behind bathroom and laundry tiles
• Vinyl floor tiles and the black backing under old lino
• Fences, garages and outbuildings built from cement sheet

You cannot identify it by eye

Fibro looks like plain grey cement sheet, and modern asbestos-free fibre cement looks almost identical. Visual inspection narrows it down; only laboratory testing of a properly taken sample confirms it. A licensed assessor or an accredited lab can test a sample for a modest fee.

What not to do

• Don't sand, grind, drill, water-blast or power-tool suspect sheeting
• Don't break sheets to fit them in a bin
• Don't put any asbestos material in your household or skip waste
• Don't let an unlicensed handyman 'just rip it out' as part of a reno

If it's in good condition

Undamaged, painted, bonded asbestos that's left alone is generally low risk. The danger comes from disturbance — which is exactly what a renovation does. Plan removal into the project rather than discovering it mid-demolition when your trades are already booked.

Before you renovate

Get suspect material identified before demolition day. That way the removal is scheduled, the containment is set up properly, and your builder isn't standing around while a licensed crew is found at short notice.