If your property was built or renovated before 1990, there is a reasonable chance it contains asbestos somewhere. Left alone and in good condition, it is generally not dangerous. The risk comes from disturbing it.
Do not cut, drill, sand, break or water-blast anything you suspect contains asbestos. In NSW, removing more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos requires a licensed removalist, and all friable asbestos must be removed by a Class A licence holder regardless of quantity. If you are unsure what you are looking at, have it tested before any work starts. This page is safety information. OTG is not a licensed asbestos removalist — where asbestos is involved we will refer you to a qualified contractor.
Australia used asbestos products in construction until the late 1980s, with a full national ban from 31 December 2003. Roughly a third of Australian homes contain it somewhere. Common locations in Sydney housing stock:
You cannot identify asbestos reliably by looking at it. Testing by a licensed assessor is the only way to know.
The distinction matters legally and practically.
Non-friable (bonded) asbestos has fibres locked into a solid material like cement sheeting. Intact and undisturbed, it does not readily release fibres. Most residential asbestos is this type.
Friable asbestos can be crumbled by hand when dry — pipe lagging, some insulation, sprayed coatings. It is far more dangerous because fibres become airborne easily.
Non-friable material becomes dangerous when it is damaged. Cutting, drilling, sanding, breaking or high-pressure washing turns bonded sheeting into an airborne hazard. Weathered and deteriorating sheeting can also become friable over time.
NSW licensing requirements, in summary:
Even where DIY removal is legal, it requires proper protective equipment, wetting the material down, avoiding power tools entirely, double-bagging in heavy plastic with correct labelling, and transport to a licensed facility. Many people who could legally do it choose not to.
To find out if it is asbestos: a licensed asbestos assessor takes a sample and has it laboratory tested. This is inexpensive relative to the cost of getting it wrong.
To have it removed: a licensed asbestos removalist, Class A for friable material or any quantity where you are unsure. SafeWork NSW maintains the licence register, and checking a contractor’s licence before engaging them is worth the two minutes.
If you think you have disturbed some: stop work, keep people out of the area, do not clean up, and get advice from SafeWork NSW.
Where OTG fits: we are a rubbish removal service and we are not licensed asbestos removalists. If asbestos is present or suspected on a job, we will tell you and refer you to a qualified contractor to handle that part. Once the asbestos has been removed and cleared by the licensed removalist, we can take away the remaining general waste from the site.
Generally, intact and undisturbed bonded asbestos in good condition is not considered a significant risk. The danger comes from disturbing it, which releases fibres into the air.
Up to 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos, following correct safety procedures. Any friable asbestos, and any non-friable over 10 square metres, requires a licensed removalist.
No. Asbestos must go to a facility licensed to accept it. It cannot go in general waste, skips, council collections or ordinary rubbish loads, and dumping it carries serious penalties.
You cannot tell by looking. A licensed asbestos assessor takes a sample for laboratory testing, which is inexpensive compared with the cost of getting it wrong.
No. We are not licensed asbestos removalists. If asbestos is present we will refer you to a qualified contractor, and we can clear the remaining general waste once it has been properly removed.
Tell us what needs to go and we will come back with a straight quote. Call 0429 222 344 or book online — we answer enquiries 24 hours.
