Before You Renovate: The Asbestos Guide Every Owner Builder Must Read
- Stephanie Boyce
- May 19
- 3 min read
For owner builders, knowing exactly what is hiding behind your walls isn’t just about protecting your budget—it’s about protecting your life. Asbestos remains a hidden danger in many Australian homes, and recent safety statistics show why building your asbestos awareness is an absolute necessity before any demolition begins.
The Scale of the Problem
The risks associated with DIY home renovations remain a serious concern across Australia:
Around 4,000 Australians die each year from asbestos-related diseases.
One in three homes built before 1990 are estimated to contain asbestos.
In South Australia, residential asbestos removal notifications jumped 57% between 2019 and 2024.
Over half of all asbestos safely removed in SA came directly from residential properties.
Although asbestos was completely banned nationwide in December 2003, its use was gradually phased out through the late 1980s. The risk level heavily depends on the age of your property:
Before the mid-1980s: Highly likely to contain asbestos materials.
Mid-1980s to 1990: Likely to contain asbestos.
After 1990: Unlikely, but still possible due to leftover stockpiles used by builders.
These numbers highlight that asbestos is not a relic of history—it’s a live risk facing modern owner builders today.
Where Asbestos Hides in Homes
Because it was a versatile "wonder material," asbestos was used in a massive range of residential building products. Common locations include:
Fibrous cement sheeting (walls, cladding, eaves, and fencing)
Roof tiles, corrugated roofing sheets, and guttering
Vinyl floor tiles and linoleum underlay
Bathroom, laundry, and kitchen splashbacks
Gables, fascias, and water pipes
Shed, studio, and garage walls
Textured ceiling finishes (e.g., "popcorn" ceilings)
Even small, seemingly benign renovations—like pulling up an old splashback, replacing an eave, or sanding a fibro wall—can release deadly, microscopic fibres into the air.
Friable vs. Non-Friable Asbestos
To manage a site safely, every owner builder must understand the distinction between the two main types of asbestos:
Friable Asbestos: Material that can be easily crumbled or pulverized into powder by hand pressure when dry (e.g., raw insulation, pipe lagging). This is the highest risk category. It must be removed by a Class A licensed removalist in all states.
Non-Friable (Bonded) Asbestos: Fibres that are mixed with a bonding compound like cement or resin (e.g., fibro sheeting). While lower risk when left undisturbed, it becomes highly dangerous if it is cut, drilled, sawed, or shattered.
What Can an Owner Builder Legally Remove?
While the general Safe Work Australia framework provides baseline guidelines, the legalities vary significantly by state.
State / Territory | Self-Removal of Bonded Asbestos Allowed? | Legal Conditions & Requirements |
ACT | No | Must always use a licensed professional removalist. |
Yes (Under 10m2) | Allowed up to 10m2. Anything over 10m2 legally requires a formal Asbestos Awareness course certification (Class B removal or equivalent units). | |
NSW, VIC, SA, WA, TAS, NT | Yes (Under 10m2) | Up to 10m2 of non-friable asbestos can be removed without a licence, though strict safety codes apply. |
Critical Safety Reminder: Legally allowed does not mean safe. Whether you are removing 2m2 or 20m2, if you are acting as the principal contractor on your site, you are responsible for the health of everyone present.
Why an Asbestos Awareness Course is Your Best Insurance Policy
Many people assume that an owner builder course covers everything required to manage a site. However, specialized hazard identification requires dedicated training.
Taking a targeted Asbestos Awareness course teaches you how to identify suspect materials, interpret an asbestos register, utilize correct personal protective equipment (PPE), and set up safe containment zones. If you are renovating a pre-1990 home, this specialized training is the most effective way to ensure your project doesn’t accidentally compromise your family’s long-term health.
Critical Safety Protocols for the Job Site
If your inspections or lab tests confirm the presence of bonded asbestos, and you are legally permitted to handle it, never skip these steps:
Never use power tools: Do not saw, sand, scrape, drill, or pressure-wash asbestos materials.
Gear up correctly: Always wear an approved P2 respirator (minimum), disposable coveralls, and gloves.
Isolate the zone: Cordon off the work area with clear barrier tape and warning signs.
Wet it down: Keep the material damp to suppress airborne fibres (never use high pressure).
Dispose legally: Wrap waste in heavy-duty plastic, seal it, and take it to a licensed disposal facility. Throwing asbestos into domestic bins carries massive legal penalties and fines.
The Takeaway: Investigate Before You Renovate
The National Asbestos Awareness initiatives continue to emphasize a simple rule for Australian renovators: "Investigate before you renovate."
Before you pick up a sledgehammer or a drill, identify what you are dealing with. If you are unsure whether a product contains asbestos, the safest move is to have a sample tested by a NATA-accredited laboratory or consult a licensed assessor.
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