Find & identify tool

Make sure you know the location of asbestos before undertaking any repair or demolition work.

National Guide for Asbestos Surveys

The National Guide for Asbestos Surveys has been developed by the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency (ASSEA) in consultation with asbestos professionals, industry associations, regulatory authorities and worker representatives.

This guide aims to provide a robust and standardised process for conducting asbestos surveys (also known as asbestos inspections or audits) in buildings and structures across Australia, so that effective actions can be taken to prevent exposure to airborne asbestos fibres. 

It describes the steps that asbestos surveyors should follow in identifying and recording the presence and location of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) and assessing the risk that the ACM presents. The guide incorporates the risk assessment model and ACM Risk Calculator developed by the Victorian Asbestos Eradication Agency, enabling consistent and objective results to inform asbestos management and removal plans.  

It also provides guidance for those who commission asbestos surveys (property owners or managers) on how to prepare for a survey and what to expect from this process to manage asbestos exposure risks. 

A survey that is carried out in accordance with the guide will:

  • provide accurate information on the location, type and condition of ACMs
  • assess the risk of ACMs releasing asbestos fibres and whether remedial action is required
  • assist in meeting legal requirements including the need for asbestos registers and asbestos management plans, and
  • identify all ACMs that must be removed before demolition or refurbishment work begins.

Adopting the National Guide for Asbestos Surveys is not mandatory but is recommended to promote consistency and best practice in conducting asbestos surveys.

National Guide for Asbestos Surveys

Publications

Asbestos Action Plan 2019-2023

The South Australian Asbestos Action Plan 2019-2023 details the strategic actions the South Australian Government will undertake in order to implement the National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Awareness and Management.

Asbestos brochure

This general asbestos brochure provides information on how to locate asbestos and how to safely remove it.

To order printed copies of this brochure, email your details to resources.safework@sa.gov.au.

Tax Ruling

Did you know…?

If you are a landlord, testing and removal of asbestos from your rental property could be tax deductible.

Codes of Practice

Codes of Practice provide practical information and guidance on how to meet the requirements of the regulations.

  • How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace - Code of Practice
  • How to safely remove asbestos - Code of Practice
    • Amendment to Code of Practice - How to Safely Remove Asbestos:

    In South Australia, air monitoring is required for any licensed asbestos removal work. Because it's a model code which has application in other states and territories, page 19 of the Code of Practice - How to Safely Remove Asbestos states that air monitoring is not required when removing more than 10m2 of non-friable asbestos. This is not the case in SA. Air monitoring is required for both Class A and Class B asbestos removal work.

These Codes of Practice apply to all duty holders including:

  • the person who commissioned the asbestos removal work
  • the person with management and control of the workplace
  • asbestos licence holders.

The Codes are not mandatory but provide information to help workplaces achieve safe systems of work. If a workplace chooses not to follow a model Code of Practice they must have guidelines and safe work practices to an equal or better standard than is contained in the Code.

Checklists

National Asbestos Exposure Register

The Australian Government has created a register to record the details of members of the Australian community who think they may have been exposed to asbestos containing materials.

The National Asbestos Exposure Register is managed by the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA).

Safe Work Australia has released new Asbestos register at the workplace  guidance material.

Advice

Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency

The role of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency is to provide an effective coordinated response when asbestos-containing materials (ACM) in imported products are identified.

The ASEA has information dedicated to raising awareness about the risk of imported products containing asbestos as well as safety alerts on products that may pose a health risk from asbestos.

Australian Border Force

The Australian Border Force supports the Australia-wide ban on asbestos by preventing the import of prohibited asbestos products.

It is the responsibility of importers to ensure any product they import is asbestos free. Goods manufactured outside Australia might be labelled 'asbestos free' and still contain low levels of asbestos. Importers must be aware of their supply chain including the origin and manufacturing process of parts and components, particularly those at risk of containing asbestos.

YouTube

Asbestos awareness

Asbestos: home renovators beware

Australia's widespread use of asbestos has left a legacy of asbestos-containing material in our built environment. Almost every home built or renovated before 1990 contains some form of asbestos building material.

Making people aware of where in their homes they could find asbestos is important given the number of do-it-yourself home renovators. It is also important that people understand what to do having established where it is.

SafeWork SA has made available two asbestos safety segments filmed as part of the Master Builders Association of South Australia's 'Building Ideas' TV program in 2012 and 2013.