Asbestos

• Home
• Asbestos
  • What is asbestos?
  • What are the possible health effects of asbestos?
  • Is it dangerous?
  • The two types of materials containing asbestos
  • Asbestos in carpet underlay
  • Cracked,damaged or weathered asbestos sheeting
  • Do I have material containing asbestos in my house
  • Where could I find materials containing asbestos?
  • Some common questions answered
• For Home Renovators
  • Things you need to know before every job
  • Working safely with asbestos
  • Disposing of asbestos waste
  • New Asbestos Laws
• For Local Governments
• For Workplaces and Businesses

Asbestos in the home

Welcome to the Queensland Health asbestos web site.

This web site provides information for home owners, renovators and owner builders on asbestos in the home.

It provides information on what asbestos is, the health risks of asbestos, what it looks like and where you could find it and how to work with asbestos safely.

Download these booklets for further information:

• Asbestos - A Guide for householders and the general public - The Commonwealth publication for the general public on health risks associated with asbestos, especially during home renovations.
• Asbestos - A home renovator's and tradeperson's guide for minor work in domestic buildings - The Queensland asbestos guide with more specific information on working with asbestos safely and legally in Queensland.

Obtaining a certificate to remove more than 10 m2 of non-friable asbestos

Homeowners and members of the public wishing to undertake DIY removal of more than10 square metres of bonded materials containing asbestos must obtain a certificate under arrangements approved by the Department of Health.

Current approved courses are:

• Module CPCCDE3014A - Remove non-friable asbestos offered by Registered Training Organisations
• Online or face to face Homeowner and DIY non-friable asbestos removal course offered by Keys Human Resources

For more information on licensing see the fact sheet on Asbestos removal certificates

Contact us on 13 QGOV (13 74 68) for further information.

Assistance to flood/storm affected homeowners in the disaster recovery period

In the recovery period since the latest disaster across Queensland, many of the homes and properties which have suffered damage may contain building materials containing asbestos.

If disaster affected residents are undertaking repair or rebuilding work that will require an Asbestos Removal Certificate (that is removing more than 10 square metres) they may be able to access a course free of charge.

Homeowners or those who may be assisting wishing to take up this offer should contact 13QGOV (137468) for further information.

Complaints about asbestos handling

In Queensland, there are currently a number of laws that can apply to asbestos issues. They are enforced by four different government authorities. To make a complaint or report an incident involving asbestos to the relevant authority, please call 13 QGOV (13 74 68).