For Consumers > Asbestos

New Asbestos laws for homeowners, renovators and owner builders

dreaming of new laws

From the 18 June 2007 there are new asbestos laws that will affect homeowners, owner builders and Do It Yourself renovators.

These new laws are to protect you, your family and your neighbours from possible health risks caused by asbestos during renovation and building work.

Important changes include:

If you are removing 10 square metres or more of asbestos, you will need to get an asbestos removal licence or employ someone with one
Safety precautions must always be taken when working with asbestos
Asbestos waste must be immediately double wrapped or double bagged in thick plastic, sealed with tape and labelled with an appropriate safety warning
Asbestos waste must be disposed of at a council approved site as soon as possible
Asbestos must never be cleaned with high pressure water cleaners, compressed air or cut with power tools (eg. circular saws, sanders, angle grinders)
Removed asbestos must never be stored, sold or given away.

A copy of the new laws is available from the Queensland Legislation website.

A free asbestos information kit will be downloadable from this web site from 18 June 2007.