Asbestos surveys in Brisbane: what to know
If you own a property in Brisbane, at some stage you may need an asbestos survey. Asbestos-containing materials are among the most hazardous components still found in Australian buildings, and identifying them early is the key to managing them safely.
What an asbestos survey is
An asbestos survey (sometimes called an asbestos audit) is a professional assessment of a building to find asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). It locates them, and identifies their type, condition and quantity — the information you need to manage the asbestos and decide whether removal is necessary. Depending on the size of the property, a survey can take from a couple of hours to half a day.
Why Brisbane homes so often have it
Asbestos was used in a huge range of building products in Australia from the 1940s through to the late 1980s, and Australia was once one of the heaviest users in the world. Even though all asbestos has been banned here since the end of 2003, large amounts remain in buildings put up before that. Homes built before the 1980s are especially likely to contain it — in roofing, ceilings, old floor tiles, insulation and more — which is why surveys are so commonly needed across Brisbane’s older suburbs.
When you need one
A survey is a smart move when you’re:
- Buying or selling — so the property’s condition is known before money changes hands.
- Renovating or demolishing — to prevent fibres being released when materials are disturbed.
- Managing an investment or commercial property — to keep tenants and visitors safe and limit your liability.
- Responding to damage — after a storm, fire or impact, or where suspect material looks damaged.
The two main types of survey
- Management survey — a less intrusive, largely visual assessment to locate, monitor and manage existing asbestos, with minimal sampling. It can usually be done while a building is occupied. It’s strongly recommended for older homes and is generally expected for commercial buildings built before 1990.
- Refurbishment & demolition survey — a more thorough, intrusive survey for buildings about to be remodelled or demolished. It involves more sampling to find all asbestos (including hidden material), and usually needs the building to be vacated. It costs more because of how comprehensive it is.
What you walk away with
A clear picture of what’s present and what it means — enough to buy, sell, renovate or manage the property on evidence rather than guesswork. If anything needs formal confirmation, samples are analysed by an accredited laboratory; if removal is warranted, we can arrange it under licence with clearance afterwards.
Still not sure? Just ask.
Call 1300 019 657, 7 days a week, or book an inspection and we'll give you a clear answer.