Asbestos before renovating in Queensland

Published 28 October 2026

Which Queensland homes may contain asbestos

The Queensland Government's guidance for homeowners starts with the build year: "If your house was built before 1990, there is a good chance that it contains asbestos." It adds that "Asbestos cement sheeting was commonly used in building materials from 1940s to the late 1980s in both domestic residences and other structures and within plant and machinery."

Most of it is the bonded kind. "Non-friable asbestos materials are the most common asbestos materials in domestic houses. They do not pose a health risk if they are in good condition." The risk comes when it's cut, drilled, sanded or broken, which is exactly what renovation carpentry does.

Queensland differs from some other states on one point: "In Queensland, asbestos insulation was not used in residential buildings, although there have been isolated cases in other states." The Government also says "Loosely bound materials containing asbestos are not commonly found in domestic houses."

Where asbestos was used in Queensland houses

The Government lists the outside of the house first: "Externally, non-friable asbestos materials containing asbestos were commonly used for roof sheeting and capping, guttering, gables, eaves/soffits, water pipes and flues, wall sheeting and cladding, and flexible building boards." It says the same products were used for fencing, carports and sheds.

For carpentry, the places that matter are the ones a carpenter cuts into:

• Eaves and soffit linings, when fascias or rafter ends are repaired
• Wall sheeting and cladding, when a window or door is replaced or a new opening is made
• Gables and flexible building boards, around verandahs and later enclosures
• Fibro fences, sheds and carport walls, when they're replaced with timber

Inside the house, treat any flat cement sheeting the same way until it's been tested, particularly in rooms that were added or lined later.

How to tell if a house has asbestos: testing

You can't reliably tell by looking. The Government says: "It is often very difficult to identify the presence of asbestos by sight." The only certain answer comes from a laboratory analysing a piece of the material.

"Laboratories that analyse building materials for asbestos can be found by contacting the National Association of Testing Authorities." That's NATA, on 1800 621 666, and "There will be fees involved."

Until a material has been tested by an accredited laboratory, the Government's advice is to assume it contains asbestos. And testing isn't always the first step: "If materials containing asbestos are in your house and are in good condition, sometimes the safest option is to leave them alone and not disturb them."

Removing asbestos yourself: the 10 m² limit

Queensland lets homeowners remove a small amount of bonded asbestos themselves. "If you are planning to remove 10 square metres or less of non-friable materials containing asbestos, you do not require a certificate. However, you will still need to follow safe work procedures and safety precautions to minimise asbestos fibres getting into the air."

Beyond that: "Home renovators and owner-builders must hold a certificate obtained under arrangements approved or established by Queensland Health to remove more than 10 square metres of non-friable (also known as bonded) asbestos materials." Or, in the Government's words, "If the amount is more than 10 square metres, you must obtain a certificate before removing it or engage a contractor who holds a current asbestos removal certificate."

When a licensed asbestos removalist is needed

"A licence is required to remove any amount of friable asbestos and if you remove more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos." There are "two types of asbestos removal licences, friable asbestos (class A) and non-friable asbestos (class B)."

Licensed removal comes with its own process, including "notifying Workplace Health and Safety Queensland five days prior to work commencing", so allow for it when you plan the carpentry that follows.

To check a removalist: "ask them for a copy of their licence, then contact Workplace Health and Safety Queensland with their licence number to verify their details."

Never water-blast asbestos cement

Cleaning old fibro before painting or repairs is where people get caught. The Government is blunt: "Never use high pressure water cleaners". "It is illegal to use a high pressure water blaster on asbestos cement roofs, fences and walls." And "Homeowners can be fined up to $10 000 for using high pressure water blasters on asbestos-containing materials and must pay for the clean-up costs."

Carpentry on a house that may contain asbestos

On an older house, the order of the job matters: find out whether the materials being cut contain asbestos, have them tested or removed where needed, and only then start the carpentry. Replacing a window in a fibro wall, repairing eaves, or cutting a new door opening all disturb the sheeting around them.

When you send an enquiry, say when the house was built and whether any sheeting has been tested. A QBCC-licensed local carpenter can then plan the job around it. For the overlay rules on older houses, see renovating a Queenslander.

Questions about asbestos before renovating