Asbestos in Western Australia

Whether you are an employer, worker, homeowner, tenant or community member, you can find information and resources to help you understand the risks of asbestos, and how to manage and remove it safely.
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What you'll find here

Information and guidance to help homeowners, tenants, employers and employees understand the risks of asbestos. This includes the legal duties that apply, how to comply with those duties, and resources for managing and removing asbestos safely in homes, workplaces and public areas.

Find and identify asbestos

Asbestos was used in more than 3,000 building products before it was banned in Australia. It may still be found in many places across Western Australia, especially in building constructed before the 1990s. It can also be found in vehicles, plant and equipment, in electrical switchboards and meters in commercial buildings, and the environment.  

You cannot tell if a material contains asbestos just by looking at it.

Asbestos can only be identified through testing by a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited laboratory. If in doubt, follow the golden rule: if you think it might be asbestos, treat it as if it is, unless testing identifies it as not. A licenced asbestos assessor can assist with assessing and managing asbestos risk. 

Find and identify asbestos

Image of a federation home

Asbestos in a home

Information for homeowners and tenants about dealing with asbestos in domestic premises, including building or renovating, and using a licensed removalist.
Asbestos in a workplace

Asbestos in a workplace

Information to identify, manage, remove and dispose of asbestos, and legal duties that apply to employers, self-employed, workers or commercial property owners.
Asbestos in public areas

Asbestos in public areas

What to do if asbestos or other hazardous materials are found in public places.
Gavel to represent law

Asbestos and the law

Learn about your legal responsibilities when managing, removing or working with asbestos in Western Australia.
Asbestos chrysotile fibers

What does asbestos look like?

Learn what asbestos is, where it is commonly found, and how to handle it safely.
Chest x-ray

Asbestos health risks

Learn why asbestos is dangerous and how exposure can affect your health.
Removing asbestos

Removing asbestos

Requirements on how asbestos should be managed during removal, minor works or maintenance procedures.
Asbestos workers and removalists

Asbestos workers and removalists

Learn about asbestos removalists, licensing requirements, and how to check if someone is qualified to work with asbestos in Western Australia.
Trades, contractors and recyclers

Trades, contractors and recyclers

What you need to know about working with asbestos if you are a tradesperson, contractor or recycler in Western Australia.
Homeowners and tenants

Homeowners and tenants

Information for homeowners and tenants about dealing with asbestos in domestic premises.
Asbestos and fibrous minerals in mining

Asbestos and fibrous minerals in mining

Naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) can present significant hazards in mining operations.
Asbestos in soil, mulch and other products or materials

Asbestos in soil, mulch and other materials

Advice for people who manage or control a workplace where soil is contaminated with asbestos-containing material.
Asbestos safety after an emergency or disaster

Asbestos safety after an emergency or disaster

Advice for people cleaning up after storms, bushfires, flood, buildings fires and other incidents involving asbestos.
Asbestos information for local government

Asbestos information for local government

Advice to help local governments manage asbestos exposure risks for both residents in their local government area (LGA) and workers in council workplaces.
Find an asbestos removalist and testing lab

Find licensed asbestos removalists and NATA accredited lab

Information to help you locate a licensed asbestos removalist or a NATA accredited lab in your area.
Who to contact?

Who to contact?

If you suspect asbestos or need advice, there are several organisations that can help.

Announcements

a hand holding coloured blue kinetic sand
Public notice

Updated advice on coloured sand products

National health authorities (enHealth) have confirmed that testing by an accredited Australian laboratory identified trace amounts of naturally occurring asbestos in a small number of these products sold in Australia.
WorkSafe Media Statement
News story

Asbestos identified in imported coloured sand

This matter is being investigated by WorkSafe and other agencies and jurisdictions. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Contact

Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety - WorkSafe
Address:
Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety - WorkSafe
Telephone:

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