Worried About Asbestos When Buying a House? Read This First
Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make, so it’s important to do your homework before diving in. Many properties built before the mid-1990s still contain asbestos, which is something to consider, especially if you’re planning renovations or upgrades. Although the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) can be a concern, it doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker.
If you’re considering buying a house with asbestos, here’s what you need to know.
Why asbestos is a concern for home buyers
Asbestos has been banned in Australia since December 2003 due to its hazardous nature. Prolonged asbestos exposure can lead to a number of serious health risks, including lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. That said, asbestos is only a concern when it’s damaged or disturbed. If you buy and live in a home with fully intact and sealed ACMs, it’s of little to no risk to you or your family’s health.
While asbestos exposure comes with potential health risks, there are also the hidden costs and legal obligations that come with owning a home that contains asbestos. It’s common practice to get a building and pest inspection done as part of the settlement process when buying a home. Although these inspections might note the presence of asbestos, you’ll still need to complete a professional asbestos inspection and testing to confirm the presence of ACMs, both of which come at an additional cost.
As for your legal obligations as a homeowner, you’ll need to ensure you engage licensed asbestos professionals for any asbestos removal works.
Facts about asbestos in Australian homes
Even though asbestos has been banned since December 2003, roughly 1 in 3 Aussie homes still contain asbestos. With this in mind, there’s a good chance any homes or buildings built before the mid-1990s could contain asbestos, which is worth keeping in mind if you’re currently in the market for a new home.
Asbestos is typically categorised as either:
- Bonded asbestos: A type of asbestos that has been mixed with another material (usually cement or resin) to create a solid, rigid product. Because the fibres are firmly bonded in place, they’re less likely to become airborne unless the material is disturbed, meaning it’s less of a risk to your health.
- Friable asbestos: The more dangerous of the two categories of asbestos, friable asbestos refers to loose or crumbly ACMs that can be easily crushed by hand. This type of asbestos releases fibres into the air very easily, even with minimal disturbance. While this type of asbestos is less common, it’s more expensive to remove.
What you can do pre-purchase
There’s plenty you can do before buying a home to educate yourself on a property you’re interested in. For starters, you can ask the real estate agent or vendor (if it’s a private sale) whether or not the property contains asbestos. In Australia, the seller and real estate agent have a legal obligation to tell you whether the home contains asbestos. In Queensland, agents are legally required to make reasonable efforts to discover or confirm any facts relevant to the sale, in order to prevent mistakes, omissions, overstatements or misleading claims.
While most buyers opt for a building and pest inspection before purchasing a property, if you’re concerned about asbestos, you can take it one step further with professional asbestos testing. Just keep in mind, you’ll usually need the current owner’s written permission before you can carry out sample testing.
If you can’t complete asbestos testing prior to purchase, the next best option is to send photos of the materials you’re concerned about to an asbestos removal specialist. A trained professional will usually be able to look at the photos to provide you with a diagnosis. But remember, the only way to get confirmation of asbestos is with lab testing.
Price guide for testing and removal
Asbestos testing and removal costs can vary depending on several factors, including the size of your property, the type of materials involved, accessibility and the required safety measures. The table below offers a general guide to typical pricing for asbestos removal services in the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane regions:
| Activity | Typical Price Range* |
| Sample testing | $150 + GST for the first test, $75 + GST for each additional test |
| Bonded asbestos removal | Roughly $45 + GST per m² |
| Friable asbestos removal | Roughly $130 + GST per m² |
| Clearance certificate (mandatory for >10m²) | $495 + GST |
| Friable removal also requires air monitoring | Additional cost |
*Prices current as of 27 May 2025. These prices may change over time.
Pre-purchase asbestos checklist
Before you buy a home, especially one built before the 1990s, use this pre-purchase asbestos checklist to minimise risk, avoid surprise costs and stay compliant:
- Check the build date: Homes built before the mid-1990s are more likely to contain asbestos.
- Ask about the renovation history: If the home has undergone renovations, they might already have copies of asbestos removal certificates.
- Look for common asbestos materials: Asbestos was used in a number of building materials, including eaves, fibro sheeting, vinyl floor tiles and backing, insulation and drainage pipes, to name a few.
- Send photos to Adios Asbestos for a professional opinion: Take a clear photo of any suspected asbestos and send it through to the team for their professional opinion.
- Consider the cost of potential asbestos removal: Depending on the condition of the ACMs, it could be worth including the cost of testing and removal before proceeding with the sale.
- Request an asbestos report: Check with the agent or seller to see if there’s an existing asbestos inspection report or a building report flagging the potential risks.
- Get a building and pest inspection: If no reports are available, book your own building and pest inspection to identify any potential asbestos risks.
- Book post-purchase asbestos testing: Factor in the cost of asbestos testing post-purchase.
- Check your local asbestos regulations: Check the WorkSafe Queensland website for requirements around asbestos removal licensing, clearance inspections and air monitoring.
What Adios Asbestos can help with
While we don’t offer pre-purchase inspections at Adios Asbestos, our team can help you with all your other asbestos-related needs, including:
- Advice based on photos,
- Post-purchase asbestos testing and removal, and
- Asbestos sample testing, where permitted.
With over 30 years of combined experience, our team has seen it all when it comes to asbestos. We’re committed to providing you with clear communication and transparency every step of the way, which is why we’re happy to offer free advice and free quotes to help you make the best decision when it comes to asbestos removal and management for your new home. Get in touch with the Adios Asbestos team for all your asbestos testing and removal needs.
