Homeowner's Guide
If your Queensland home was built or renovated before 1990, there's a high chance it contains asbestos. Learn where it hides, the health risks, and exactly what to do before you pick up a hammer.
Australia was one of the world's heaviest users of asbestos. From the 1940s through to the late 1980s, asbestos was used in over 3,000 building products — from wall sheeting and roofing to floor tiles, pipe insulation, and even textured paint.
A nationwide ban on asbestos use and importation came into effect on 31 December 2003, but the critical date for homeowners is 1990. By then, most asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) had been phased out of residential construction — meaning virtually any home built or renovated before 1990 is likely to contain asbestos somewhere.
Approximately 1 in 3 Australian homes built before 1990 contain asbestos. In Queensland's older suburbs — particularly in areas like Caboolture, Ipswich, and older parts of Brisbane — this figure can be even higher.
Asbestos was prized for its fire resistance, durability, and insulation properties. Here are the most common places you'll find it in a pre-1990 Queensland home:
Flat or corrugated "fibro" sheeting used in internal walls, ceilings, and wet areas like bathrooms and laundries.
Super Six corrugated roofing, ridge capping, and eaves lining sheets commonly contained bonded asbestos.
Asbestos-cement fencing (Super Six or Hardifence) was widely used for boundary and yard fencing across QLD.
Vinyl floor tiles and the black mastic adhesive/backing used underneath them often contained asbestos fibres.
Insulation wrapped around hot water pipes, boilers, and in roof spaces — particularly dangerous if friable.
Popcorn ceilings and textured wall coatings applied before the mid-1980s frequently contained asbestos.
Asbestos becomes dangerous when materials are disturbed, broken, cut, sanded, or deteriorated — releasing microscopic fibres into the air. Once inhaled, these fibres can lodge in the lungs and cause serious diseases that may take 20-50 years to develop.
An aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs and abdomen. Almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. There is no cure.
Chronic scarring of lung tissue from prolonged asbestos fibre inhalation, causing breathing difficulty and increased risk of heart failure.
Asbestos exposure significantly increases lung cancer risk, especially among smokers. Australia records approximately 4,000 asbestos-related deaths annually.
There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure. Even a single exposure event — such as a weekend DIY renovation — can be enough to cause mesothelioma decades later. Never take the risk.
Queensland has strict laws governing asbestos removal. As a homeowner, you could face significant fines — and serious health consequences — if you don't follow them.
Required for friable asbestos — any material that can be crumbled, pulverised, or reduced to powder by hand pressure. This includes pipe lagging, sprayed insulation, and severely deteriorated ACMs. Class A is the highest licence level.
Required for bonded (non-friable) asbestos over 10m². This covers most residential materials like fibro sheeting, fencing, roofing, and floor tiles. Little Demo holds a Class B licence.
Any bonded asbestos over 10m² must be removed by a licensed Class B (or A) removalist
All friable asbestos must be removed by a licensed Class A removalist — no exceptions
Asbestos waste must be double-wrapped in 200μm polyethylene, labelled, and transported to a licensed waste facility
A clearance certificate from a licensed assessor is required after removal of friable asbestos
Failing to comply can result in fines up to $130,000+ for individuals under QLD's Work Health and Safety Act
Before you swing a hammer or remove a single wall, follow this checklist to protect yourself and your family:
Check council records, building plans, or a title search to confirm when your home was built or last renovated. If it's pre-1990, assume asbestos is present.
Hire a licensed asbestos assessor to inspect your property and take samples for lab testing. Visual identification alone is not reliable. The cost ($400-$800) is a fraction of the risk.
If asbestos is confirmed, document all locations in an asbestos register. This is legally required for workplaces and strongly recommended for homeowners.
Contact a licensed removalist like Little Demo for a removal plan and written quote. We handle everything — from safe removal to legal disposal at a licensed waste facility.
Once the asbestos is professionally removed and you have clearance (if required), you can renovate safely — knowing your family's health is protected.
What can you expect to pay for professional asbestos removal? Costs vary by scope, accessibility, and location. Here are ballpark figures for common jobs across Brisbane North, Moreton Bay, and the Sunshine Coast:
| Job Type | Typical Cost Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom Strip-Out | $1,500 – $3,000 | 1–2 days |
| Kitchen Strip-Out | $2,000 – $4,500 | 1–3 days |
| Single Room (Walls + Ceiling) | $2,000 – $5,000 | 2–4 days |
| Asbestos Fence Removal | $800 – $3,000 | 1–2 days |
| Roof Replacement (Asbestos) | $5,000 – $15,000 | 3–7 days |
| Full House Demolition | $8,000 – $25,000+ | 1–3 weeks |
*These are indicative ranges only. Every property is different. Contact Little Demo for a free, no-obligation written quote specific to your home.
When it comes to asbestos in your family home, you can't afford to cut corners. Here's why homeowners across SE Queensland trust us:
Fully licensed and compliant with all Queensland Work Health and Safety regulations.
Public liability insurance that specifically covers asbestos removal work — total peace of mind.
Based in Caboolture South, we service all of Brisbane North, Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich & beyond.
We can often start within days of quote acceptance. Emergency jobs prioritised.
No-obligation, transparent quotes. No hidden fees. You'll know exactly what you're paying upfront.
All waste double-wrapped, labelled, and transported to licensed facilities — fully documented.
Common questions about asbestos in pre-1990 Queensland homes
Don't take chances with your family's health. Get a free, no-obligation quote from Little Demo Asbestos Removal — your local licensed experts serving all of Brisbane North, Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Logan & the Gold Coast.
No obligation • Free written quote • Same-day response