“Omega HazMat were fast, efficient, thorough and professional.”
Jen CharlesonWebsite testimonial excerpt
“the team was professional, knowledgeable, and communicative.”
Nick BallWebsite testimonial excerpt
“They took great care in ensuring the safe removal of the asbestos”
Jack M.Website testimonial excerpt
BEFORE YOUR RENOVATION BEGINS
Older home? Check before the first cut.
Homes built or renovated before 1990 may contain asbestos. It can be hidden behind tiles, flooring and newer finishes—even in brick and weatherboard homes.
Fibro cottagesBrick-veneer homesWeatherboard homes
AI-generated house-style examples. Age and appearance alone cannot confirm asbestos.Where could asbestos be in your home?
Bathroom, kitchen & laundry wall sheeting
Ceilings
Eaves & soffits
Roofing & external cladding
Fencing
Some vinyl flooring & backing materials
Garages, sheds & outbuildings
Suspect asbestos? Leave it undisturbed.
Don’t cut, drill, sand or pressure-clean suspected materials. Keep people away from damaged material. Don’t sweep or vacuum debris; seek professional advice.
Laboratory testing is separate from the free assessment.
WHEN TO GET IN TOUCH
Renovating? Found damage? Already confirmed?
01
Before renovation
Check suspected materials before your builder or trades disturb them.
02
After damage
Get advice about damaged or exposed fencing, walls, ceilings or other materials.
03
Confirmed asbestos
Understand the right approach to management or professional removal.
Not all asbestos needs immediate removal. Condition and planned work determine the appropriate response.
MORE ANSWERS, IF YOU NEED THEM
Understand your options.
Tap a topic for practical guidance.
Why was asbestos used—and why was it banned?
Asbestos was valued for its strength, heat resistance and insulation. Those properties made it common in building products—from cement sheeting and roofing to some flooring and insulation.
WHY IT WAS USED
Useful properties. Widespread applications.
Manufacturers added asbestos fibres to reinforce products and provide heat resistance. That is why suspected materials can appear in several parts of an older home, rather than just one room.
WHY WE STOPPED
The health risks changed everything.
Breathing airborne asbestos fibres can cause serious diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Australia fully banned asbestos from 31 December 2003.
WHAT THAT MEANS TODAY
The ban didn’t remove existing materials.
Asbestos remains in many older properties. Its presence alone does not always mean immediate removal is needed. Material condition and planned work determine the appropriate next step.
Class A vs Class B: materials, licences and risks
Class A and Class B describe asbestos removal licences. The materials themselves are usually described as friable or non-friable (bonded). The distinction helps determine the controls and licence required.
CLASS B LICENCE · BONDED REMOVAL
Non-friable, or bonded, asbestos
Asbestos fibres are held within a solid material, such as cement. Examples may include asbestos-cement wall sheets, eaves, roofing and fencing.
What’s the danger?
Intact material left undisturbed generally presents a lower risk of releasing fibres. Cutting, drilling, sanding, breaking or pressure cleaning can release harmful airborne fibres. Bonded does not mean harmless.
Who can remove it?
A Class B licence covers non-friable asbestos removal. A Class A licence also covers this work. In NSW, removal of more than 10 m² requires a licence; SafeWork recommends a licensed professional for any amount.
CLASS A LICENCE · FRIABLE & BONDED REMOVAL
Friable asbestos
Material that is powdery or can crumble to powder when dry is described as friable. Some older insulation and sprayed coatings may fall into this category.
What’s the danger?
Fibres can become airborne more readily, so specialist controls are needed. Badly deteriorated or damaged bonded material may also become friable and needs professional assessment.
Who can remove it?
Any amount of friable asbestos requires a Class A licensed removalist. A Class B licence does not authorise friable removal. Class A work requires air monitoring and independent clearance by a licensed asbestos assessor.
The health risk comes from breathing airborne asbestos fibres.
Both forms can cause serious disease, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. There is no known safe level of exposure. Don’t touch, break or test the material yourself to determine whether it is friable—leave it undisturbed and arrange professional advice.
Unsure what’s at your property? Start with an assessment.
Before renovating: what should I check?
It isn’t only major demolition that can disturb asbestos. Drilling for a shelf, lifting old flooring or working behind bathroom tiles may affect suspected materials too.
Before anyone starts
Tell the team when the home was built or renovated, if known.
Share any existing asbestos test reports and the work you’re planning.
Explain your concerns to your builder and trades before work starts.
Leave suspected materials in place until you have professional advice.
Avoid disturbing it
Don’t cut, drill, sand or pressure-clean suspected asbestos.
Don’t lift flooring or remove wall sheets just to check underneath.
Don’t sweep or vacuum suspected asbestos debris.
Keep people and pets away from damaged material and seek advice.
Protective clothing alone is not a complete asbestos safety system. Site controls, specialist methods, decontamination and disposal also matter.
What should I ask an asbestos removalist?
A clear conversation now helps you understand the work, the costs and what happens afterwards. Ask Omega to walk you through these points for your property.
01
Does the licence cover this work?
Ask for current licence details and confirm the class is appropriate for the material and scope.
02
Is asbestos work covered by insurance?
Ask about cover relevant to asbestos removal, rather than relying on a general insurance statement.
03
What is included in the written quote?
Clarify preparation, access, testing, disposal, clearance and any exclusions or additional charges.
04
How will the site be controlled?
Discuss restricted access, occupant arrangements, timing and coordination with your builder.
05
Where will the waste go?
Confirm lawful transport and disposal at a facility authorised to receive asbestos, and ask about disposal records.
06
Who handles clearance?
Confirm applicable air monitoring, independent clearance and the documentation you will receive before reoccupation.
YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
A little clarity before you call.
LET’S TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Get clarity. Book your free assessment.
Tell us about your property. Omega will call to arrange your free on-site assessment and quote.
