ACT releases new Asbestos Advice Notice

ACT Releases New Asbestos Advice Notice

The ACT Government has announced release of a new Asbestos Advice Notice, giving residential owners, builders and industry professionals clearer guidance on managing asbestos-related risks in homes.

Updated notice took effect on 1 July 2023, replacing previous versions to strengthen safety outcomes for households across Canberra.

What Does the Updated Notice Cover?

Notice provides advice on where asbestos materials may be found around residential premises built prior to 1990. It applies specifically to older homes where hazardous building materials, including asbestos cement products, were commonly used during construction.

Asbestos management plans remain critical for industry professionals working across older housing stock, particularly during renovation or demolition projects where hazardous materials may be disturbed.

Why the Update Matters for Workplace Safety

WorkSafe ACT said updated notice will help improve workplace safety and reduce exposure risks in residential premises. Employees, builders and tradespeople working on older properties benefit directly from improved awareness of where asbestos may be present.

According to WorkSafe, the notice supports broader efforts within the construction industry to limit contact with hazardous substances during renovation, maintenance or demolition activities. Industry stakeholders should note that safety obligations extend beyond initial construction into ongoing property maintenance.

"The updated Notice must be given to new owners or lessees as part of tenancy agreements and contracts for sale for residential premises. It also needs to be provided during relevant development application processes," WorkSafe ACT said in a statement.

Who Needs to Provide the Notice?

Property sellers, landlords and developers now carry clear obligations under the new ACT Asbestic Advice Notice framework. Requirements include:

• Providing notice to new owners as part of contracts for sale
• Including notice within tenancy agreements for lessees
• Supplying notice during relevant development application processes

These measures aim to protect both residential occupants and industry professionals, including builders undertaking demolition or renovation work near asbestos-containing materials.

Supporting Safer Homes Across the ACT

WorkSafe ACT continues working alongside government bodies to promote safety standards within residential and commercial industry sectors. Consistent notification requirements help reduce hazardous exposure incidents linked to undisclosed asbestos in ageing homes.

For industry professionals managing similar obligations elsewhere, comparable updates have emerged interstate and internationally — see our coverage of WorkSafe's updated asbestos guidelines for New Zealand workplaces and related updated asbestos-related guidance from WorkSafe.

Businesses operating within construction, demolition or property management industry sectors should review current safety management systems to ensure alignment with evolving asbestos notification requirements.

Originally published on the WorkSafe ACT website.