Australia's Asbestos Laws Are Tightening — What the 2026 National Review Means for Property Owners

Australia has entered a new phase in how asbestos is regulated, managed and ultimately removed.

A national review of asbestos laws and frameworks is now underway, feeding directly into the next stage of the Asbestos National Strategic Plan (2024–2030). This is not a minor update; it is a coordinated effort to address long-standing gaps in how asbestos is identified, recorded and controlled across workplaces and properties.

For property owners, managers and developers, the direction is clear: expectations around asbestos identification, documentation and WHS compliance are increasing.

This page explains what is happening, what is likely to change, and what it means in practical terms for properties across South Australia and the rest of Australia.

What is the 2026 asbestos review?

Safe Work Australia is currently reviewing the broader asbestos regulatory framework, including:

• WHS legislation and regulations
• Codes of practice and guidance
• How asbestos risks are identified, documented and managed in practice

This review sits alongside the updated national strategy, which focuses on reducing asbestos exposure and improving long-term removal outcomes.

Consultants, assessors, removalists, unions, laboratories and regulators are all contributing input based on real-world issues encountered on sites, including inconsistent registers, unknown materials and gaps in training.

What is driving the change?

The review is being driven by a consistent set of issues identified across the industry.

1. Long-term presence of asbestos

Without significant intervention, asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) will remain in the built environment for decades, particularly in pre-1990 properties and older commercial stock.

2. Inconsistent compliance

Approaches to asbestos management vary significantly between sites, organisations and jurisdictions. Some workplaces maintain current asbestos registers and management plans; others rely on outdated documentation or assumptions.

3. Outdated or incomplete registers

Many asbestos registers are:

• Not current
• Based on limited, non-intrusive inspections
• Missing materials in concealed or inaccessible areas

4. Limited visibility of risk

Critical information is often:

• Not easily accessible to workers or contractors
• Not shared across projects and stakeholders
• Not integrated into asset management or maintenance systems

The direction of change (what to expect)

While final outcomes are still being shaped, the direction is already clear.

Shift toward proactive removal

There is increasing emphasis on:

• Identifying high-risk ACMs (damaged, friable, weather-exposed or in high-use areas)
• Planning removal earlier as part of refurbishment and capital works
• Reducing reliance on indefinite "manage in place" strategies

Stronger compliance expectations

Regulators are likely to place greater focus on:

• Up-to-date asbestos registers that reflect current conditions
• Clear documentation of identified materials and controls
• Evidence of regular review and ongoing management, not one-off reports

Greater accountability

Duty holders will be expected to demonstrate that:

• Asbestos risks are known and assessed
• Information is accessible to people who need it
• Appropriate control measures are in place and implemented

Improved data and accessibility

There is movement toward:

• More structured, digital asbestos registers
• Better integration with asset, facilities and maintenance systems
• Easier access for workers, contractors and auditors

The reality on site (where gaps exist)

Across real inspections and reviews, several common issues continue to appear:

• Registers that have not been updated for years
• Materials missed during non-intrusive inspections
• Limited access areas (ceiling voids, risers, plant rooms) not properly assessed
• Assumptions that "no asbestos was found" means "no asbestos exists"

Who this affects

Commercial property owners

Responsible for ensuring asbestos is identified, recorded and managed. Increased scrutiny means greater exposure if documentation is lacking or out of date.

Property managers and strata

Often responsible for maintaining current registers and coordinating works. Gaps in information can directly impact contractors and occupants and increase WHS liability.

Developers and builders

Asbestos remains one of the most common causes of project delays and cost overruns when discovered during demolition or refurbishment works.

Schools, aged care and public assets

Higher duty-of-care environments where compliance expectations are already elevated and likely to increase further under the new strategy.

What this means in practice

In practical terms, this shift means:

• "Out of sight" is no longer acceptable
• Asbestos registers must reflect current conditions on site
• Documentation must be defensible if questioned by regulators, financiers or insurers
• Unknowns and assumptions become explicit risks

For many properties, particularly those built before 1990, there is a high likelihood that:

• The current register does not fully reflect the actual risk profile
• Additional investigation may be required in previously inaccessible areas
• A structured review process is needed to align with emerging expectations

How to get ahead of tightening expectations

The most effective way to stay ahead of tightening asbestos expectations is to:

1. Review your asbestos register

• Confirm it is current and complete
• Confirm it reflects actual site conditions and recent works
• Identify gaps in access, information and intrusive investigation

2. Understand your risk areas

Pay particular attention to:

• Ceiling spaces and roof voids
• Plant rooms and service risers
• Wall cavities, subfloors and other previously inaccessible areas

3. Plan ahead for works

• Pre-demolition and refurbishment surveys before works start
• Targeted intrusive inspections where refurbishment, cut-throughs or demolition are proposed
• Coordination between project teams, asbestos consultants and removalists

4. Ensure information is accessible

• Contractors must be able to access asbestos information before starting work
• Documentation should be organised, clear and easy to brief from
• Registers and plans should be stored in formats that can be updated and shared

Disclaimer: this is a plain-English overview of the current direction of asbestos regulation in Australia, not legal advice. Always refer to the current WHS Act and Regulations and the Asbestos National Strategic Plan, and consult a qualified adviser for your specific situation.