Asbestos Removal in Newcastle
Fibro is part of the Hunter's housing history, and a lot of it contains asbestos. We arrange asbestos removal across Newcastle and the Lower Hunter for whole houses, single rooms and outbuildings, with the work done by a SafeWork NSW licensed crew and checked by an independent inspector before anything else happens.
- Asbestos taken out by SafeWork NSW licensed removalists
- Hazardous materials survey on older homes
- Services disconnection confirmed before work starts
- Clearance certificate before demolition resumes
Why asbestos is so common in Hunter homes
Through the post-war decades, fibro was a low cost, fast way to build. Across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, whole suburbs of cottages went up with fibro cladding, and brick and weatherboard homes picked it up in eaves, bathrooms, laundries and sleepouts. A house finished before 1990 may well have asbestos somewhere in it, which covers a large share of houses from Mayfield and Wallsend to Belmont, Cessnock and Raymond Terrace.
Common places it shows up
- External fibro wall cladding and gable ends
- Eaves linings under the roof overhang
- Sheeting behind the tiles in bathrooms, laundries and toilets
- The backing on old vinyl floor coverings
- Roofing sheets on houses, garages and sheds
- Flues from old heaters and hot water units
Testing before work starts
A hazardous materials survey ahead of demolition or a strip-out confirms whether asbestos is present, where it is and whether it is friable or non-friable. If you are planning a single room renovation, testing that room before anyone cuts into it is the place to start.
What NSW rules require
SafeWork NSW grants Class A licences, covering friable and non-friable asbestos, and Class B licences, covering non-friable only. Over 10 square metres of non-friable material calls for a licensed removalist, and anything friable is Class A licence work only. SafeWork NSW must be notified before licensed removal starts.
On our jobs, the asbestos is taken out by removalists who hold a SafeWork NSW licence, and the notification is built into the program so it does not hold up your builder.
Clearance and disposal
Once removal is complete, the work is checked independently. Where friable material was removed, the clearance check is done by a licensed asbestos assessor. For non-friable jobs, the check falls to an independent competent person. Nobody restarts work there until the clearance certificate is in hand.
Asbestos waste is only taken to a site permitted by law to take it, and NSW EPA tracks each load through WasteLocate.
Removal as part of a bigger job
Most of the asbestos we deal with is part of a demolition or strip-out. Handling both under one plan means the survey, removal, clearance and demolition happen in the right order with no gap between trades.
Asking for a quote
Send through the address, some pictures of the material, and any test results you have. Tell us whether it is a whole house, one room or an outbuilding.
Common questions
Is all fibro asbestos?
Not all, but fibro sheeting made before the late 1980s often contains asbestos. Testing is the only way to be sure.
Can asbestos be removed while I live in the house?
For small, contained areas it is sometimes possible, with the work area closed off until clearance. Larger jobs or friable material usually need the household out of that part of the home. The removalist will advise on your job.
Do I get any paperwork at the end?
Yes. A clearance certificate is issued after the clearance inspection. Keep it for your builder and for your records.
Can you take asbestos off an old shed or garage?
Yes. Old sheds and garages often have asbestos roofing or wall sheeting, and they can be done on their own or as part of a larger demolition.
Got an old Hunter house that needs to come down?
Put the address and a handful of photos into the quote form. We will check access, asbestos and the approval path, then send back a written quote.