Department of Health

Key messages

  • The Asbestos in Victoria website contains information to help home owners, tenants, employers and workers understand the risks of asbestos and to find out who to contact for asbestos information and advice.
  • Householders who choose to do their own renovation or 'DIY' work should carefully follow the advice in Asbestos: a guide for householders and the general public.

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring rock minerals. Asbestos fibres are strong and heat resistant, and have natural insulating properties.

Asbestos was previously used extensively in building products in Australia. All use, import or manufacture of asbestos was banned completely in Australia by 2003.

Asbestos - Victorian government information

The Victorian Government asbestos website, Asbestos in VictoriaExternal Link contains guidance from WorkSafe Victoria, the Environment Protection Authority and the department. The website includes information to help home owners, tenants, employers and workers understand the risks of asbestos and to find out who to contact for asbestos information and advice.

Asbestos and your health

For information about asbestos and your health, see the Asbestos and your health pageExternal Link on the Better Health Channel website.

Guide for safe management and removal of asbestos

Asbestos: a guide for householders and the general public provides useful information for the public, including how to safely manage the risks from materials containing asbestos in and around their homes.

The guide was produced by the Environmental Health Standing Committee (enHealth) and endorsed by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee. It is a national publication to which state and territory governments and the Australian Government have contributed.

Where to get help

Visit the Asbestos in Victoria websiteExternal Link to find out who to contact for asbestos information and advice.

Reviewed 25 January 2023

Health.vic

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