According to the NSW Work Health and Safety Regulation, any renovation or demolition work in a workplace built before 1 January 2004 requires an asbestos and hazardous materials survey (also known as an “asbestos / hazardous materials audit”, “asbestos / hazardous materials inspection”, or “asbestos / hazardous materials assessment”). This includes residential unit buildings.
Our comprehensive survey identifies the following hazardous materials:
- Asbestos
- Lead in paint
- Synthetic mineral fibre (SMF) — the glass and mineral wool insulation products that replaced asbestos
- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) — once common in electrical equipment like capacitors and fluorescent light fittings
For the full survey process, reports and what happens next, see our Asbestos & Hazardous Material Surveys page. We know you’re keen to get started, so we respond quickly and get the job done efficiently.
Lead and hazardous material services we offer
- Have I Found Lead? — if you think you may have found lead at your workplace or at home, in paint, ceiling dust or soil, it’s important to get peace of mind fast.
- Lead & Heavy Metal Testing — our rigorous quality systems mean we meet all government requirements around lead testing.
- Lead Paint Removal — do you need lead paint or lead dust removed? We can arrange lead paint or lead dust removal for you.
Fast on-site lead results with XRF
As well as asbestos, we also test for a range of hazardous materials, especially lead and heavy metals.
We’ve greatly reduced turnaround time for this testing by using XRF analysers — equipment that allows us to reliably determine the chemical composition of a sample on site, without causing damage or waiting for laboratory testing.
This means that if we find material we suspect contains lead or other hazardous materials, your survey results won’t be held up waiting for test results. Airsafe was the first laboratory in Australia to become NATA accredited to perform paint analysis for elevated levels of lead using portable XRF analysis — a screening test that tells you quickly whether lead is present.
Why choose Airsafe?
NATA accredited. Airsafe’s laboratory is accredited by NATA (Accreditation No. 2959) for asbestos identification and fibre counting, and for lead-in-paint screening by portable XRF.
Rapid response. When hazardous materials are suspected, we understand it’s important to get an answer quickly.
Independent. We identify and assess hazardous materials, recommend a licensed removal contractor where removal is needed, and verify the work once it’s done. We don’t do the removal ourselves, so our reports have no stake in the outcome.
Rapid Response
Get a Fast Quote | Call 1300 888 338
When time matters, experience counts.
Since 1988, Airsafe has provided fast, expert support for identifying hazardous materials, investigating contaminated sites, and testing indoor air quality. We deliver clear results and practical advice so you can act with confidence.
Your health and safety are always our highest priority.
4.9 stars from over 640 Google reviews, from builders, property owners and importers across Sydney and Australia.
“Airsafe has excellent customer services and highly professional teams. I have engaged a few other Asbestos inspectors before, but Airsafe gave me the best customer experience. Everyone there I have talked have been very helpful. Miki, my inspector, responded my questions very quick, even after work hours with patience, and gave me a lot of advices by using his expertise in Asbestos and Lead. I will for sure engage them again when I need, and no hesitation to recommend to my families and friends for their services!”
Tim Chen, September 2021, 5 stars
“Airsafe was very helpful. They produced well written reports very quickly. They are also very flexible. In our case, we had an urgent request for asbestos inspection and quantification. It was a very organised process that was resolved within the week. Communication was simple and easy with both admin staff and the site inspector. Would highly recommend this company.”
Steffie Arsenis, December 2023, 5 stars
“To satisfy the ABF for imports we require our products to be regularly tested for asbestos. These test must be done by an accredited facility. I’ve been using AIRSAFE for almost 10 years. They are very efficient, very quick and fees are extremally reasonable. The reports received after testing are very specific and precisely as required by the ABF. 5 starts from me.”
John O’Brien, November 2024, 5 stars
Frequently asked questions
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Under the NSW Work Health and Safety Regulation, any renovation or demolition work in a workplace built before 1 January 2004 requires an asbestos and hazardous materials survey, including residential unit buildings. Councils and principal contractors will typically ask for the survey report before work starts. See our Asbestos & Hazardous Material Surveys page for the full process.
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Our survey identifies asbestos, lead in paint, synthetic mineral fibre and polychlorinated biphenyls. We inspect the premises, take samples where needed, and give you a survey report with clear findings and recommendations.
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In practice, very little – the terms are used interchangeably, along with “hazardous materials inspection” and “hazardous materials assessment”. An Airsafe asbestos and hazardous material survey covers asbestos plus the other hazardous building materials (lead in paint, synthetic mineral fibre and PCBs) in the one visit and the one report.
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It depends on the material, its location and its condition. In some cases it can be safely left alone and managed in place with sensible precautions. Where removal is needed, we’ll recommend a reputable licensed removal contractor, monitor the work, and verify it’s been done properly. We don’t do the removal ourselves, so our advice has no stake in the outcome.
Contact us for a hazardous materials audit today
If you need a hazardous materials audit or asbestos survey for your place of business, the next step is to get in touch with Airsafe on 1300 888 338 to request a quote.
Last updated: July 2026
