Our detailed survey identifies the following materials:
- Asbestos
- Lead in paint
- Synthetic mineral fibre
- Polychlorinated biphenyls
Do you need a survey at all?
If your workplace was built before 31 December 2003, yes. Under the NSW Work Health and Safety Regulation, asbestos has to be identified before refurbishment or demolition work starts, and if asbestos is found you need an asbestos register. If your renovations are major, your council might require you to get an asbestos survey before they will issue a construction certificate. And if you’re in business and a pre-1997 hazardous materials survey found your premises free of lead paint, that survey may now be out of date: under the updated standards, paint with a lead concentration greater than 0.1% is now considered lead-containing paint.
You don’t need an asbestos register or management plan if you’ve had an asbestos survey at your workplace and no asbestos was identified, or if your workplace was constructed after 31 December 2003 and no asbestos has been identified or is likely to be present. If you’re working on a private home, a full survey isn’t legally required, but it’s still the smartest way to avoid an expensive surprise mid-project. Not sure whether you need one? Call us on 1300 888 338.
Why Airsafe for your survey
Seven of our consultants are Licensed Asbestos Assessors. This is the SafeWork NSW licence you need to conduct air monitoring and clearance inspections for friable asbestos and to issue clearance certificates, and SafeWork grants it because of acknowledged expertise and experience in dealing with asbestos. Most consultancies have one Licensed Asbestos Assessor, or hire one when they need one. All our consultants are university graduates who are fully trained by Airsafe, and we never use inexperienced temporary staff to meet spikes in demand.
As a company we’re accredited by NATA, the National Association of Testing Authorities, for asbestos identification and fibre counting (NATA accreditation No. 2959). Don’t think of NATA accreditation as a rubber stamp: it’s very hard to come by, and it’s given only to the most experienced businesses which pass a rigorous assessment process. Don’t take our word for it: you can see Airsafe’s full NATA accreditation details on the NATA website.
Airsafe carries professional indemnity insurance that expressly covers our asbestos work, together with public liability and environmental liability insurance. If you’d like a certificate of currency, just ask.
We often find ourselves having to re-survey buildings that have had a low-cost survey rejected by council – for instance, because they’ve tried to cut corners on asbestos sample testing. At Airsafe, we have our own laboratory, so we don’t have to cut corners. We’ll test as many samples as we need to until we’re satisfied that we have a complete picture of your building’s asbestos-containing materials.
Our asbestos survey process
A typical asbestos survey with Airsafe goes like this:
- Fill in our quote request form, or call us on 1300 888 338. Our consultant will examine your details and provide a quote.
- One of our Licensed Asbestos Assessors is dispatched to your location, in Sydney or anywhere in Australia.
- Our consultant inspects the premises and takes samples, with asbestos samples tested in our own NATA-accredited lab.
- The location, extent, and condition of asbestos and other hazardous materials is determined.
- You receive your survey report, including a legally compliant asbestos register for the site.
Asbestos survey reports
At the end of Airsafe’s asbestos survey, you’ll receive a survey report which will contain:
- An easy-to-read executive summary of key findings and recommendations
- An outline of what the survey consisted of and the methodology used
- General information about asbestos
- A legally compliant asbestos register for the site
- A detailed list of recommendations
- Photographs of areas where asbestos was found, for easy identification
- Laboratory reports showing results of asbestos testing
All asbestos survey reports are not the same
Since 1988, Airsafe has built a reputation within the asbestos industry. We’ve completed asbestos and hazardous materials surveys at hospitals including Royal Prince Alfred, Prince of Wales, Prince Henry, Gladesville and Sutherland, council building portfolios for Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Sutherland and Ku-ring-gai, every university in NSW, BHP sites at Port Kembla and Newcastle, and Defence sites including Duntroon, Russell Offices, Garden Island and Holsworthy. We work regularly with Sydney’s largest commercial builders including Multiplex, Lend Lease and Built, and major government departments including Sydney Water, NSW Education and Sydney Trains. Airsafe has been deeply involved in auditing and advising schools over several decades, and we continue to offer surveys and asbestos registers to schools across NSW.
Recent flagship work includes the Sydney Metro West Eastern Tunnelling Package for Mann Group under the John Holland CPB Ghella Joint Venture, one of the biggest combined asbestos and occupational hygiene jobs undertaken in Sydney, with around nine CBD buildings demolished on Pitt and Hunter Streets and Airsafe working across the wider Metro program. Airsafe completed the asbestos and hazardous materials audits, ran two consultants and an on-site lab for the roughly twelve-month duration, and provided a dedicated occupational hygienist managing dust, gas and hygiene monitoring throughout the works.
Because of Airsafe’s experience and reputation, our survey reports carry real weight and authority. A report from Airsafe is regarded throughout the construction industry as proof that you’ve carried out due diligence around hazardous building materials like asbestos.
Sydney-based, Australia-wide
Airsafe is based in Sydney and works Australia-wide. Our consultants have run surveys from Perth to Darwin and at remote sites across the country, on government, mining, ADF, hospital, school and major commercial developments. Travel is built into our quotes for interstate work, so what you see is what you pay.
Asbestos surveys and asbestos registers
Depending on when your premises were built, complying with the NSW Work Health and Safety Regulation might mean completing an asbestos and hazardous materials survey, and maintaining an asbestos register and management plan for any asbestos that is found. Simply put, the asbestos register lists all the asbestos that is known to be in your workplace, and the management plan sets out the processes you have in place for dealing with it. Although the two are closely related and are generally prepared at the same time, strictly speaking they’re different documents: the asbestos management plan is more of a living document.
Asbestos registers need to be kept up to date (for instance, if you have asbestos removed), and they must be passed on when there is a change in management. They must also be reviewed every five years, or when asbestos is removed, disturbed or sealed. We’ll use the information from your survey to create the register, and we’ll work with you on a legally compliant asbestos management plan so that everyone is aware of their responsibilities and your employees and contractors are kept safe. Read more on our asbestos registers and management plans page.
Detailed expert inspection: the core of an asbestos survey
The most important component of an Airsafe asbestos and hazardous materials survey or audit is a close inspection of your premises, by a trained and experienced asbestos consultant who knows what to look for. Your Airsafe consultant will conduct a thorough inspection of all buildings and structures, one that includes all rooms, ceiling spaces, cellars, shafts, storage and wall cavities, and will identify suspected asbestos materials, work out where asbestos is likely to be present, and assess whether each material is friable or non-friable and what condition it is in. To err on the side of caution, we treat any suspect material as containing asbestos until we ascertain otherwise.
The Airsafe consultant will take notes and photographs throughout your inspection. These will come in handy when it comes time for us to complete your workplace’s asbestos register.
Asbestos testing of samples taken during the survey
If a sample is taken for the purpose of determining if asbestos is present, it is important that representative samples are taken. For instance, if there are variations in appearance, texture or colour of the material, we will need to take additional samples to ensure consistency and a valid analysis. We will test for asbestos in any material that can’t be identified, can’t be accessed and is likely to contain asbestos (for example, this is often the case with downpipes), or that we can’t be sure does not contain asbestos.
Under the NSW Work Health and Safety Regulation, only accredited laboratories are approved to analyse samples containing asbestos. At Airsafe, we have our own NATA-accredited laboratory, where we analyse samples using polarised light microscopy (PLM) and dispersion staining (DS). Using a NATA-accredited laboratory is what makes a result rigorous and independent. You can check any provider’s accreditation, and its scope, at the NATA website, and a genuine report will always name the laboratory that carried out the analysis.
Turnaround on results depends on what you need. If it’s an emergency, we’ll always find a way. Priority testing costs extra, and we’ll tell you the price when we quote. Here’s what to look for in a report.
Testing for lead and other hazardous materials
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 that we suspect contains lead or other hazardous materials, your survey results won’t be held up waiting for test results.
Working with everyone on site
An Airsafe asbestos consultant has to deal on a daily basis with multiple stakeholders in extremely sensitive situations: building owners who want to get the project finished without expenditure spiralling out of control, unions who need to be reassured their members aren’t at risk, contractors who want to get the job done, get paid, and avoid legal dramas down the track, and government and regulatory bodies who want to make sure everything proceeds according to the law. The last thing that’s needed is an asbestos consultant who throws their weight around, criticising the way things have been done before they arrived. What’s needed is someone who’s a good negotiator, able to work with everyone to come up with a solution that keeps people safe while minimising disruption to the business. Airsafe asbestos consultants are diplomats and problem solvers.
4.9 stars across 640+ Google reviews – from builders, developers, councils and government across NSW and beyond.
“As a residential design and construct builder, speed and efficiency are much appreciated to keep our projects moving and Airsafe always delivers. Their process is easy, they are always prompt in their service, maintain communication throughout the testing process and their reporting is clear. Would recommend.”– Cape Cod Australia, November 2024
“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
“We had a fantastic experience with AirSafe! They handled the asbestos compliance notice at our property with the highest level of professionalism. The team was efficient, thorough, and kept us informed throughout the entire process. They even went above and beyond by contacting the council directly to clarify certain matters, which gave us extra peace of mind. Highly recommend them!”– Rachel Mourad, April 2025
What happens after the asbestos survey?
What happens after your survey is completed will depend on whether asbestos is found in your premises. If no asbestos is found, we’ll give you a survey report stating that no asbestos was identified within the scope of the survey, and you won’t need to take any further action around asbestos.
If asbestos is found, the action to be taken depends on its type, location and condition. We’ll detail all this in the asbestos survey report and in the asbestos management plan that we help you create. In some cases, asbestos poses a risk and needs to be removed. Airsafe doesn’t remove asbestos, so there’s no conflict of interest in our report. We’ll help you plan for asbestos removal, including engaging a reputable, licensed asbestos removal contractor. We also conduct air quality monitoring during removal, to make sure asbestos fibres are not being released into the atmosphere. Finally, we’re licensed to issue asbestos clearance certificates stating that the area has been inspected and is free of asbestos.
Is your building likely to contain asbestos?
Around one in three Australian homes contains asbestos, and traces of asbestos can still be found Australia-wide in commercial buildings, schools, factories, ships and trains. Two main factors affect whether a building is likely to contain asbestos:
When was the building constructed?
If your workplace was built prior to 1980, there is a high chance that asbestos was used during construction. For buildings erected after this date, the chances of finding large amounts of the mineral are significantly lower.
What materials were used in the construction of the building?
If you can see that cement sheets have been used, there is a chance it could contain asbestos fibres that have been bonded to the cement particles. Because of the hardiness and waterproofing qualities of asbestos, areas of the building prone to wet conditions (such as bathrooms, toilets and laundries) may contain asbestos sheeting or asbestos vinyl tiles in the walls and floors. In some cases, pipes that run throughout the building that carry water and sewage may also contain asbestos.
Asbestos may not pose a risk if undisturbed, but when renovators drill through walls, rip up floor tiles, and so on, they risk releasing asbestos fibres into the air.
FAQs
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If your workplace was built before 31 December 2003, the NSW Work Health and Safety Regulation requires the asbestos register to be reviewed – and revised if it’s not adequate – before any demolition or refurbishment starts. If there’s no register, a competent person must inspect the building for asbestos before the work can go ahead. For demolition or major refurbishment, an intrusive asbestos and hazardous materials survey is the practical way to meet that duty. This includes residential unit buildings. If you’re working on a private home, a full survey isn’t legally required but it’s still the smartest way to avoid an expensive surprise mid-project. Not sure whether you need one? Call us on 1300 888 338.
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For most jobs in Sydney we can have a consultant on site within a few business days. If you’re in a rush, we can often get a consultant on site within hours. We’ve run plenty of surveys where contractors were already booked for the next day. Just call us on 1300 888 338 and we’ll work out the timing with you.
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Yes. A standard Airsafe survey identifies asbestos, lead in paint, synthetic mineral fibres (SMF) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the one site visit. We use our handheld XRF analysers on site for lead and heavy metals, which usually means lead results don’t hold up your survey waiting for lab testing.
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In most cases, yes. Our consultants are used to working around staff, tenants and other contractors. We’ll let you know in advance if any part of the inspection needs an area to be cleared – for example, if we need access to a ceiling space that’s normally above a busy reception desk. Just call us on 1300 888 338 and tell us how the building is being used and we’ll plan around it.
What’s my next step?
If you need an asbestos and hazardous materials survey or audit for your place of business, the next step is to get in touch with Airsafe to request a quote. You’re welcome to give us a call on 1300 888 338 during business hours, or send us some details for a quick quote. If you’re not in Sydney, we still recommend talking to an asbestos consultant first, and travel is built into our quotes for interstate work.
Last updated: August 2026
