How Much Does Asbestos Removal Cost in Australia?
Buying a property? Renovating a house? No matter where you are in your home renovation journey in Australia, there is always a danger you can’t avoid, such as pest infestation, mold, and asbestos. Asbestos is a hazardous material that causes health hazards if not controlled by an expert.
Asbestos was once used in the construction industry due to its durability, insulation, and fire-resistant properties, as well as its cost-effectiveness. Today, we are aware of its risk, which is why asbestos removal is important when renovating or demolishing a house.
In this guide, you will learn about how to dispose of asbestos, asbestos removal costs, and what factors affect the cost.
Understanding Asbestos Removal
Asbestos removal is a procedure for removing and disposing of asbestos to rid of harmful asbestos fibres. It was found that inhaling it could cause serious health complications such as asbestosis and lung cancer. After its permanent ban in 2003, cellulose fibres, fiberglass, and mineral wool were used as a better alternative to asbestos, as they don’t affect your health when inhaled.
However, older homes may still contain asbestos, making a licensed asbestos removal service critical for protecting household health and complying with Australian regulations.
Factors that affect asbestos removal costs
Factors such as location, volume, type of asbestos, and many more may increase or decrease the cost of asbestos removal.
Location & Accessibility
Where you live can heavily impact the cost of removing asbestos from a house. If you live near major cities, asbestos remediation costs will be relatively higher due to the higher demand for asbestos removal compared to rural areas, resulting in higher disposal fees, labour costs, and regulatory requirements. If the asbestos is present in harder-to-reach places, it requires a longer time for removal, increasing the overall asbestos removal cost.
Volume of Asbestos
The amount of asbestos present to be removed also determines the cost of asbestos removal. The larger the area it covers, the higher the cost of labour and resources needed for asbestos removal. Removing asbestos from the living room costs less compared to asbestos removal needed for the whole house. Since the volume is larger, it requires higher asbestos disposal fees.
Complexity
Every asbestos removal job is different and requires special treatment. The complexity of asbestos removal will impact the asbestos removal cost. It is a challenging job that requires more time and more labour, which in turn increases the asbestos removal cost. In situations, it requires the use of specialised tools and protection equipment as a safety measure to avoid inhaling asbestos fibres, which directly or indirectly increases both time and asbestos removal costs.
Disposal Cost
After the asbestos is safely removed, you need to understand how to dispose of asbestos legally and safely, under Australian health and safety regulations. Since asbestos removal must be conducted in a secure and controlled environment, the waste must be taken to a licensed facility that handles hazardous materials. The asbestos removal cost, as well as asbestos disposal, varies depending on the volume of asbestos, as a larger volume requires a higher cost to get rid of asbestos.
Labour Cost & Experience
The number of people needed can affect the cost of asbestos removal. A larger project will require more labour, which directly affects the labour cost. You will also be required to contact an expert who specialises in asbestos removal, as untrained individuals are unable to handle asbestos without proper safety precautions. Since the licensed individual went through professional training, they require a higher labour cost.
Safety Equipment
When handling hazardous materials such as asbestos, you need to buy or rent safety equipment. Professionals often use rented equipment such as respirators, negative air filters to filter out harmful particles from the air, and HEPA vacuums to clean up after asbestos work as well as containment bags to dispose of the asbestos, which is often factored into the asbestos remediation cost.
Average Cost of Asbestos Removal in Australia
You must be wondering how much does it cost to get rid of asbestos. The average cost to get rid of asbestos in Australia depends on multiple factors, so we can only estimate the cost to be between AUD 30 and AUD 150 per square foot, which depends on the type of asbestos, the volume of asbestos, your location, and disposal charges.
An estimated cost to get rid of asbestos for a standard home in Australia would be in the range from AUD 1,500 to AUD 10,000; however, the range can be higher for complex asbestos removal. The removal of asbestos is crucial when maintaining a safe home environment. Since asbestos removal is a highly specialised job, health and safety should be the top priority when handling hazardous materials such as asbestos. The final asbestos removal cost is going to become larger.
Type of Asbestos
Friable Asbestos
This material contains a high percentage of asbestos fibres and can easily break apart when disturbed, which is why it comes with higher asbestos remediation costs due to the increased health risk and necessary safety precautions. Since it releases asbestos fibres into the air, which causes lung-related problems. It is most commonly found in insulation, ceiling tiles, and spray coating. It takes special techniques and more time to take care of because it can easily release harmful asbestos fibres.
Non-friable (Bonded) Asbestos
Non-friable asbestos cannot break as easily as friable asbestos and is tightly compacted. This makes it less likely to become airborne, reducing cost as well as the risk of exposure compared to friable asbestos. However, it can turn friable upon damage or be disturbed during construction and demolition, which raises the cost of removing asbestos
Cost Comparison: DIY vs. Professional Removal
Cost is a defining factor when it comes to asbestos removal. Below is a comparison of DIY and Professional asbestos removal.
Method
DIY Asbestos Removal
Professional Asbestos Removal
Asbestos Removal Cost
100 to 500 AUD
1,000 to 20,000+ AUD
Why Prefer?
Budget Constraints and Small Working Area
Secure and Safe, Large Working area
Consideration
Limited to a small area( under 10m) and must follow strict safety guidelines
Better Safety and Compliance with legal requirements
When looking at the comparison, it may seem it is preferred to DIY it; however, try to avoid it, as without any proper precautions, it can cause health complications. We prefer you to use professional asbestos removal, as safety should be your number one priority when removing asbestos, even if the cost of asbestos removal is higher.
Conclusion
Asbestos removal is an important step when maintaining a safe and healthy living environment in Australia. The cost of removing asbestos from a house can vary significantly based on the location, its type and quantity of asbestos, as well as the difficulty of the task. Safety and adherence to legal requirements should always come first, whether you choose a professional removal service or think about doing some DIY work. By clearly understanding the true asbestos removal cost, its breakdown, and the risk involved, you’ll be informed when renovating your house or when purchasing a property.
Do you need help with the cost of getting rid of asbestos or how to dispose of asbestos safely? You can avoid taking a risk and contact us to get a licensed asbestos removal expert in Sydney and get a professional assessment and a quote today.
FAQs on Friable vs. Non-Friable Asbestos
1. What is the major difference between friable and non-friable asbestos?
The ideal weight for a trekking backpack should not exceed 25-30% of your body weight. For most people, this is 10-15 kg (22–33 lbs).
2. How should asbestos be handled or removed?
Yes! Kathmandu and Pokhara have many gear rental shops offering sleeping bags, jackets, and even trek backpacks. Still, personal items like footwear and base layers should be your own.
3. Why is friable asbestos considered more dangerous than non-friable asbestos?
Hiring a porter is common and supports the local economy. Still, carry a daypack with essentials like water bottles, snacks, and layers.
4. Can non-friable asbestos become dangerous over time?
You can store electronics (phone, camera, power bank) in dry bags or zip-lock bags inside your pack. Carry a portable solar charger or extra power bank for longer treks. Minimize use in cold weather to preserve battery life.
5. How should asbestos be handled or removed?
Yes, you can wash clothes during the trek as many teahouses offer basic laundry or washing areas, especially on popular routes. You can carry some biodegradable soap and quick-dry clothing. You can plan to wash and dry clothes on rest days or sunny afternoons.