Commercial Asbestos Testing

Asbestos Report Requirements for Commercial Properties in Queensland

For commercial property owners and managers in Queensland, having a compliant asbestos report is not only a safety obligation—it’s a legal requirement. Whether you’re leasing, developing, or operating a site, understanding the role of asbestos documentation is key to protecting tenants, staff, and your business.

What Is an Asbestos Report and Why It Matters for Commercial Properties

An asbestos report is a formal document created after a detailed asbestos inspection. It identifies any asbestos containing materials (ACMs) within a building, assesses their condition, and outlines appropriate control measures. In commercial environments, this report is essential for ensuring safe operations, meeting compliance standards, and supporting your asbestos register.

Without it, there’s no formal record of asbestos risks, which can result in costly errors, increased exposure risk, or non-compliance during audits. When completed professionally, the report becomes part of a broader asbestos management plan used to protect everyone who enters or works on the site.

Legal Requirements for Asbestos Reports in Queensland

Under Queensland’s Work Health and Safety Regulation, commercial buildings built before 2004 must be assessed for asbestos and have a record of findings documented. This applies to both individual commercial properties and shared spaces managed by a body corporate. WorkSafe Queensland reinforces that any person with management or control of a workplace must identify and maintain a record of asbestos, accessible at all times to workers and contractors (WorkSafe QLD).

This requirement is not just about maintaining records—it’s about proving ongoing compliance with evolving workplace safety expectations. It also demonstrates due diligence and helps meet insurance and legal obligations in case of future claims related to asbestos exposure or WHS incidents.

When Is an Asbestos Report Needed for a Commercial Property?

An asbestos report should be obtained when:

The building was constructed prior to 2004
Leasing or selling a commercial property
Renovation, fit-outs, or demolition work is scheduled
Annual safety audits are due or gaps are discovered in documentation
No prior asbestos reporting or register exists for the property

It’s also worth noting that even if asbestos has been previously removed, documentation is still required to confirm its status. Properties with unclear or undocumented histories are often flagged during WHS audits, especially if multiple tenancies or common property areas are involved. In those cases, having a current report and an active asbestos register can save time, prevent legal complications, and ensure compliance from the outset.

What Should Be Included in a Compliant Asbestos Report

A legally compliant asbestos report will typically include:

A room-by-room breakdown of asbestos containing materials
Material condition and friability assessments
NATA-accredited asbestos testing results
Photographic evidence and detailed location maps
Specific risk classifications for each item
Clear control or removal recommendations
Date of inspection and qualifications of the reporting professional

These inclusions provide a foundation not only for WHS compliance, but also for clear communication among stakeholders—whether they be contractors, facility managers, or body corporate representatives.

Who Can Prepare a Valid Asbestos Report in QLD?

Although Queensland regulations do not mandate a specific licence label, only qualified professionals with relevant experience can perform asbestos inspections and generate compliant reports. These individuals must know how to identify ACMs accurately, interpret test results, and assess on-site risks with precision.

This experience ensures the report can withstand scrutiny during insurance audits, property sales, or construction assessments. It also guarantees that the report ties in seamlessly with the asbestos register requirements of the site, allowing for more efficient updates and record management in the future.

Common Issues Found in Commercial Asbestos Reports

Property owners may assume an existing asbestos report is compliant—until it is challenged in an audit. Common problems include:

No testing confirmation or visual evidence
Incomplete material listings or generalised locations
Reports not updated following changes to the site
Disconnected documentation that isn’t linked to the property’s asbestos register
No suggested timelines for remediation or review

In many cases, properties managed by multiple tenants or shared under body corporate arrangements are most at risk of these oversights. That’s why it’s important to maintain a single, updated document prepared by an expert with a strong track record in commercial asbestos reporting.

How Asbestos Reports Support Workplace Safety and Compliance

An asbestos report is a foundational compliance tool. It supports your ability to manage hazards, implement control zones, and inform all parties who access the site. More importantly, it gives contractors and staff a safe framework in which to work—reducing the risk of exposure or costly shutdowns.

Queensland Health and industry regulators have consistently reinforced that failing to identify, manage, or update asbestos documentation can result in enforcement action, significant liability, and reputational damage (Asbestos QLD).

If your current asbestos reporting is out of date, unclear, or non-existent, now is the time to act. AHI Asbestos Consultants specialises in commercial asbestos inspections, register updates, and full-service asbestos report preparation. Our expert team ensures your documentation is thorough, audit-ready, and aligned with Queensland’s legal framework—so you stay compliant and confident.

To learn more about inspection options or reporting processes, you can refer to our contact information or browse our detailed overview of asbestos report requirements.

If you own or are developing a commercial property that was built before the early 1980s, there is a chance that there may be materials containing asbestos on-site and you have obligations under current Australia legislation. Click on the following link for a copy of the current legislation and codes of practice:

https://www.asbestos.qld.gov.au/general-information/legislation-and-codes-practice

These asbestos products may come in the form of:

Wall and ceiling sheets
Roofing material
Pipework
Fire barriers
Building fascias and more

Asbestos was used prolifically from the 1920s through to the around 1983, especially in commercial and industrial properties, due to its fire and weather-resistant properties and its cost-effectiveness.

By the 1980s, asbestos had been linked to a variety of severe health conditions, including Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and a range of other life-threatening illnesses, such as Lung cancer.

These asbestos-associated health risks led to asbestos being phased out between the early 1980s and late 1990s. On 31st of December 2003, it was historically banned from import, sale, storage and use Australia wide.

However, due to its popularity and wide-spread use around the country, the legacy of asbestos is still an issue around the country today. Failure to correctly identify, report, manage, remove and dispose of asbestos in accordance with government-imposed compliances can lead to significant fines and state or federal legal action.

For more information about Queensland laws and regulations relating to asbestos on commercial properties, head to www.worksafe.qld.gov.au, or contact our helpful staff by phone or email.

Commercial Asbestos Testing Brisbane

If you are the owner or developer of a commercial property and believe you have uncovered an asbestos product on-site, then there are a range of government legislated procedures that will need to be addressed.

The first step that you will need to take is confirming that the product is in fact, asbestos. It is not always easy to identify asbestos by its appearance and texture alone.

The only way to confirm asbestos content is to have it tested in a professional laboratory. The team here at AHI Asbestos Consultants guarantee NATA accredited asbestos testing with fast turnarounds on results.

All tests come with certifications that are compliant with all asbestos registers and management plan specifications as outlined by SafeWork Queensland and the state government health regulators.

If your tests come back positive for asbestos content on the commercial property, then our experienced team of asbestos professionals can advise you on all steps that are required for the control and disposal of the asbestos products.

All asbestos removal on commercial properties in Queensland must be carried out by a certified asbestos removal professional and the team here at AHI Asbestos Consultants can advise you on the appropriate license class required for each particular removal..

We offer total solution services for asbestos identification and reporting and can help take the pressure off commercial property owners by providing cost-effective solutions and professional advice on asbestos management and compliance.

Asbestos Services Brisbane

The asbestos experts here at AHI Asbestos Consultants share decades of experience in the asbestos industry; this gives us the scope to provide a comprehensive range of asbestos solutions for all commercial enterprises.

Other professional asbestos services we can provide include:

Asbestos inspections
Asbestos reports
Asbestos register
Management plans
Residential and industrial sample testing
Asbestos removal and disposal

If you have any further queries about asbestos laws in Australia or our comprehensive range of services, contact our friendly help desk to arrange a consultation.

Do you manage a property that requires asbestos testing, Brisbane and surrounding regions? Contact the trusted team here at AHI Asbestos Consultants today, to arrange a free consultation.