Asbestos questions, answered for Bendigo

Victorian Government advice is that homes built before the mid-1980s are highly likely to contain asbestos products, and homes built up to 1990 may. Asbestos was banned in Australia from 31 December 2003. In Bendigo, that takes in most post-war fibro and brick-veneer suburbs, and many older houses with later additions.

Eaves, wet-area walls behind tiles, fibro walls and cladding, corrugated roofs on houses and sheds, fences, vinyl floors, flues, and some textured or sprayed ceilings.

Asbestos in good condition that isn't disturbed is considered a very low risk. The danger is fibres released when it's cut, drilled, sanded, broken or water blasted.

A small piece is taken using wet methods and hand tools, sealed, and analysed by an accredited laboratory. The result says whether asbestos was found and what type. See asbestos testing in Bendigo.

WorkSafe Victoria, under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and the OHS Regulations 2017. Disposal is overseen by EPA Victoria, and councils run local drop-off points.

A Class A licence allows removal of friable asbestos (and non-friable). A Class B licence allows removal of non-friable asbestos over 10 m². Licences are issued by WorkSafe Victoria and last five years.

Up to 10 m² of non-friable asbestos in total, with no more than one hour of removal work in any seven days. Friable asbestos must only be removed by a licensed removalist. The Victorian Government doesn't recommend DIY removal without asbestos awareness training.

Yes, by the licence holder: at least five days before work starts for friable asbestos or more than 10 m² of bonded, and at least 24 hours before for licensed work of 10 m² or less. In an unexpected situation, like a storm, notice can be given within 24 hours of starting.

After licensed removal, an independent person must inspect the area and issue a clearance certificate before it's reoccupied. It isn't needed for non-friable removal of 10 m² or less in total. See asbestos clearance certificates in Bendigo.

For the whole of any friable (Class A) removal job, and at the end of it to confirm fibre levels are below 0.01 fibres/mL. See asbestos air monitoring in Bendigo.

Yes, for domestic loads. Loads are capped at 10 m², parcels can be no bigger than 1200 × 900 mm, and everything must be double-wrapped in thick plastic, taped and marked "Asbestos". You'll need the City of Greater Bendigo's application form, and asbestos is accepted 8 am to 4 pm. You unload it yourself by hand.

Mount Alexander Shire's asbestos drop-off is at the Castlemaine Transfer Station, by booking only. It takes small, correctly packaged domestic loads of non-friable asbestos.

No. It's illegal to put asbestos in kerbside bins, and ordinary skips can't take it.

It depends mostly on whether it's friable or bonded, how much there is and how hard it is to reach. See asbestos removal costs in Bendigo for typical 2026 ranges.

Ask for their WorkSafe Victoria licence number and class, and make sure the class matches the job: Class A for anything friable.