If you think you’ve been exposed to asbestos, take action. Even a single exposure is worth raising with your doctor.
See your GP
Tell your doctor about the exposure: when it happened, where, how long it lasted, and what was disturbed. Your GP can assess whether monitoring or referral to a specialist is needed.
Asbestos-related diseases can take 20 to 60 years to develop. Even if you feel fine now, a record of the exposure is important for your future health.
Register your exposure
Recording your exposure matters. It protects you if you develop health issues later, and it contributes to the data that helps shape asbestos safety policy and prevention across Australia.
Record your exposure on the National Asbestos Exposure Register. It’s free, voluntary and creates a formal record in case of future health issues.
If the exposure happened at work
Your employer has legal obligations. Report the exposure to your employer and your health and safety representative. Your employer must:
- record the incident
- review and, if necessary, revise the controls in place
- arrange health monitoring if you’re regularly engaged in asbestos-related activities where there’s a risk of exposure.
If your employer doesn’t act, contact WorkSafe Victoria.