Not sure where to start?
Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency
Commonwealth agency which coordinates the Asbestos National Strategic Plan (ANSP) and reports on progress. Works to improve awareness of asbestos and silica safety and related diseases. Produces practical guidance, educational resources and safety tools. Supports people affected by asbestos-related diseases.
Contact when you:
- need general guidance on asbestos
- aren’t sure which authority to contact about an asbestos issue.
Key resources
Endorsed by all Australian governments, the national plan to eliminate asbestos-related disease
Identify common asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) still found in Australia
Renovations, natural disasters, product recalls, disposal, practical guidance
Standard for conducting asbestos surveys across Australia
Website
Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute
Independent research institute and World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Elimination of Asbestos and Dust-Related Diseases. Supports people affected by asbestos-related diseases.
Contact when you:
- or a family member has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease and need support
- want information about asbestos-related diseases and current research
- interested in contributing to research through the ADDRI Biobank.
Website
Asbestos Council of Victoria / Gippsland Asbestos-Related Diseases Support Inc
Victoria’s community-based support and advocacy organisation for people affected by asbestos-, silica and dust-related diseases. Provides counselling, education and help navigating compensation. Operates support groups in Gippsland and Melbourne, and delivers awareness training for tradies, apprentices, medical students, workplaces and community groups.
Contact when you:
- have been diagnosed with an asbestos-, silica- or dust-related disease or are supporting someone who has
- need support, counselling or someone to talk to
- want help understanding your compensation options
- are looking for a support group in Victoria.
Website
Department of Health
Provides public health guidance about environmental hazards, including the health effects of asbestos exposure. Publishes health information through the Better Health channel.
Contact when you:
- need information about asbestos-related diseases
- want guidance on the health risks of asbestos exposure.
Website
WorkSafe Victoria
Regulates workplace health and safety, including asbestos management, safety compliance and removal licensing.
Contact when you:
- have concerns about asbestos exposure in a workplace
- want to report unsafe asbestos removal work
- need to notify WorkSafe about planned asbestos removal
- have questions about workplace asbestos regulations and compliance.
Website
www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/asbestos
Victorian Asbestos Eradication Agency
Leads Victoria’s asbestos policy and, through the Victorian Asbestos Forum, coordinates the state’s implementation of the Asbestos National Strategic Plan (ANSP). Sets Victoria’s long-term strategy to remove asbestos from government-owned buildings. Developed the asbestos risk assessment model used nationally. Maintains AIRSystem, the database that tracks the location, condition and risk of asbestos across government sites.
Contact when you:
- manage or work in Victorian Government buildings and have questions about their asbestos legacy
- are a government agency needing access to or support with AIRSystem
- need help developing your asbestos removal plan.
- have questions about Victoria’s asbestos policy or ANSP progress.
Website
Victorian School Building Authority
Designs, builds and maintains Victorian government schools. Manages asbestos safety in schools buildings, including ongoing identification and removal of asbestos.
Contact when you:
- have concerns about asbestos in a government school (speak with the school first; if unresolved, contact the VSBA)
- need to report disturbed, damaged or degraded asbestos at a school site
- have questions about school asbestos management policy.
Website
Building and Plumbing Commission
Regulates Victoria’s building and plumbing industries. Oversees building permits, practitioner registration, complaints and dispute resolution.
Contact when you:
- are concerned a builder isn’t following proper asbestos procedures
- need to check if a building practitioner is registered
- have a dispute about building or renovation work involving asbestos.
Website
Consumer Affairs Victoria
Protects consumers’ rights regarding goods, services, housing and renting. Handles disputes about contractors, rental properties and building and renovation services.
Contact when you:
- have a dispute with a tradesperson or contractor over asbestos-related work
- your rental provider isn’t addressing damaged asbestos in your property
- need information about your rights as a renter or property owner.
Website
Homes Victoria
Responsible for maintaining public housing, including the safe management and removal of asbestos in government-owned residential properties.
Contact when you:
- are a public housing tenant with concerns about asbestos in your home
- need maintenance or repairs related to asbestos in a public housing property
- want information about how asbestos is managed in social housing.
Website
Environment Protection Authority Victoria
Responsible for regulating the transport, storage, disposal and treatment of asbestos waste and asbestos-contaminated waste. Investigates illegal asbestos dumping and enforces Victoria’s environment protection and circular economy laws.
Contact when you:
- need guidance on transporting or disposing of asbestos waste
- want to report illegal dumping of asbestos
- are concerned about asbestos contamination in the environment.
Website
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Manages Victoria’s public land, forests and parks, including recovery after bushfires, storms and floods. Runs Victoria Unearthed, which provides information about historical land use, and potential land and groundwater contamination.
Contact when you:
- have questions about asbestos on public land
- you want to check the contamination history or environmental audits for a property (Victoria Unearthed)
- you need information about policy matters involving asbestos and environmental management.
Website
www.deeca.vic.gov.au
Your local council
In Victoria, 79 local councils have environmental health officers who investigate asbestos issues in residences as well as illegally dumped asbestos materials.
Contact when you:
- find dumped asbestos in a public area
- are concerned about asbestos in residences, council-owned buildings or community facilities.
Website