When Was Asbestos Banned in Australia?
Whilst the first recorded case of asbestosis in Australia dates back to 1933 in New South Wales, it wasn’t until 31 December 2003 that asbestos was completely banned in Australia.
The asbestos ban made it illegal to import, manufacture, transport, storage, sale, use and re-use asbestos products in Australia.
Australia’s widespread use of asbestos in construction means that the fall out and remediation efforts continue to be ongoing.
Penalties and Fines for Breaching Asbestos Laws in Australia
Asbestos importing penalties & fines
Importing asbestos into Australia is a Tier 1 good under the Customs Regulation 2015. The Australian Border Force (ABF) is responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance at the border. Importing asbestos into Australia carries penalties of up to $222,000 or three times the value of the goods (whichever is greater) for individuals, and fines of up to $1,110,000 or fifteen times the value of the goods (whichever is greater) for corporations.
Asbestos dumping penalties & fines
Illegal dumping of asbestos materials in Australia is monitored and enforced by State Environment Protection Authorities (EPAs) and local councils. Depending on the nature of the offence, local councils are typically the first port of call and will be responsible for managing the safe disposal and investigation of minor breaches relating to residential dumping offence.
Workplace and commercial breaches relating to asbestos dumping are typically handled by state Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) regulators such as SafeWork in NSW, WorkSafe in Victoria, or Workplace Health and Safety in Queensland. WHS are responsible for enforcing specific regulations regarding the safe handling and removal of asbestos. Fines and penalties will depend on the nature and location of the offence.
History and Timeline of Asbestos in Australia
Asbestos was a staple of the Australian construction industry for the better part of a century.
Lauded for its heat resistance, strength, and low cost, asbestos was used in thousands of construction products and found its way into millions of homes across Australia.
During the second half of the 20th Century as construction boomed across the country, Australia had one of the highest global rates of asbestos usage per capita right through until the 1980s.
Australia continued to mine asbestos right up until 1984 and between 1930 and 1982 we imported some 1.5-million tonnes of asbestos into the country.
Timeline
1880s: Asbestos is first used in Australia as a fireproofing and insulation material in construction.
1890 – 1920s: Asbestos materials become widely used in the post-war construction boom.
1930s: Australia begins to mine asbestos with significant mine sites in New South Wales and Western Australia operating right through until the 1980s.
1933: Australia’s first recorded case of asbestosis comes from a mill hand in New South Wales
1960-70s: The deadly link between asbestos induced mesothelioma and lung cancer is well documented and waves of illness begin to emerge at mine sites.
1970s-80s: Although well documented, asbestos continues to be used in construction in the face of an emerging health crisis and private legal battles.
1990s: Asbestos was phased out of construction from the late 1980s and continued to be replaced and discontinued during the 1990s.
2003: Asbestos was fully banned in Australia on 31 December 2003 making it illegal to import, manufacture, transport, storage, sale, use and re-use asbestos products in Australia.
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