Fibro sheeting, old eaves, bathroom linings, vinyl floor tiles and corrugated shed roofs are common in Mackay homes built or renovated before about 1990. If you think a building contains asbestos and you want it removed, whether or not the building is being demolished, the work needs to follow Queensland's Work Health and Safety rules.
Mackay Demolition Service is a referral service. We do not remove asbestos and we do not hold an asbestos removal licence. With your consent, we pass your enquiry to an independent local business that holds the licence the job requires, or that works with a licensed removalist. This page is general information, not professional advice.
Who can remove asbestos in Queensland
- Class B licence: needed to remove more than 10 square metres of non-friable (bonded) asbestos, such as intact fibro sheet.
- Class A licence: needed for friable asbestos, such as crumbling lagging, damaged insulation or badly weathered material.
- Under 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos may be removed without a licence in some situations, but safe work methods, protective equipment and correct disposal still apply. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland and Queensland Health publish guidance for homeowners.
Ask any contractor for their licence class and number, then check it on the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland licence register before work starts.
Common asbestos jobs in Mackay
- Fibro garages, sheds and carports, including corrugated asbestos roofs
- Eaves, soffits and external fibro cladding
- Bathroom and laundry wall sheeting before a renovation
- Vinyl floor tiles and sheet vinyl with asbestos backing
- Fibro fences between neighbours
- Electrical meter boards
- Storm or cyclone-damaged sheeting left on site
Broken or weathered fibro after a storm can release fibres. Do not break it up, water-blast it or put it in a skip bin with general rubbish.
Testing first
If you are not sure whether a material contains asbestos, a sample can be taken by a competent person and analysed by an accredited laboratory. For a larger property, or before demolition or major renovation, an asbestos survey lists locations and quantities. Removal quotes based on a survey are usually more reliable than quotes based on a guess.
What the removal process usually looks like
- Inspection, testing or survey
- Written quote with locations, quantities and method
- Notification to the regulator where the work is licensed
- Setup: signage, exclusion zone and protective equipment
- Wet removal with minimal breakage, then wrapping and sealing
- Transport to a facility licensed to accept asbestos waste, with disposal dockets
- Clearance inspection and certificate after licensed removal
What affects the price
We do not set prices and have no Mackay quotes to publish. Price usually depends on:
- the area and type of material, and whether it is friable;
- height and access, such as roofs and high-set houses;
- whether testing or a survey is already done;
- disposal volume and transport distance;
- weather delays during the wet season;
- whether removal is combined with demolition or site clearing.
Typical ranges vary widely across Australia, so request a quote based on the actual job. Our demolition cost guide lists published ranges for budgeting.
Removal before demolition
If the building is coming down, asbestos is identified and removed first. See asbestos before demolition for the order of works.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licensed removalist for a fibro shed in Mackay?
If the shed contains more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos, Queensland rules require a Class B or Class A licensed removalist.
Can asbestos go in a skip bin?
No. Asbestos must be wrapped and taken to a facility licensed to accept it. General skip bins are not for asbestos.
How do I know if something is asbestos?
You cannot tell reliably by looking. A sample analysed by an accredited laboratory confirms it.
What is a clearance certificate?
After licensed removal, an independent inspection confirms the area is safe. The certificate is issued as a written record.
Next step
Send your suburb, what you think contains asbestos, rough size and photos. With your consent, we will pass it to an independent licensed contractor in the Mackay region.