From 1 August 2025, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) inspectors will begin auditing businesses operating from buildings constructed before 1990 and those likely containing asbestos. The statewide audit will run until 31 October and will focus on compliance with asbestos management requirements, including having an asbestos register and a management plan in place where asbestos has been identified.
What does this mean for you?
If your business operates from a building built before 1990, you must ensure you have taken the appropriate steps to manage any asbestos risks. This includes having a current asbestos register and an asbestos management plan. A workplace code of practice (PDF, 0.97 MB) is available to help guide your compliance.
Inspectors will address non-compliance with enforcement action, including issuing statutory notices and on-the-spot fines.
The audit supports the Statewide Strategic Plan for the Safe Management of Asbestos in Queensland 2022–2025, which aims to prevent exposure to asbestos fibres and eliminate asbestos-related disease in Australia. This requires the identification and effective management of asbestos containing materials, while addressing the harmful legacy of asbestos in homes, workplaces, and the environment.
Last year's campaign, which ran from August to October 2024, saw WHSQ assess 182 businesses and issue 23 immediate compliance notices, 151 improvement notices and 6 infringement notices.
Now is the time to check when your business premises was built. If it was constructed before 1990, it is likely that asbestos may be present. Make sure your business is ready, and your workers are protected.
Learn more about asbestos registers and management plans Asbestos registers for workplaces | Asbestos.
