Asbestos Testing Laboratories in Queensland, Australia

Accredited labs that analyse asbestos samples.

In Queensland, workplace asbestos is regulated by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ). A sample taken to find out whether a material contains asbestos may only be analysed by a NATA-accredited laboratory accredited for that test method, or by a laboratory approved or operated by the regulator.

Only a competent person should take the sample. It should be sealed in a container or a heavy-duty 200 µm polythene bag and labelled. Once the result comes back, the workplace's asbestos register must be updated.

Air monitoring during Class A removal work, and the clearance inspection afterwards, must be done by a licensed asbestos assessor.

Asbestos has been banned across Australia since 31 December 2003, so buildings in Queensland built or renovated before then may still contain it.

Brisbane City Council's resource recovery centres do not accept asbestos, and dumping it in bins, public places or those centres is illegal. Licensed contractors with tracking certificates can apply to dispose of it at Brisbane's landfill, which is not open to the public.

The council's rule of thumb is that homes built or renovated before the mid-1980s are more than likely to contain asbestos, which is why testing before renovation matters.

We currently list 70 asbestos testing laboratories in Queensland. 65 also offer consulting and 16 are occupational hygienists.

Check a laboratory's NATA accreditation covers the test you need, such as identification in bulk samples or fibre counting, and ask about turnaround times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do asbestos testing laboratories need to be accredited in Queensland?
In Queensland, as across Australia, asbestos identification should be done by a laboratory accredited by NATA (the National Association of Testing Authorities) to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard, so results are reliable and accepted by regulators. Sampling and analysis follow the Safe Work Australia code of practice referenced by WHSQ.
How do I collect and send an asbestos sample in Queensland?
Keep the suspect material damp, take a small piece into a sealed and labelled bag, and avoid sanding, drilling or breaking it. Note where in the building each sample came from so the lab can report on each material. If you are unsure how to sample safely, a NATA-accredited lab or a licensed assessor in Queensland can collect it for you.
How long do asbestos test results take?
Most NATA-accredited laboratories can provide standard asbestos analysis results within 3-5 business days. Priority or urgent services are often available for an additional fee, with results typically returned within 24-48 hours.
What is NATA accreditation?
NATA is the National Association of Testing Authorities. When a lab is NATA-accredited under ISO/IEC 17025, it means they have been independently assessed and shown to use validated testing methods with proper quality controls. For asbestos analysis, this is the standard you should expect from any lab you use.
How are asbestos samples collected and tested?
A trained sampler wets the suspect material to keep fibres down, cuts or breaks off a small piece, and seals it in a labelled bag. At the lab, the sample is examined under polarised light microscopy (PLM). If the result is ambiguous, dispersion staining or transmission electron microscopy may be used. The report will say whether asbestos is present and name the fibre type, usually chrysotile, amosite, or crocidolite. For air monitoring, a membrane filter cassette is attached to a calibrated pump worn by a worker or placed in the area being tested. Fibres on the filter are then counted under a phase-contrast microscope using the NOHSC:3003 membrane filter method.
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