Asbestos Register Requirements in Australia — Who Needs One and What It Must Include

What is an asbestos register?

An asbestos register is a written record of all identified or assumed asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in a workplace. Think of it as an inventory. It documents where asbestos is located, what condition it's in, and what type of material it is. The register gives anyone working in or on the building the information they need to avoid disturbing something dangerous.

Who must keep one?

Under the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations, any person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) who manages or controls a workplace must ensure an asbestos register is prepared and kept up to date. This applies to owners of commercial buildings, facility managers, body corporates managing common areas, and operators of industrial sites, schools, hospitals, and government buildings.

If the building was constructed before 31 December 2003 (when the national asbestos ban took effect), you should assume asbestos may be present unless a qualified surveyor has confirmed otherwise. Many of the materials used in older buildings are covered in our guide to where asbestos is commonly found in commercial buildings. Even some post-2003 buildings can contain imported materials that slipped through, so the obligation really comes down to whether you manage or control a workplace.

What must the register contain?

The WHS Regulations set out minimum contents. Your register must include:

• The location of each identified or assumed ACM within the workplace
• The type of asbestos, if known (chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, or a mixture)
• The condition of the material at the time of assessment
• The date the asbestos was identified
• If asbestos has been removed, the date and scope of removal
• If no asbestos has been identified after a thorough inspection, a statement confirming that

Most registers also include photographs, floor plans marked with ACM locations, and a risk rating for each item. While floor plans aren't strictly mandated by the model Regulations, every state and territory regulator recommends them, and in practice they make the register far more useful.

How is a register created?

The register is typically based on the findings of an asbestos survey carried out by a competent person. In most jurisdictions this means an occupational hygienist or an asbestos assessor with the right qualifications and experience. The surveyor inspects accessible areas of the building, takes bulk samples of suspect materials for laboratory analysis, and compiles the results into the register format.

You can prepare a register yourself if you have the competence to do so, but given the health risks involved in misidentifying materials, most PCBUs engage a specialist asbestos surveyor.

Keeping the register current

A register isn't a set-and-forget document. For practical advice on maintaining yours over time, see how to keep an asbestos register up to date. The WHS Regulations require it to be reviewed and, if necessary, revised whenever asbestos is removed, disturbed, or sealed. It must also be reviewed if the condition of any recorded ACM changes, or if new ACMs are found during maintenance or renovation. At a minimum, you should be re-inspecting the condition of known ACMs regularly. Many consultants recommend annual reviews, though the Regulations don't prescribe a fixed interval.

The register must be readily accessible to workers, health and safety representatives, and anyone carrying out work at the workplace. Keeping a physical copy on-site alongside a digital backup is standard practice.

What happens if you don't have one?

Failing to maintain an asbestos register is a breach of the WHS Regulations. Penalties vary by state and territory, but they can be significant. Under the model WHS Act, a Category 2 offence for a PCBU that fails to comply with a health and safety duty carries maximum penalties exceeding $1.5 million for a body corporate. In practice, regulators often issue improvement or prohibition notices first, but repeat non-compliance or a serious incident can escalate matters quickly.

Beyond penalties, an incomplete or missing register creates real risk. Without it, tradespeople may unknowingly cut, drill, or demolish materials containing asbestos. That exposes workers to airborne fibres and exposes you to liability.

Practical tips for facility managers

If you've inherited a building without an existing register, the first step is to engage a qualified asbestos surveyor to carry out a management survey. Once you have the register, build a review schedule into your maintenance calendar. Make sure contractors sign off that they've sighted the register before starting any work that could disturb building fabric. Keep records of every review, update, and removal, because regulators expect a clear paper trail.