An Asbestos Register helps protect workers, contractors, tenants and visitors from accidental exposure to dangerous asbestos fibres. The Register is a comprehensive record that identifies all known or suspected asbestos-containing materials (ACM) within a workplace or commercial property and includes:

• The location of asbestos or suspected asbestos.
• The type of asbestos-containing material.
• Its condition (good, damaged or deteriorating).
• The date it was identified.
• Materials that have been confirmed as asbestos, are assumed to contain asbestos, or cannot be accessed for testing and therefore must be presumed to contain asbestos. 

Asbestos Register Requirements

Under Australian Work Health and Safety Legislation (except Victoria, which has its own requirements), an Asbestos Register is generally required where:

• A workplace contains buildings, structures or plant built or installed before 2004.
• In Queensland, the requirement generally applies to buildings constructed before 1990.
• The person with management or control of the workplace is responsible for ensuring the register is prepared and maintained.

This may include:

• Commercial property owners
• Property managers
• Industrial site owners
• Shopping centres
• Office buildings
• Warehouses
• Schools
• Hospitals
• Factories
• Businesses leasing premises where they have responsibility for alterations or maintenance.

DEMS Asbestos Register

An asbestos register will be prepared following an inspection by one of our experienced Licensed Asbestos Assessors (LAA). Even if no asbestos is found, a register will still be prepared, where it is required, stating that no asbestos was identified. 

The inspection identifies

1. asbestos-containing materials throughout the property,
2. records their condition and location,
3. and may include laboratory testing where required.

A DEMS Register Report will include:

A well-prepared hard and soft copy document with

• Building details
• Survey date
• Exact location of asbestos
• Material type
• Condition of the material
• Whether the asbestos is friable or non-friable
• Photographs
• Site plans showing asbestos locations
• Risk Management recommendations
• Areas that could not be inspected
• Dates of future reviews or updates

Keeping the Register Up to Date

An asbestos register is much more than a legal requirement—it is a practical safety management tool. It helps protect everyone who enters or works on a property by ensuring asbestos risks are identified before work begins, allowing informed decisions that prevent exposure and keep workplaces safe.

• Asbestos is removed.
• New asbestos is identified.
• The condition of asbestos changes.
• Refurbishment or demolition is planned.

At least every five years, although not mandatory visual inspections are recommended within this 5 year timeframe.