Home / Resources / When Is an Asbestos Survey Required?

When Is an Asbestos Survey Required?

An asbestos survey is required before demolition and refurbishment works, and to underpin workplace management. Here’s which survey you need, and when.

Licensed Class B
Fully Insured
SafeWork NSW Compliant
10+ Years Experience
Newcastle • Hunter • Central Coast

The short answer

You generally need an asbestos survey before demolition or refurbishment works on a building that may contain asbestos, and to manage asbestos in a workplace over time. The right survey depends on what you’re about to do.

The three survey types

Management survey — the baseline. It identifies asbestos so it can be managed in place and recorded in a register. Used for normal occupation of a building.

Refurbishment survey — required before renovation or fit-out works. It’s intrusive in the areas being disturbed. See refurbishment surveys.

Demolition survey — the most thorough. Required before demolition, it looks everywhere because the structure is coming down. See demolition surveys.

How to choose

Occupying and managing a building? A management survey and register. Renovating? A refurbishment survey of the works area. Demolishing? A full demolition survey. When in doubt, tell us what you’re planning and we’ll scope the right one.

Related Legislation & GuidanceSurvey and identification duties in NSW arise under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017, alongside the SafeWork NSW and Safe Work Australia codes of practice for managing and removing asbestos.
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between an inspection and a survey?
An inspection is a focused visual check; a survey is a systematic, documented assessment — and can be intrusive for refurbishment or demolition.
Do I need a survey for a small renovation?
If works will disturb potential asbestos materials, yes — a targeted refurbishment survey is the safe, compliant path.
Is a demolition survey legally required?
Asbestos must be identified and removed before demolition, and a demolition survey is how that’s achieved and documented.
Can you carry out the survey and any removal?
Yes — we survey, and where asbestos must go, carry out licensed removal and clearance.
Related

Related services & guides

Talk to a licensed asbestos consultant

Have a question about your property or obligations? Get straightforward advice from a licensed asbestos consultant.

Request a Quote →