Asbestos Inspection and Assessment in Melbourne
An assessment surveys a whole property and records where asbestos is, what type it is and what condition it is in. A written report from $300 gives you a clear plan before you buy, renovate or remove.
WorkSafe Victoria-approved removalists · Free on-site quotes · Clearance certificates arranged
Most people order one before buying an older home, before a renovation or to meet workplace duties. Inspection and a written report are from $300, depending on property size and the number of samples taken.
Prices are a guide only and depend on size, access and condition. Your free on-site quote gives you a fixed price before any work starts.
Inspection and assessment: same service, different words
Owners tend to search for an inspection, while professionals often say assessment. Either way you get a site visit, targeted sampling of materials likely to contain asbestos, laboratory analysis and a written report.
The document described below is the same whichever word you use when you call.
Assessment versus a single test
A single test answers one question, such as whether a patch of wall sheeting contains asbestos. An assessment looks at the whole property and records every material found with its location, type, condition and recommended action.
If one material is all you need to know about, start with an asbestos check. For sampling methods and the difference from clearance, see our asbestos testing page.
When owners order an assessment
Three decision points make it most useful.
Before buying
A standard building and pest report does not usually identify asbestos. If the home was built or renovated before 1990, an assessment shows what you are taking on.
Before renovating
Cutting, drilling or removing older walls, ceilings, floors, eaves or roofing can disturb asbestos. Finding out first avoids a stopped job and a surprise bill.
Workplace duties
Employers and building owners need to know where asbestos is in their buildings. A written report is the starting point. Check current obligations with WorkSafe Victoria.
What a whole-property survey covers
The Better Health Channel lists the common spots in Victorian homes. A thorough survey checks each of them:
Corrugated cement roofing and ridge capping
Eaves and soffits
Fences
External fibre-cement cladding
Bathroom and laundry linings
Tile underlay
Ceiling linings and textured coatings
Vinyl floor tiles
Flues
Garage and shed roofing
Not every material is sampled. The assessor prioritises by condition, access and how likely the material is to contain asbestos given the age of the building.
The written report
The report is the main deliverable. It records every material inspected, the sample result and the recommendation. A good one contains:
Locations
Where each material is, with photos, so any tradesperson can use it without a fresh inspection.
Type and class
Whether the material is bonded or friable, which decides the class of licence needed to remove it.
Condition
From sound and sealed to damaged, which sets how urgent action is.
Priorities
A ranked list so you can plan work in a sensible order.
Recommended action
Per item: leave and monitor, encapsulate or remove.
Scope for quotes
A clear scope lets removalists quote accurately and lets you compare like for like.
Keep it. Future buyers, builders and tradespeople will want to see it.
Registers and management plans
A register lists identified and suspected asbestos in a building, where it is, its condition and how the risk is controlled. A management plan adds the procedures for dealing with it.
Landlords, strata managers and employers in older buildings should check what applies to them with WorkSafe Victoria. These documents are also the starting point for any commercial asbestos removal project.
Who needs one?
Anyone responsible for a workplace or a shared building where asbestos is present or likely, such as offices, schools, warehouses and strata common areas.
When to update it
After any disturbance, partial removal or major change to the building, and whenever new information about materials turns up.
If asbestos is found
A finding is a scoping document, not a crisis. The report shows what is there, how urgent it is and which licence class is needed, which is exactly what a removalist needs to quote accurately.
Our Victorian asbestos regulations guide explains licence classes, notification and clearance requirements.
Common outcomes include fence removal, roof removal and eaves work. Bonded material in good condition may be left and monitored. Damaged or soon-to-be-disturbed material should go. Friable work needs a Class A licence, and clearance is required before the area is reoccupied.
Assessment cost
Inspection and written report: from $300.
Prices are a guide only and depend on size, access and condition. Your free on-site quote gives you a fixed price before any work starts.
Laboratory analysis is from $77 per sample and a sample collection visit is from $150. Large commercial or strata sites are quoted on site.
To compare assessment against removal costs, read our asbestos removal cost guide.
Free on-site quote
Tell us about the job and we'll be in touch within 30 mins.
How it works, step by step
Send us your details.
Share as much or as little as you like. Photos of the material help us quote faster.
We'll be in touch within 30 mins.
A quick call or text to say hello and confirm a few details.
We book a site visit.
A licensed removalist looks at the material and measures up, so your quote reflects the real job.
You receive a written quote.
One fixed price that includes removal, disposal and independent clearance. No surprise extras.
Say yes when you're ready.
There is no pressure. Take the time you need to compare and ask questions.
Removal day.
Your removalist notifies WorkSafe Victoria before work starts, then removes the material with wet methods and leaves the area clean.
Quick. Simple. Done.
The waste is wrapped, transported and taken to an EPA Victoria-authorised facility, and your clearance certificate is arranged where required.
Common questions
Ready to arrange a free on-site quote?
Tell us what you need checked or removed. We'll be in touch within 30 mins.