In New South Wales, asbestos registers are more than a safety precaution, they are a legal requirement designed to protect the health of workers, contractors, tenants, and the broader community.
For buildings constructed before 31 December 2003, an asbestos register is a critical tool for identifying risks, managing hazardous materials, and maintaining compliance with WHS regulations.
At Hazardous Removal Company (HRC), your safety is our priority, and we are committed to helping property owners navigate this essential part of asbestos management with confidence and care.
What Is an Asbestos Register?
An asbestos register is a legally mandated document that identifies all known or presumed asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) within a building or structure.
Required under WHS Regulation 2017, this register includes details about each material’s location, condition, type, and potential risk, and serves as the foundation for ongoing safety and compliance planning.
Far from being a static checklist, a register must be clear, accessible, and regularly updated, especially if any asbestos is removed, damaged, or newly discovered.
It allows duty holders, such as employers, landlords, and property managers, to make informed decisions before any maintenance, renovation, or demolition work is carried out.
For any workplace or shared-use property built before 2003, having an asbestos register isn’t optional; it’s an obligation under NSW law.
Importantly, the register also plays a central role in developing an effective asbestos management plan, which outlines how identified ACMs will be controlled and monitored over time.
When approached correctly, both documents work together to prevent unexpected exposures and ensure legal compliance throughout the building’s lifecycle.
Why It’s Legally Required in NSW
In Sydney and across New South Wales, the presence of asbestos in older buildings is a well-documented public health concern. That’s why SafeWork NSW enforces strict obligations on duty holders to maintain an asbestos register where required.
Under WHS Regulation Chapter 8, any commercial property, government facility, or multi-occupancy residential building constructed before 31 December 2003 must have an asbestos register readily available on-site.
Failure to comply can result in substantial penalties, including fines of up to $30,000, work stoppages, and reputational harm. More importantly, failing to document and communicate known ACMs puts workers, tradespeople, and tenants at serious risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibres, a known cause of mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other fatal lung diseases.
At HRC, our team ensures your asbestos register is prepared by licensed professionals and supported by NATA-accredited laboratory testing, so every listing in your register is accurate and defensible.
Whether you’re managing a warehouse in Northmead or a strata complex in the Blue Mountains, we ensure full alignment with the latest SafeWork NSW guidelines.
Who Needs an Asbestos Register in NSW?
If you are a property owner, landlord, employer, strata manager, or builder responsible for a building constructed before 31 December 2003, you may be legally required to maintain an asbestos register.
This requirement applies to a wide range of property types, including:
- Commercial offices and industrial facilities
- Retail shops and shopping centres
- Schools and public buildings
- Strata complexes with shared common areas
- Warehouses, garages, and workshops
Under WHS law, the person with management or control of a workplace, referred to as a PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking), has a duty to ensure that asbestos-related risks are identified and communicated.
This includes creating and maintaining a register that is readily available to workers, contractors, and safety representatives at any time.
If your property is located in areas like Campbelltown, Northmead, Vaucluse, or anywhere across Greater Sydney, Hazardous Removal Company can assist with a compliant asbestos register that meets both the legal and safety requirements specific to your site.
What Should Be Included in an Asbestos Register?
A compliant asbestos register is more than just a list; it is a structured, technical document backed by expert assessment and laboratory analysis. At a minimum, it should include the following elements:
| Component | Details |
| ACM Identification | List of all known or presumed asbestos-containing materials onsite |
| Material Condition | Assessment of each ACM’s physical state and potential to release fibres |
| Exact Locations | Clear descriptions or maps marking ACM positions throughout the property |
| Risk Rating | Evaluation of each item’s health risk based on likelihood and severity |
| Laboratory Results | Sample testing via NATA-accredited labs to confirm material composition |
| Control Recommendations | Notes on whether the ACM should be removed, encapsulated, or monitored |
Each entry should be supported by visual inspections and, where applicable, laboratory-confirmed test results. If you haven’t yet completed testing, this is a crucial first step. HRC provides sample collection and testing through our asbestos sample testing service, ensuring the register reflects accurate, verifiable data.
This register must be reviewed and updated if new asbestos is found, removed, or disturbed during renovation or repair works.
Asbestos Registers vs. Asbestos Management Plans
It’s common to confuse asbestos registers with management plans, but they serve distinct legal and operational purposes, and both are required under NSW WHS law when ACMs are present.
| Document | Purpose | Mandatory? |
| Asbestos Register | Identifies all known or assumed ACMs on the property | Yes |
| Asbestos Management Plan | Outlines how risks related to those ACMs will be managed and monitored | Yes (if ACM present) |
The asbestos register is your diagnostic tool, a snapshot of all hazardous materials currently onsite. The management plan, on the other hand, is your strategic roadmap for ongoing risk control, maintenance protocols, and communication procedures.
At HRC, we work closely with licensed hygienists and assessors to ensure that both documents are fully aligned. When paired together, they form the backbone of an effective asbestos safety strategy, preventing exposure, protecting occupants, and keeping your project or business on the right side of the law.
How Often Should an Asbestos Register Be Updated?
An asbestos register is not a set-and-forget document; it must be maintained as a living record. In New South Wales, the law requires that registers be:
- Reviewed at least every 5 years
- Updated immediately if:
- Asbestos is removed or disturbed
- New ACMs are identified
- Renovation, maintenance, or demolition activities take place
This ongoing review process ensures that all occupants, tradespeople, and contractors are operating with accurate information and that risk control measures remain relevant. If your register hasn’t been reviewed in several years, or if you’ve recently completed work on your property, now is the time to act.
Hazardous Removal Company supports ongoing asbestos register reviews and updates across Sydney, the Central Coast, and surrounding regions, providing detailed documentation to keep your property compliant and your people safe.
Division 5 vs Division 6 Asbestos Registers
When preparing or updating an asbestos register, it’s important to understand the difference between Division 5 (Compliance) and Division 6 (Intrusive) assessments.
| Register Type | Purpose | Level of Intrusiveness |
| Division 5 | General WHS compliance for occupancy and maintenance | Visual inspection, non-destructive |
| Division 6 | Required before demolition or major refurbishment | Intrusive testing, destructive access |
A Division 5 register is suitable for workplaces where minor works or day-to-day activities are carried out. It identifies visible or assumed ACMs without disturbing the building structure.
A Division 6 register, on the other hand, involves a more in-depth, destructive inspection of inaccessible areas and is mandatory before any demolition or major renovation takes place.
If you’re planning structural work, the asbestos register must be upgraded to reflect a Division 6 assessment. This is critical for avoiding delays, legal issues, and accidental fibre release during demolition. HRC works alongside licensed assessors to conduct both types of audits as required.
What Happens If You Don’t Have One?
Failing to maintain a valid asbestos register isn’t just a compliance issue; it’s a serious health and legal risk. In NSW, penalties for non-compliance under WHS laws can include:
- Fines up to $30,000 for businesses or PCBUs
- Stop-work orders or project shutdowns
- Civil liability for asbestos-related illness or exposure
Beyond the legal consequences, the real danger lies in the unintentional exposure to airborne asbestos fibres. These fibres are invisible to the naked eye and can remain suspended in the air for hours, posing a Class 1 carcinogen risk to anyone nearby.
Diseases like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer can result from even brief or low-level exposure.
At HRC, we urge all property owners:
Don’t assume; test before you renovate.
Who Needs Access to the Asbestos Register?
Under WHS laws in NSW, an asbestos register must be readily accessible to all relevant parties. This includes:
- Contractors and tradespeople working on-site
- Employees and building occupants
- Health and safety representatives
- Project managers and site supervisors
- Strata committees or property owners
Registers must be made available before any work begins that could disturb ACMs. Failing to do so can place individuals at risk and may result in significant penalties.
At HRC, we recommend maintaining both digital and printed copies of your register on-site, particularly near entry points or maintenance access areas. This helps ensure that anyone performing tasks, no matter how routine, is informed about the potential presence of asbestos.
If you’re unsure whether your register is up to date or compliant with current WHS accessibility requirements, our team can help assess your documentation and recommend necessary updates or additions.
Book Your Asbestos Register with HRC Today
If your building was constructed before 2003, having a compliant asbestos register is not just smart, it’s the law. Whether you manage a commercial office in Parramatta, a warehouse in Penrith, or a mixed-use property in the Eastern Suburbs, HRC provides asbestos register services that are:
- Aligned with SafeWork NSW requirements
- Backed by NATA-accredited laboratory testing
- Delivered by licensed asbestos professionals
- Completed within tight timeframes and legal deadlines
We proudly serve Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Illawarra, Wollondilly, and beyond.
Request a free quote with no obligation. Contact our licensed team today for a safer tomorrow.
Frequently Asked Questions About Asbestos Registers
Do I need an asbestos register if my building is newer than 2003?
Generally, no. Buildings constructed after 31 December 2003 are unlikely to contain asbestos. However, if there’s any suspicion of ACMs, due to imported materials or undocumented renovations, testing is still recommended. When in doubt, remember:
Who is legally responsible for maintaining the asbestos register?
The responsibility falls on the person with management or control of the workplace, known as a PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking). This can include employers, landlords, property managers, and strata committees.
Can I create my own asbestos register?
No. Under NSW law, an asbestos register must be prepared by a competent person, typically a licensed hygienist, using NATA-accredited laboratory testing for material confirmation. DIY assessments are not legally recognised and may expose you to compliance risks.
What happens if I don’t have an asbestos register?
Failure to maintain a register where one is required can result in:
- Fines up to $30,000
- Legal action in the event of exposure
