Asbestos roof replacement in Perth: what the law requires
If your Perth home was built before 1990, there's a real chance asbestos is in the roof, the eaves, or both. Asbestos cement roofing ("super six" corrugated sheeting is the classic) was used everywhere in WA for decades. Intact and undisturbed, it's generally low risk. Removed badly, it's a serious health hazard for your family and your neighbours. This is the one part of a re-roof where corner-cutting is genuinely dangerous, so here's what you need to know.
How to tell if your roof is asbestos
You usually can't be 100 percent sure without a lab test, but a few things point to it strongly. Asbestos cement roofing was common on Perth homes and sheds built before 1990, so the build date is the first clue. The classic product is "super six", a grey corrugated sheet with a wider, flatter profile than modern Colorbond, often weathered, chalky and patched with moss or lichen. Old flat fibro sheeting on patios, eaves and outbuildings is the same family. If your home is pre-1990 and the roof or eaves are grey fibre-cement sheet, treat it as asbestos until proven otherwise. The only way to confirm is a sample tested by a licensed lab, and you should never break a piece off yourself to check.
First: don't panic, and don't touch it
An asbestos roof in fair condition is not an emergency. The risk comes from fibres released when sheets are cut, broken, drilled, or pressure-washed. So the rules of thumb are simple:
- Never pressure-wash an asbestos roof. Ever.
- Don't let anyone walk on it casually or screw solar panels into it.
- If sheets are visibly cracked, crumbling, or moss-eaten, move replacement up your priority list.
The legal side in WA
In Western Australia, removal of more than 10m² of bonded asbestos must be done by a licensed asbestos removalist, and a roof is always more than 10m². The work comes with real obligations: safe handling procedures, protective equipment, wrapping and sealing the waste, transporting it under controlled conditions, and disposing of it only at licensed facilities. There are also notification requirements for larger removal jobs.
Practically, this means your re-roofing job has two regulated stages: licensed removal of the old asbestos roof, then installation of the new roof. Reputable companies either hold the licence themselves or partner with a licensed removalist and manage the whole sequence for you.
What the process looks like
- Assessment. Confirming the material, its condition, and the size of the job.
- Setup. Signage, exclusion zones, and protective measures around the home. Neighbours are commonly notified as a courtesy and sometimes as a requirement.
- Removal. Sheets are kept wet or sealed, removed whole wherever possible (never smashed off), lowered rather than dropped, and wrapped in heavy plastic on site.
- Disposal. Wrapped waste goes to a licensed disposal facility, with documentation.
- Clearance and re-roof. The site is inspected and cleaned, then the new roof goes on. Most homes are weathertight again quickly, and the whole sequence is usually planned so your home is never left exposed overnight.
What it costs
Licensed removal and disposal adds real cost to a re-roof, commonly several thousand dollars and more for large or badly degraded roofs. Disposal fees are charged by weight and asbestos cement is heavy. Be suspicious of any quote where the asbestos line item looks too cheap: safe removal has a cost floor, and a price below it means a corner is being cut somewhere you can't see.
Questions to ask anyone quoting on an asbestos roof
- Who holds the asbestos removal licence, and can I see it?
- Where will the waste be disposed of, and do I get the disposal documentation?
- How will you protect the ceiling space and gardens during removal?
- Is air monitoring or a clearance inspection included?
- How long will my home be without a roof, and what's the wet-weather plan?
A professional outfit answers these without flinching. Hesitation on any of them is your cue to walk.