The asbestos management code and the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997 require that owners of workplaces keep an accurate register of asbestos-containing materials (ACM). All workplaces built before 1 January 1990 should already have an asbestos register, and safety policies and procedures for friable asbestos.

There is now no differentiation between “asbestos materials” and “asbestos products”, therefore all asbestos is now defined as Asbestos Containing Material (ACM).
 
All building owners or managers of buildings are required to engage an “appropriate qualified person” to identify and register ACM irrespective of whether compliance with the precious asbestos management regulations (e.g. materials only) was adhered to.

For further information, please visit (MAP of Australia, with a link to each states Legal requirements to access the WH&S legislations).

If Asbestos is identified at the premises, it is now a MANDATORY requirement that an Asbestos Audit be completed annually.

PENALTIES
If you do not abide by the new regulations by obtaining the necessary report and register within the timeframe allotted, you may be fined. The fines can range up to $37,500.00 or six month imprisonment, right through to fines of up to $150,000.00 or three years imprisonment.