Guide · Published 26 July 2026

Asbestos and electrical work: what to know before we start

Short answer: A large number of Australian properties still contain asbestos, including in places electricians regularly work — meter boxes, switchboard backing boards, wall and ceiling sheeting and eaves. Disturbing asbestos releases fibres that are dangerous to breathe. Where electrical work would disturb asbestos (or suspected asbestos), we won't cut, drill or remove it. We may not be able to carry out that work until the material has been assessed and, if needed, removed or made safe by a licensed asbestos professional. It's a safety-first call, and a legal one — it protects you, your family or tenants, and our team.

Why asbestos matters for electrical work

Electrical work often means drilling, cutting or opening up exactly the parts of a building where asbestos was used — meter boxes and switchboards, wall cavities, ceiling spaces and eaves. When asbestos-containing material is broken, drilled, cut or sanded, it releases microscopic fibres into the air. Breathing those fibres in is linked to serious, incurable diseases, and there is no safe level of exposure. That's why the responsible approach is simple: if the work would disturb asbestos, the asbestos is dealt with first.

Where asbestos is found in Australian properties

Asbestos was used widely in Australian building materials until 1990, and materials containing it were only fully banned at the end of 2003. As a practical rule, if any part of a property was built or renovated before 1990, assume asbestos may be present until it's confirmed otherwise — and stay cautious on anything up to 2003. Common places it turns up include:

Meter boxes and switchboard backing boards — older boards are frequently mounted on asbestos-cement (fibro) backing, which matters directly for switchboard upgrades and relocations.
Fibre-cement (fibro) sheeting in walls and ceilings, and around wet areas like bathrooms, laundries and kitchens.
Eaves, soffits and cladding to the outside of the building.
Textured or decorative ceilings and some ceiling tiles.
Vinyl floor tiles and their backing, and some old adhesives.
Flues, fences and outbuildings such as sheds and garages.

Asbestos in good, undisturbed condition and left alone is generally lower risk — the danger comes from disturbing it. That's exactly what trades do, which is why it needs to be identified before work starts.

What this means for your job

When we scope or start a job and identify — or reasonably suspect — asbestos where the work needs to happen, we'll pause and talk it through with you rather than press on. Depending on the situation that can mean:

Adjusting the approach so we don't disturb the material at all, where that's genuinely possible.
Recommending the material is assessed by a licensed asbestos assessor before we go further.
Holding off on that part of the work until a licensed asbestos removalist has removed it or made it safe and provided a clearance.

It can add a step, and occasionally it means we can't complete everything in one visit. We think that's the right trade-off — no electrical job is worth an asbestos exposure.

Please don't disturb suspected asbestos yourself

Don't drill, cut, sand, scrape, water-blast or break anything you think might contain asbestos, and don't try to remove a meter box or wall sheet to "have a look". If you're unsure, leave it alone and have it checked. Asbestos removal is licensed, specialised work — it isn't electrical work, and it isn't a DIY job.

What to do next

If you know or suspect your property has asbestos where work is needed, the cleanest path is to arrange a licensed asbestos assessment first. Where removal is required, a licensed asbestos removalist handles it and provides a clearance, and we then carry out and document the electrical work around that. Tell us what you know up front — the age of the property, any previous asbestos reports or removal, and where the work needs to happen — and we'll plan the job sensibly from there.

Quick questions

Will you still do my job if there's asbestos?

Often yes — once it's been made safe. Where the electrical work would disturb asbestos or suspected asbestos, we won't cut, drill or remove it. The safe path is to have it assessed and, where needed, removed or made safe by a licensed asbestos professional. Once that's done we complete the electrical work and document it.

How do I know if my property has asbestos?

If any part of the property was built or renovated before 1990, assume it may contain asbestos until confirmed otherwise — and stay cautious up to 2003. Common spots include meter-box and switchboard backing boards, fibre-cement wall and ceiling sheeting, eaves and wet areas. Only a licensed asbestos assessor can confirm it, usually by sampling and testing.

Who is allowed to remove asbestos?

Asbestos removal is specialised, licensed work — it is not electrical work and we do not carry it out. A licensed asbestos removalist removes or makes the material safe and provides a clearance before other trades continue. We're happy to coordinate our electrical work around that.

Safety note: This guide is general information only and is not an asbestos survey, assessment or removal advice, nor legal advice on your obligations as an owner, manager or employer. Whether a material contains asbestos can only be confirmed by a licensed asbestos assessor. If you think asbestos has been disturbed and fibres released, stop work, keep people away from the area and seek advice from a licensed asbestos professional. For general asbestos safety information in Australia see the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency (asbestossafety.gov.au).