Queensland businesses operating from buildings constructed before 1990 are being put on notice as Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) launches a comprehensive three-month compliance audit targeting asbestos management.

The statewide campaign, running from August 1 to October 31, 2025, will see WHSQ inspectors auditing businesses likely to have asbestos-containing materials in their premises.

The audit focuses on ensuring businesses have met their legal obligations regarding asbestos management, specifically requiring current asbestos registers and management plans where asbestos has been identified.

Businesses found non-compliant will face immediate enforcement action, including statutory notices and on-the-spot fines, according to WHSQ officials.

The campaign supports Queensland’s Statewide Strategic Plan for the Safe Management of Asbestos 2022-2025, which aims to prevent exposure to asbestos fibres and eliminate asbestos-related disease across Australia.

Last year’s similar campaign demonstrated the scale of compliance issues, with WHSQ assessing 182 businesses and issuing 23 immediate compliance notices, 151 improvement notices, and 6 infringement notices.

The initiative addresses the ongoing challenge of managing asbestos-containing materials in older buildings, as most structures built before 1990 are likely to contain some form of asbestos.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has urged businesses to proactively check their building construction dates and ensure proper asbestos management protocols are in place before inspectors arrive.

The campaign highlights the critical importance of identifying and effectively managing asbestos-containing materials to protect workers and address the harmful legacy of asbestos in workplaces and the broader environment.

Businesses can access workplace codes of practice and guidance materials to help ensure compliance with asbestos management requirements before the audit period begins.