Australia’s asbestos death toll keeps rising as renovations surge

New WHO findings, a record renovation spending spike and fresh survey data are renewing warnings about asbestos exposure in Australia. Advocates say one in three homes still contains asbestos, putting renovators, DIYers and tradespeople at ongoing risk.

Why it matters: - Asbestos-related disease is killing one Australian every two hours and 11 minutes. - The toll equals about 11 deaths a day, 77 a week, 333 a month and more than 4,000 preventable deaths a year. - That is roughly three times Australia’s national road toll. - Millions of ageing asbestos-containing materials remain in the built environment, including in one-third of Australian homes. - Renovation activity is at a record level, raising the chance that people disturb asbestos while trying to save money.

What happened: - Advocacy Australia marked Asbestos Awareness Month by warning that asbestos deaths are continuing to rise. - Chair of Advocacy Australia’s Asbestos Education Committee Clare Collins said many Australians remain unaware of the risks of disturbing asbestos-containing materials. - The campaign pointed to new WHO findings, a 2025 national survey and rising renovation spending as evidence the risk remains urgent. - Australia banned asbestos almost 23 years ago, but legacy materials are still present in homes and commercial buildings.

The details: - Before 2004, asbestos was used in more than 3,000 building and decorator products. - Collins said legacy asbestos-containing materials can still be found in any home built or renovated before 1990, and in commercial properties built before 2004. - The WHO’s asbestos paper dated 11 August 2026 said all six forms of asbestos are carcinogenic. - The WHO said asbestos can cause cancers including lung, larynx and ovarian cancer, as well as malignant mesothelioma. - The WHO also said anyone involved in construction, maintenance or demolition where asbestos has been used is potentially at risk years or decades later. - The 2025 National Asbestos Awareness Survey found 91% of respondents knew a little about asbestos. - The same survey found people were generally poor at identifying asbestos-containing materials. - Only 30% of respondents said they could afford asbestos removal. - Housing Industry Association analysis showed $4.15 billion was spent on renovations in the June quarter of 2026, the highest three-month period since 1974. - Cherie Barber, Ambassador for the National Asbestos Awareness Month campaign, said there is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos fibres. - Barber said homeowners, renovators, DIYers and tradies need better education on identifying and managing asbestos-containing materials in line with the law. - The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s 2026 Mesothelioma in Australia Report said mesothelioma cases have risen consistently over the past 40 years. - Among Australian Mesothelioma Registry participants with possible or probable asbestos exposure, 51% reported exposure during major home renovations where asbestos-containing materials were present. - The registry found 39% lived in a house during renovations. - The registry found 13% had lived in a fibro home built between 1947 and 1987. - The registry found 21% had lived with someone who brought dust into the home. - Collins said renovators, DIYers and tradies can expose children and other household members when asbestos-containing dust is carried home on clothes or tools. - Collins said non-occupational exposure is increasing, including among women and renovators. - Collins said asbestos can be found under floor coverings, in ceiling spaces, around hot water pipes, under kitchen sinks, behind wall and floor tiles, in cement floors, and in flat and corrugated sheeting in walls, ceilings, eaves, roofs, fences, extensions, garages, outdoor toilets, backyard and farm structures, chook sheds and dog kennels. - The article cited a WHO and International Labour Organisation study estimating workplace asbestos exposure causes more than 200,000 deaths a year globally. - The same study said asbestos accounts for more than 70% of all work-related cancer deaths. - The article said a substantial burden of asbestos disease also comes from non-occupational exposure. - Advocacy Australia directed people to learn more about asbestos safety and use licensed asbestos professionals to identify and remove asbestos-containing materials.

Between the lines: - The message is shifting from a workplace hazard to a broader home-renovation risk. - The combination of aging housing stock, high renovation spending and cost-of-living pressure may increase unsafe do-it-yourself removal. - The survey data suggests awareness exists, but practical knowledge and affordability remain major gaps. - The gender split in exposure reports suggests non-occupational cases are becoming more visible, not just traditional occupational cases.

What’s next: - Advocates are urging homeowners and renovators to avoid disturbing suspect materials and to use licensed asbestos professionals. - The campaign is pushing Australians to check properties built before 1990 and to assume asbestos may be present until verified otherwise. - Further public education efforts are expected to continue through Asbestos Awareness Month and beyond.

The bottom line: - Australia’s asbestos crisis is no longer just a legacy issue. It is a current household and renovation risk, and advocates say prevention depends on better education, safer removal and fewer DIY mistakes.