Asbestos Sheeting and Painting: What Melbourne Owners Should Know

Thousands of Melbourne homes still contain asbestos cement sheeting, commonly called "fibro". The material was widely used in house construction until the mid-1980s, and the sale and use of asbestos products was banned nationally on 31 December 2003. In 2026, owners of older homes, investment properties and renovation projects still need to know how to manage it, especially before any house painting work begins.

This guide explains how to recognise asbestos sheeting, when painting it is appropriate, what to avoid, and how to choose a painting contractor who handles it safely. It is general information only. For site-specific advice, contact WorkSafe Victoria, EPA Victoria or a qualified asbestos assessor.

Why Asbestos Sheeting Is Still a Concern in Melbourne

Fibro was affordable, durable and fast to install, which made it popular in post-war housing. Homes built or renovated before the late 1980s across Melbourne's north, west, south-east and outer suburbs may contain it. A house doesn't have to be a fibro cottage to include asbestos products. Brick-veneer and weatherboard homes can also have them in less obvious places.

Asbestos cement sheeting is classed as non-friable asbestos because the fibres are bound in a cement matrix. In good condition and left undisturbed, it poses a low risk. The danger arises when the material is cut, drilled, sanded, broken or degraded by weather, releasing microscopic fibres that can be inhaled. Asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer, can take decades to appear, which is why prevention matters so much.

Where Asbestos Sheeting Is Commonly Found

Before planning any interior painting or exterior painting, it helps to know where fibro tends to appear in older Melbourne properties:

External wall cladding on fibro homes, often with timber or metal cover strips over the joins
Eaves and soffits on homes of many construction types
Wet area walls and ceilings in bathrooms, laundries and toilets, sometimes behind tiles
Roofing, including corrugated asbestos cement sheets
Fences, sheds, garages and outbuildings
Gable ends, patio ceilings and carport linings
Vinyl flooring backing, textured ceiling coatings and some adhesives in older homes

How to Identify Asbestos Sheeting

You cannot reliably identify asbestos by sight. Fibro sheets can look much like modern fibre cement or plasterboard. Clues include the age of the home (anything built before 1990 should be treated with suspicion), the sheet pattern, and cover strips along the joins. But only laboratory analysis can confirm the material.

The safe approach is to engage an asbestos assessor or occupational hygienist to inspect the property and take samples. Samples should be analysed by a NATA-accredited laboratory. Avoid snapping or cutting pieces off yourself, as that can release fibres. If you can't confirm a material is asbestos-free, treat it as if it contains asbestos.

Can You Paint Asbestos Sheeting?

In many cases, yes. Painting intact, stable and well-bonded asbestos cement sheeting is generally accepted practice and can help seal the surface and extend its life. A quality paint film also reduces weathering and helps lock down loose surface particles. However, the preparation method matters far more than the paint.

Painting is only suitable when the sheeting is in sound condition. If the sheets are cracked, crumbling, heavily weathered with exposed fibres, or water-damaged, they should be assessed by a professional first. Repair, encapsulation or licensed removal may be the better option.

Signs the Sheeting May Not Be Suitable for Painting

Visible cracks, breakages or crumbling edges
Surface erosion where fibres appear exposed or the sheet feels rough and fluffy
Extensive moss, lichen or mould growth that would require aggressive cleaning
Water damage, sagging or delamination, particularly on eaves and in wet areas
Previous damage from impact, hail or poorly done repairs

What Must Never Be Done to Asbestos Sheeting

Under Victorian occupational health and safety rules, certain methods are prohibited on asbestos in workplaces, and they are strongly discouraged for homeowners too. These include:

High-pressure water blasting, which drives fibres into the air and spreads contaminated runoff across the property and into stormwater drains
Dry sanding, scraping or wire brushing
Power tools such as grinders, sanders and saws, unless used under strict controls by licensed professionals
Compressed air for cleaning surfaces
Breaking or drilling sheets for fixings without proper precautions

Because most traditional surface preparation methods are ruled out, a reputable painting service will use alternative approaches suited to asbestos-containing surfaces.

Safe Painting Practices for Asbestos Cement

The right method depends on the condition of the sheeting and the findings of an asbestos assessment. In general, safe practice involves:

Confirm the material. Have suspect sheeting tested and obtain a written assessment of its condition.
Plan the work. Your painting contractor should have a safe work method statement covering asbestos, including dust control, protective equipment and waste handling.
Protect people and property. Keep children, pets and neighbours away from the work area, close windows and cover nearby surfaces and soil.
Clean gently. Use low-pressure, wet methods such as wiping or soft brushing with water, keeping the surface damp so dust does not become airborne. Control and contain the runoff.
Prime correctly. Fibro is alkaline and porous, so use a suitable water-based sealer or alkali-resistant primer, which also helps bind the surface.
Apply quality topcoats. Use a durable 100% acrylic exterior paint applied by brush or roller, or low-pressure airless methods if the assessor and contractor agree they are appropriate.
Manage waste. Used rags, drop sheets and any residue from cleaning must be handled and disposed of as directed for asbestos-contaminated waste.

Painting Asbestos Roofs

Asbestos cement roofs deserve special caution. Roofs weather heavily, and cleaning moss and lichen off them can disturb the surface. The sheets can also be brittle and unable to bear weight, creating a serious fall risk. Painting an old asbestos roof is a specialist job and often a poor investment. In many cases the sensible choice is to have a licensed removalist replace the roof rather than coating a deteriorating one.

Interior Painting in Homes With Asbestos

For interior painting, the main risks come from sanding, patching and fixing. Walls and ceilings in bathrooms, laundries and older extensions may be fibro. Textured or "popcorn" ceilings and some old wall compounds can also contain asbestos. Do not sand or scrape these surfaces to prepare them. Intact surfaces can usually be cleaned with a damp cloth and painted with a suitable sealer-primer and acrylic topcoat. If the surface is damaged or needs significant repair, stop and arrange an assessment.

The same caution applies to hanging shelves, drilling for fixtures or cutting new openings. These renovation tasks are common triggers for accidental exposure.

Victorian Rules on Asbestos Removal

Victoria regulates asbestos work through WorkSafe Victoria, and the disposal of asbestos waste through EPA Victoria. In broad terms:

Removal of friable asbestos requires a Class A licensed removalist.
Removal of more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos, such as fibro sheeting, requires a licensed asbestos removalist (Class A or Class B).
Asbestos waste must be wrapped or contained appropriately and taken to a facility authorised to accept it. It must never go in household bins, general skips or ordinary landfill.
Workplaces, including rental properties managed as business operations and any site where tradespeople work, carry duties to manage asbestos risks and use competent people.

These rules evolve, and national efforts under the national strategic plan https://melbpaint88180724.brightsora.com/posts/when-to-repair-or-replace-timber-before-exterior-painting for asbestos management run through to 2030. Always check current requirements with WorkSafe Victoria and EPA Victoria before starting work.

Choosing a Painting Contractor for an Older Melbourne Home

Not every painter is equipped to deal with asbestos. When comparing painters for a pre-1990 home, ask these questions:

Do they ask about the age of the property and check for asbestos before quoting?
Will they request or review an asbestos report or testing results?
Do they have a written safe work method statement for asbestos-containing surfaces?
Do they hold current public liability insurance and a valid ABN?
Will they stop work and notify you if suspected asbestos is found or damaged?
Is their written quote clear about surface preparation, primers, paint systems and exclusions?

Be wary of any painting service that proposes water blasting or power sanding old fibro, or dismisses asbestos as unimportant. Cheap quotes that skip safe preparation can result in contamination of your property, fines and expensive clean-up.

Practical Tips for Melbourne Owners

Arrange an asbestos inspection and register before any renovation or repaint on pre-1990 homes.
Budget for correct preparation and quality primers. These matter more than the brand of topcoat.
Repaint intact fibro on a maintenance schedule, since sound coatings protect the sheets from Melbourne's changeable weather.
Keep records of testing, treatments and paint systems used. These are useful for future trades and when selling.
If you discover broken sheeting, keep people away, keep the area damp if safe to do so, and contact a licensed professional.

Final Thoughts

Asbestos sheeting does not automatically rule out house painting, but it demands careful assessment and the right methods. Whether the job is exterior painting on a weathered fibro cottage or interior painting in a renovated bathroom, the safest path is to test first, avoid dust-generating preparation, and engage an experienced painting contractor who understands the Victorian requirements. Investing in proper planning protects your family, your tradespeople and the value of your Melbourne property well into 2027 and beyond.

Melbourne House Painting Pros

2/147 Swan St, Richmond VIC 3121

(03) 4051 5313