Pre-demolition survey

A pre-demolition survey is the inspection of an existing building before demolition, usually a hazardous-materials (hazmat) survey, to identify asbestos and other hazardous materials so they can be safely removed first. It is a precondition: the site cannot be handed to the demolisher to start until it is done.

Under the WHS Regulations, before demolition (and before refurbishment that disturbs the structure) the person conducting the work must ensure asbestos is identified, its presence and location, and that identified asbestos is removed so far as is reasonably practicable before the demolition proceeds. The survey is how that identification happens, carried out by a competent person who can access and sample suspect materials.

A survey typically covers:

• Asbestos, the main concern in any building built or refurbished before 1990 (sheeting, eaves, vinyl, pipe lagging, textured coatings).
• Lead, mainly in old paint.
• Synthetic mineral fibres, PCBs in old capacitors, and any contaminated or hazardous materials.

The output is a hazmat report and an asbestos register that scope the licensed removal and feed the demolition SWMS.

For a builder the practical point is timing. The hazmat survey sits on the critical path before demolition, because the licensed asbestos removal it triggers has to happen first, and air monitoring and a clearance follow that. Book it early, and give the report to the demolition contractor and the asbestos removalist so the removal is scoped properly. No survey means no safe, and no lawful, demolition start.

Also known as: Hazmat survey, pre-demolition hazardous materials survey.

Category: Demolition / WHS.

Related

• Demolition contractor
• Asbestos register

See also

• Asbestos clearance certificate
• Demolition licence class

References

• Safe Work Australia: asbestos, demolition and refurbishment (verified 2026-06-01)

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Last updated: 2026-06-01. Verified: 2026-06-01. Quarterly review for currency.