History of Asbestos Use in Australia

For much of the 20th century, asbestos was hailed as a miracle material, strong, fire-resistant, versatile, and cheap. Australia became one of the world’s highest per-capita users of asbestos, embedding it into buildings, industries, and everyday products. What followed was one of the most significant public-health crises in the nation’s history.

This long-form guide explores how asbestos became so widespread, how awareness of its dangers grew, and how Australia transitioned from global user to global leader in asbestos regulation and advocacy.

Early Adoption (1880s–1930s): The Rise of the “Magic Mineral”

Australia’s relationship with asbestos began in the late 19th century, when the mineral started being imported for use in insulation, brake linings, gaskets, and fireproofing materials. By the early 1900s, asbestos mining had begun locally. The most significant deposits were in:

• Wittenoom, Western Australia (blue asbestos / crocidolite) 
• Tasmania (mainly chrysotile) 
• NSW and South Australia 

Industrialisation in the early 20th century fuelled demand. Factories, railways, power stations, and shipyards quickly adopted asbestos-based products because they were durable, heat-resistant, and inexpensive.

Yet even at this early stage, medical literature, particularly from Europe was beginning to link asbestos dust to lung disease. Despite growing concerns, Australian use continued largely unchecked.

Expansion Era (1940s–1960s): Asbestos Becomes a National Staple

Following World War II, Australia underwent a building boom. Homes, schools, hospitals, and public buildings were erected at record speed—and asbestos cement became a material of choice.

Asbestos cement sheeting (known by brand names like “Fibro”)

This became one of the most iconic Australian building materials of the mid-20th century. Used for roofing, walls, fencing, and external cladding, fibro was cheap and easy to install, particularly in regional and coastal communities.

Industrial and commercial uses expanded

By the 1960s, asbestos was used in:

• shipbuilding and naval bases 
• power stations 
• manufacturing plants 
• locomotive and vehicle brakes 
• insulation for pipes and boilers 

Australia also became a major exporter of crocidolite from the Wittenoom mine, which operated from the 1930s until its closure in 1966.

The Wittenoom Tragedy: A National Turning Point

No discussion of asbestos in Australia is complete without acknowledging Wittenoom.

The blue asbestos mined there is the most dangerous form of the mineral. Inside the Wittenoom gorge, thousands of workers and residents were exposed to some of the highest levels of airborne asbestos fibres ever recorded. Dust levels were so thick that locals described it as “a constant fog.”

Health concerns began emerging in the 1940s, but economic interests stalled meaningful action. By the time the mine closed, its legacy was already catastrophic. Wittenoom would eventually become synonymous with mesothelioma, one of the rarest and most aggressive cancers in the world.

Today, the area has been depopulated and officially removed from maps; the Western Australian Government has shut down the former town entirely due to ongoing contamination.

Growing Awareness and Denial (1960s–1980s)

By the 1960s and 70s, evidence clearly linked asbestos exposure to:

• asbestosis (lung scarring) 
• mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lungs or abdomen) 
• lung cancer 

Yet asbestos products remained widely used. Manufacturers continued producing asbestos cement sheets, insulation, and friction materials. Governments were slow to regulate, and many companies denied or downplayed risks despite mounting scientific data.

During this period, unions, health experts, and a small number of medical researchers began to raise alarms. Public pressure eventually forced the tightening of exposure standards and workplace controls.

Decline and Regulation (1980s–2003)

As scientific consensus became undeniable, asbestos use gradually wound down.

Key milestones included:

• 1980s: Major reduction in manufacturing and mining 
• Late 1980s–1990s: Bans on crocidolite and amosite imports 
• 1991: James Hardie, Australia’s largest asbestos manufacturer, ceased asbestos production 
• 2003: Full national ban on importing, using, and selling asbestos 

By 2003, Australia had become one of the first countries in the world to implement a comprehensive, nationwide asbestos ban.

The Legacy Era (2003–Present): Living With the Consequences

While asbestos is no longer used in Australia, its legacy remains immense.

1. Widespread contamination

Approximately one-third of Australian homes built before 1990 contain asbestos in some form, particularly in:

• walls and ceilings 
• roofing and gutters 
• fencing 
• eaves 
• lino and vinyl tiles 

Home renovations continue to be one of the largest sources of exposure for the general public.

2. Ongoing mesothelioma epidemic

Australia has one of the highest mesothelioma rates in the world due to past heavy usage. New cases continue to emerge every year due to the disease’s long latency period, often 20 to 50 years after exposure.

3. Legal and compensation reforms

High-profile legal cases, especially those involving James Hardie, led to major reforms in workers’ compensation and corporate responsibility. The establishment of national organisations like Safe Work Australia and the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency has strengthened oversight and public education.

4. Focus on removal and remediation

State governments and local councils invest heavily in asbestos identification and safe removal programs. Public awareness campaigns target DIY renovators, tradespeople, and construction workers, groups still at significant risk.

Why Australia Became a Global Leader in Asbestos Advocacy

Australia’s asbestos crisis was so severe that it reshaped national attitudes toward workplace safety, corporate accountability, and public health. The country now serves as a global example of both:

• the devastating consequences of industrial negligence, and 
• the power of regulation, advocacy, and public awareness to save lives. 

Australia’s shift from one of the world’s biggest users to one of its strongest anti-asbestos voices is a testament to decades of activism by unions, medical professionals, researchers, affected families, and community organisations.

Conclusion: A History Still Being Written

The story of asbestos in Australia is not confined to history books. It affects real people every day, home renovators, former industrial workers, and families of those exposed decades ago. Though the ban is now long in place, the legacy of asbestos remains embedded in homes, infrastructure, and the lives of survivors.

Understanding this history is essential for preventing future harm. By recognising past mistakes and continuing strong public education, Australia can ensure asbestos-related diseases become a tragedy of the past rather than a recurring crisis.