Here’s what you need to know about Asbestos Fencing in Western Australia. From identification, through encapsulation, and removal this is the definitive guide. And as usual if you’re not sure it’s Asbestos treat it like it is till you know more.

If you live in Perth or anywhere across Western Australia and have a fence that’s been standing for a few decades, there’s a very good chance it may contain asbestos.

In years gone by this was a very common building material, asbestos was used in almost everything you could throw a stick at, can you believe from cigarette filters, ironing boards, electrical wiring  through to more common construction use in a myriad of building materials covering items from floor tiles to roof tiles and cladding and everything in between – and yes, your very common everyday garden fencing wasn’t missed out on either.

While it was prized and valued for its durability and fire resistance, we now know that asbestos can be hazardous when disturbed, and proper handling and disposal of it is critical.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about asbestos fencing in Western Australia – including when it was used, what the risks are, how to tell if your fence contains asbestos, and what to do if it does.

When Was Asbestos Fencing Common in WA?

Asbestos cement products were widely used in Australia from the 1940s through to the late 1980s. In fencing, the most common material was known as “super six” – a corrugated cement sheeting reinforced with asbestos fibres.

This type of fencing was especially popular in Perth’s post-war housing boom, as it was not only abundant on the global market, but it was also affordable, weather-resistant, and marketed as a low maintenance product. It was commonly installed in both residential and industrial areas up until the late 1980s, when regulations around asbestos use became more stringent.

Australia formally banned all use of asbestos in 2003, but by that time, millions of structures across the country – including many fences – now contained this material.

Why Is Asbestos Fencing a Concern?

In its bonded form – as with asbestos cement fencing – the material is generally considered low-risk if it remains in good condition and undisturbed. However, over time, exposure to the elements in some instances can cause significant deterioration.

Once the cement begins to break down, fibres can then start to become airborne, and here lies the danger. Inhalation of asbestos fibres is known to cause serious health conditions, including:

• Asbestosis – a chronic lung condition
• Mesothelioma – a rare and aggressive cancer
• Lung cancer

In WA, the following things need to be taken in to consideration, from general weathering, ( consider even the last of the fences to be install are now heading towards being 50 years old, and exposed daily to sun, rain, and wind, storm damage, and even overgrown plants can cause constant friction against asbestos fences to crack or crumble, increasing the risk of fibre release. Drilling, cutting, or pressure-washing asbestos cement can also disturb the fibres very easily.

If your fence is old, cracked, or starting to flake, it’s important not to disturb it – and to have it professionally assessed.

How to Identify Asbestos Fencing

Unfortunately, you can’t tell whether a fence contains asbestos just by looking at it. However, there are some common characteristics of asbestos fencing in Western Australia:

• Corrugated “super six” profile (similar to corrugated iron, but made of cement)
• Usually grey, with a slightly fibrous texture on broken edges
• Installed before 1990 (if the home or fence was built after 1990, it’s less likely to contain asbestos)
• May have old manufacturer stamps on the back, such as “HardieFence” or “Fibrolite”
• Weve heard many people say you can determine what is and isn’t asbestos by the simply counting the number of corrugations per panel, which we would strongly urge you not to rely on as being factual.

That said, modern fibre cement fencing can look very similar to asbestos-based products. These newer materials are safe and do not contain asbestos fibres.

If you’re unsure or simply do not know for certain what the material is the safest approach is to assume it may contain asbestos until proven otherwise. Do not break off a piece or try to cut into it yourself.

What to Do If You Suspect You May Have Asbestos Fencing

If you think your fence may contain asbestos, follow these steps:

1. Do Not Disturb the Material

Avoid touching, drilling, cutting, or cleaning the fence with high-pressure water. Even light impact can release fibres if the material is already weathered or damaged.

2. Book a Professional Inspection

A licensed asbestos professional can conduct an on-site assessment. If confirmation is needed, they may take a sample and send it to a NATA-accredited laboratory for testing. This may seem to many as being OTT but what price safety? Safety for yourself your children or your grandchildren, having the material tested by a laboratory is relatively in expensive in the grand scheme of things and will ultimately give you a proven and definitive result, no speculation or guesswork. 

3. Evaluate your options; Removal or Encapsulation

If the fence is intact and still in good condition, you may choose to leave it undisturbed, though some councils recommend removal if significant wear is evident.

If the fence is cracked, damaged, or becoming a safety risk, then removal by a licensed and insured contractor is likely to be your safest solution here, however In some cases, encapsulation (applying a sealant to lock in fibres) still might be an option worth considering if cost is also a driving factor in your overall assessment of the material, and while lots of fences do get encapsulated and sealed its true but encapsulation of asbestos is by far more common with roofing than fencing.

Testing for Asbestos in Fencing

Asbestos testing involves safely collecting a small sample of the material, or even several samples (collective sampling, if a long run of fencing is present) and sending it to a certified NATA laboratory. Only trained professionals should handle this process. Attempting to take a sample yourself can release dangerous fibres into the air if not properly prepared.

In Western Australia, asbestos is regulated under Work Health and Safety laws, and should be performed by a competent person at the least. The results will confirm the presence (or absence) of asbestos and help guide your next steps.

Asbestos Fence Removal in WA

If testing confirms the presence of asbestos, and you decide to remove the fence, this must be done by a licensed asbestos removalist – specifically if the total area exceeds 10 square metres. In WA, unlicensed removal of larger quantities is illegal and poses some real dangers.

The removal process typically includes:

• Setting up the site with appropriate barriers and signage
• Typically Wetting, dampening down, or spraying the materials down first and prior to disturbance.
• Mechanical or hand digging of a “slip trench”  first and along side the fence to the full depth of the “buried section” of fencing to allow the panels to be freed, do not accept anyone saying they can just snap the fence panels off at ground level, which has been the preferred method for years by many unscrupulous traders, this just adds to the legacy of really poor asbestos removal and will need to be addressed at some point in time.
• Dismantling the fence panels carefully to avoid breakage
• Wrapping all materials in plastic and sealing for transport
• Disposing of waste at an approved asbestos disposal facility
• Issuing documentation such as waste tracking or clearance certificates.
• Asbestos removal over ten square metres now requires at the very least a visual assessment and clearance, stating the area is clean and free of asbestos debris. This has to be issued by a competent person at least and one that is independent from the asbestos removalist.
• In some instances it may also be a requirement to erect temporary safety fencing, especially if the fence being removed then allows access to a neighbouring pool of body of water.

At Dingo Services, we follow all regulatory requirements and provide full site clean-up, safe disposal, and peace of mind. Our team is fully licensed and experienced in removing asbestos fencing safely and efficiently.

Legal and Council Considerations

Some WA councils may have specific requirements regarding asbestos fencing removal or replacement, particularly if your property borders a public footpath or shared boundary.

You may need:

• Council notification or approval
• A replacement fencing plan, especially if the fence is on a boundary
• Temporary fencing if the removal leaves the property exposed

We recommend checking with your local council or allowing your contractor to handle all required notifications and procedures.

Replacing Asbestos Fencing

Once the asbestos fencing has been removed, you’ll likely want to replace it with a modern, durable alternative. Common replacements include:

• Colorbond steel fencing – strong, low-maintenance, and extensively used across WA with a variety of colour choices makes this option most popular
• New fibre cement fencing – safe, long-lasting, and similar in appearance to the original
• Hardwood or composite fencing – for a more natural finish
• Retaining wall in some instances where the original asbestos fencing has also acted as a retaining wall, a popular replacement and a correct retaining wall install system is most likely being made up of metal posts and concrete panels

Your contractor can advise on the best option based on your site conditions, budget, and desired look.

Final Thoughts

Asbestos fencing is still common throughout Western Australia, especially in older suburbs of Perth. While it may not pose an immediate danger if left undisturbed, weathered or damaged fencing can become a serious health risk and should be assessed and where possible addressed and the risk either removed or at the least reduced to an acceptable level.

If you suspect your fence contains asbestos, the safest course of action is to get it inspected and, if necessary, arrange for professional removal.

At Dingo Services, we offer end-to-end asbestos solutions – from inspection and testing to removal and safe disposal. With over 25 years of experience across WA, we’ll handle the process efficiently and in full compliance with regulations.

Need help with asbestos fencing?
Contact Dingo Services for a quote or to book an inspection. We’re here to make the process safe, simple, and stress-free.