The Asbestos National Strategic Plan (the ANSP) provides a long-term, phased approach to eliminating asbestos-related diseases in Australia through nationally consistent and coordinated actions. It ensures that the Commonwealth, state and territory governments work cooperatively towards a common goal.
Putting the Asbestos National Strategic Plan into action
Phase one of the Asbestos National Strategic Plan covered 2014 to 2018 and established the evidence base to understand the asbestos legacy in our homes, workplaces and the environment. Phase two covered 2019 to 2023 and delivered actions aimed at increasing awareness and supporting more effective management and removal of asbestos-containing materials.
With approximately 6 million tonnes of ageing asbestos materials remaining in our built environment, the third phase Asbestos National Strategic Plan 2024–2030 is focussed on strategies that facilitate safe, proactive removal and disposal, including through enhanced regulatory frameworks and incentive programs. The Commonwealth and all state and territory governments have endorsed the latest ANSP, representing a commitment by all jurisdictions to continue the important work being undertaken nationally to address Australia’s deadly asbestos legacy.
ASSEA supports governments in their implementation of the ANSP by coordinating and monitoring their efforts, as well as reporting on their successes and challenges.
Phase Three: Asbestos National Strategic Plan 2024–2030
Asbestos National Strategic Plan 2024–2030
The Asbestos National Strategic Plan 2024–2030 was developed in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, including all levels of government, unions, industry and asbestos support groups. The ANSP has also been informed by the findings of an Economic Evaluation of Asbestos Management and Removal Options and an Analysis of the 2012 Asbestos Management Review Recommendations.
This Plan has three aims:
- to eliminate asbestos-related diseases in Australia
- to support workers and others who are affected by asbestos-related diseases, and
- to be an international leader in securing a worldwide ban on the production and trade of asbestos.
A national action plan supports the implementation of each of the three aims.
Phase Two: Asbestos National Strategic Plan 2019–2023
Asbestos National Strategic Plan 2019–2023
The strategic actions of the Asbestos National Strategic Plan 2019–2023 focused on four national priorities:
- improve asbestos awareness to influence behavioural change
- identification and effective legacy management
- safe prioritised removal and effective waste management
- international collaboration and leadership
Achievements were measured against nine national targets. Ongoing evaluation was based on data and information provided by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments and relevant research undertaken by ASSEA. Performance was presented in progress reports, which highlighted activities undertaken in relation to asbestos awareness, identification, prioritised removal, waste management, compliance and enforcement, as well as work to progress asbestos bans internationally.
Final Progress Report
This final progress report on the second phase of the Plan, covering July 2022 – June 2024, examines the total advancement of the nine national targets. Five of the nine targets were satisfactorily advanced or substantively met, and four of the nine targets require ongoing work. Where more work was needed, this reflects the complexity of governments’ inter-connected operational landscapes. In these instances, sustained effort remains a priority in the Asbestos National Strategic Plan 2024–2030.
Asbestos National Strategic Plan Progress Report 2022–2024
2021–2022 Progress Report
During this reporting period (July 2021 to June 2022), ASSEA achieved Target 9 by launching the National Residential Asbestos Heatmap, which assesses the probability of asbestos presence in the residential environment by geographic area, to inform government asbestos policy. An additional two targets were on track, with the remaining targets progressing but requiring ongoing work.
Asbestos National Strategic Plan Progress Report 2021–2022
Mid-term Progress Report
This report outlines initial progress against the nine national targets from 2019 until June 2021. It acknowledges that implementation was interrupted due to the impact of the COVID pandemic, which competed for government resources that may have been otherwise allocated to asbestos awareness and management.
Asbestos National Strategic Plan Mid-term Progress Report 2019–2023
Mid-term review of the Asbestos National Strategic Plan 2019–2023
A midpoint review was completed to ensure the Asbestos National Strategic Plan remains focussed and effective in achieving the aim of eliminating asbestos-related diseases in Australia. Overall, the review found that the Asbestos National Strategic Plan is an effective and necessary tool to coordinate asbestos actions nationally and within jurisdictions, but that some of the targets were difficult to measure.
Asbestos National Strategic Plan Mid-term Review Report 2019–2023
Phase One: Asbestos National Strategic Plan 2014–2018
Asbestos National Strategic Plan 2014–2018
During the first phase of the Asbestos National Strategic Plan, annual progress reports were published which detailed the activities undertaken by state, territory and Australian Government agencies.
A total of 126 activities were reported as completed and over 60 activities continued into the next phase of the ANSP, demonstrating active engagement in the awareness and management of asbestos. While progress was made, the extent of Australia’s harmful asbestos legacy meant that more work was required to secure ongoing effective legacy management.
Asbestos National Strategic Plan 2014–2018 Final Report
Asbestos National Strategic Plan Progress Report 2017–2018
