Investigating influences on people’s behaviour and how to encourage safer choices.
The National Asbestos Awareness Survey is a new, annual survey designed with a behavioural lens. It aims to monitor Australians’ understanding and attitudes towards asbestos and its risks, as well as identify the drivers and barriers to asbestos-safe behaviours.
By examining people’s knowledge, opportunities, and motivations, the survey provides insights into what enables or prevents safe practices. It captures perspectives from tradespeople in workplace settings, DIY renovators, and the general public in residential environments.
The findings are used to inform targeted communication strategies that aim to drive meaningful and sustained behavioural change to reduce asbestos-related harm.
National Asbestos Awareness Survey 2025
The 2025 survey looked at understanding the reasons underpinning key behaviours relating to asbestos. This will help ASSEA target campaigns to drive behavioural change, rather than just increase awareness.
The survey used a statistically-representative sample by age, gender, and jurisdiction across Australia. In total, 1,614 people participated.
What we found
Capability: What people know and what they can do
91% of respondents said they knew at least ‘a bit’ about asbestos.
Nonetheless, people were, in general, poor at identifying asbestos-containing materials – even if they were confident that they could.
Opportunity: Impacts of the physical and social environment
Although people would be concerned if their found asbestos in their home, 22% of people would see no reason to remove it.
Only 30% of people said that they could afford the asbestos removal.
Motivation: Quick, emotional responses and slow, considered decisions
People are largely in agreement that asbestos is dangerous and should be avoided. Most want to keep their home safe from asbestos and would consider getting it removed. Nonetheless, a substantial proportion of Australians – particularly older Australians – believe that you don’t need to worry about asbestos if it is ‘in good condition’.
