If you are looking around your place and wondering “is hardiflex asbestos,” you are not alone. Many Australian homes, sheds and garages still have older cement sheeting, and it can be stressful trying to work out what is safe and what needs professional attention. In Brisbane and across the country, older residential and industrial buildings frequently used asbestos cement sheeting on walls, roofs and ceilings before the material was phased out.
This article will walk you through what Hardiflex is, when it contained asbestos fibres, how asbestos cement sheet products behave, and what Australian rules say about managing and removing asbestos containing materials. We will keep the language simple and practical so you can feel more confident talking with builders, roofers and other professional trades about your property and its long term health and safety.
What Exactly Is Hardiflex in the Australian Building Context?
Hardiflex is a type of fibre cement sheeting that has been widely used in Australian construction for decades. Historically, it was one of many asbestos cement sheet products installed as external cladding, eaves and soffit linings, and sometimes internal walls and ceilings in both residential houses and commercial or industrial buildings.
Older Hardiflex was made from a cement mix reinforced with asbestos fibres and other ingredients, producing a solid, bonded sheet that builders often called fibro or ac sheet. This kind of asbestos cement was popular because it was:
- Relatively lightweight but strong
- Fire resistant compared with some older timber linings
- Easy to cut to size during construction
- Suitable for a wide range of flat wall panels, ceilings and simple corrugated sheeting on some roofs and sheds
In many properties, this material is still present today, often painted and covered on one side, which makes it harder for homeowners to tell what they are dealing with.
When Did Hardiflex and Other Asbestos Cement Sheeting Contain Asbestos?
So, is hardiflex asbestos in every case? The answer depends heavily on the age of the material. In Australia, asbestos was used in thousands of building products, especially asbestos cement materials, from the mid twentieth century until the 1980s.
For Hardiflex in particular, national guidance notes and product histories show that:
- Hardiflex was first manufactured as an asbestos cement sheeting product in the 1960s and contained chrysotile, a form of white asbestos, bonded into the cement.
- Asbestos in many asbestos cement trading product names, including Hardiflex, was phased out around 1981, and some stock manufactured near that date may still contain asbestos.
- After asbestos use ceased, newer fibre cement boards with similar forms and patterns were manufactured without asbestos, sometimes still using the Hardiflex name for non asbestos containing materials.
Asbestos itself was fully banned nationally for manufacture, import and new use in 2003, although asbestos containing materials remain present in many properties built or renovated before 1990.
Because of this time line, any Hardiflex sheets installed in Australian houses, garages, sheds, factories or industrial buildings before the mid to late 1980s should be treated as likely containing asbestos unless proven otherwise by testing.
How Can You Tell if Hardiflex on Your Property May Be Asbestos Containing Material?
What Visual Clues Might Point to Asbestos Cement Sheet Products?
Government asbestos safety resources explain that asbestos cement sheeting is usually white to grey, hard and brittle, and may be flat or patterned. In some products the surface has small dimples, almost like a golf ball on one side, and the joins between sheets are covered with narrow cover strips.
If you see the following around your property, you may be looking at asbestos containing materials:
- Flat fibro sheets on external walls, eaves or soffits
- Similar flat sheets lining bathrooms, laundries or ceilings in older residential properties
- Cement sheeting with a patterned or textured finish, sometimes covered and painted
- Corrugated sheeting that looks like older asbestos cement rather than modern metal roofing
- Older garages, sheds and small industrial buildings lined with solid cement sheets rather than plasterboard
Some state asbestos product galleries specifically show Hardiflex soffit sheeting with drilled or slotted patterns, used in garages, houses and commercial buildings across Queensland and other regions.
However, even where a sheet looks like fibro or corrugated asbestos cement, you cannot be completely sure by sight alone whether it is an older bonded asbestos product or a newer non asbestos fibre cement board.
Why Is Only Laboratory Testing a Definite Answer?
Official guidance for homeowners is clear: the only reliable way to confirm whether a cement sheeting material is containing asbestos is to have a sample tested by a laboratory accredited for asbestos analysis.
In practice, that means:
- Do not cut, drilled, sand or otherwise disturbed suspicious sheets yourself
- Engage a competent person or professional asbestos assessor to safely take a sample if testing is appropriate
- Treat older cement sheeting as non friable asbestos products until you have clear evidence of its composition
This approach keeps risk low while respecting the fact that modern fibre cement boards can look very similar to earlier bonded asbestos products.
Why Are Asbestos Fibres in Cement Sheeting a Health Risk?
Although asbestos cement sheeting is a bonded or non friable material when intact, asbestos fibres can still become dangerous if the sheets are disturbed, weathered, broken or machined with power tools.
What Asbestos Related Diseases Can Occur After Exposure?
Health authorities explain that inhaled asbestos fibres can lodge deep in the lungs, and asbestos exposure over time is linked to serious asbestos related diseases, including:
- Asbestosis
- Lung cancer
- Mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer that can occur decades after exposure to asbestos containing materials
Bonded asbestos cement is generally lower risk while it remains in good condition, covered with paint and not exposed to frequent impacts. The problem arises when sheets are disturbed and fine dust is created, particularly if workers or homeowners use cutting or drilling tools without any controls.
Because the fibres are not visible to the naked eye and can be carried in the air, anyone exposed during poor removal or renovation work can face risk, not just the person doing the job. This includes family members, neighbours and other workers present at the time.
What Do Australian Laws and Standards Say About Asbestos in Homes and Industrial Buildings?
Across Australia, asbestos is tightly regulated under work health and safety laws and associated codes of practice. Work health and safety regulators and national agencies provide detailed rules for identifying asbestos containing materials, assessing risk, and controlling asbestos removal in construction and other industries.
Key points that affect homeowners and builders include:
- It is illegal to manufacture or install new asbestos products, and any asbestos present in existing buildings must be managed carefully.
- Non friable asbestos cement in walls, ceilings, roofs, sheds and garages must be clearly identified and kept in good condition, especially in commercial and industrial properties where workers may be exposed.
- Only properly licensed removalists can carry out larger scale removal of asbestos cement sheet products, particularly in workplaces, factories and industrial buildings, and there are strict rules about air monitoring, personal protective equipment, and disposal at approved facilities.
In Queensland, guidance for trades and construction workers highlights that removing or disturbing even apparently solid bonded asbestos can release fibres, so any work involving older fibro forms or corrugated asbestos cement needs careful planning.
For an owner, the main practical takeaway is that you should never treat asbestos as a normal building material, even if it still looks covered and tidy on one side. Instead, assume that older cement sheeting may be containing asbestos, be aware of the health risk, and bring in qualified help when you are planning renovations, roof replacement or structural changes.
How Should Asbestos Cement in Walls, Roofs and Sheds Be Managed Day to Day?
If asbestos cement sheet products are present in your property, careful management is essential. Safety guidance generally recommends the following high level approach for residential and commercial properties with bonded asbestos:
- Leave non friable asbestos cement in place if it is in good condition, sealed and not likely to be disturbed
- Keep paint and sealants in good repair so the material stays covered and solid
- Avoid using tools that could grind, drilled, sand or cut into the sheets
- Do not use water blasting or abrasive cleaning on suspected asbestos cement
- Mark locations of asbestos on your property records so future builders and workers are aware
When sheets are cracked, broken, or clearly weathered, the risk increases. Disturbed or damaged asbestos can release more fibres and fine dust. In those cases, it is better to plan for removal and replacement under controlled conditions than to leave the material exposed where it may deteriorate further.
This is where bringing in a professional team and planning a proper roof replacement, re roofing project or cladding upgrade can make an enormous difference for the long term safety and value of your home.
When Is It Time to Replace Asbestos Cement Sheeting with Safer Roofing and Cladding?
Older asbestos cement roofs and walls may still look solid, but time, weather and previous partial repairs can all affect their condition. You might consider moving from asbestos cement to modern metal roofing or other non asbestos materials when:
- Your fibro or asbestos cement sheeting is cracked, crumbling or frequently disturbed
- You are already budgeting for major renovations to roofs, walls, ceilings or formwork
- You want to improve the fire resistant and thermal performance of your building
- You are planning to sell and want to reduce future concerns about asbestos exposure for buyers
Replacing asbestos cement with modern metal roofing can also be an opportunity to improve insulation, roof ventilators and guttering so the whole roofing system works better. Instead of just focusing on the asbestos removal, you can upgrade:
- Roof insulation for better comfort and energy efficiency
- Roof ventilators to help control heat build up in the roof space
- Gutters, gutter guard and downpipes to manage heavy rain and protect walls
All of these changes must respect Australian standards for construction, roofing and asbestos management, and a professional contractor will factor those requirements into the project from the planning stage.
How Can Fortified Help with Safer Roof Replacement and Asbestos Aware Projects in Brisbane?
If you know or suspect that older Hardiflex or other asbestos cement sheeting is present in your Brisbane property, you will often want an asbestos aware roofing specialist as part of your team. A roofing contractor that understands asbestos risks can coordinate with licensed asbestos professionals where required and then deliver a complete new roof or wall system that meets modern standards.
In Brisbane and the surrounding areas, you can explore Fortified’s services, including:
- Full roof replacement in Brisbane when asbestos cement roofs or corrugated sheeting have reached the end of their life
- Re roofing solutions that move properties from older asbestos cement to modern metal roofing systems
- New Colorbond roofing in Brisbane for improved appearance and performance
- Zincalume roof replacement where this style suits your property and local conditions
Because a roof is more than just the sheets, Fortified can also support:
- Roof insulation in Brisbane so your home feels more comfortable and efficient
- Roof ventilators in Brisbane to help manage heat in the roof cavity
- Metal roof repairs for newer non asbestos roofs that need maintenance rather than full replacement
Guttering and drainage are also part of a healthy roofing system. When asbestos cement fascias or old gutter profiles are being removed, it is a smart time to consider:
- Commercial guttering for larger commercial or industrial properties
- Downpipe replacement in Brisbane to keep water away from walls and foundations
- Fascia capping in Brisbane as part of a clean, modern finish
- Gutter guard solutions to reduce blockages from leaves and debris
- Full gutter replacement in Brisbane when old systems are no longer reliable
By approaching the project as a complete roofing and guttering upgrade, you reduce long term risk, improve the performance of the home, and ensure that any asbestos containing materials are addressed in line with Australian standards.
What Is the Bottom Line on the Question Is Hardiflex Asbestos?
So, is hardiflex asbestos? In short:
- Older Hardiflex manufactured and installed before the 1980s in Australia was an asbestos cement product, using chrysotile asbestos fibres bonded in a cement mix.
- Newer fibre cement sheeting with similar forms, including products made after asbestos was phased out, may not contain asbestos, even if the appearance is similar.
- Because you cannot reliably tell the difference just by looking, any older cement sheeting, fibro, corrugated asbestos cement or flat ac sheet on walls, roofs, garages and sheds should be treated as potentially containing asbestos until checked by a competent person and, where appropriate, tested.
For Australian homeowners, builders and workers, the key is to stay aware, avoid disturbing suspect material, and involve licensed professionals when removal, disposal or replacement is needed. That way, you reduce the risk of asbestos related diseases like mesothelioma and protect the long term health of everyone who lives or works on the property.
How Can You Take the Next Safe Step with Your Brisbane Roof?
If you have older cement sheeting on your roofs, walls or ceilings and you are concerned about asbestos containing materials, now is a good time to plan a safer future for your property. Talk with Fortified about asbestos aware roof replacement in Brisbane, re roofing, Colorbond roofing in Brisbane or Zincalume roof replacement alongside upgrades to roof insulation, roof ventilators and gutter replacement in Brisbane. A professional approach means the old material is handled correctly, the risk from friable dust is kept low, and your home, sheds and garages end up with a modern, compliant roofing system that is built to last.
Which Sources Informed This Asbestos Information?
Works Cited
Asbestos Awareness. “Asbestos in the Home.” State and Territory Asbestos Safety Information, 2022, asbestosawareness.com.au/asbestos-in-the-home. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency. “Asbestos Cement Flat Sheeting – External.” Asbestos Products Database, 2020, products.asbestossafety.gov.au/buildings/walls/asbestos-cement-flat-sheeting-external. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Department of Health, Western Australia. Guidance Note: Identification of Asbestos Containing Material, 2013, health.wa.gov.au. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
New South Wales Government. “Cement Sheeting and Asbestos.” Asbestos Information Portal, 2021, asbestos.nsw.gov.au/cement-sheeting-and-asbestos. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Queensland Government. “Is It Safe? Cracked, Damaged or Weathered Asbestos Cement Sheeting.” Asbestos Information for Homeowners, asbestos.qld.gov.au, 2013. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Safe Work Australia. “Asbestos – Overview.” National Work Health and Safety Guidance, 2024, safeworkaustralia.gov.au/safety-topic/hazards/asbestos/overview. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Victorian Asbestos Eradication Agency. “Asbestos Key Facts.” About Asbestos, 2021, asbestos.vic.gov.au/about-asbestos/what-is-asbestos. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
