How much asbestos is in Australian homes?

Up until the mid-1980s, Australia had one of the highest rates of asbestos use per person in the world and it's estimated that more than a million homes were built using asbestos sheeting. Even more Australian homes contain asbestos in less obvious ways. Asbestos is also commonly found in the eaves, in textured paint on walls and ceilings and as insulation for hot water systems.

Can home insurance help with the cost of asbestos at all?

Most home insurance policies won't cover any damages or liability related to asbestos, though if asbestos is exposed due to an insured event, you might be in with some luck. As an example, if your insurer has been made aware that there is asbestos in your roof and during a storm a tree damages the roof, you might be covered. This is quite rare so always remember to check with your insurer to see if it will cover your individual circumstance.