Australia Asbestos Law

You must be aware of Australia's import laws regarding asbestos. You must know your motorbike's history to ensure it does not contain any asbestos before it is shipped. Read more information here:
https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing/prohibited-goods/asbestos

An Australia-wide ban on the manufacture and use of all forms of asbestos took effect on 31 December 2003 to protect the Australian community. Asbestos could no longer be sold or fitted to motorbikes, however, that ban did not apply to parts with asbestos already installed before this date. While motorbike manufacturers had generally phased out the use of asbestos containing parts during the late 1980s, there is asbestos in brakes, clutches and gaskets of many older or imported motorbikes. In particular, asbestos was used in gaskets where heat was considered a problem such as in engine heads and exhaust manifolds. Furthermore, some aftermarket, import and specific regional parts used during routine servicing and repairs before the ban 2003 may have still contained trace amounts of asbestos. When it is time for these parts to be replaced, non-asbestos products must be used.

A border control for asbestos was also enacted at the same time in 2003 to prevent the unlawful importation of asbestos AND goods containing asbestos. The importer of a vehicle (the ‘owner’ for the purposes of importation) must know the history of that vehicle to ensure it does not contain any asbestos before it is shipped. This border control for asbestos includes AUS registered bikes returning to Australia. To facilitate the return to Australia you should identify any parts or components with asbestos and replace them before export.

The big one for moto overlanders is brake pads. Keep in mind that some brake pads manufactured in other countries may be subject to laws where trace quantities of asbestos is allowed. For example, China banned certain types of asbestos in 2002 but chrysotile asbestos is still allowed in some manufacturing. Chinese standards may also classify products as 'asbestos-free' even if they contain up to 5% asbestos. AUSTRALIA'S LAW IS ZERO TOLERANCE. Don't be stingy with your brake pads - ensure they are 100% asbestos free.

Very broadly we can group motorbikes into three categories for asbestos concerns:

• Post 2003

• 1990 to 2003

• Pre 1990

Australia Border Force (ABF) focus on vehicles manufactured pre-1990. If your motorbike is pre-1990 then you may find better shipping options with classic car shippers who have BULK asbestos testing arrangements in place.

Australian motorbikes 1990 to 2003 will all have a Motor Vehicle Standards Act (MVSA) 1989 plate attached. These motorbikes are generally ok with ABF but it is not guaranteed. It is possible that asbestos containing parts could have been used in routine servicing pre-2003, however, for a motorbike regularly used those parts would have now been replaced through routine servicing since 2003. It is the Rider's responsibility to be able to provide assurance that this is the case.

Owners of post 2003 motorbikes simply need to ensure that they're always using 100% asbestos free parts when servicing their motorbikes.