A national study has shown Australians are still in the dark over the dangers of living with asbestos.

It is estimated 13,000 Australians will have contracted mesothelioma by 2020 and another 40,000 will suffer from asbestos-related cancers, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

Yet homes are still being sold without disclosure of whether they harbour the deadly material and there is no law to enforce such declarations.

The study, carried out by the federal organisation, Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA), found that while there is good general awareness in the community about asbestos and its dangers, few people are clear on where the mineral may be found within the home.

ASEA’s chief executive Peter Tighe​ said if you’re buying an old house you’re more than likely to have issues with asbestos in some form.

“Particularly in the wet areas such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundries,” Mr Tighe said.

Until the 1980s, Australia was one of the highest users per capita of asbestos with one-third of all homes containing asbestos material. Homes built post-World War II and before the mid-1980s are likely to contain asbestos.

The ASEA study found 63 per cent of respondents falsely believed that a residential building inspection includes a check for asbestos and that three-quarters of home buyers believe it is the responsibility of a building inspector to identify its presence.

“We don’t want to create panic but there is need for more information,” Mr Tighe said.

The REINSW recently called for mandatory disclosure of the presence of asbestos in a home or building site via the introduction of an Asbestos Act.

The body is also considering introducing asbestos information evenings run by ASEA to inform residential real estate agents on the issue, citing they have a duty of care to their clients, both buyers and sellers.

“We’re also concerned about the myriad of home renovation shows that don’t pay enough attention to the threat of asbestos exposure during building works,” Mr Tighe added.

Asbestos can’t be correctly identified visually. Samples of materials need laboratory testing.

Particularly worrying, the report suggests, is the lack of awareness of DIY renovators who could be at risk of exposure to the material during demolition or disturbance of the building fabric. Simple DIY tasks such as pulling up old linoleum or vinyl flooring or removing bathroom tiles can expose the home renovator to asbestos. The product can also be found in roof sheeting, guttering, fencing, carports, sheds and even in putty.

The NSW government has set guidelines for home owners and renovators dealing with the possibility of asbestos presence in their properties on its SafeWork NSW website. Celebrity renovator Cherie Barber is its asbestos awareness ambassador.

While a pre-purchase building inspection will cost more than $800 for a four-bedroom residence in Sydney, home buyers and renovators need to consider paying for an additional asbestos-specific inspection.

The ASEA study shows a great variation in the public’s perception of cost for such an inspection. Quoted prices range from $340 to $800 to inspect a residential property. The report suggests a case for a a reduction in residential inspection fees to encourage people to take action.

As local councils require home owners to provide a Hazardous Materials Survey before any major building works, it’s often the home owner’s architects who approach firms like Asbestos Inspections Australia. They charge $795 for a visual inspection. The price includes one sample analysed in their laboratory, with further samples costing $99 each. When a home owner is undertaking a major demolition, construction or renovation works, more than one sample is usually required.

“Your home is the major purchase in your life so buyers deserve to know what they’re getting,” Mr Tighe said.