Most Queensland homeowners have heard the term AS3660 — usually from a pest inspector scribbling it on a report, or from a builder mentioning it at handover. But very few know what it actually requires, who it applies to, or what happens when it isn't followed.
AS3660 is Australia's national termite management standard. It sets the rules for how termite protection must be designed, installed, inspected, and documented — for both new homes and existing properties. On the Sunshine Coast, where Coptotermes acinaciformis termites operate year-round in our subtropical climate, this standard is one of the most important documents you've probably never read.
This guide breaks down the AS3660 termite standard in plain English — what it covers, what it means for your specific home, and what practical steps you should take right now.
What Is AS3660? The Australian Standard for Termite Management Explained
AS3660 — formally titled Termite Management — is published by Standards Australia and forms part of the National Construction Code (NCC). It is the authoritative document that governs termite protection across the country, and every licensed pest manager in Queensland is required to work within its framework.
The standard has two distinct parts that serve very different purposes:
- AS3660.1:2014 — New Buildings: Covers termite management during construction. Applies to builders, developers, and anyone installing protection in a home that hasn't been completed yet.
- AS3660.2:2017 — Existing Buildings: Covers inspections, monitoring, and barrier installations in homes that are already standing. This is the part most relevant to Queensland homeowners.
Together, they create a continuous framework — your builder installs compliant protection under AS3660.1, and you maintain it through regular inspections under AS3660.2.
Queensland sits in a High to Very High termite risk zone under the AS3660 hazard classification system. This means the standard's requirements apply with full force — no exceptions based on geography or climate. If you own a home on the Sunshine Coast, AS3660 is directly relevant to you.
AS3660.1 for New Builds: What Your Builder Was Required to Do
If your home was built after 1995 — when AS3660.1 was first introduced — your builder had legal obligations to meet before construction was complete. The standard requires that a termite management system be installed at the earliest practical stage of construction, typically before or during the concrete slab pour.
Under AS3660.1, builders must:
- Install a compliant termite management system — physical barrier, chemical soil treatment, or a combination of both
- Document the system type, product used, installation date, and installer's licence details
- Fix a durable notice to the electrical switchboard identifying the protection installed — this is the "yellow tag" you may have seen in your meter box
- Provide the homeowner with documentation at handover showing what was installed and what ongoing maintenance is required
The switchboard notice is important. If you're buying an established home on the Sunshine Coast — in Maroochydore, Bli Bli, Buderim, or anywhere else — check the meter box for this notice before you settle. If it's missing, have a pre-purchase building and pest inspection carried out so you know exactly what protection is in place.
AS3660.2 for Existing Homes: What It Means for Your Annual Inspection
AS3660.2 is the part of the standard that governs ongoing termite management for homes already built. It sets minimum requirements for inspections, reporting, and any new protection work — and it's what every licensed pest manager should be working to when they visit your property.
The standard requires that a compliant inspection includes:
- A visual inspection of all accessible areas — subfloor, roof void, interior, exterior perimeter, and any outbuildings within 50 metres
- Assessment of conducive conditions — moisture issues, timber in contact with soil, debris accumulation, and construction defects that create risk
- A written report using the standard terminology defined in AS3660.2, identifying findings and recommending a management plan where needed
- Documentation of any active termite workings or damage found, with a recommended treatment or monitoring response
AS3660.2 recommends inspections at least every 12 months. In Queensland, where termites are active for most of the year, many pest managers — including Mick at Radar Pest Control — recommend every 6 to 12 months for properties with risk factors such as no barrier, previous termite history, or a timber subfloor.
If active termites are found during an inspection, the standard requires a termite management plan to be prepared. This outlines the treatment approach, monitoring requirements, and any structural repairs or preventive measures needed. Linking this to a professional termite monitoring and baiting program is often the most appropriate response when an active colony is identified nearby.
Termite Barriers and AS3660 Compliance: What You Need to Know
Whether you are installing a new barrier or maintaining an existing one, AS3660 sets the minimum requirements it must meet. The standard recognises two primary types of termite barrier — physical and chemical — and allows for combined systems.
| Barrier Type | AS3660 Requirements | Typical Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Physical barrier | Must create a continuous, unbreachable seal — no gaps >1mm. Includes stainless steel mesh, crushed granite, and polyethylene sheet systems. | Life of building (if undisturbed) |
| Chemical barrier | Must use an APVMA-registered product at the required dilution rate and application volume. Retreatment access points required where possible. | 8–10 years (product dependent) |
| Combined system | Most common for Queensland homes. Physical barrier at slab edge plus chemical treatment to soil. Provides highest level of protection. | Physical layer indefinitely; chemical layer 8–10 years |
For Sunshine Coast homeowners looking at a professional termite barrier installation, costs typically range from $3,000 to $4,500 depending on property size and access. This investment covers not just the materials and application but the documentation and compliance certificate that proves your home meets AS3660 requirements. For a deeper comparison of barrier types, see our guide to chemical vs physical termite barriers.
Queensland is in a High-Risk termite zone.
One in three Queensland homes will be attacked by termites at some point. Annual AS3660-compliant inspections are the single most effective way to catch an attack before it becomes a repair bill.
Why AS3660 Compliance Matters on the Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast's subtropical climate — warm, humid, with a distinct wet season from November through March — creates near-perfect conditions for termite activity. Coptotermes acinaciformis, the most economically destructive termite in Australia, is found in high numbers across the region. Subterranean colonies can contain up to one million individuals and forage up to 50 metres from the nest.
In established suburbs like Maroochydore, Nambour, and Buderim — where many homes are 20 to 40 years old — original chemical barriers have often expired. Homes built before 1995 may have no AS3660-compliant protection at all. For these properties, an AS3660.2-compliant inspection is the starting point: it establishes what's there, what's needed, and what the risk level is.
Mick has been carrying out AS3660-compliant termite inspections and barrier installations across the Sunshine Coast for over 10 years. If you're in Maroochydore or the surrounding suburbs and aren't sure when your last compliant inspection was, the answer is almost certainly: book one now.
Frequently Asked Questions About AS3660
What is AS3660 and why does it matter for my home?
AS3660 is the Australian Standard for Termite Management — the national standard that governs how termite protection must be designed, installed, inspected, and documented. It applies to both new and existing homes. For Queensland homeowners, it matters because compliance is linked to your builder's legal obligations, your home insurance, and whether your termite protection will actually hold up in court if something goes wrong. A licensed pest manager following AS3660 protocols gives you a documented, defensible record of protection.
What is the difference between AS3660.1 and AS3660.2?
AS3660.1:2014 applies to new buildings under construction — it covers what builders must install before the slab is poured or the frame goes up, and what documentation must be handed to the owner at handover. AS3660.2:2017 applies to existing buildings — it governs how termite inspections must be carried out, how findings must be reported, and what any new barrier installations must include. If your home is already built, AS3660.2 is the relevant part for you and your pest manager.
Does AS3660 apply to existing homes, or only new builds?
Both. AS3660.1 covers new buildings during construction, while AS3660.2 applies specifically to existing buildings. For existing homes, AS3660.2 sets out the minimum requirements for termite inspections, how they must be documented, what a pest manager must check, and the standards any new or replacement termite barriers must meet. Even if your home is 30 years old, any professional termite inspection or new barrier installation should comply with AS3660.2.
How often should I get a termite inspection under AS3660?
AS3660.2 recommends inspections at least every 12 months. In Queensland's subtropical climate — where Coptotermes acinaciformis termites are active year-round — most pest managers recommend inspecting every 6 to 12 months for properties with a known risk (e.g., older homes without barriers, properties surrounded by trees, or homes with previous termite activity). Annual inspections are the minimum; high-risk Sunshine Coast properties benefit from twice-yearly checks.
Can I lose my home insurance if I don't have AS3660-compliant termite protection?
Home insurance policies in Australia typically exclude termite damage. However, many insurers expect that homeowners have taken reasonable preventive steps — which in practice means annual inspections by a licensed pest manager. If you have never arranged an inspection and termites cause significant damage, an insurer may argue you failed your duty of care. While the standard itself is not an insurance requirement, the inspection cadence it recommends is the industry benchmark for 'reasonable care'. Staying on top of annual inspections protects both your home and your claim position.
What is the termite management notice on my switchboard?
AS3660.1 requires builders to fix a durable notice — commonly called a 'yellow tag' — to the electrical switchboard of every new home. This notice records the type of termite management system installed (physical barrier, chemical barrier, or both), the installer's details, the installation date, and any maintenance requirements. If your home was built after 1995, you should have this tag. If it's missing or illegible, a licensed pest manager can inspect the property and identify what protection is in place.
How do I know if my existing termite barrier is still effective?
Chemical barriers typically last 8 to 10 years before the active ingredient degrades, though soil disturbance (landscaping, plumbing works, extensions) can compromise them earlier. Physical barriers last the life of the building if undisturbed, but penetrations from pipes, cables, or renovations can create entry points. An annual inspection by a licensed pest manager will identify any breaches, zones of concern, or areas where the barrier has been disturbed. Mick uses Termatrac T3i radar detection technology to find termite activity even in concealed spaces — without drilling or probing.
Is Your Home AS3660 Compliant?
Mick carries out AS3660.2-compliant termite inspections and barrier installations across the Sunshine Coast. Owner-operated, family-safe, 10+ years local experience. Call today for a free quote.
Call Mick — 0401 166 155Or explore our termite barrier installation page for full details and pricing.