Engineered stone products will be banned from entering the country next year. 

The Albanese Government has announced a ban on the importation of engineered stone products, effective 1 January 2025.

The ban will cover benchtops, slabs, and panels made from engineered stone, a material widely used in construction but linked to significant health risks for workers.

This follows the July 2024 domestic ban on the use, supply, and manufacture of engineered stone in Australia. 

Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt says that the import ban will provide “an extra layer of deterrence at the border”, as most engineered stone is imported. 

“No one deserves to have their health compromised due to their working environment,” Watt said. 

He emphasised the severe impact of silicosis, an incurable disease caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

Engineered stone contains high levels of silica, and cutting or grinding it releases fine dust that can damage workers' lungs. 

“From the start of next year, it won’t only be illegal to install these products. It will be illegal to bring them into the country at all,” said Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke.

New safety regulations, introduced on 1 September 2024, now require tradespeople to follow strict handling rules for materials with at least 1 per cent crystalline silica, covering common products like bricks and sandstone. 

The federal government has also allocated $32.1 million to the Australian Border Force to enforce the ban at entry points.

The building industry has been transitioning to alternatives like porcelain and zero-silica products, but industry bodies have raised concerns about inconsistent implementation across states and territories. 

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