In Britain the usual timber worries are woodworm and wet rot; in much of Australia the bigger threat is termites, and the damage they cause is generally excluded from standard home insurance. That makes them a new kind of risk for a British homeowner. This piece explains what termites are, where they are a problem, how homes are protected and what to do if you find them.
What termites are, and why they matter here
Termites are social insects that feed on cellulose, which means wood, paper, cardboard and some plant material. Australia has many species and only a minority attack buildings, but those few can be extremely destructive. The most damaging live in large underground colonies and forage through the soil, entering a house through tiny gaps in or around the slab, along pipes, or up the side of footings inside mud tubes they build to keep themselves moist and hidden.
The reason they catch people out is that they eat from the inside. A skirting board or door frame can look perfect while the timber behind the paint has been hollowed into a thin shell. By the time the damage is visible, a colony may have been active for months or longer.
Risk varies across the country. The warm, humid north and much of the east coast are high-risk, while Tasmania has far lower risk. Most mainland capitals are exposed to some degree. Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has a long history of termite research and its material is a useful background read on how colonies behave.
How Australian homes are protected
New homes in termite-prone areas are required by the building rules to include a termite management system, and the relevant Australian Standard sets out the approaches that can be used. They fall broadly into two groups:
- Physical barriers: materials such as fine stainless steel mesh, graded stone or specialised sheeting placed around pipes and slab edges so termites cannot get through unseen.
- Chemical barriers: treated zones in the soil around and sometimes under the house, applied by spraying or through reticulation pipes that allow the chemical to be topped up later.
Baiting and monitoring systems are another option, especially for existing houses. Stations are placed in the ground around the property and checked periodically; if termites are found, a bait is introduced that they carry back to the colony.
No barrier is permanent or foolproof. Chemical zones degrade over time, physical barriers can be bridged by garden beds or paving built up against the wall, and the house’s own maintenance matters as much as the original system. A durability notice is often fitted inside the meter box or a kitchen cupboard, recording what was installed and when it needs attention.
Buying a house: the inspection
A timber pest inspection is normally carried out alongside a building inspection before you commit to a purchase. The inspector looks for live termites, past damage, earlier treatment and conditions that make an attack more likely, such as moisture or timber in contact with soil. Knowing how to interpret what they find is worth the effort, and our guide to reading a building and pest report walks through the usual sections and phrases.
Evidence of past termite activity does not automatically rule a house out. What matters is whether the activity was treated, whether there is structural damage, and whether a management system is now in place and maintained.
If you think you have termites
- Do not disturb them. Breaking open mud tubes or spraying household insecticide can cause the colony to retreat and resurface elsewhere, which makes treatment harder.
- Note where you saw them and take photographs.
- Call a licensed timber pest professional for an inspection. Licensing for pest management varies between states, so check the credentials that apply where you live.
- Ask for a written report and a treatment proposal that explains what will be done and how it will be monitored.
- Once the colony is dealt with, have any damaged structural timber assessed and repaired by a licensed builder.
In Queensland, termite management work associated with building is a licensed activity regulated by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission, and its website explains what licensees can do and how to check one. Other states use different regulators and rules.
Everyday habits that reduce the risk
Keep garden beds, mulch and soil from building up against the walls, and do not let them cover the slab edge or weep holes. Fix leaking taps and downpipes, since damp ground attracts termites. Store firewood and timber away from the house and off the ground. Have the property inspected regularly, commonly once a year in high-risk areas, so any activity is found early.
Questions readers ask
Does home insurance cover termite damage?
Generally no. Most Australian home policies exclude damage caused by insects, which is why regular inspection and a maintained management system matter.
Are steel-framed houses safe from termites?
The frame itself will not be eaten, but termites can still damage timber doors, skirting, kitchen cabinetry and contents. Protection and inspections are still advisable.
Is the white ant the same as a termite?
Yes. “White ants” is an older Australian name for termites, although they are not actually ants. You will still hear it used, especially by older tradies.