AS 4349.3 Compliant · Thermal Imaging · Termatrac Radar

Termite Inspections Brisbane

Annual and pre-purchase termite inspections using FLIR thermal imaging, Termatrac T3i radar, and moisture meters. Full AS 4349.3 written reports delivered within 24 hours. Accepted by all major lenders and insurers. From $280.

At a Glance
Standard inspection$280-$420
Report deliveryWithin 24 hours
StandardAS 4349.3
Duration45-90 mins
Lender acceptedYes
Why Annual Inspections

Why Annual Termite Inspections Are Not Optional in Brisbane

A chemical barrier does not make annual inspection unnecessary. Barriers degrade, can be bridged by soil movement and landscaping changes, and do not protect against Drywood termites which enter from above. Annual inspection is the only way to confirm that protection is still working and to catch any new activity before it becomes structural damage.

Termidor barriers degrade over time

Termidor SC chemical barriers have an 8-10 year effective life in Brisbane soil conditions. After this period, the treated zone loses protective concentration. Annual inspection confirms the barrier is still intact and alerts you when re-treatment is due.

Barriers can be bridged

Garden bed top-dressing, new concrete paths, landscaping changes, and construction modifications can bridge or break a chemical barrier. If soil is placed over the treated zone or concrete is poured over it, the barrier is compromised. Annual inspection identifies any new breaches.

AS 4349.3 specifies annual intervals

The Australian Standard for termite management specifies maximum 12-month inspection intervals for all Class 3-4 risk properties, which includes all Brisbane metro suburbs. Failing to inspect annually creates a gap in your documented protection history.

Damage cost vs inspection cost

A year of undetected termite activity in framing timber can cost $20,000-$100,000 in structural repair. An annual inspection costs $280-$420. The ratio makes annual inspection the most cost-effective risk management available for Brisbane property owners.

AS 4349.3 Standard

What AS 4349.3 Compliance Means for Your Inspection

AS 4349.3 is the Australian Standard that governs inspection of buildings for timber pest activity, including termites. An inspection that complies with AS 4349.3 follows a defined scope, uses documented methods, and produces a written report that satisfies legal, financial, and insurance requirements.

What AS 4349.3 Compliance Requires
An AS 4349.3 inspection is not just a visual walk-through. It specifies what must be inspected, what equipment must be used where indicated, how findings must be recorded, and what the written report must contain.
Inspection of all accessible areas including subfloor, roof void, internal rooms, and full external perimeter
Use of moisture detecting equipment where conditions indicate possible activity
Tapping and sounding of all accessible timber members, skirting boards, and frames
Documentation of all inaccessible areas with reasons, so the report scope is transparent
Written report with inspector's name, licence number, date, property address, findings, and recommendations
Classification of risk conditions in addition to active activity: conditions conducive to termite attack
Inspection Equipment

Equipment Used in Every Brisbane Termite Inspection

A torch-and-tap inspection alone misses activity hidden inside walls, behind linings, and under slabs. Modern equipment detects activity that visual inspection cannot find. We use all four categories on every inspection.

Thermal Imaging
FLIR E-Series Camera

Detects heat anomalies in walls, floors, and ceilings. Active termite colonies generate heat from metabolic activity. Also detects high-moisture zones that attract termite activity. Cannot confirm termites on its own; identifies areas for further investigation.

Radar Detection
Termatrac T3i

Detects termite movement through walls and ceilings without drilling or cutting. Microwave radar picks up the movement of individual termites inside timber and wall cavities. Confirms live activity in areas where thermal imaging indicates possible presence.

Moisture Meter
Protimeter / Tramex

Measures moisture content in timber and wall linings. High moisture levels in unexpected locations indicate active water ingress, which attracts and sustains termite colonies. Moisture readings guide where thermal and radar investigation is focused.

Borescope Camera
Flexible Inspection Camera

A flexible camera inserted through a small drilled hole to visually confirm activity inside wall cavities, subfloor voids, and roof spaces where direct access is not possible. Used when thermal or radar findings warrant visual confirmation before treatment recommendations are made.

Inspection Scope

What Is Inspected in a Brisbane Termite Inspection

A complete AS 4349.3 inspection covers every accessible area of the property. Areas that cannot be accessed are documented in the report with the reason access was not possible.

Subfloor

All subfloor bearers, joists, piers, and stumps inspected for mud tubes, damage, and moisture. Subfloor is the primary entry zone for subterranean termites.

Roof Void

All accessible roof framing inspected for termite activity. Roof void access is a common entry point for Coptotermes species moving up from the subfloor or via attached structures.

All Internal Rooms

Skirting boards, door frames, window frames, and wall surfaces tapped and sounded in every room. High-moisture areas (bathrooms, laundry, kitchen) given particular attention.

External Perimeter

Full inspection of external walls, weep holes, expansion joints, and the building footprint for mud tubes and termite entry points.

Garden and Boundaries

Trees, stumps, timber fences, garden sleepers, and any decayed timber within 50 metres of the structure inspected for termite activity that could transfer to the building.

Attached Structures

Garages, sheds, pergolas, and carports attached to or adjacent to the main building inspected as potential entry and harborage sites.

Inspection Reports

What Your AS 4349.3 Report Contains

The written report is the deliverable that matters. It is the document lenders, insurers, and warranty programs require. It is also your record of the property's condition at the date of inspection. Our reports are delivered within 24 hours of inspection via email as a PDF.

Inspector credentials

Inspector name, licence number, QBSA or state pest licence reference, and inspection date. Required by all major lenders.

Property details and scope

Property address, construction type, inspection date, areas inspected, and all areas not inspected with reasons documented.

Findings with photos

All termite activity, timber pest damage, and risk conditions documented with photographs. Location, extent, and probable species recorded for each finding.

Treatment recommendations

Specific treatment recommendations for any activity found, and recommendations for any risk conditions (moisture issues, conducive conditions) that warrant remediation.

Who Accepts This Report
AS 4349.3 compliant reports are the recognised industry standard and are accepted by the following for formal property and financial purposes.
All major Australian banks and lenders (Commonwealth, ANZ, Westpac, NAB) as part of pre-purchase due diligence
Insurance companies offering specialist termite damage cover as evidence of an active inspection program
Conveyancers and solicitors as part of property transaction documentation
Termite treatment warranty programs that require documented inspection history
Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) proceedings involving property disputes where termite activity is contested
Inspection Types

Annual Inspection vs Pre-Purchase Inspection

These are different products with different purposes and reporting requirements. An annual inspection confirms ongoing protection. A pre-purchase inspection informs a property purchase decision and is produced for the buyer's use in negotiation and due diligence.

Annual Inspection

Ongoing Protection Confirmation

PurposeConfirm active protection is working. Detect new activity before damage occurs.
FrequencyEvery 12 months. Every 6 months for high-risk properties.
Conducted forThe current property owner
Report useInspection history record. Warranty and insurance program maintenance.
Cost$280-$420 depending on property size
Pre-Purchase Inspection

Property Transaction Due Diligence

PurposeIdentify termite activity or risk conditions that affect the purchase decision or price negotiation.
TimingDuring the purchase process, typically within the due diligence period
Conducted forThe prospective buyer (not the current owner)
Report useLender submission, price negotiation, purchase decision. Often combined with building inspection.
Cost$280-$420 standalone. Combined timber pest + building from $480.

See our pre-purchase inspection page and timber pest inspection page for more detail on each product.

Pricing

Termite Inspection Cost Brisbane

All prices include full property inspection, all equipment, and written AS 4349.3 report delivered within 24 hours. Report includes inspector licence number for lender and insurer submissions.

Unit / Apartment
from $280
Full inspection of all accessible areas. AS 4349.3 report within 24 hours. Thermal and moisture included.
House (3-4 bed)
from $320
Full internal, subfloor, roof void, and external inspection. Termatrac radar where indicated. Report within 24 hours.
Large Property / Queenslander
from $420
Extended inspection for high-set homes, large subfloors, and complex roof structures. Full report and treatment recommendations.
FAQ

Termite Inspection FAQ

How often should I get a termite inspection?
Annual inspections are the minimum recommended interval for all Brisbane properties. AS 4349.3 specifies maximum 12-month intervals for Class 3-4 risk properties, which covers all Brisbane metro suburbs. Properties near bushland, creek lines, or with previous termite history should consider 6-monthly inspections. If you have an active baiting system, inspections are built into the annual monitoring visit.
How much does a termite inspection cost in Brisbane?
Standard residential inspections cost $280-$420 depending on property size. The inspection includes thermal imaging, Termatrac radar where indicated, moisture meters, full written AS 4349.3 report, and treatment recommendations where activity is found. Report is delivered within 24 hours.
How long does a termite inspection take?
A standard residential inspection takes 45-90 minutes depending on property size and accessibility. Larger Queenslander homes with accessible subfloor and roof void take longer than modern slab construction without roof void access. The written report is delivered within 24 hours of the inspection via email.
Will my bank accept the inspection report?
Yes. AS 4349.3 compliant reports are accepted by all major Australian banks and lenders as part of pre-purchase due diligence. The report includes the inspector's full licence credentials, which lenders require for formal acceptance. If your lender requests a specific format or additional documentation, call 0406 178 471 and we will confirm the report meets their requirements before booking.
What happens if termites are found during inspection?
The report identifies the location, probable species, and extent of activity, and includes a treatment recommendation. Treatment (chemical barrier, foam injection, or baiting) can usually be booked immediately. Do not disturb the activity area after the inspection. Do not spray, plug, or paint over the affected area before treatment, as disturbance causes termites to seal off and relocate.
How accurate is thermal imaging for termite detection?
Thermal imaging is an investigation tool, not a confirmed detection method on its own. It detects heat anomalies that may indicate termite activity or moisture ingress, but cannot confirm termites without corroborating evidence from Termatrac radar or borescope. Used correctly as part of a multi-tool inspection, thermal imaging significantly increases detection accuracy over visual-only inspection in Brisbane's heavy construction types.
Does the inspection include the roof void and subfloor?
Yes, where accessible. The inspection scope includes all accessible areas: roof void, subfloor, all internal rooms, and external perimeter. Areas that are not accessible are documented in the report with the reason access was not possible. For blocked subfloor or sealed roof hatches, we advise on clearing access before the inspection to get the most complete coverage.
Can a termite inspection detect timber borers?
Yes. The AS 4349.3 timber pest inspection scope covers detection of wood-boring beetles (timber borers) as well as termites. Evidence of borer activity including flight holes, frass, and damaged timber is noted in the report. Borer treatment is a separate treatment to termiticide application and is reported and quoted separately if found.

AS 4349.3 Termite Inspection. Report Within 24 Hours.

Thermal Imaging · Termatrac Radar · Annual & Pre-Purchase · from $280