AS 3660.2 Termite Management for Existing Buildings
AS 3660.2 termite management is the part of the Australian Standard series concerned with subterranean termite management in and around existing buildings and structures. It is relevant when a home already exists and the questions are about assessment, termite activity, treatment, risk conditions and ongoing management.
Goliath Pest Solutions provides termite inspections, active termite treatment, chemical termite barriers and termite management advice across Sydney. The correct next step depends on what is actually found at the property, not simply on the age of the building or whether a previous treatment sticker is present.
A termite inspection is not the same thing as automatically installing a barrier
An existing building can present very different termite conditions from the property next door. Before recommending a treatment, the inspection needs to consider accessible evidence of termites or damage, construction features, moisture and drainage conditions, access, previous termite management and areas where concealed entry could occur.
Look for evidence
Active termites, mud leads, damaged timber, previous repairs and treatment records can change the urgency and treatment sequence.
Assess the building
Slab construction, subfloor access, additions, paving, retaining walls and concealed edges can affect both detection and treatment options.
Choose the management response
The response may involve active treatment, a chemical treated zone, baiting/monitoring, risk reduction, follow-up inspection or a combination.
What a professional termite assessment is trying to establish
The purpose is not to give a generic “termite safe” label. Termite inspections are visual and access-dependent, and concealed areas can limit what can be seen. A useful assessment identifies what evidence is present, what could not be inspected, and which site conditions may increase risk or reduce the visibility of termite entry.
Typical areas of interest include accessible roof voids, interiors, external building edges, subfloors where present, garages, wet areas, landscaping interfaces, timber-to-soil contact, stored materials, moisture sources and previous treatment evidence.
A termite management system and regular inspection serve different purposes. An installed system can reduce or manage risk, while inspection is intended to help detect evidence and changing conditions.
Evidence we may investigate
- Live termite activity
- Mud leads or shelter tubes
- Timber damage
- Previous treatment or station systems
- Moisture or drainage problems
- Concealed slab/perimeter conditions
Factors affecting recommendations
- Extent and location of activity
- Building construction
- Access limitations
- Existing management system
- Owner plans and renovation works
- Suitability of barrier or baiting options
If live termites are found, avoid unnecessary disturbance before assessment
Household insecticide, opening large sections of a mud lead or removing infested timber before the treatment plan is established can disturb the activity and make the original evidence harder to assess. If it is safe to do so, photograph what you found and leave the area as intact as practical until a termite professional attends.
Immediate treatment and long-term management are separate decisions
Targeted treatment may be used to address active termite activity. Longer-term management may then involve a chemical treated zone, baiting and monitoring, inspection access improvements or other measures suited to the building.
A barrier alone is not an active-termite diagnosis
Where active termites are present, the proposed scope should clearly explain how the existing activity is being managed and whether a separate preventative or ongoing management system is also proposed.
Why a building inspection can still lead to a separate termite inspection recommendation
NSW Government guidance explains that a building inspection report may identify visible termite damage, but it does not necessarily establish whether termites or other timber-destroying pests are still present. NSW guidance recommends obtaining a pest inspection as well, particularly where termites are a known concern.
This distinction matters when a pre-purchase report says something such as “obtain a termite inspection”, “termite management system not identified”, “no barrier observed” or “further specialist assessment recommended”. Those comments are a prompt to investigate the termite-specific issue rather than assume the building report has already completed that specialist scope.
Source: NSW Government, Pre-purchase inspection reports when buying a home.
Possible termite management pathways for an existing Sydney property
Active termite treatment
Where live activity is confirmed, the first priority may be targeted treatment and follow-up rather than jumping straight to a whole-of-property barrier.
Chemical treated zone
Drilling, injection, trenching, rodding or other installation methods may be considered depending on the construction, access and chosen product/system.
Baiting and monitoring
In-ground or other monitoring/baiting approaches can suit some properties where site conditions, access or management objectives favour that strategy.
The best treatment proposal should make the scope understandable: what problem it is addressing, which areas are included, what product or system is proposed, what access assumptions apply, and what ongoing inspection or maintenance is required.
Continue your termite research
AS 3660.2 termite management FAQs
Is AS 3660.2 for existing buildings?
Yes. Standards Australia lists AS 3660.2:2017 as Termite management, Part 2: In and around existing buildings and structures. It provides guidance for owners and others involved in managing subterranean termites in existing properties.
Does a building inspection replace a termite or pest inspection?
Not necessarily. NSW Government guidance says a building inspection may identify visible termite damage but will not establish whether termites and other timber-destroying pests are still around. A separate pest inspection is recommended, especially in termite-prone circumstances.
What if my property has no identifiable termite barrier?
The absence of an identifiable system does not by itself prove that termites are active. It does mean the property should be assessed on its current evidence, construction and risk conditions before deciding whether an inspection, treatment or preventative management proposal is appropriate.
Can Goliath review a termite treatment quote after an inspection?
Yes. If you already have a written termite treatment or barrier quotation, Goliath can compare the proposed scope, method, areas, product, warranty and pricing. Eligible like-for-like quotes may qualify for the Termite Quote Beat offer.
Need an existing property assessed for termites?
Goliath provides termite inspections and treatment advice across Sydney. If you already have a written treatment quote, you can also send it through for a like-for-like review.
