11. How to prevent and manage mould in office space

Mould is a type of fungus that is found both outdoors and indoors. It multiplies via airborne spores which may start to grow if they land in a place with favourable conditions.  Mould can develop on a wide range of surfaces, such as wood, paint, walls, fabric, paper, and soil.

Favourable conditions

Mould needs 3 conditions to grow:

  • a suitable temperature
  • a source of food (such as dust or porous material)
  • moisture (on surfaces or humid air).

Prevention

Some ways to prevent mould include:

  • setting the building air-conditioning temperature to 24 degrees
  • cleaning wet areas as soon as possible, preferably within 24–48 hours
  • not leaving wet or damp items, such as gym or rain gear, indoors for any longer than necessary
  • assigning well-ventilated areas with fixtures, such as umbrella stands and hangers, that allow air flow around damp items
  • not keeping boxes, files or furniture against walls that restrict ventilation
  • ensuring good ventilation in kitchens, bathrooms and wet areas
  • providing a cleaning regime that keeps all surfaces free of dust and moisture, with extra attention to gyms, air supply grills, storerooms and other at-risk spaces
  • not bringing indoor plants into the buildings
  • regularly cleaning workstations, compactus areas and storerooms to remove dust and debris.

How to identify and report

All building occupants are encouraged to actively look for and report:

  • the presence of water leaks, or evidence of leaks, such as newly-water-stained materials
  • condensation
  • evidence of suspected mould, such as discoloured walls, ceilings and other surfaces
  • musty or unpleasant odours, even if mould is not seen.

If there are any areas of concern, immediately notify your department’s facilities management team, who will liaise with the Department of Housing and Public Works to address the issue.

More information

Contact the Queensland Government Accommodation Office:

You can also visit:

Last updated:
19 June 2026