Australian authorities urgently checking if ‘crumbly concrete’ poses risk to buildings

Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) has been used widely in construction across Australia but not roofs, floors or structural elements, such as in the UK Raac crisis. Photograph: Darren England/AAP

Australian governments are urgently checking public buildings to see if they contain aerated concrete that could be dangerous after dozens of UK schools had to close classrooms built with crumble-risk concrete that can suddenly collapse.

The buildings of concern in the UK were built of lightweight concrete panels called reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) – more commonly known in Australia as autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC).