The exterior paint on the two-storey Old Sergeant's Mess, which can be seen from Countess Street, is peeling and flaking and considered a health risk because it is the building's original lead paint.

Victoria Barracks is Brisbane's first military barracks and dates back to 1864 when it was known as the Green Hill Barracks.

It is understood the Sergeant's Mess, separate to the Officers' Mess, was built in the first 10 years of the Victoria Barracks construction.

The Federal Department of Environment and Energy says exposure to old lead paint is a health risk.

"Lead is a toxic substance that can affect people of any age. It is especially harmful to children, pregnant women and unborn babies," it says.

"Lead accumulates in your body, so even small amounts can pose a health hazard over time.

"Before 1970, paints containing high levels of lead were used in many Australian houses. Exposure to lead is a health hazard. Even small amounts of dust or chips of paint containing lead, generated during minor home repairs, can be a health risk."

There is ongoing debate within the Department of Defence and the Queensland government about the intentions to preserve the Victoria Barracks site and yet allow some future development.

One section of Victoria Barracks, which was occupied by police, has been protected and redeveloped as The Barracks and includes a Palace cinema and some retail businesses and restaurants.

This week, the Department of Defence called a tender to remove the original lead paint from the  Sergeant's Mess.

"The scope of works of this project involves the remediation of the external lead-based paint to the Sergeants Mess at Victoria Barracks, Brisbane," the tender documents show.

Defence department public affairs officer Paul Lynham said concerns had been raised as the lead paint on the outside of the mess began to peel and flake.

"The paint on the building itself is now peeling on the outside," Mr Lineham said.

"It only gets to be a problem when it starts flaking."

According to the AusTender document listed to carry out the four-month project to remove the lead paint, the work will not begin until June 1, 2017.

The tenders must meet the guidelines set by the national building code legislation, which governs safety and standards for construction and remediation work.

Mr Lineham said the Sergeants' Mess was still being used, as did a volunteer at the Victoria Barracks Historical Museum in Fortitude Valley.

"It's still being used for meetings and that sort of thing, even for Xmas parties," the volunteer said.

During the mid-2000s, it was used when a Commission of Inquiry into the work by RAAF employees to reseal fuel tanks on F-111s at RAAF Base Amberley.

Queensland's Building and Construction Commission said any health concerns about the flaking lead paint should be raised with Brisbane City Council.

Defence media has been asked to comment on any safety concerns with the lead paint and whether the rooms should be closed until the paint is removed.