Asbestos work licences

Asbestos removal work must be carried out by a licensed asbestos removalist. Our inspectors can issue on the spot fines to any individual or business that appoints an unlicensed asbestos removalist, and to licensed asbestos removalists who fail to notify us of licensed asbestos removal work.

Types of licence

Only persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) can apply for an asbestos removal licence.

There are two types of asbestos removal licence and an asbestos assessor licence.

Type of licenceWhat you can do under that licence

Class A

Can remove any amount or quantity of asbestos or asbestos containing materials (ACM), including:

  • any amount of friable asbestos or ACM
  • any amount of asbestos contaminated dust or debris (ACD)
  • any amount of non-friable asbestos or ACM
Class B

Can remove:

  • any amount on non-friable asbestos or ACM
  • ACD associated with the removal of non-friable asbestos or ACM
Asbestos assessor

An asbestos assessor licence is required to carry out certain functions connected with class A asbestos removal work.

If you are licensed as an asbestos assessor, you can conduct the following:

  • air monitoring for Class A asbestos removal work
  • clearance inspections for Class A asbestos removal work
  • issuing clearance certificates in relation to Class A asbestos removal work

Getting a licence

First you must do your training and assessment through a registered training organisation (RTO) listed on the National Register of Vocational Education and Training (VET). Then, check your eligibility and apply to us for your licence.

1. Eligibility 

Refer to the Applicant guide for asbestos licences and notifications.

Make sure you meet the following criteria and can outline your experience in detail.

Class A

You must:

  • be over 18 years (your supervisor/s too)
  • have a certified safety management system in place
  • ensure each nominated supervisor (and yourself if you are the supervisor) can provide:
    • certified copies of the successful completion of CPCCDE3015A Remove Friable Asbestos and CPCCBC4051A Supervise Asbestos Removal
    • VET qualifications were obtained at least three years before commencement of industry experience
  • provide a detailed description of your relevant industry experience for a minimum of three friable asbestos removal jobs performed over a period of three years (this experience must have occurred within the last five years from the date of the application.

Class B

You must:

  • be over 18 years (your supervisor too)
  • ensure each nominated supervisor (and yourself if you are the supervisor) can provide:
    • certified copies of the successful completion of CPCCDE3014A Remove Non-friable Asbestos and CPCCBC4051A Supervise Asbestos Removal
    • VET qualifications were obtained at least 12 months before your application
  • provide a detailed description of at least 12 months of relevant industry experience that occurred within the last five years from the date of the application.

Asbestos assessor

You must:

  • be over 18 years of age
  • provide:
    • certified copies of the successful completion of CPCCBC5014A Conduct Asbestos Assessment associated with removal or
    • certified copies of the successful completion of a tertiary qualification in occupational health and safety or industrial hygiene or science or building construction or environmental health (diploma level and above)
  • provide a detailed description of your experience and training within the last five years from the date of application (include work experience for at least three jobs under the direct supervision of a licensed asbestos assessor for friable asbestos removal work)
2. Application

Complete the application form for the appropriate licence and nominate a supervisor:

3. Supporting evidence

You will need to provide:

  • Proof that a certified safety management system is in place and remains current for the duration of the licence (this is required for friable asbestos removal Class A licenses only).
  • Training certification
  • Letters of reference that may be subject to a reference check
  • 100 points of certified identity documents for all applications
  • Two passport sized photographs with your name, date of birth and signature on the back of the photographs (asbestos assessor licence only)
  • A certified identity document and recent photo of your nominated supervisor/s
  • A certificate of currency for workers compensation insurance (if you have employees and are not an exempt employer)

Refer to the Applicant guide for asbestos licences and notifications.

4. Submission

Submit the application form, supporting documents and fee by:

For asbestos assessor applications please post:

  • SafeWork NSW, Locked Bag 2906, Lisarow, NSW 2252

We will contact you if additional information is required.

Obligations

Your licence is conditional on the below obligations.

Certified safety management system

You must have a certified work health and safety management system in place when you apply for a Class A asbestos removal licence and for the duration of that licence.

Notifications

Notify us five working days before any licensed asbestos removal work begins.

Health monitoring

PCBUs must provide health monitoring to workers before they carry out their first asbestos removal job and then at least once every two years during their employment.

Nominated supervisor

Licence holders must ensure their nominated supervisor is present whenever Class A asbestos removal work is carried out. Your nominated supervisor must be present or readily available to attend the site whenever Class B asbestos removal work is being carried out.

Add multiple supervisors to your licence by completing the Asbestos removal supervisor nomination form.

Untrained workers 

Workers cannot be directed or allowed to carry out licensed asbestos removal work unless they are licensed for that work.

Records of training must be kept while the worker is employed by the PCBU for five years after the day the worker stops carrying out the work.

Note: training qualifications issued by a registered training organisation are not an authorisation to carry out licensed asbestos work.

Replacing a licence

If your licence is lost, stolen or destroyed, let us know, in writing, as soon as possible. Your application for a replacement licence must include a declaration describing the circumstances in which the original document was lost, stolen or destroyed.

Complete the Replace an asbestos removal or asbestos assessor licence.

Licence renewal

If you change your ABN, you need to complete a new licence application form.

In that application you will need to detail at least three asbestos removal or asbestos assessor jobs you carried out during the term of your licence.

For asbestos removal licence holders, for example, the jobs must demonstrate yours and your nominated supervisor’s competency in the asbestos removal work authorised by the licence.

Complete the Renewal application class A or B asbestos removal licence.

Complete the Renewal application asbestos assessor licence.

More information

Refer to the Applicant guide for asbestos licences and notifications or call us on 13 10 50.

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