Asbestos assessor licence
Find out when you need this licence, the eligibility requirements and how to apply.
On this page
Key information
- Asbestos removal is dangerous and can cause death if not handled correctly. That’s why you must be licensed to work with it.
- In NSW, asbestos assessor licence holders can carry out air monitoring and clearance inspections for Class A asbestos work, which covers both friable and non-friable asbestos.
When an asbestos assessor licence is needed
You need this licence to do Class A assessor work, including:
- conducting air monitoring
- carrying out clearance inspections
- issuing clearance certificates
To undertake clearance inspections and issue clearance certificates for Class B (non-friable) asbestos removal work you must be a competent person.
You might find asbestos assessment work being carried out where a Class A asbestos removalist is removing lagging from a pipe, for example.
A licensed asbestos assessor conducts air monitoring during the work to ensure safety controls are adequate.
Once the work is complete, the assessor will conduct a visual inspection within the safety enclosure, and undertake clearance air monitoring before removing the enclosure.
The assessor will issue a clearance certificate when it is safe to reoccupy the area.
Eligibility
Who can apply
You must meet the following criteria to get a Class A asbestos assessor work licence. You must:
- be at least 18 and
- have completed training and/or
- have evidence of relevant industry experience within the last five years.
Who cannot apply
You cannot apply for an asbestos licence unless you have the relevant training and/or experience.
How to apply
What you need
Before you begin your application, make sure you have:
- proof of identity
- copies of your qualifications, certified by a Justice of the Peace and/or evidence of relevant industry experience
- a letter of reference that may be subject to a reference check
- workers compensation insurance certificate, if you have employees and are not exempt
- proof you have paid for the licence, which lasts five years (view the cost of licence in the fee schedule)
- two passport-quality photographs sent through a passport app or via post with your name, date of birth and signature on the back.
Apply for a new licence
Select the ‘Apply now’ link below. It will take you to the Service NSW online application form.
Your fee will be calculated on completion of the online application.
Your application will take around 30 minutes to complete.
Apply now for a new licence. Visit Service NSW if you need help applying online.
You can also renew your licence.
What happens next
- You will need to go to a Service NSW service centre within 30 days of applying, to complete facial verification.
- We will review your application. A SafeWork officer will contact you by email if more information is required.
- We will email you to tell you if your application was successful We will include a copy of your licence and your details will be added to the public register Verify.licence.
Renew a licence
You need to renew your asbestos assessor work licence before it expires. If you don't, you will not be allowed to carry out asbestos work.
Complete the renewal application form (PDF, 169.73 KB) and email it to SafeWork licensing team.
You can pay to renew your licence by credit card or PayPal and you will get a receipt number you can enter on the renewal application form (PDF, 169.73 KB).
If you don't renew your licence within three months of expiry you will have to reapply for a new licence
We will email you around 60 days before the expiry date to remind you to renew.
Lost, stolen or destroyed licences
If your licence is lost, stolen or destroyed let us know in writing as soon as possible.
Complete the replace a licence application form (PDF, 155.88 KB) and email it to SafeWork licensing team or post it to SafeWork NSW, Locked Bag 2906, Lisarow, NSW 2252.
You can pay to replace your licence by credit card or PayPal and you will get a receipt number you can enter on the replace a licence application form (PDF, 155.88 KB).
Change of details
It is your responsibility to tell us within 14 days if your name, address or other details change.
Qualification requirements
Training
If you are applying with training you will need to have gained your training with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) like TAFE NSW. Find a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that offers assessor training in NSW.
You will need to:
- complete the ‘Conduct asbestos assessment associated with removal’ course; or
- the ‘Conduct air monitoring and clearance inspections for asbestos removal work’ course; or
- at least a diploma level course in occupational health and safety, industrial hygiene or science, building construction or environmental health.
- provide proof of training.
Experience
If you are applying with work experience it must be work under the supervision of a licensed asbestos assessor.
Evidence of experience
You will be asked to prove that you have worked on three separate Class A asbestos assessor jobs, for example, preparing asbestos removal control plans, air monitoring, clearance inspections, and issuing clearance certificates.
The experience must not be older than five years. You must provide these details:
- job name and address
- type and amount of asbestos removed
- start and end dates of asbestos removal work
- notification number provided by SafeWork for the Class A removal work
- asbestos assessor licence number and contact details of the licence holder you worked for
- documents that show what works you undertook, for example asbestos removal control plan
You will also need to provide signed, dated reference letters from your employers on a business letterhead.
An asbestos assessor or a competent person can undertake clearance inspections and issue clearance certificates for Class B work.
Competent persons
To be a ‘competent person’ you will need to:
- complete the ‘Conduct asbestos assessment associated with removal’ course or
- the ‘Conduct air monitoring and clearance inspections for asbestos removal work’ or
- at least a diploma in occupational health and safety, industrial hygiene or science, building construction or environmental health
- evidence of the knowledge, skills and experience of Class B asbestos assessor work.
One job equals one work contract.
Working interstate
There are three ways of working across states and territories:
- Automatic Mutual Recognition
- Corresponding Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws
- Mutual Recognition.
Automatic Mutual Recognition
Asbestos removal and assessment are included in the Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) scheme.
Only Victorian asbestos licence holders would notify for AMR as asbestos licence holders from other states and territories already have the right to work in NSW under corresponding work, health and safety laws.
The AMR scheme offers an option for those interstate licensees not recognised under corresponding work, health and safety laws in NSW.
Interstate licensees will need to notify us of their intention to work here by completing an online notification. This can be accessed at the NSW Government website.
Under the AMR scheme, there is no need to obtain a local licence in a second state or territory or pay any additional licensing fees, as long as there is a home state licence in force.
Under AMR:
- licensees working interstate are subject to all relevant laws in the second state or territory
- their home state licence is considered a local licence in the second state or territory
- the second state or territory cannot impose specific conditions on an interstate licensee if they are not conditions that would be imposed on a local licensee
- any conditions on a licensee’s home state licence still apply while working in the second state or territory
- licensees may appear on the second state’s public register - this depends on the state or territory.
The scheme does not apply to New Zealand occupational registrations and licences.
Corresponding work, health and safety laws
There are corresponding WHS laws in New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory.
This means your NSW licence will be accepted there, and licences from these places will be accepted in NSW.
ACT licences must have been issued after 1 January 2015 to be used in NSW.
Mutual Recognition
Licensed workers who are ineligible for AMR and not recognised under corresponding WHS laws in NSW, may be able to apply to work interstate under Mutual Recognition (MR) arrangements.
MR enables a licensed worker to work in another state or territory by having their qualifications recognised in NSW and vice versa.
Under the MR system you can practise an equivalent occupation in NSW if the activities you're authorised to carry out under your original licence are substantially the same as those under the occupational licence in NSW.
You'll need to apply for recognition of your existing licence and pay any applicable fee.
For an application form please email the SafeWork licensing team or contact us on 13 10 50.
Latest updates
Find information about working as a licensed asbestos assessor.
Contact us
Need help applying?
If you need help with your application or have a question, please call 13 10 50.
Unsuccessful applications
You can apply for a review.
A review involves a different SafeWork officer, who was not involved in the original decision on your application.