Working as a licensed asbestos removalist

What you need to know if you work for or run a business as a licensed asbestos removalist in NSW.

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Key information

  • Working with asbestos must be managed safely as exposure to asbestos may lead to asbestos-related diseases. That’s why you must be licensed to remove it.
  • In NSW, you must meet specific training and experience requirements before you can get a licence to work in the asbestos removal industry.
  • You must hold a current Class A or Class B asbestos removal licence if you want to work as an asbestos removalist. If you want to remove fire doors and safes, you must have the Class A asbestos 'fire doors and safes only' removal licence.

Licensing and training

You need a Class A asbestos removal licence to remove any amount of friable asbestos. You can also remove non-friable asbestos with a Class A asbestos removal licence.

A Class A asbestos 'fire doors and safes only' removal licence is also available.

You need a Class B asbestos removal licence to remove more than 10 m2 of non-friable asbestos.

Find out how to apply on the Class A asbestos removal licence page and the Class B asbestos removal licence page.

Watch our video for further information about asbestos hazards, risks and identification.

SafeWork NSW recommends that only licensed asbestos professionals remove asbestos. Find a licensed asbestos professional at Verify.licence

Training and compliance

Businesses, employers and other persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) have a general duty to provide information, training and instruction to their workers.

Asbestos removal work has specific formal training and licensing requirements.

To gain an asbestos removal licence, you/your workers must complete training with a SafeWork-approved registered training organisation (RTO) and have the required experience.

SafeWork NSW will conduct audits to ensure you are complying with your regulatory obligations.

Asbestos awareness training

If you run a business, you must also provide asbestos awareness training to all your workers who are:

  • carrying out asbestos removal work of less than 10 m2, and/or
  • at risk of exposure to asbestos while on the job, for example, electricians, plumbers, or bathroom and kitchen renovators.

The training must be relevant to the task and cover:

  • asbestos identification
  • safe handling of asbestos
  • suitable control measures.

Visit asbestos awareness training for more information.

Businesses, employers and other persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) must keep a record of a worker’s asbestos training while the worker is carrying out the asbestos removal work and for five years after they have finished the work.

Laws to follow

There are laws you must follow to ensure your safety, the safety of the community and to meet the requirements of your licence.

Work Health and Safety Act 2011. Employers of workers removing asbestos, or being exposed to asbestos, must follow the Act.

Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulation 2017. Asbestos removalists and their employers in NSW must follow the Regulation.

Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 governs the disposal of asbestos waste under the regulator, NSW Environment Protection Authority.

To comply with the laws, go to the Code of Practice – How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace (PDF, 1650.55 KB) and the Code of Practice – How to safely remove asbestos (PDF, 2770.66 KB).

Find out more about SafeWork's approach to work health and safety.

Health monitoring

Employers must provide all asbestos removal workers with health monitoring. Other workers undertaking ongoing asbestos-related work like assessors, electricians and plumbers must also undergo health monitoring.

Risks of exposure to asbestos

When you disturb asbestos-containing products, small fibres may be released into the air.

Disturbance can happen by smashing, cutting, drilling, grinding, breaking, sanding or water blasting asbestos.

You must not use a household vaccum cleaner to remove asbestos dust.

If you inhale the fibres, you may contract asbestos-related diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma or lung cancer.

You must undertake health monitoring.

Employer obligations

If you employ workers who are at risk of asbestos exposure when carrying out their work, you must fulfil your obligations under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulation 2017.

You must:

  • advise your workers of the health risks of working with asbestos
  • provide them with health monitoring by a registered medical professional.

To find out more about health monitoring, visit the icare website.

A copy of a health monitoring report must be provided to SafeWork NSW when it:

  • contains advice that a worker may have contracted a disease, injury or illness, or
  • recommends remedial measures.

You can notify us using the notification of adverse health monitoring report form (PDF, 771.67 KB).

Penalties apply for failure by a PCBU to notify SafeWork NSW of an adverse health monitoring report.

Sampling and testing

If you find material that could be asbestos, you must assume it is until proven otherwise.

The only way to be sure is to have a sample tested at a facility accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA).

It is cheaper to get a sample tested and the asbestos removed by a licensed professional than it is to do remediation works for asbestos contamination, which can be extensive.

SafeWork NSW strongly recommends that you use a competent person, such as a licensed asbestos assessor, to collect samples.

Planning and notifying

To protect yourself and others in the vicinity of asbestos removal, you will need to first request to see the workplace's asbestos register and asbestos management plan.

Then you will notify SafeWork NSW that you are removing asbestos, develop a record of your plan, inform others, put up barriers and signage, and protect yourself with the right PPE.

Asbestos register

If the workplace was built before 31 December 2003 or if asbestos has been found at the workplace, the owner or manager must keep an asbestos register.

They must make the asbestos register available to anyone at the workplace who has carried out work or intends to.

Asbestos management plan

If asbestos has been found at a workplace, the owner or manager must prepare and maintain an asbestos management plan.

The plan must be available to all workers at the workplace.

Notify SafeWork

The licensed asbestos removalist must notify SafeWork NSW at least five calendar days before removing any amount of friable asbestos or more than 10 m2 of non-friable asbestos in NSW.

You can lodge the notification electronically using our online notification system. Set up your notification profile with the help of our user guide (PDF, 1740.54 KB).

Where asbestos must be removed immediately, the licensed asbestos removalist must contact us on 13 10 50 and lodge a notification within 24 hours.

Requesting a waiver

If you're lodging a notification within 5 calendar days of starting work, you'll need to:

You must not start work until you've received a message from SafeWork NSW granting the waiver.

Find more information about when to notify us, visit asbestos notifications.

Develop an asbestos removal control plan

As the asbestos removal licence holder, you must prepare a site-specific asbestos removal control plan (ARCP) Class B (PDF, 205.28 KB) before you begin work to ensure workers and the public are not at risk when you remove the asbestos.

Class A removalists can use the templates in the plan (PDF, 205.28 KB) as a guide.

The ARCP must include details such as:

  1. how the asbestos will be removed, including the method, tools, equipment and PPE that will be used, and
  2. the type of asbestos that will be removed, including its location and condition.

You must also attach relevant specifications and drawings.

Develop safe work method statement

The asbestos removal licence holder must prepare a site-specific safe work method statement (DOCX, 172.83 KB) (SWMS) before starting any asbestos removal work.

The SWMS must:

  • identify work that is high risk construction work
  • specify hazards relating to the high risk construction work (for example, falls from heights, electrical), and risks to health and safety associated with those hazards
  • describe the measures to be used to control the risks
  • describe how the control measures are to be implemented, monitored and reviewed.

High risk construction work might include the disturbance or likely disturbance of asbestos, such as when:

  • removing floor tiles containing asbestos as part of a renovation
  • removing external asbestos-containing cement sheets
  • refurbishing a kitchen that involves disturbing asbestos
  • working on asbestos cement pipework.

Inform others

Before you or your workers carry out any licensed asbestos removal work, the licence holder must complete a notice of asbestos removal work form (PDF, 497.25 KB) to notify the following people in the vicinity about the work and when it will begin.

You must notify the:

  • person who commissioned the asbestos removal work
  • PCBU at the workplace
  • occupier of the domestic premises
  • owner of the domestic premises
  • immediate neighbours.

Organise barriers and signage

Before starting work, as the licensed asbestos removalist, you must ensure asbestos warning signs are in place to alert people that asbestos is present and you are removing it.

You must also erect barricades around the area to prevent those not involved in the removal from entering and potentially being exposed to asbestos.

Watch our video for further information about setting up your asbestos work area.

Personal protective equipment

Before carrying out any asbestos removal work, you must have all the required personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE).

The PPE you must have:

Other items you should have:

  • asbestos waste bags and adhesive tape for disposal of PPE and bagging of asbestos footwear
  • wet wipes or rags with a bucket of water
  • torch, screwdriver, sample bags, sealed box for storage of tools/equipment
  • camera and note-taking material.

For RPE, you must:

  • check with the supplier or manufacturer of your respirator that it is the right one for the job you are doing (friable or non-friable)
  • get a fit test to ensure the respirator fits correctly. To find a fit testing consultant visit respfit.org.au
  • check your respirator and filters are in good condition
  • be clean-shaven to ensure your RPE has an adequate seal on your face. If you do have stubble or facial hair, you must use a loose-fitting powered air purifying respirator
  • store reusable respirators in a clean, sealable container away from dust and chemicals
  • ensure reusable RPE is working properly and is safe for reuse by inspecting, cleaning and maintaining it regularly following the manufacturer’s instructions and safe work procedures.

Watch our video for further information about PPE and RPE.

Don’t reuse RPE that has broken straps, damaged facepieces, or been stored improperly.

Removal and disposal

As an asbestos removalist you must plan your set-up, removal, decontamination and disposal of asbestos-containing material.

Air monitoring

The PCBU who commissions asbestos removal work that requires a Class A asbestos removal licence must engage an independent licensed asbestos assessor to undertake air monitoring of the asbestos removal area to determine the effectiveness of controls, known as air (control) monitoring.

The asbestos assessor will also undertake air monitoring as part of a clearance inspection (if there is an enclosure). This is known as clearance monitoring.

Air (control) monitoring is not required for Class B work, but removalists may still carry out this check depending on the situation.

If you decide to get air (control) monitoring done for Class B work, you can employ either an independent licensed asbestos assessor or a competent person.

Air (control) monitoring must use the membrane filter method and be carried out before, during and, if necessary, after removal work.

What to do if respirable levels are too high

If asbestos shows as 0.01-0.02 fibres/ml, the licensed asbestos assessor or competent person must:

  • investigate the cause
  • implement controls to prevent exposure
  • prevent further release of fibres.

If asbestos shows as over 0.02 fibres/ml, the licensed asbestos assessor or competent person must:

  • stop work
  • notify SafeWork using our online notification system
  • investigate the cause
  • implement controls to prevent exposure
  • prevent further release of fibres.

The PCBU must provide the air (control) monitoring results to workers, health and safety representatives and anyone else at the workplace.

Once the area is free of visible asbestos contamination and air (control) monitoring shows asbestos below 0.01 fibres/ml (if required), the assessor (or competent person) can issue the PCBU a clearance certificate.

Nominated supervisors

Every asbestos job must have an asbestos removalist supervisor present or readily available.

Nominated supervisors are different – they are a person you ask to oversee your asbestos work, and you name them on your licence.

You must attach a nominated supervisor to your licence using the supervisor nomination form (PDF, 628.84 KB).

For Class A asbestos removal, your nominated supervisor must have proof of their ‘Remove friable asbestos’ and ‘Supervise asbestos removal’ training, and at least three years experience, including at least three Class A asbestos removal jobs.

Your nominated supervisor must be on site when you remove Class A asbestos.

For Class B asbestos removal, your nominated supervisor must have proof of their ‘Remove non-friable asbestos’ and ‘Supervise asbestos removal’ training and at least one year of experience removing non-friable asbestos.

Your nominated supervisor must be on-site or at least readily available (20 minutes from the site) for Class B removal.

If you are a sole trader, you might want to be your own nominated supervisor. You will need to provide evidence of your training, skills and experience with reference letters from past employers or clients. We check your supporting documents are genuine.

Email the SafeWork Licensing team to find out more.

Select method for removal

Complete asbestos removal in line with the Code of Practice – How to safely remove asbestos (PDF, 2770.66 KB) section 4.3. Wet and dry methods.

Choose the method most effective at minimising asbestos fibre release at the source.

We have listed the methods in order of preference:

  1. Wet spray method – asbestos fibres are significantly suppressed; however, they are not entirely eliminated so the use of RPE is essential.
  2. Saturation and water injection method – used during friable asbestos removal.
  3. Dry method – can only be used if the wet spray method is not suitable. For example, if there are live electrical conductors or if equipment could be permanently damaged or made dangerous by contact with water.

Watch our video for further information about safe handling and controls (drilling).

Decontaminate work area

As an asbestos removal licence holder, you must ensure there are facilities to decontaminate the work area and any equipment or people involved in the work (or who accessed the area).

Decontaminate tools and equipment

You must decontaminate all the tools and equipment used during the asbestos removal, before leaving the asbestos removal area.

Decontaminate them using wet wipes and/or an industrial vacuum with an H Class HEPA filter.

Use asbestos waste bags to double bag any tools or equipment that can't be fully decontaminated. You can use these tools and equipment at your next asbetsos removal job. Keep the bags sealed and secure until the next asbestos removal job.

Watch our video for further information about decontamination.

Transport and disposal

As the asbestos removal licence holder, you must ensure you contain and label asbestos waste and contaminated material according to the global standard for hazard reporting (GHS) before it leaves the asbestos removal area.

It must be disposed of as soon as practicable at a site authorised by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to accept asbestos waste.

Significant penalties apply if you do the wrong thing with asbestos waste.

Learn more about the disposal of asbestos waste at Asbestos in NSW.

Clearance inspections and clearance certificates

Once the asbestos removal work is complete, the licensed asbestos removalist must ensure a licenced asbestos assessor (for Class A work) or a competent person (for Class B work):

  1. carries out a clearance inspection
  2. issues a clearance certificate.

Only then can the workplace or residential property be re-occupied.

For an example of a Class A clearance certificate, see Appendix D of the Code of Practice – How to safely remove asbestos (PDF, 2770.66 KB).

Or for a Class B clearance certificate go to Class B asbestos clearance certificate – no air monitoring (PDF, 387.78 KB).

Prohibited equipment

You cannot use certain tools and equipment on asbestos or asbestos-containing material.

You must never use:

  • high-pressure water spray, jets, power or similar tools or instruments
  • compressed air.

Watch our video for further information on the dangers of pressure cleaning asbestos roofs.

Controlled use allowed

Certain equipment can cause the release of asbestos fibres into the air.

This equipment includes:

  • high-speed power tools such as angle-grinders, sanders, saws and drills, and
  • any other device that can cause the release of asbestos fibres into the air, such as a broom.

For this type of tool/equipment, you must only use it if it is:

  • enclosed during its use, or
  • designed to capture or suppress airborne asbestos and is used as per its design, or
  • used in a way that is designed to capture or suppress airborne asbestos safely.

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