Asbestos notifications

You must notify SafeWork NSW 5 calendar days prior to commencing licensed asbestos removal work in NSW.

Notification of asbestos removal work

Asbestos notification requirements apply to:

  • removal of greater than 10m2 of non-friable asbestos
  • removal of friable asbestos.

Interstate asbestos removalists operating in NSW must also notify SafeWork NSW when carrying out licensed asbestos removal work in NSW.

You can lodge the notification electronically using our asbestos and demolition online notification system.

For new users of this system, refer to our online notification system user guide to set up your profile.

Once you have notified online:

  • we'll send you an email to acknowledge we've received your notification
  • your work can commence 5 calendar days after your notification and not before
  • we won't send you any further correspondence about your notification, that is, you won't receive an approval
  • a PDF output of your notification can be downloaded once the notification is completed.

If you are experiencing difficulties accessing ONS, please submit a manual form and email to adu@safework.nsw.gov.au.

There will be no acknowledgement received from SafeWork NSW in this instance. If your form has been correctly completed with the required 5 day notification then you are permitted to commence work upon the 5 day period being observed.

Emergency asbestos removal

Where asbestos must be removed immediately, the licensed asbestos removalist must phone us on 13 10 50 and lodge the notification electronically using the asbestos and demolition online notification system within 24 hours of the telephone notification.

Emergency asbestos removal only applies to:

  • a sudden and unexpected event, including a failure of equipment that may cause persons to be exposed to respirable asbestos fibres, or
  • an unexpected breakdown of an essential service that requires immediate rectification to enable the service to continue.

Our inspectors can issue on the spot fines to any individual or business that appoints an unlicensed asbestos removalist, and any licensed asbestos removalists who fail to notify SafeWork of licensed asbestos removal work or who commences licensed asbestos removal work within the 5-day period.

Notification of respirable asbestos fibre levels at more than 0.02 fibres/ml

For Class A work, the licensed asbestos removalist must order removal work to stop and notify SafeWork NSW immediately if respirable asbestos fibre levels exceeds 0.02 fibres/ml in the removal area.

Asbestos removalists licensed in NSW and Interstate asbestos removalists operating in NSW must contact 13 10 50 or by email to contact@safework.nsw.gov.au if respirable asbestos fibre levels exceeds 0.02 fibres/ml in the removal area

Contact us

  • For asbestos and demolition notification enquiries, email adu@safework.nsw.gov.au
  • For all other enquiries, phone 13 10 50.

The phone number for asbestos and demolition notifications enquiries (1800 672 718) is being retired. This number will not work past 31st October 2024.

All phone enquiries should be directed to 13 10 50.

 
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