Demolition
Demolition work includes demolishing or dismantling a structure or part of a structure that is either load bearing or related to the physical integrity of the structure.
From 1 March 2025, demolition licence holders must ensure demolition workers who are required to undertake licensed demolition work, have completed the course approved by SafeWork NSW: CPCCDE3016 - Identify hazards on demolition sites and apply risk management strategies. See below for more information.
Demolition licence holders: new regulations are in place from 1 March 2023. See how the new regulations affect working in the demolition industry and how to get your licence.
Demolition is high risk construction work, but doesn’t include:
- dismantling formwork, falsework, or other structures used to provide support, access or containment during construction
- removing power poles, light poles or phone poles.
Demolition licence holders
Learn about working as a demolition licence holder (including assessing risks and who to notify) and how to get an unrestricted licence or a restricted licence.
Check for asbestos
Check the asbestos register before beginning demolition. If a register is not available, have a competent person inspect the structure for asbestos. Remove all asbestos before beginning demolition work.
Confirm whether the site contains chemicals
The licence holder and/or the person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must confirm whether the site contains chemicals or not immediately before commencing demolition work.
Working in the demolition industry from 1 March 2023
The information below includes some of the changes to the regulation.
Penalties and on-the-spot fines
From 1 March 2023 you can be fined or prosecuted under the WHS Regulation for not:
- ensuring licensed demolition work you have commissioned is carried out by a person with a licence (clause 142B).
- ensuring a named supervisor is present and supervising licensed demolition work (clause 142C)
- keeping records of the training undertaken by workers carrying out licensed demolition work, or not ensuring those records are available for inspection by SafeWork NSW (clause 142E)
- having your licence available for inspection by SafeWork NSW (clause 143I)
- providing written notice within 14 days of a change of relevant information related to your licence (clause 143J).
- applying to SafeWork NSW to remove a named supervisor from your licence within 14 days of ceasing to use that person as a supervisor (clause 143K)
- returning your licence when requested in writing and within the time specified by SafeWork NSW when the licence has been amended (clause 143P)
- notifying SafeWork NSW as soon as practicable if you lose your licence (clause 143Q)
- returning your licence to SafeWork NSW in accordance with the details (including timeframe) specified in a written notice issued by SafeWork NSW advising that your licence has been cancelled or suspended or that you are disqualified from holding a licence (clause 143ZD).
From 1 March 2025, you can be prosecuted for allowing a worker to carry out licensed demolition work without completing the SafeWork NSW approved training course (clause 142D).
Mandatory training for demolition workers
You will need to ensure your demolition workers have mandatory training by 1 March 2025.
From 1 March 2025, demolition licence holders must ensure demolition workers who are required to undertake licensed demolition work, have completed the course approved by SafeWork NSW: CPCCDE3016 - Identify hazards on demolition sites and apply risk management strategies.
This is one of the 10 units of competency required for licence holders and/or named supervisors. The 10 units came into effect on the 1 July 2025, with the new training rules.
The pre-requisite for the course is CPCCWHS2001 – Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry.
If your demolition worker can demonstrate they have previously completed one of the demolition courses listed below, they will not be required to complete the new course.
- CPCCDE3016A Identify hazards on demolition sites and apply risk management strategies (superseded by current course CPCCDE3016)
- 91181NSW – Course in Demolition Supervision (Restricted)
- 91182NSW – Course in Demolition Supervision (Unrestricted)
If a worker is a current or previously approved supervisor for a demolition licence, they are exempt from undertaking the course.
Who requires training?
Workers who must be trained are those who:
- physically undertake licensed demolition work
- operate plant or equipment involved in licensed demolition work
- undertake work directly connected to the performance of licensed demolition work. i.e. a worker whether employed directly or indirectly who enters an area of the demolition site where licensed demolition work has commenced or is in progress.
The following people do not require training:
- truck drivers transporting demolition waste from the site who always remain in the cabin
- persons always accompanied by a named supervisor eg. engineers or people who are not undertaking licensed demolition works but are required to access the site i.e. to provide advice
- any persons not required to enter the demolition site, such as:
- persons providing services who remain outside of the demolition site
- traffic controllers, providing they remain outside of the demolition site.
Recognition of prior learning
Your registered training organisation (RTO) may consider recognising your prior learning.
Training records
You will need to keep your demolition worker training records and have them available for inspection under 142E from 1 March 2023.
The reason this requirement comes into effect prior to the mandatory training requirement is so licence holders are ready when the mandated training requirement begins on 1 March 2025.
Registered training organisations (RTOs)
A list of RTOs offering the approved training will be published on the SafeWork NSW website when it becomes available.
If you have completed the required units of competency before the RTO approval program commenced, the training will still be valid. Click here for information regarding the new training rules.
Chemical installations
The information below provides clarity about what a chemical installation is, the licence you need, and what you must do if you want to carry out demolition work at a site that contains chemicals.
The licence holder and/or the person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must confirm whether the site contains chemicals or not immediately before commencing demolition work.
As a guide, plant that involves a chemical installation may include, but is not limited to:
- above ground and underground tanks
- reaction, blending, boiling, conveying and other vessels
- pipework
- pipelines
- laboratories
- dispensing equipment such as fuel dispensers and gantries
- wash bays
- testing facilities
- spill, firewater and contaminated stormwater containment facilities
- contaminated ground or water table.
If an underground storage tank cannot be certified free from hazardous chemicals it is considered licensed demolition work.
You will need an unrestricted demolition licence to demolish (or partially demolish) any building, structure, major plant or installation that contains or may contain a hazardous chemical. Unless it has been declared in writing to be free of hazardous chemicals by a competent person as defined under the WHS Regulation, who should put in writing the date their declaration expires.
A competent person in this instance:
- is a person who has acquired through training, qualifications or experience, the knowledge and skills to inspect a chemical installation.
- may be a certified occupational hygienist of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists.
If you are a restricted demolition licence holder you can apply to SafeWork for a chemical installation condition to be added to your licence to undertake this type of work.
To upgrade your restricted demolition licence complete the amend a restricted demolition licence application form (PDF, 190.4 KB).
Demolition worker training - FAQs
Starting March 1, 2025, all workers doing licensed demolition work must complete training in CPCCDE3016 Identify hazards on a demolition site and apply risk management strategies.
Before taking this course, workers must first complete CPCCWHS2001 Apply WHS requirements, policies, and procedures in the construction industry.
Do all workers need to do the training if a supervisor is always on site?
Yes. All workers doing licensed demolition work must complete the training.
The rule about "persons always accompanied by a named supervisor" only applies to people not doing demolition work - for example, engineers checking the site. These people must stay next to the supervisor at all times.
We work in other states using our NSW demolition license. Do we still need to do this training?
This training rule only applies to licensed demolition work done in NSW from March 1, 2025.
We are in regional NSW. How can we do the training?
Some Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) offer online training, so you can complete it from anywhere. You will find a list of training providers in NSW.
We have a job that lasts 6 months but only includes 4 days of licensed demolition work. Who needs training?
Only workers doing the portion of the job that involves licensed demolition work need to be trained. Once the licensed work has been completed, workers who are not trained can do the unlicensed portion of work.
What areas of a demolition site are considered licensed demolition areas?
These areas are marked with barriers, fences, signs, or other controls. Examples include:
- demolishing buildings taller than 6 metres
- using big machines on suspended floors
- using explosives
- demolition at a chemical site.
Where can untrained workers go on a demolition site?
They can only go to safe areas, such as:
- parking bays
- site offices
- training rooms
- break areas and toilets or other areas where licensed demolition work has not commenced or is not in progress.
What does "accompanied by a supervisor at all times" mean?
It means the supervisor must stay right next to the worker, within sight and hearing, and give directions the entire time.
The licensed demolition work is finished, but other demolition work is still happening. Do workers still need training?
No. Once licensed demolition work is done, workers do not need training for unlicensed demolition work. But safety barriers and signs must stay up until all demolition work is finished.
Licensed demolition work has commenced but is not happening at the time of my visit. Do I still need training?
Yes. If you enter areas where licensed demolition work has commenced, you must have been trained. These areas are still under the control of a demolition licence holder.
I booked my workers for training, but they won’t finish before March 1, 2025. Can they still work?
No. Workers must complete the training before doing licensed demolition work. This rule has been in place since September 23, 2022 to give businesses time to prepare.
We repair machines at demolition sites where licensed work has commenced. Do our workers need to be trained?
It depends:
- No training needed - If a supervisor stays with the worker the whole time while they fix the machine in the licensed demolition area.
- No training needed - If the machine is moved outside the licensed demolition area before being repaired.
- Training required - If the worker stays in the licensed demolition area without a supervisor, they must be trained.
More information
Learn about SafeWork NSW's position on risks of induced collapse on residential properties.
For general information about planning demolition work, controlling risks, using different demolition methods and demolishing special structures, see the code of practice for demolition work.