Licensed asbestos removal, Sydney
Licensed asbestos removal covers safe removal of asbestos sheeting, tiles, insulation or other asbestos-containing material, most often ahead of a renovation or demolition, or where damaged material needs to be made safe.
Asbestos was widely used in Australian building materials until it was banned in 2003, so many homes built before the mid-1980s contain it somewhere: commonly fibro cladding, eaves, old vinyl or carpet underlay, and some roofing.
Typical job value: $3,000 – $20,000
We connect you with licensed local specialists; we don't carry out the work ourselves.
Prefer to talk? Call (02) 5926 2168
What's involved
Identification and assessment
A licensed assessor identifies suspected asbestos-containing material and confirms it via testing if needed.
Removal plan
For larger jobs, a safe work method statement and, if required, notification to SafeWork NSW is arranged before removal begins.
Removal
The licensed removalist isolates the work area, removes the material using controlled methods to limit fibre release, and double-bags or wraps it for disposal.
Clearance and disposal
For larger non-friable jobs and all friable removal, an independent clearance inspection confirms the area is safe, and the waste is taken to a licensed asbestos disposal facility.
What affects the price
- Amount and type of asbestos: bonded (non-friable) vs the more hazardous friable asbestos
- Accessibility, since roof cavities and under-house areas cost more to work in
- Whether disposal and a clearance certificate are included
- Area size and how many separate locations need clearing
Licensing and permits
Asbestos removal in NSW is tightly regulated by SafeWork NSW. A Class A licence is required to remove any amount of friable (crumbly) asbestos or any quantity of non-friable asbestos; a Class B licence covers non-friable (bonded) asbestos removal above 10m². Removal of small amounts of non-friable asbestos under 10m² can sometimes be done without a licence, but licensed removal is strongly recommended given the health risks of getting it wrong. A clearance certificate from an independent assessor is required before re-occupying the area for most jobs.
Common questions
How do I know if my house has asbestos?
Homes built or renovated before 1987 are the highest risk. Common locations include fibro (AC sheeting) walls and eaves, old vinyl floor tiles, and some roofing and guttering. A licensed assessor can confirm via a site inspection and lab testing of samples.
Is it illegal to remove asbestos myself?
In NSW, homeowners can legally remove small amounts, under 10m², of non-friable asbestos themselves in some circumstances, but licensed removal is strongly recommended; asbestos fibres are hazardous when disturbed, and getting it wrong creates a risk for you, your family and future occupants.
What's the difference between friable and non-friable asbestos?
Non-friable (bonded) asbestos, like fibro sheeting, has the fibres bound into a solid material and is lower risk if undisturbed. Friable asbestos crumbles easily and releases fibres more readily; it's higher risk and always requires a Class A licensed removalist.
Do I need a clearance certificate?
Yes, for any friable removal and for non-friable removal jobs over 10m², an independent clearance inspection and certificate is required before the area can be reoccupied or work can continue.
How much does asbestos removal cost?
It varies widely with the amount, type and accessibility of the material: a small amount of fibro sheeting costs much less than removing asbestos from an entire roof or under-house area. Get a site-specific quote rather than relying on a general estimate.
Can I renovate over asbestos instead of removing it?
Sometimes undisturbed, well-sealed non-friable asbestos can be left in place and covered, but this depends on the specific renovation; any work that disturbs, drills into or removes the material needs to be done by a licensed removalist.
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