Asbestos Removal Rules in Victoria for Homeowners

Quick answer: In Victoria, householders may legally remove asbestos from their own property, but government guidance strongly recommends using a licensed removalist, and says any friable asbestos or more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos must be removed by a licensed removalist. Whoever does the work, asbestos waste must be packaged correctly and taken only to a site authorised by EPA Victoria to accept it.

Asbestos rules can feel confusing because they come from a few different places. WorkSafe Victoria looks after how asbestos is removed, EPA Victoria looks after how the waste is transported and disposed of, and the Victorian Government’s Asbestos in Victoria website brings the guidance together for homeowners. Here is a plain English summary of what you can and cannot do.

What homeowners are allowed to do

The Victorian Government’s Better Health Channel states that householders may legally remove asbestos from their property. That said, the same guidance recommends professionals, particularly for loose asbestos, and Asbestos in Victoria says asbestos removal is best performed by licensed removalists who are trained to do it safely.

If you do choose to tackle a small job yourself, the homeowner guidance sets out what is expected:

Wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
Keep asbestos cement sheeting wet until it is packaged, and never break, cut or drill it.
Package the waste in two layers of 0.2 mm thick polythene, fill bags only half full, and seal them securely.
Label the packages clearly with an asbestos warning.
Take the waste only to a site authorised by EPA Victoria to accept asbestos.

Doing it yourself also means protecting your family, pets and neighbours from dust, and cleaning up properly afterwards. For most people, that is where the job becomes harder than it first looks.

When a licensed removalist is required

Asbestos in Victoria explains the thresholds clearly. Removal of non-friable asbestos can be done without a licence only where the total area does not exceed 10 square metres and the work takes no more than one hour in any seven day period. All other non-friable asbestos, and all friable asbestos, must always be removed by a licensed asbestos removalist.

WorkSafe Victoria issues two classes of licence:

Class B covers the removal of non-friable asbestos, such as asbestos cement sheeting, roofing and fencing, along with the dust that comes from that work.
Class A covers friable asbestos and asbestos contaminated dust, as well as everything a Class B licence holder can do.

Asbestos in Victoria also recommends engaging a licensed removalist if your project involves disturbing large amounts of asbestos cement, removing friable asbestos products, or demolishing all or part of your home. You can check a removalist’s licence using WorkSafe’s Service Provider Directory.

Notifying WorkSafe before the job

Licensed removalists must notify WorkSafe Victoria for each job and location. According to WorkSafe, notice must be given at least five days before work starts where the job involves friable asbestos or more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos. For licensed jobs of 10 square metres or less of non-friable asbestos, notice is due at least 24 hours before work starts, and for unexpected situations it is due within 24 hours of starting.

This is one reason it pays to plan ahead. If you are booking asbestos removal around a renovation, allow time for the notification period before the work can begin.

Clearance after removal

For removal of any friable asbestos or more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos, a clearance certificate should be obtained from an independent person before the area is reoccupied. WorkSafe notes that where a licence holder has been engaged by a homeowner at a domestic premises, the duty to obtain the clearance certificate sits with the licence holder. A clearance certificate is a written statement that the specified asbestos has been removed and the area has been cleaned of visible asbestos debris, so it is ready to be used again.

Transport and disposal rules

EPA Victoria sets the rules for where asbestos waste can go. For household asbestos you transport in your own vehicle, EPA says you do not need a permission to transport it and you do not have to use Waste Tracker. However, the waste must be packaged correctly or landfills will not accept it, and it must go to a landfill authorised to receive domestic asbestos. These landfills only accept small amounts of household asbestos, so EPA recommends contacting the site before you go.

What you must never do is put asbestos in your household rubbish or recycling bins, or dump it. Our asbestos disposal service takes care of packaging, transport and disposal for you, and we are registered with EPA Victoria.

Common questions

Can I remove asbestos myself in Victoria?

Victorian Government guidance says householders may legally remove asbestos from their own property, but it recommends licensed removalists. Any friable asbestos, or non-friable asbestos over 10 square metres, must be removed by a licensed removalist.

What is the 10 square metre rule?

Non-friable asbestos can be removed without a licence only if the total area is no more than 10 square metres and the work takes no more than one hour in any seven day period. Anything above that needs a licensed removalist.

Can I put asbestos in my wheelie bin?

No. Asbestos waste must be packaged correctly and taken to a site authorised by EPA Victoria to accept it. Call the landfill first, as sites only accept small amounts of household asbestos.

Whether it is an old shed, a fibro wall or a roof, our team can assess the job and explain the options. We are fully licensed, Australian owned and have over 25 years of experience across Melbourne and Victoria. See our asbestos inspection and asbestos roof removal services for more detail.

This article is general information only. For advice about your property, speak with a licensed asbestos professional.

To talk through your project, get a free quote or call 0410 336 410.