What Is an Asbestos Clearance Certificate?

Quick answer: An asbestos clearance certificate is a written statement confirming that the specified asbestos has been removed from an area and the area has been cleaned of visible asbestos debris, so it is safe to reoccupy. In Victoria, one should be obtained from an independent person after the removal of any friable asbestos or more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos, before anyone moves back into the area.

If you have booked asbestos removal for a renovation, a rental property or a business premises, you may have heard the term clearance certificate and wondered what it actually covers. This guide explains what the certificate is, who issues it, when you need one and why it matters when you sell, lease or insure a property.

What a clearance certificate confirms

Asbestos in Victoria, the Victorian Government’s asbestos information site, describes a clearance certificate as a written statement that a specific area where asbestos removal work took place has had the specified asbestos containing materials removed and has been cleaned of any visible asbestos containing debris associated with the removal.

In practical terms, the certificate is the sign off that says the removal job is finished and the work area can be used again. It usually relates to a particular area and a particular set of materials, such as a bathroom lining, an eaves section or a garage roof. It does not mean the whole property is free of asbestos, which is an important point if other asbestos materials remain elsewhere in the building.

When you need one

According to Victorian Government guidance, a clearance certificate is required before an area is reoccupied when the removal work involves:

any quantity of friable asbestos, or
more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos.

Both of these types of job must be carried out by a licensed asbestos removalist. Friable asbestos needs a Class A licence, and non-friable asbestos over 10 square metres needs at least a Class B licence. Smaller jobs of 10 square metres or less of non-friable asbestos generally fall outside the clearance certificate requirement, although many property owners still like a written record of what was removed.

Who issues the certificate

The clearance inspection must be done by someone independent. Asbestos in Victoria explains that an independent person is someone who is independent from the person commissioning the work and from the licensed asbestos removalist, and who has the knowledge, skills and experience to complete the clearance certificate. Occupational hygienists are given as an example of people with suitable qualifications, and an asbestos consultant engaged to manage the process can also act as the independent person.

For homeowners, WorkSafe Victoria makes things simpler. Where a licence holder is engaged by a homeowner to remove asbestos at a domestic premises, the duty to obtain the clearance certificate is placed on the licence holder. In other words, if you hire a licensed removalist for your home, arranging the clearance certificate is part of their job. For workplaces and commercial property, the person who commissions the work is responsible for arranging it.

At Aussie Asbestos Solutions, we arrange an independent clearance inspection for removal jobs over 10 square metres, so you are not left chasing paperwork after the job.

What happens during a clearance inspection

Once the removal and clean up are finished, the independent person visits the work area and checks that the specified asbestos materials are gone and that there is no visible asbestos dust or debris left behind. They look at surfaces, floors, ledges and surrounding areas where dust could have settled, and check that the waste has been removed from the site.

If the inspection finds remaining debris, the area is cleaned again and rechecked. Only when the area passes is the certificate issued and the area cleared for people to use.

Why the certificate is worth keeping

A clearance certificate is useful long after the job is finished. Keep it with your property records, because it can help when:

Selling a home. Buyers and their building inspectors often ask what has been done about asbestos in older homes.
Leasing a property. Landlords can show that asbestos work was completed and signed off properly.
Running a business. Workplaces with asbestos need to keep their asbestos register up to date once removal is completed, and the certificate supports that record.
Planning future work. Tradespeople can see which areas were cleared and which materials were removed.

If your building still has other asbestos materials, an asbestos inspection can identify them, and asbestos testing can confirm whether a particular material contains asbestos. For larger sites, see our commercial asbestos removal service.

Common questions

Do I need a clearance certificate for a small asbestos job?

Victorian guidance requires a clearance certificate after removal of any friable asbestos or more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos. Smaller non-friable jobs generally do not require one, but a written record of the work is still useful to keep.

Who is responsible for getting the clearance certificate?

For a home, WorkSafe Victoria places the duty on the licensed removalist engaged by the homeowner. For workplaces and commercial property, the person who commissions the removal arranges it through an independent person.

Does a clearance certificate mean my house is asbestos free?

No. A clearance certificate covers the specific area and materials that were removed. Other parts of the property may still contain asbestos, so an inspection is the best way to understand the whole building.

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

Aussie Asbestos Solutions is fully licensed, registered with EPA Victoria and has over 25 years of experience with residential and commercial asbestos work. To plan a removal with clearance included, get a free quote or call 0410 336 410.