Code of Practice — How to Safely Remove Asbestos

The full title is the Code of Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos, published by Safe Work Australia. The code becomes legally binding from 1 July 2026 under Section 26A of the WHS Act. The code applies to all asbestos removal work, which includes any work that involves the disturbance, dismantling, or removal of asbestos or asbestos-containing materials from structures, plant, or soil. The code distinguishes between Class A removal work (friable asbestos) and Class B removal work (non-friable asbestos), each requiring different licence classes and control measures. It covers notification requirements, asbestos removal control plans, containment and enclosure construction, personal protective equipment, decontamination procedures, air monitoring during and after removal, clearance inspection and certification, and waste disposal requirements.

The code applies to licensed asbestos removalists holding Class A or Class B licences, workers who perform asbestos removal work under the direction of a licensed removalist, air monitoring professionals who conduct monitoring during and after asbestos removal, clearance inspectors who conduct visual inspections and clearance certification, PCBUs who commission asbestos removal work and have duties to ensure the removalist is licensed and competent, and principal contractors on construction projects where asbestos removal is performed as part of demolition or refurbishment. The code also applies to waste transporters and disposal facility operators who handle asbestos waste. The licensing requirements are strict — friable asbestos removal can only be performed by a Class A licensed removalist, while non-friable asbestos removal exceeding 10 square metres requires a Class B licence. Removal of less than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos may be performed by a competent person without a licence, but the code's control requirements still apply.

The code requires an asbestos removal control plan to be prepared before any removal work commences, documenting the type and extent of asbestos to be removed, the removal method, containment arrangements, air monitoring plan, decontamination procedures, and waste disposal arrangements. Notification to the regulator is required at least five days before friable asbestos removal commences and at least 24 hours before non-friable removal of more than 10 square metres. For friable asbestos removal, a fully enclosed containment area with negative air pressure must be constructed, with HEPA-filtered negative air units maintaining at least four air changes per hour. Personal protective equipment including disposable coveralls and P3 respiratory protection must be worn by all workers in the containment area. Air monitoring must be conducted by an independent competent person during and after removal, with results compared against the respirable fibre concentration of 0.01 fibres per millilitre. Clearance inspection must be conducted before the containment is dismantled.

First, verify that all asbestos removal licences are current and that the licence class matches the type of asbestos being removed, with Class A for friable and Class B for non-friable. Second, review asbestos removal control plan templates against the code's requirements, ensuring they address containment design, air monitoring frequency, decontamination procedures, waste handling, and clearance inspection protocols. Third, audit current air monitoring practices to verify that monitoring is conducted by an independent competent person using calibrated equipment, that results are compared against the 0.01 f/mL standard, and that records are retained for the required period. Fourth, review waste disposal procedures including double-bagging, labelling, transport documentation, and disposal at licensed facilities, and verify that waste tracking records are complete and auditable. Fifth, ensure all workers involved in asbestos removal hold current asbestos removal competency training and that refresher training is provided at intervals not exceeding 12 months.

Unlicensed or non-compliant asbestos removal can expose workers and the public to carcinogenic fibres, creating lifelong health risks and catastrophic legal liability. After 1 July 2026, failure to follow the code constitutes a standalone offence. Performing asbestos removal without a licence is a separate offence under the WHS Regulation carrying substantial penalties. Category 2 penalties of up to $1,731,500 for a body corporate apply where workers or the public are exposed to asbestos fibres through non-compliant removal. Environmental protection agencies may pursue additional penalties for uncontrolled asbestos release into the environment. Prohibition notices are issued immediately for any asbestos removal activity that does not comply with the code, stopping all work on the project until compliance is demonstrated. The cost of remediation following non-compliant removal — including re-enclosure, additional monitoring, and decontamination — can exceed the cost of compliant removal by an order of magnitude.