Removing asbestos? Use only the professionals!
To ensure you protect yourself, your family and workers, Asbestos Awareness recommends using ONLY licenced asbestos removalists to remove any asbestos-containing materials because it’s not worth the risk!
How does the cost of using a licence asbestos removalist compare to other licenced trades?
The cost of retaining a licenced asbestos removalist is comparative to retaining most other trades such as a licenced electrician, builder or plumber. For all other trade work people use licenced tradespersons because they’re professionally trained to do the work safely and in accordance with regulations.
You wouldn’t do your own electrical work because it’s not safe. The same logic applies to using a licenced asbestos removalist – it’s just not worth the risk!
Rough Guide To Costs*
- Scientific testing of asbestos at a NATA accredited lab varies from between $40-140
- A pre-purchase Asbestos Home Inspection by a licenced inspector is approximately $400
- Cost for 300kg of asbestos waste to be disposed of legally costs around $145 and over a tonne costs around $380. Asbestos waste can only be accepted at lawful sites and some might require notice or pre-booking. To locate your closest asbestos disposal facility visit the Asbestos Safety & Eradication Agency’s disposal database
- A licenced removalist starts at around $35m² for the first 10m² and usually includes legal disposal. Find a licenced asbestos removalist
*NB: Prices quoted above are estimates only and would vary depending on individual circumstances.
How expensive is it to use a licenced professional to remove asbestos?
Compared to other household expenses and tradesmen, the cost of retaining a professional asbestos removalist is affordable.
The cost of using a licenced professional usually includes safe removal and disposal at an authorised waste depot. The first 10 square metres costs on average from $35m² depending on circumstances. Discounts can apply for the removal of metres thereafter.
The cost of safe removal of asbestos by a professional is dependent on a variety of factors including:
- The quantity and type of asbestos-containing materials that need to be removed.
- If the asbestos is friable or non-friable.
- The age and the condition of the building or structure (such as a fence or chook pen) and how it was constructed.
- The location of the asbestos-containing materials – is it easy or difficult to access?
IMPORTANT: The end cost of removing asbestos can become far more expensive if it’s not done according to regulations in the first instance. This is because there may be fines plus additional costs to remediate a site by a professional asbestos removalist.
Who can legally remove asbestos?
While it is legal for a non-licenced person to remove up to 10 square meters of non-friable asbestos in all states and territories except the ACT, if removing more than 10 square metres, you MUST either hire a qualified, licenced asbestos removalist or obtain a bonded asbestos removal licence which requires you to attend an appropriate training course run by TAFE or a registered training organisation.
There are two different licences for asbestos removal
- Class A – licence to remove friable asbestos
- Class B – licence to remove non-friable asbestos
In the ACT all asbestos removal work MUST be conducted by a licenced asbestos removalist. In all other states and territories, only licenced asbestos removalists can remove more than 10 square metres of asbestos if it is non-friable.
Remember: If the asbestos is in powder form or can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry, it must be removed by an asbestos removal contractor with a friable asbestos licence.
In all states and territories any loose or friable asbestos can ONLY be removed by a qualified and licenced asbestos removalist and CANNOT BE REMOVED BY THE HOMEOWNER.
For details about the regulations in your state visit:
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
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