Do asbestos removalists and demolition contractors need a licence in Australia?

Yes. Removing any friable asbestos needs a Class A licence, and removing more than 10 m2 of non-friable asbestos needs a Class B licence; in the ACT any amount needs a licensed removalist. Many states also license some or all demolition work.

Licence by state

StateLicence needed?Licence and who issues itCheck a licence
NSWNew South Wales Over a job value
Any friable asbestos (Class A); non-friable over 10 m2 (Class B)
 Asbestos removal licence Class A or Class B; asbestos assessor licence
SafeWork NSW
Apply online through Service NSW, then do facial checks at a service centre within 30 days. Demolition needs a SafeWork restricted or unrestricted demolition licence.
 Verify.licence (SafeWork licence register)
VICVictoria Over a job value
Any friable asbestos (Class A); non-friable over 10 m2 or over 1 hour in 7 days (Class B)
 Asbestos removal licence Class A or Class B (all or specific)
WorkSafe Victoria
Apply online through myWorkSafe. Demolishers must be registered with the Building and Plumbing Commission (Low rise, Medium rise or Unlimited); check them at bpc.vic.gov.au.
 Ask the regulator
QLDQueensland Over a job value
Any friable asbestos (Class A); non-friable 10 m2 or more (Class B)
 Asbestos removal licence Class A or Class B; asbestos assessor licence
WorkSafe QLD (Workplace Health and Safety Queensland)
Apply with Form 80 (removal) or Form 81 (assessor). Demolition licences come from WHSQ (Form 76, valid 2 years), not the QBCC.
 Which businesses are licensed to remove asbestos in Queensland
WAWestern Australia Over a job value
Any friable asbestos (Class A); non-friable over 10 m2 (Class B)
 Asbestos removal licence Class A or Class B; asbestos assessor licence
WorkSafe WA
Licences last 5 years. Demolition of structures 2 m or higher (not a single-storey house) needs a WorkSafe WA Class 1 or Class 2 demolition licence.
 WA Online Licence Search
SASouth Australia Over a job value
Any friable asbestos (Class A); non-friable over 10 m2 per project (Class B)
 Asbestos removal licence Class A (unlimited) or Class B (limited); asbestos assessor licence
SafeWork SA
The 10 m2 limit is per project and cannot be split. Demolition contractors need a CBS building work contractor's licence for that type of demolition.
 SafeWork SA licence holder registers
TASTasmania Over a job value
Any friable asbestos (Class A); non-friable 10 m2 or more (Class B)
 Asbestos removalist licence Class A or Class B; asbestos assessor licence
WorkSafe Tasmania
Lodge the form at a Service Tasmania outlet. Demolition is done by a licensed builder or a CBOS Builder - Demolisher licence holder.
 Find a licensed asbestos removalist or assessor
ACTAustralian Capital Territory Yes
Any amount of asbestos, including under 10 m2 non-friable (minor routine maintenance excepted)
 Asbestos removalist licence Class A or Class B; asbestos assessor licence
Access Canberra (for the WorkSafe ACT Commissioner)
The ACT removed the 10 m2 no-licence allowance, so homes need a licensed removalist too. Demolition needs a demolition endorsement on a construction occupations licence.
 WorkSafe ACT Public Register
NTNorthern Territory Over a job value
Any friable asbestos (Class A); non-friable over 10 m2 (Class B)
 Asbestos removal licence Class A or Class B; asbestos assessor licence
NT WorkSafe
Licences last 5 years. The NT has no demolition licence, but some demolition must be notified to NT WorkSafe 5 days before it starts.
 NT WorkSafe asbestos removalists list

Jobs that need an extra licence

Asbestos assessmentAsbestos assessor licence (air monitoring, clearance inspections and clearance certificates for Class A work)
Issued by the state WHS regulator (SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe QLD, WorkSafe WA, SafeWork SA, WorkSafe Tasmania, Access Canberra for WorkSafe ACT, NT WorkSafe). ACT assessor licences have a wider scope.
Demolition (NSW)Restricted or unrestricted demolition licence
SafeWork NSW. Restricted: load-bearing structures 6-15 m high with load-shifting machinery on a suspended floor. Unrestricted: over 15 m, explosives, tower cranes and other high-risk work.
Demolition (VIC)Demolisher registration: Low rise, Medium rise or Unlimited
Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC), which replaced the VBA in 2025.
Demolition (QLD)Demolition work licence (valid 2 years)
WorkSafe QLD (WHSQ), Form 76. Not a QBCC licence. Domestic houses and their garages or carports are excluded unless pre/post-tensioned parts, load shifting equipment or explosives are involved.
Demolition (WA)Demolition licence Class 1 (10 m or more, high-risk) or Class 2 (under 10 m, not a single-storey dwelling)
WorkSafe WA.
Demolition (SA)Building work contractor's licence with a demolition condition
Consumer and Business Services (CBS).
Demolition (TAS)Builder - Demolisher licence
Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS).
Demolition (ACT)Demolition endorsement on a construction occupations (builder) licence
Access Canberra / ACT Planning.
Demolition (NT)No demolition licence; notify NT WorkSafe 5 days before some demolition work
NT WorkSafe.

Hiring? How to check a licence

  1. Ask for the licence number and the name on it.
  2. Check the number on your state's register (links above) and make sure it has not expired.
  3. Check the class: friable asbestos needs Class A; Class B covers non-friable only.
  4. For Class A jobs, ask who the independent licensed asbestos assessor is.
  5. For demolition, check the separate demolition licence or registration where your state has one.
  6. Get a written quote that shows the business name and licence number.

Find local businesses: DemolitionAsbestos Removal

On ServiceTasker, a business uploads its licence and our team checks it before a licence badge shows on its profile. You see what it holds, never the number or the document.

For businesses: how to get this licence

  1. Qualify: complete the asbestos units from a registered training organisation (RTO), such as remove non-friable asbestos (Class B), remove friable asbestos (Class A) and supervise asbestos removal.
  2. Experience: show past asbestos jobs done under a licensed removalist. For example, NSW asks for 3 Class B jobs over 12 months, or 3 years and 3 Class A jobs for Class A.
  3. Documents: nominate a supervisor, supply ID, training certificates, references and workers compensation details. Class A usually also needs a certified safety management system (AS/NZS ISO 45001).
  4. Apply to your state (links below). Only a business or self-employed person can hold a removal licence. Licences usually last 5 years. Notify the regulator before each licensed job.
  5. Licensed in another state? Asbestos licences from corresponding WHS regulators are generally recognised, and Automatic Mutual Recognition may apply. Check with the regulator in the state where you will work.
StateWho issues itApply here (official)Requirements
NSWSafeWork NSWHow to applyRequirements
VICWorkSafe VictoriaHow to applyRequirements
QLDWorkSafe QLD (Workplace Health and Safety Queensland)How to applyRequirements
WAWorkSafe WAHow to applyRequirements
SASafeWork SAHow to applyRequirements
TASWorkSafe TasmaniaHow to applyRequirements
ACTAccess Canberra (for the WorkSafe ACT Commissioner)How to applyRequirements
NTNT WorkSafeHow to applyRequirements
Already licensed? Add your licence on ServiceTasker

Last checked: 12 November 2026. General information only, not legal advice. Rules, fees and forms change: always check with the regulator in your state before you hire or apply. Some details could not be confirmed online and are left out; the regulator can confirm them.

Official sources (43)

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