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Asbestos remains an important safety concern across Victoria, particularly in older homes, commercial buildings, factories, sheds and structures constructed before asbestos use was prohibited. If asbestos-containing materials are disturbed during renovation, demolition or maintenance, fibres can become airborne and create serious health risks. For this reason, the asbestos removal regulations Victoria residents and businesses must follow are designed to control how asbestos is identified, removed, transported and disposed of. In 2026, Victorian requirements continue to place strong emphasis on competent removal, appropriate licensing, safe work practices, notification and lawful waste disposal.

Understanding the asbestos removal rules Victoria property owners and contractors need to follow can help prevent accidental exposure, project delays and costly compliance problems. The requirements can vary depending on whether the asbestos is friable or non-friable, how much material is involved and whether the work is being carried out at a workplace. This guide explains the main asbestos removal laws Melbourne homeowners, builders, landlords and businesses should understand, including the asbestos removal licence Victoria requirements, WorkSafe notification obligations, waste disposal rules and the costs that can influence an asbestos removal project.

What Are the Asbestos Removal Regulations in Victoria?

Victoria has strict occupational health and safety requirements governing asbestos removal. The main workplace framework is established under Victorian occupational health and safety legislation, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. WorkSafe provides practical guidance for people who manage, remove or work around asbestos.

The purpose of these requirements is to prevent exposure to airborne asbestos fibres. Asbestos can be found in many older building products, including cement sheets, roofing materials, wall linings, eaves, fences, floor coverings and other construction materials. While asbestos that remains intact and undisturbed may not immediately release fibres, cutting, drilling, breaking, sanding or demolishing asbestos-containing material can increase the risk.

The asbestos removal requirements therefore focus on identifying asbestos before work begins, selecting appropriate control measures and ensuring that removal is performed by appropriately trained and licensed people where a licence is required.

Victoria also prohibits the manufacture, use, reuse, importation, transport, storage and sale of asbestos, with the prohibition applying since 1 January 2004.

Understanding Friable and Non-Friable Asbestos

One of the most important distinctions under Victorian asbestos requirements is between friable and non-friable asbestos.

Non-friable asbestos, sometimes called bonded asbestos, is asbestos-containing material in which the fibres are firmly bound within another material. Common examples include asbestos-cement sheets and some older building products. When these materials are intact, the fibres are generally less likely to become airborne. However, they can still become dangerous when they are damaged or disturbed.

Friable asbestos is a material that can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry. Friable asbestos can release fibres much more easily and therefore presents a higher risk during removal. Fire, demolition, deterioration or certain work processes can also cause previously non-friable asbestos to become friable.

The distinction matters because the type of asbestos can determine the licence required and the control measures that must be used.

Do You Need an Asbestos Removal Licence in Victoria?

For most asbestos removal work, a licensed asbestos removalist is required. There is, however, a limited exemption for certain small amounts of non-friable asbestos.

A person who is an employer or self-employed person may carry out limited non-friable asbestos removal without an asbestos removal licence when the total area does not exceed 10 square metres and the total removal work does not exceed one hour during a seven-day period.

This exemption should not be interpreted as permission to undertake larger or more complex asbestos jobs without a licence. If the material exceeds the permitted quantity or time limit, licensed removal is required.

There are also specific requirements concerning training, protective equipment and safe removal practices even when limited unlicensed removal is permitted. WorkSafe states that people carrying out permitted limited removal work must be trained and provided with appropriate protective clothing and respiratory protective equipment.

For larger jobs, demolition projects, friable asbestos and other situations covered by the regulations, engaging a properly licensed removalist is essential.

Asbestos Removal Licence Victoria: Class A and Class B

The asbestos removal licence system in Victoria has two main licence classes.

A Class A asbestos removal licence permits the holder to remove all types of asbestos, including friable asbestos. A Class B asbestos removal licence permits the holder to remove non-friable asbestos. There are also specific versions of these licences covering particular types of asbestos-containing materials.

Choosing the correct licence is important because a Class B licence does not authorise the holder to undertake Class A friable asbestos removal work. WorkSafe specifically states that Class B licence holders cannot perform Class A asbestos removal work.

Where asbestos has become friable because of fire damage or another event, the classification may change and a Class A licensed removalist may be required. This is particularly important during demolition or clean-up after a fire.

Current Asbestos Licence Costs in Victoria for 2026–27

Licence fees are only one part of the overall cost of asbestos removal. For businesses applying for or renewing a licence, WorkSafe's published 2026–27 fees list the following amounts, excluding GST.

A Class A asbestos removal licence costs $1,307.30 for a new application or renewal. A Class B licence costs $1,113.90 for a new application or renewal. The licence can be valid for up to five years.

These are licensing costs for the removal business, not the price a homeowner or property owner necessarily pays for an individual asbestos removal project. Actual project costs can be considerably different depending on the amount and location of asbestos, access to the property, containment requirements, labour, protective equipment, disposal, transport, clearance procedures and the complexity of the work.

Licence fees are also reviewed annually, so anyone planning to apply in a later financial year should check the current Victorian fee schedule rather than relying on an older price.

WorkSafe Asbestos Removal Notification Requirements

A key part of WorkSafe asbestos removal compliance is notifying WorkSafe before relevant asbestos removal work begins.

The licensed asbestos removalist is responsible for submitting the required notification for each job and location where notification is required. WorkSafe's current notification information confirms that asbestos removal notifications are submitted before the work starts.

For non-friable asbestos of 10 square metres or less, the required notification period is generally at least 24 hours before the proposed work begins. In other cases, including friable asbestos and non-friable asbestos exceeding 10 square metres, at least five days' notice is required.

This notice period should be included when planning a renovation or demolition project. Arranging asbestos removal at the last minute can cause delays if the required notification period has not been allowed for.

The notification also contains important project information, including details about the licensed removalist, site supervisor, location, proposed dates and the client commissioning the work.

What Safety Measures Are Required During Removal?

The asbestos removal requirements go beyond simply holding a licence. Work must be planned and performed in a way that controls the risk of asbestos exposure.

Depending on the job, controls can include isolating the work area, using signs and barricades, suppressing dust, wearing suitable protective clothing and respiratory protection, using appropriate decontamination facilities and following strict procedures for handling and packaging asbestos waste. WorkSafe identifies these types of controls as part of compliant asbestos removal work.

The removalist should also determine the appropriate method for the particular material and site. Attempting to break, cut or otherwise disturb asbestos unnecessarily can increase fibre release.

Where required, an asbestos control plan should be prepared before removal work begins. The plan should address the nature and location of the asbestos, removal methods, control measures, personal protective equipment, waste handling and other relevant safety procedures.

Clearance Inspections and Certificates

Completing the physical removal does not always mean an asbestos project is immediately finished.

For relevant licensed removal work, an independent person may need to conduct a visual inspection to confirm that there is no visible asbestos residue remaining in the removal area or surrounding area. A clearance certificate is then required before the area can be reoccupied.

There is an exemption from the independent visual inspection requirement where the work consists only of removing non-friable asbestos-containing material not exceeding 10 square metres in total.

For certain friable asbestos work, additional air monitoring requirements may apply. This is particularly important for indoor work or outdoor work where other people could be exposed. The requirements can add to the project cost but are an important part of demonstrating that the area is safe for normal use.

Asbestos Waste Disposal Rules in Victoria

Removing asbestos safely is only part of the job. The waste must also be handled and disposed of lawfully.

Victorian environmental requirements apply to asbestos waste, including requirements relating to transport, storage and disposal. Asbestos waste must be taken to a facility authorised to receive it; not every landfill is authorised to accept asbestos.

For business and industry, packaged waste asbestos is classified as reportable priority waste. Depending on the circumstances, additional requirements apply to transportation, storage and waste tracking. Waste Tracker is used to record transactions involving reportable priority waste.

These rules are important because asbestos waste cannot simply be placed in ordinary construction waste or general household rubbish.

How Much Does Asbestos Removal Cost in Victoria?

There is no single fixed price for asbestos removal across Victoria. The cost of a project depends on the circumstances of the site and the amount and type of material being removed.

For example, a small amount of accessible non-friable asbestos may be considerably less expensive to remove than asbestos located inside walls, beneath flooring or across a large roof. Friable asbestos generally requires more extensive controls and may require additional monitoring and clearance procedures.

Common factors that influence asbestos removal costs include the quantity of asbestos, material type, location, accessibility, height, containment requirements, labour, protective equipment, project preparation, transport and disposal charges. Testing or identification costs may also apply where the material has not yet been confirmed.

Waste disposal can represent a significant part of the final price. Victoria also applies waste levies to certain asbestos waste categories, with the published 2026–27 priority waste levy schedule listing a levy for packaged waste asbestos and soil containing asbestos.

For this reason, a low initial removal quote is not necessarily the cheapest overall option if important elements such as disposal, transport, containment or clearance are excluded.

Asbestos Removal During Renovation and Demolition

Renovation and demolition work can disturb asbestos that has remained hidden for decades. Before removing walls, ceilings, flooring, roofing, eaves, fences or other older building materials, asbestos should be considered as a potential hazard where appropriate.

If asbestos is identified or reasonably assumed to be present, it should be managed before demolition work proceeds. WorkSafe guidance states that where asbestos is identified in relevant demolition circumstances, it must be removed before demolition so far as is reasonably practicable.

This is particularly important when planning a full-house demolition. Removing asbestos before general demolition can prevent asbestos-containing materials from being broken apart and mixed with ordinary construction waste.

Asbestos in Soil

Asbestos can also be encountered in soil, particularly on sites with a history of construction, demolition or asbestos-containing material disposal.

The rules can become more complex when soil is contaminated with asbestos. WorkSafe states that, depending on the asbestos and the circumstances, operators carrying out removal of asbestos-contaminated soil may need to hold or work under the appropriate Class A or Class B licence arrangements.

Environmental requirements can also apply. Soil containing asbestos is subject to waste management and tracking requirements in relevant circumstances, and certain transportation activities require appropriate registered vehicles and Waste Tracker processes.

Property owners should therefore avoid moving potentially contaminated soil around a site without first understanding the applicable requirements.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One of the biggest mistakes is assuming that asbestos is safe simply because it looks like ordinary cement, plaster or building board. Visual appearance alone may not reliably establish whether a material contains asbestos.

Another common mistake is assuming that every small asbestos job can be completed without a licence. The limited exemption applies only when specific conditions are met, including the 10-square-metre and one-hour limits for relevant non-friable asbestos work.

Property owners should also avoid putting asbestos waste into general rubbish, transporting it without understanding the applicable waste requirements or taking it to an unauthorised disposal location.

Finally, project planning should account for WorkSafe notification periods, safety controls, waste disposal and any required clearance procedures rather than treating asbestos removal as an ordinary demolition task.

How to Plan an Asbestos Removal Project

A sensible approach begins with identifying whether asbestos may be present. If there is uncertainty, appropriate assessment and testing should be considered before disturbing the material.

Next, determine whether the proposed work falls within the limited unlicensed removal provisions or whether a licensed removalist is required. If a licence is necessary, confirm that the removalist holds the correct class for the material involved.

The project should then be planned around the required notification period, control measures, removal method, waste arrangements and, where applicable, clearance inspection and certification.

The removal quote should ideally make clear what is included. Ask whether the price covers labour, containment, protective equipment, transport, disposal, waste charges, testing, clearance and other relevant services. Understanding these inclusions makes it easier to compare quotes accurately.

Final Thoughts on Asbestos Removal Regulations Victoria 2026

The asbestos removal regulations Victoria property owners and businesses need to follow are designed to protect workers, residents, neighbours and the wider community from asbestos exposure. The most important principles are straightforward: identify asbestos before disturbing older materials, use the correct level of licensing, follow WorkSafe notification requirements, apply appropriate safety controls and ensure asbestos waste reaches an authorised disposal facility.

The asbestos removal rules in Victoria can become more detailed when a project involves friable asbestos, demolition, contaminated soil or larger quantities of material. The asbestos removal laws Melbourne property owners encounter are part of the wider Victorian regulatory framework, so compliance should not be based on informal assumptions or outdated information.

For anyone planning asbestos removal, obtaining an accurate assessment and allowing enough time for the required safety and notification processes can make the project significantly easier to manage. Costs will vary from one property to another, but proper planning helps prevent unexpected disposal, compliance and project-delay expenses.

For further information about waste removal and related services, you can visit Reads Waste. Always check the latest Victorian requirements before commencing asbestos removal because licence fees, environmental requirements and regulatory guidance can change over time.