What is an asbestos removalist?

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People working in the building, trades, maintenance and service sectors should only handle asbestos if they happen to be working on an area that contains asbestos and have had appropriate training to work with it.

In the ACT, while people in the trades, maintenance and service sector may work with and remove small amounts (less than 10 square metres) of bonded asbestos as part of their daily work activities if they have, through an approved course, received appropriate training for working with asbestos. These people are not licensed asbestos removalists and should not engage in removing asbestos as an occupation or be engaged as asbestos removalists.

ASBESTOS REMOVALISTS MUST BE LICENSED

Licensed asbestos removalists have had specialised training to ensure the removal of asbestos is safe and professional and have several professional responsibilities and standards that apply to their work under the:

The Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004 defines an asbestos removalist and an asbestos removal service.

An asbestos removalist is an entity that provides, has provided or proposes to provide an asbestos removal service.

An asbestos removal service is the doing or supervising of building work that involves all or any of the following:

handling (including disturbing) asbestos in buildings;
removing and disposing of asbestos from buildings.

Types of Licensed Asbestos Removalists

There are two classes of asbestos removalist licence (A class and B class) which, depending on the license class, restrict the type of work that can be done. These two classes are defined in the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Regulation 2004.

A Class Asbestos Removalist : removal of bonded asbestos and friable asbestos

A class asbestos removalist licensees can:

handle (include disturbing) asbestos in buildings; and
remove and dispose of asbestos from buildings;

B Class Asbestos Removalist: removal of bonded asbestos only

B class asbestos removalist licensees can:

handle (include disturbing) only bonded asbestos in buildings; and
remove and dispose of only bonded asbestos from buildings.

Click here for a list of licensed asbestos removalists.

For more information on how to apply for a licence, call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81 or visit the ACTPLA website.

Anyone who believes a licensed or formerly licensed certifier has not fulfilled their obligations may put their concerns in writing by giving feedback to ACTPLA.

Complaints may result in disciplinary action.

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