Many Victorian and Melbourne homeowners want to save money by doing some work themselves. When it comes to asbestos though, the rules are strict and for good reason. The law is designed to limit who can remove asbestos and how much they can remove without a licence.
What Victorian rules say about small amounts
WorkSafe Victoria guidance explains that limited asbestos removal can be done without a licence in very specific circumstances. For non-friable asbestos there are thresholds based on the total area and how long the work takes within a seven day period. Above those thresholds you must use a licensed asbestos removalist.
EPA guidance to households also talks about small amounts of non-friable asbestos in backyards that can be removed by householders, provided they follow strict safety instructions. Anything over about 10 square metres of material, or work that takes more than an hour over a week, should be done by a licensed removalist.
Guidance for homeowners removing asbestos
Asbestos Victoria has clear removal advice for homeowners. It strongly recommends using licensed removalists, but if you decide to remove a small amount yourself you must carefully follow the guidance on PPE, wet methods, wrapping and disposal.
Why DIY asbestos removal is usually a bad idea
On paper it might seem cheaper to try it yourself, but there are real risks
- You may not correctly identify all asbestos materials on site
• You may not have the right PPE or equipment
• You could expose family, neighbours and yourself to fibres
• You might dispose of waste illegally without realising it and face fines under EPA rules
When you must use a licensed asbestos removalist
You must use a licensed removalist when
- The amount of non friable asbestos to be removed exceeds the limits set by WorkSafe Victoria
• Any friable asbestos is involved
• Removal is in a workplace where compliance with the Asbestos removal compliance code is required
• An audit specifies that removal be carried out by licensed contractors
The safest practical approach for most homeowners and many small builders is simple use a licensed asbestos removalist for any significant asbestos work, and keep DIY to normal building tasks once the asbestos is gone.
