Can I remove asbestos myself in NSW? The 10 m² rule
What NSW law allows homeowners to remove themselves, and when a licensed removalist is required.
Can I legally remove asbestos myself in NSW?
A homeowner can remove less than 10 m² of non-friable (bonded) asbestos. More than 10 m² of non-friable asbestos, or any amount of friable asbestos, needs a licensed removalist (asbestos.nsw.gov.au). SafeWork NSW still recommends a licensed professional for any amount (SafeWork NSW).
Is the 10 m² limit per job or per room?
SafeWork NSW describes it as a total: the area of asbestos-containing material to be removed must not exceed 10 square metres in total (source). Don't split one job into smaller jobs.
What must I do if I remove less than 10 m²?
Follow the Code of Practice How to safely remove asbestos, wear the right PPE, keep the material wet, never use power tools, decontaminate, and dispose of it at a licensed facility (SafeWork NSW). See asbestos disposal in Sydney.
Can I remove friable asbestos or loose-fill insulation?
No. Any friable asbestos must be removed by a Class A licensed removalist. If you suspect loose-fill asbestos in your ceiling, the NSW EPA says not to enter the ceiling space and to contact a licensed asbestos assessor.
Get a free quote from a licensed removalist
Sydney Asbestos Quotes is a free referral service. We are not an asbestos removalist and we do not hold an asbestos removal licence. We pass your request to independent removalists who say they hold a current SafeWork NSW licence, and you should always check a removalist's licence yourself before you engage them. Nothing on this site is safety or legal advice; see SafeWork NSW.