Can I Remove Asbestos Myself in QLD
If you own an older home in Queensland and are planning a renovation, you may discover asbestos in roofing, wall sheeting, eaves, fencing, flooring or other building materials. One of the first questions homeowners often ask is if they can remove asbestos by themselves in Qld.
The answer is sometimes, but only under specific circumstances. Queensland allows homeowners and renovators to remove up to 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos without an asbestos removal licence. However, strict safety requirements still apply. Removing more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos requires the appropriate certification or a licensed asbestos removalist, while friable asbestos must be removed by a Class A licensed asbestos removalist. Understanding these requirements before starting work can help protect your household, neighbours and anyone working on the property.
Can a Homeowner Remove Asbestos in Queensland
Yes, a homeowner can remove 10 square metres or less of non-friable asbestos without holding an asbestos removal licence. Non-friable asbestos is generally asbestos material where the fibres are bonded within a solid material. Common examples include asbestos cement sheets, which were widely used for roofing, walls, fences and other building applications in older Queensland properties.However, the absence of a licence requirement does not mean the work can be treated like ordinary demolition. Queensland guidance states that people undertaking this type of DIY removal must still follow safe work procedures and take precautions to minimise the release of asbestos fibres.
What Is the 10 Square Metre Rule
The 10 square metre threshold is an important distinction for homeowners. If you are removing 10m² or less of non-friable asbestos, a removal licence is generally not required. If you need to remove more than 10m², different requirements apply. For homeowners and owner-builders, Queensland requires a certificate under arrangements approved or established by Queensland Health to remove more than 10m² of non-friable asbestos themselves. Alternatively, the work can be carried out by an appropriately licensed asbestos removal business. The 10m² limit should not be viewed as a target or indication that DIY removal is always appropriate. The condition of the material, location, accessibility and proposed work method should all be considered.
Can I Remove Friable Asbestos Myself
No.
Friable asbestos presents a significantly greater risk because it can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand when dry, making fibre release more likely. Queensland requires friable asbestos removal to be carried out by a Class A licensed asbestos removalist. Class A licence holders are authorised to remove friable asbestos and can also undertake Class B asbestos removal work. Examples of materials that may present friable asbestos risks can include certain insulation products and deteriorated asbestos materials. If you suspect that a material may be friable, don’t attempt to remove it yourself. Arrange professional assessment and use an appropriately licensed removalist where removal is required.
What Happens If There Is More Than 10m² of Non-Friable Asbestos
If the project involves more than 10m² of non-friable asbestos, you generally cannot simply remove it yourself without meeting the Queensland requirements for homeowners and owner-builders. A Class B asbestos removal licence is required for businesses removing more than 10m² of non-friable asbestos at a workplace. Class A licence holders can also undertake this type of work. For a residential renovation, homeowners planning to undertake more than 10m² themselves need to consider the applicable homeowner certification requirements. In many situations, engaging a licensed asbestos removalist is the simpler and safer option.
Why DIY Asbestos Removal Can Be Risky
Even non-friable asbestos can release fibres if it is cut, drilled, broken, sanded, crushed or otherwise disturbed incorrectly. The risk is not limited to the person carrying out the work. Fibres can potentially affect:
- Family members
- Neighbours
- Other tradespeople
- Children and pets
- Future occupants
- Anyone entering the work area
Queensland guidance emphasises the importance of safe work procedures and appropriate protective equipment when working with asbestos. This is why homeowners should carefully consider whether they have the knowledge, equipment and ability to control the work area before undertaking any permitted DIY asbestos removal.
What If You Don’t Know Whether the Material Contains Asbestos
Don’t assume that an older building material is asbestos-free simply because it looks like ordinary cement, board or insulation. Asbestos-containing materials can look similar to non-asbestos products, so visual inspection alone may not provide a reliable answer. If you’re unsure, professional asbestos testing can help determine whether a suspected material contains asbestos. Laboratory analysis can provide confirmation before renovation, demolition or removal work begins. This can be particularly useful when planning work on older Brisbane homes, where asbestos-containing materials may still be present.
What Should You Do With Asbestos Waste
Asbestos waste cannot simply be placed in your household rubbish bin or treated as ordinary construction waste. Queensland guidance requires asbestos waste to be handled, transported and disposed of appropriately. Local government or approved asbestos waste facilities can provide information about disposal requirements. This is an important part of the process. Even if a homeowner is legally permitted to remove a small amount of non-friable asbestos, the resulting waste still needs to be managed safely and disposed of correctly.
When Is It Better to Hire a Professional
DIY removal may be legally possible in limited circumstances, but professional removal can be the better option when the material is difficult to access, damaged, deteriorated or likely to be disturbed significantly.
You should strongly consider using a professional when:
- The material may be friable
- More than 10m² needs to be removed
- The material is damaged or deteriorated
- The work involves demolition
- Multiple areas contain suspected asbestos
- You are unsure what the material is
- You don’t have appropriate asbestos safety equipment
- You cannot confidently control access to the work area
A licensed removalist can assess the work, establish appropriate controls, remove the material and arrange compliant disposal.
What Licence Does an Asbestos Removalist Need
Queensland has two main asbestos removal licences.
Class A: A Class A licence covers friable asbestos removal and can also cover non-friable asbestos removal.
Class B: A Class B licence covers removal of more than 10m² of non-friable asbestos and does not authorise friable asbestos removal.
When engaging a contractor, it’s important to check that their licence is appropriate for the type of asbestos work being undertaken.
Final Thoughts
So, can you remove asbestos yourself in QLD? In limited circumstances, yes. Homeowners can generally remove 10m² or less of non-friable asbestos without an asbestos removal licence, but the work must still be carried out using appropriate safety procedures. More than 10m² of non-friable asbestos involves additional certification or licensed removal requirements, while friable asbestos requires a Class A licensed asbestos removalist.
If you’re unsure about the type, condition or quantity of asbestos at your property, getting professional advice before starting work is the safest approach. Our team helps homeowners, builders, property managers and businesses across Brisbane with asbestos testing, assessment, licensed removal, transport and compliant disposal. Whether you have suspected asbestos roofing, eaves, wall sheeting, fencing or other asbestos-containing materials, we can help determine the appropriate next step and connect you with suitable licensed professionals. Contact us today for professional asbestos removal advice and a competitive quote in Brisbane.