Asbestos licensing

An asbestos removal licence is held by a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU). Workers carry out licensed asbestos removal work on behalf of or for the PCBU who holds the licence. Individual workers do not hold an asbestos licence but must meet certain training requirements.

There are two types of asbestos removal licences:

• Class A - friable asbestos and asbestos contaminated dust or debris
• Class B - more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos or asbestos containing materials

To apply for an asbestos removal licence, you will need to provide NT WorkSafe with:

• a completed asbestos removal licence application form
• the relevant application fee, see licensing fees and charges
• a current copy of your business registration certificate/extract (ASIC registration)
• a copy of completed units of competency for asbestos removal work and asbestos removal supervision for each nominated supervisor
• evidence each nominated supervisor is at least 18 years of age
• a description of work each nominated supervisor has undertaken over a three year period (for class A applications) or a one year period (class B applications)
• evidence of a certified safety management system (class A applications only)

An asbestos removal licence issued by NT WorkSafe is valid for five years.

Friable asbestos - class A asbestos removal licence

Class A asbestos removal licences are for businesses removing any amount of friable asbestos. Class A licence holders must ensure the removal of friable asbestos is directly supervised by a nominated supervisor.

Nominated supervisors for class A asbestos removal work must:

• be at least 18 years of age; and
• have at least three years relevant industry experience; and
• have certification in:
  • CPCCDE4008 - Supervise asbestos removal or equivalent; and
  • CPCCDE3015 - Remove friable asbestos or equivalent.

Certified safety management system

A certified safety management system (CSMS) is required of all class A asbestos removal licence applicants. The business must provide evidence that they have in place a certified safety management system that complies with AS 4801:2001 Occupational health and safety management systems, or an equivalent system determined by the regulator.

Non-friable asbestos - class B asbestos removal licence

A class B asbestos removal licence only covers workers for the removal of:

• more than ten square metres of non-friable asbestos
• any asbestos contaminated dust or debris associated with the removal of this non-friable asbestos

A class B licence does not authorise the removal of friable asbestos (class A asbestos removal work).

Where class B asbestos removal work is being carried out by more than one person, the licence holder must ensure a supervisor is readily available to the workers carrying out the asbestos removal work.

A class B removal work supervisor must:

• be at least 18 years of age; and
• have at least one year of relevant industry experience; and
• have certification in:
  • CPCCDE4008 - Supervise asbestos removal or equivalent; and
  • CPCCDE3014 - Remove non-friable asbestos or equivalent; or
  • CPCCDE3015 - Remove friable asbestos or equivalent.

Although a licence is not required to remove ten square metres or less of non-friable asbestos material, all asbestos removal work must be carried out using safe work procedures. Refer to the Code of Practice - How to safely remove asbestos for further information.

Notification of asbestos removal work

A licensed asbestos removalist must notify NT WorkSafe, in writing, at least five (5) days before commencing licensed asbestos removal work.

For information about notification requirements for asbestos removalists visit the asbestos notification page.

Asbestos assessor licence

Under the WHS Regulations, an independent licensed asbestos assessor is required to carry out certain functions connected with class A asbestos removal work. These are:

• air monitoring
• clearance inspections
• issuing a clearance certificate​

To apply for an asbestos assessor licence, you will need to provide NT WorkSafe with:

• a completed asbestos assessor licence application form
• the relevant application fee, see licensing fees and charges
• if residing interstate, written evidence to justify the grant of the licence
• copy of completed unit CPCCDE5001 – Conduct air monitoring and clearance inspections for asbestos removal work or documentation showing completion of a tertiary qualification in either occupational health and safety, industrial hygiene, science, building construction or environmental health
• evidence of the knowledge and skills of relevant asbestos removal industry practice acquired through training or experience verifiable by a referee whose contact details are provided. The evidence of experience can be provided in the form of resume, letter from employer/s, air monitoring reports, etc.
• a legible front and back copy of photo ID e.g. passport, drivers licence.

Asbestos assessor licences are valid for a period of five years and are issued to individuals, not businesses.

Interstate licences

Asbestos removal licences and asbestos assessor licences granted under a corresponding WHS law can be used in the Northern Territory.