Permits, notifications + compliance

Several permits, notifications and compliance requirements apply before, during and after asbestos work in Victoria.

Before work begins

Asbestos assessment

An asbestos survey must be conducted before demolition or refurbishment. Building surveyors require an asbestos survey report before issuing a building permit for demolition.

Building permit for demolition

The Building Act 1993 requires a building permit for demolition. Must be carried out by a registered building practitioner. The Building and Plumbing Commission provides guidance about permit requirements.

Planning permit

May be required for demolition in heritage overlays or other planning controls. Check with your local council.

Asbestos removal licence

Asbestos removal must be carried out by someone licensed by WorkSafe Victoria. We recommend using a removalist authorised to remove all types of asbestos. To apply for a licence, see WorkSafe’s asbestos removal licence application.

WorkSafe asbestos removal notification

Licensed removalists must notify WorkSafe before removal starts:

at least 5 days before, in most cases
at least 24 hours before, for small amounts of bonded asbestos (10m² or less)
within 24 hours, for unexpected situations.

Notify neighbours

Before removal begins, all employers and occupants in immediate and adjacent areas must be informed that asbestos removal will take place.

During work

Asbestos register

Workplaces must maintain an asbestos register. It must be reviewed before demolition or refurbishment and updated after any asbestos is removed.

Asbestos control plan

Licensed removalists must prepare an asbestos control plan for each removal job, covering the scope, methods, safety measures and waste disposal.

Signs and barricades

The work area must be sealed off, signposted and barricaded during removal.

Health monitoring

Employers must arrange health monitoring for workers regularly engaged in asbestos-related activities where there’s a risk of exposure. See Workplace (laws + guidance) for detail.

EPA permissions for commercial/industrial waste

Certain activities involving asbestos waste from industrial sources require an EPA permission:

Waste Tracker

All movements of reportable priority waste must be logged through Waste Tracker.

After work

Clearance inspection and certificate

After removal, the area must be independently inspected and a clearance certificate issued before the area can be reoccupied.

Update the asbestos register

If the work was in a workplace, the asbestos register must be updated to reflect what was removed.

Lawful disposal

All asbestos waste must go to a place authorised to receive it (opens in new tab). Ask your removalist or waste transporter for a Waste Tracker record.

Incident notification

If an incident occurs involving asbestos exposure, notify WorkSafe immediately. A written record must be provided within 48 hours.

Special circumstances

Asbestos installed after 1 January 2004

If a property is found to contain asbestos installed after the ban date, the person with management or control must notify WorkSafe and agree to a removal or management plan within 60 days. Doesn’t apply to domestic premises used solely for domestic purposes.

Environmental Audit Overlay

If land is subject to an Environmental Audit Overlay, an environmental audit is required before it can be used for sensitive purposes (e.g. housing, schools, childcare). See Planning Victoria’s guidance on potentially contaminated land.

Contaminated land notification

If land or groundwater is contaminated by asbestos and meets prescribed thresholds, you must notify the EPA.