Victorian workplace asbestos obligations are set out in legislation and explained in practical guidance from WorkSafe Victoria.
Core obligation
Victorian law requires anyone who manages, controls or works in a workplace to eliminate or reduce exposure to airborne asbestos fibres, so far as reasonably practicable.
How it works
The Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 set out what you must do. WorkSafe’s compliance codes explain how to do it.
Legislation
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act)
Victoria’s primary workplace health and safety law. Sets out duties for employers, employees, self-employed people and those who manage or control workplaces. Includes duties to consult, the right to refuse unsafe work, incident notification requirements and penalties for noncompliance.
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (OHS Regulations)
Part 4.4 deals specifically with asbestos. Covers identification, asbestos registers, risk control, removal licensing, notification, prohibitions, health monitoring and asbestos-related activities in workplaces.
Part VIA sets out duties for properties found to contain asbestos installed after 1 January 2004, including notification to WorkSafe and an agreement to remove the asbestos or manage the risk until it can be removed. Removal is the default: WorkSafe will only approve a management plan if removal isn’t reasonably practicable.
Compliance codes
Managing asbestos in workplaces
How to identify asbestos, create and maintain an asbestos register, label asbestos, control risks, manage demolition and refurbishment, and carry out asbestos-related activities.
Removing asbestos in workplaces
How to comply with removal licensing, notification, safety requirements, air monitoring, clearance inspections and waste disposal for all types of asbestos removal work.
WorkSafe guidance
- Understand and manage asbestos in workplaces: overview of duties and requirements
- Managing asbestos in workplaces: a step-by-step guide: practical walkthrough for duty holders
- Identification and control of asbestos in workplaces: identifying, testing, labelling and registering asbestos
- Asbestos removal notification: how to notify WorkSafe before removal work begins
- Properties containing asbestos installed after 1 January 2004: notification and management plan requirements under the Dangerous Goods Act 1985
- Working near asbestos-containing materials: risk management for work near asbestos-containing materials (e.g. installing solar panels)
- Demolition of buildings with fire-damaged asbestos: guidance for post-fire demolition
Key duties
If you manage or control a workplace: identify asbestos, maintain an asbestos register, control risks, ensure asbestos is removed before demolition or refurbishment.
If you’re an employer: obtain the asbestos register, inform and train employees, provide personal protective equipment (PPE), arrange health monitoring where required, consult employees on asbestos-related decisions.
If you’re self-employed: you have duties to eliminate or reduce exposure to asbestos arising from your work. Many of the same requirements as employers apply, including identification before demolition or refurbishment.
If you’re an employee: follow procedures, report hazards and take reasonable care for your own and others’ safety.
*Dangerous goods info will need to be updated when changes introduced, c. April 2028