Asbestos Businesses in Australian Capital Territory, Australia
The ACT regulates asbestos under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and WHS Regulation 2011, enforced by WorkSafe ACT. The ACT has some of the strictest asbestos rules in Australia, shaped largely by the territory's experience with loose-fill asbestos contamination.
The strict rules trace back to the Mr Fluffy crisis. Between 1968 and 1979, a company called D. Jansen & Co. pumped loose (friable) asbestos insulation into the roof cavities of roughly 1,000 Canberra homes. In 2014, the ACT Government set up the Asbestos Response Taskforce and launched a scheme to compulsorily acquire and demolish affected properties. Homes identified as containing Mr Fluffy insulation are required by law to display a safety warning tag at the electrical meter box. The Loose Fill Asbestos Coordination team, established in 2022, continues the remaining work.
The ACT is an active participant in the ASSEA National Strategic Plan 2024-2030. Having run one of the largest asbestos eradication programs in the country, the ACT has been a leading voice in national policy discussions around proactive removal and disposal infrastructure.
Licensing
The ACT has Class A and Class B licences like everywhere else, but with one big difference: there is no 10 square metre exemption. In every other state, you can remove up to 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos without a licence. In the ACT, all asbestos removal from any premises, including residential properties, must be done by a licensed removalist. The only exception is work that is incidental to minor routine maintenance. This makes the ACT the strictest jurisdiction in Australia for asbestos removal licensing.
Regulators
Legislation & Codes of Practice
National Resources
Asbestos disposal: There are 3 licensed waste disposal facilities in this region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove asbestos from my own home in the ACT?
Who can do asbestos assessments in the ACT?
How do I get a suspected asbestos sample tested in the ACT?
Showing 25–28 of 28 results
APEX Hazmat & Demolition
Braddon, Australian Capital Territory
APEX Hazmat & Demolition provides safe, reliable and fully compliant asbestos removal, demolition and stripout services throughout the ACT and NSW with 7+ years of experience.
View DetailsACT Government Analytical Laboratory
Holder, Australian Capital Territory
The ACT Government Analytical Labouratory (ACTGAL) is the ACT's primary public health multi-disciplinary scientific testing labouratory comprised of four functional units undertaking various activities to support the health of the ACT community.
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