In New South Wales, asbestos removal licences are issued by SafeWork NSW and applications are lodged online through Service NSW. This guide walks through what you need before you start.
Which licence do you need?
- Class B lets you remove more than 10 square metres of non-friable (bonded) asbestos, plus the dust from that work. It doesn't cover friable asbestos.
- Class A covers friable asbestos as well as everything a Class B licence covers. SafeWork NSW also offers a restricted Class A licence for fire doors and safes only.
Non-friable work of 10 square metres or less doesn't need a licence, but the work still has to be done safely and the person doing it must be trained.
Training
Training must come from a Registered Training Organisation, such as TAFE NSW. According to SafeWork NSW, Class B applicants complete the two-day non-friable removal course and the one-day supervise asbestos removal course. Class A applicants do the non-friable course first, then the two-day friable removal course, plus the supervision course.
One note on course codes: older guides and some regulator pages still mention CPCCBC4051A Supervise asbestos removal. That unit was superseded in November 2020 by the equivalent CPCCDE4008 Supervise asbestos removal, which is the supervision unit regulators now list. If you're booking training, look for CPCCDE4008 or its newer equivalent version (on training.gov.au, CPCCDE4008 was itself replaced by the equivalent CPCCDE4009 in February 2026). The removal units are CPCCDE3014 Remove non-friable asbestos and CPCCDE3015 Remove friable asbestos, or their newer equivalents. Check with your training provider and the regulator that the course you book meets the licence requirements.
Experience
- Class B: at least three separate Class B jobs spread over 12 months, done under a licensed supervisor.
- Class A: three years' experience since training, including at least three separate Class A jobs.
Experience can't be more than five years old. For each job you'll need the address, the type and amount of asbestos removed, the dates, the SafeWork notification number, and the licence number of the business you worked for. You'll also need signed reference letters on the employer's letterhead. SafeWork counts one work contract as one job.
Nominated supervisor
Every application includes a supervisor nomination form. A Class B nominated supervisor needs the non-friable and supervision training, at least 12 months' experience including three Class B jobs, and must be able to get to site within 20 minutes. A Class A nominated supervisor needs the friable and supervision training, at least three years' experience including three Class A jobs, and must be on site during the work. Sole traders can nominate themselves if they meet the criteria.
Class A extra: certified safety management system
Class A applicants must have a safety management system certified to AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 by a JAS-ANZ accredited certification body (SafeWork NSW, Class A licence).
Applying
- Gather proof of identity (for a company, a director's ID), training certificates, experience evidence, reference letters and, if you have employees, your workers compensation certificate.
- Apply online through Service NSW. The form takes about 30 minutes and the fee is calculated at the end. Licences last five years.
- Visit a Service NSW centre within 30 days for facial verification.
- SafeWork NSW reviews the application and emails the outcome. Successful licences appear on the public Verify.licence register.
Once licensed, you must notify SafeWork NSW before each licensed removal job. NSW recognises licences from the other WHS states and territories under corresponding laws, and Victorian licence holders can work in NSW under Automatic Mutual Recognition after notifying SafeWork.
Asbestos assessor licence
An asbestos assessor licence is separate from a removal licence. Under the model WHS Regulations, a licensed assessor must carry out air monitoring, clearance inspections and clearance certificates for Class A (friable) removal work. Applicants generally need either the unit Conduct asbestos assessment associated with removal (listed as CPCCBC5014A on regulator pages) or a tertiary qualification in occupational health and safety, occupational hygiene, science, building, construction or environmental health, plus relevant experience. An assessor must be independent of the removalist on the job.
Questions? SafeWork NSW's licensing team is on 13 10 50.
This guide summarises official regulator information as at October 2026. Requirements and fees change, so always check the regulator's current page before you apply.