In the Northern Territory, asbestos removal licences are issued by NT WorkSafe under the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) laws. The licence is held by a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU). Individual workers don't hold a licence, but they must meet training requirements.
Class A or Class B?
- Class A covers friable asbestos and asbestos-contaminated dust or debris, along with non-friable asbestos. Friable removal must be directly supervised by a nominated supervisor.
- Class B covers more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos and the dust or debris from that work. It doesn't cover friable asbestos. When more than one person is doing the work, a supervisor must be readily available.
Removing 10 square metres or less of non-friable asbestos doesn't need a licence, but it must still follow safe work procedures in the code of practice How to safely remove asbestos.
Supervisor requirements
- Class A nominated supervisors must be at least 18, have at least three years' relevant industry experience, and hold CPCCDE4008 Supervise asbestos removal and CPCCDE3015 Remove friable asbestos, or equivalents.
- Class B supervisors must be at least 18, have at least one year's relevant industry experience, and hold CPCCDE4008 plus either CPCCDE3014 Remove non-friable asbestos or CPCCDE3015, or equivalents.
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 That unit was superseded in November 2020 by the equivalent CPCCDE4008 Supervise asbestos removal, which is the supervision unit regulators now list.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.
Class A extra: certified safety management system
Every Class A applicant must show it has a certified safety management system. NT WorkSafe's page refers to AS 4801:2001 or an equivalent system determined by the regulator.
What to send NT WorkSafe
- A completed asbestos removal licence application form.
- The application fee. For 2026-27 NT WorkSafe lists $3,936 for a new licence and $3,936 for a renewal, with no GST (NT WorkSafe fees).
- A current copy of your business registration certificate or ASIC extract.
- Copies of the removal and supervision units of competency for each nominated supervisor.
- Evidence each nominated supervisor is at least 18.
- A description of the work each nominated supervisor has done over three years (Class A) or one year (Class B).
- Evidence of a certified safety management system (Class A only).
Licences last five years. NT WorkSafe publishes a register of licensed removalists that you can search by class or company name.
Once you're licensed
You must notify NT WorkSafe in writing at least five days before starting licensed asbestos removal work. Commercial transport of asbestos waste in the Territory also needs an environment protection licence from the NT EPA. See our Northern Territory disposal guide.
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.
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.