Asbestos Disposal in New South Wales
In New South Wales the EPA regulates how asbestos waste is transported, tracked and disposed of, and it runs an online system for tracking larger loads.
Where asbestos waste can go
Asbestos waste can only be disposed of at a landfill licensed to accept it. It must not go in your kerbside bin, an uncovered skip, or a skip that is not approved to hold asbestos, and it can't be reused or recycled.
Official facility list: NSW EPA: facilities that accept household asbestos.
Find a licensed disposal facility in New South Wales
Browse waste disposal facilities listed on Asbestos List for New South Wales.
View NSW disposal facilities →Who can remove and dispose of it
A householder can remove up to 10 square metres of non-friable (bonded) asbestos themselves; any friable asbestos, or more than 10 square metres, needs a licensed removalist. You can take your own waste to a licensed facility, but phone ahead first. You pay the disposal fee, and the site will tell you how it wants the load presented.
How to package and label it
However you get asbestos to a facility, it has to be contained the same way:
- Keep the material wet and intact. Never break, cut or sand it to make it fit.
- Double-wrap sheets, or double-bag smaller pieces and dust, in heavy-duty 200-micron (0.2 mm) polythene plastic.
- Seal every join and bag opening with strong adhesive tape so nothing can escape.
- Fill bags no more than half full, then twist, fold and tape the neck closed.
- Label each package clearly as asbestos waste, for example "CAUTION ASBESTOS: DO NOT INHALE DUST".
Transporting and tracking the waste
From 28 February 2024, movements of asbestos waste are recorded in the EPA's Integrated Waste Tracking Solution (IWTS), which replaced WasteLocate. Tracking is mandatory for any load of 100 kg or more, or 10 square metres or more of asbestos sheeting. A licensed contractor reports the movement through IWTS; a householder transporting their own load above that threshold must notify the EPA within 24 hours of dropping it off, using the EPA's household asbestos form.
Penalties for getting it wrong
Illegal dumping is an offence under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, enforced by the EPA, and asbestos waste attracts higher maximum penalties than other waste. Penalties were increased substantially in 2024. Report illegal dumping to the EPA Environment Line on 131 555.
Specific to New South Wales
- IWTS replaced WasteLocate from 28 February 2024, so older guides that mention WasteLocate are out of date.
- The 100 kg / 10 square metre tracking trigger is an either/or test: either one means the load must be tracked.
- Skip bins can only be used for asbestos if they are specifically approved and covered for it.
Who regulates this
- NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA)Transport, tracking, disposal and illegal dumping
- SafeWork NSWAsbestos removal work and licensing
Not sure you should handle it yourself? Find a licensed asbestos removalist on Asbestos List, or read the Class A vs Class B licence guide to understand who can do what.
This information is a general reference for New South Wales and can change. Always confirm current requirements with the relevant regulator and the receiving facility before transporting or disposing of asbestos waste.