Asbestos Disposal in Tasmania
Tasmania treats asbestos as controlled waste, and disposal is almost always by prior arrangement with a specific council facility.
Where asbestos waste can go
Asbestos must go to a licensed landfill that accepts it, never a kerbside bin and never as clean fill. There is no single statewide finder, so contact your local council, or call the WorkSafe Tasmania helpline on 1300 366 322, to find your nearest site.
Official facility list: WorkSafe Tasmania: asbestos.
Find a licensed disposal facility in Tasmania
Browse waste disposal facilities listed on Asbestos List for Tasmania.
View TAS disposal facilities →Who can remove and dispose of it
A homeowner can remove less than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos themselves, though the State recommends using a licensed removalist even then; friable asbestos and larger jobs need a licensed removalist. Facilities that take household amounts generally require prior approval and booking, and many accept non-friable material only, in capped quantities, so always arrange it before you turn up.
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
Transporting controlled waste within Tasmania must be done by a registered controlled-waste transporter, and the EPA is introducing a Controlled Waste Tracking System under which consignments carry tracking certificates. Because there is no stated small-load exemption, the safest course for a householder is to use a licensed removalist or registered transporter, or to follow the exact instructions the council facility gives you when you book.
Penalties for getting it wrong
Causing environmental nuisance is an offence under the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994, enforced by EPA Tasmania, and illegal dumping carries significant fines.
Specific to Tasmania
- Disposal is almost always "by prior arrangement only", and many sites accept non-friable asbestos only.
- Asbestos is excluded from the landfill levy so cost doesn't discourage safe disposal.
- Three bodies share the rules: WorkSafe (removal), the EPA (transport and disposal), and your council (the actual tip).
Who regulates this
- EPA TasmaniaControlled-waste transport and disposal
- WorkSafe TasmaniaAsbestos 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 Tasmania and can change. Always confirm current requirements with the relevant regulator and the receiving facility before transporting or disposing of asbestos waste.