Asbestos Disposal in Victoria
In Victoria asbestos is classified as "reportable priority waste", which pulls business and removalist loads into EPA Victoria's Waste Tracker and permit system.
Where asbestos waste can go
Asbestos waste must go to a landfill that EPA Victoria has authorised to accept asbestos. It can't go in general, recycling or green-waste bins. EPA Victoria keeps a register of authorised landfills on its website, each marked for domestic or commercial loads.
Official facility list: EPA Victoria: disposing of asbestos waste.
Find a licensed disposal facility in Victoria
Browse waste disposal facilities listed on Asbestos List for Victoria.
View VIC disposal facilities →Who can remove and dispose of it
Householders can take their own asbestos to an authorised domestic landfill, and when you transport household asbestos in your own vehicle you don't need a permit or Waste Tracker. Domestic landfills only take small amounts, so book ahead and confirm the limit with the site. Separately, unlicensed removal work is capped at 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos and one hour of work in any seven-day period.
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
Because asbestos is reportable priority waste, businesses and removalists must log its movement in EPA Victoria's Waste Tracker and may need a permit to transport it, with the transporter and receiver both completing waste records. Householders moving their own household asbestos in their own vehicle are exempt from Waste Tracker.
Penalties for getting it wrong
Dumping or burying waste at a place not authorised to accept it is illegal under the Environment Protection Act 2017, and Victoria's general environmental duty applies to everyone, including households. EPA Victoria can issue fines or prosecute.
Specific to Victoria
- Victoria's general environmental duty applies to every person, including householders handling asbestos.
- The "reportable priority waste" classification is what triggers Waste Tracker and transport permits for businesses.
- Package bags no larger than 1200 × 900 mm, fill them no more than half full, and keep each under about 30 kg.
Who regulates this
- EPA VictoriaAsbestos waste transport, storage and disposal
- WorkSafe VictoriaAsbestos 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 Victoria and can change. Always confirm current requirements with the relevant regulator and the receiving facility before transporting or disposing of asbestos waste.