Asbestos Disposal in Western Australia
Western Australia spreads asbestos rules across three bodies: Health for community handling, DWER for waste and illegal dumping, and WorkSafe for removal licensing.
Where asbestos waste can go
Asbestos waste must be contained, labelled and taken to a facility authorised to accept it, not a kerbside bin. There is no single statewide drop-off map, so acceptance, booking, load limits and fees are set council by council.
Official facility list: Find a disposal facility (ASEA national locator).
Find a licensed disposal facility in Western Australia
Browse waste disposal facilities listed on Asbestos List for Western Australia.
View WA disposal facilities →Who can remove and dispose of it
A householder can remove up to 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos themselves; any friable asbestos, or more than 10 square metres, needs a licensed removalist. Receiving facilities usually require advance booking and set their own per-load limits, so check with your local council's environmental health officer and phone the site first.
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 "CAUTION ASBESTOS" in letters at least 50 mm high.
Transporting and tracking the waste
Asbestos is exempt from WA's controlled-waste tracking system, so there is no tracking form to fill in, whatever the size of the load. The waste must still be wrapped, labelled and taken to an authorised facility.
Penalties for getting it wrong
Illegal dumping is investigated and prosecuted by DWER. Breaching the asbestos waste regulations carries a maximum penalty of $5,000, and infringement notices of $250 or $500 can be issued on the spot. Further penalties apply under the Litter Act 1979. Report dumping to DWER's Pollution Watch Hotline on 1300 784 782.
Specific to Western Australia
- Three regulators: WA Health (community handling), DWER (waste and illegal dumping), and WorkSafe WA (removal licensing).
- Packages must be labelled "CAUTION ASBESTOS" in letters at least 50 mm high.
- High-pressure cleaning of asbestos-cement roofs is specifically prohibited under the Health (Asbestos) Regulations 1992.
Who regulates this
- WA Department of HealthCommunity handling and removal (Health (Asbestos) Regulations 1992)
- Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER)Waste disposal and illegal dumping
- WorkSafe WAAsbestos removal 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 Western Australia and can change. Always confirm current requirements with the relevant regulator and the receiving facility before transporting or disposing of asbestos waste.