Asbestos licences

Information required by WorkSafe

Contents

1. Work covered by a licence
2. Licence application 
3. Assessment of application
4. Issue of licence

1. Work covered by a licence

An asbestos removal licence is required in Western Australia for the removal or encapsulation of installed thermal or acoustic insulation that contains asbestos. Only a licence holder or an employee of a licence holder may carry out this type of work.

2. Licence application

A person can apply to the Director, Business Services, WorkSafe Business Centre, for an asbestos removal licence. The application should be sent to WorkSafe, Westcentre, 1260 Hay Street, West Perth 6005 accompanied by a fee which is listed in Schedule 6.2A of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 and is refunded if the application is refused.

The application should include: 

• application form; 
• application fee; 
• asbestos removal work procedures manual; 
• asbestos removal work training manual; 
• details of asbestos removal licences issued in other States or Territories; 
• curriculum vitae of each person employed as a manager or supervisor of asbestos removal work; and 
• any other relevant information that may support the application.

The applicant will also be interviewed by an inspector.

3. Assessment of application

The submission is assessed according to the following criteria:

• procedures manual describes all asbestos removal methods covered by the licence and is consistent with the requirements of the Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos 2nd Edition [NOHSC: 2002 (2005)];
• procedures manual includes all legal requirements associated with asbestos removal work; 
• training manual covers the training of all employees involved in asbestos removal work and is consistent with the Code of Practice; 
• training is carried out by a competent person; 
• all equipment for asbestos removal is either approved or otherwise consistent with the requirements of the Code of Practice; 
• satisfactory previous experience in asbestos removal work. At least one person must have adequate experience at supervisory level in asbestos removal work; 
• satisfactory performance of asbestos removal work in other States and Territories, if applicable.

4. Issue of licence

A licence is issued by the Director if they are satisfied that the applicant can carry out asbestos removal work in a safe and proper manner.

Each licence is endorsed with a number of conditions that relate to the way asbestos removal work is carried out. A licence is valid for a period of two years, and is subject to renewal.

Relevant documents

• Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984
• Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996
• Health (Asbestos) Regulations 1992
• Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos 2nd Edition [NOHSC: 2002 (2005)];
• Code of Practice for the Management and Control of Asbestos in Workplaces [NOHSC:2018 (2005)]
• Guidance Note on the Membrane Filter Method for Estimating Airborne Asbestos Fibres 2nd Edition [NOHSC:3003 (2005)]