Asbestos roofs: what the rules let you do yourself

All three states draw the line at the same area. What happens past that line is where they part company.

Figures checked

Rules 3 min read Published

In New South Wales and Victoria, a licensed asbestos removalist must handle more than 10 m² of non-friable asbestos, or any amount of friable asbestos. Queensland runs a different system: home renovators and owner-builders who want to remove more than 10 m² themselves need a certificate obtained under arrangements approved by Queensland Health.

The 10 square metre asbestos limit drawn on a roof plan A plan of a hip roof with a small patch marked as the 10 square metre limit. Below it, two panels: at or under the limit, non-friable asbestos may be removed without a licence subject to each state's conditions; past the limit, or for any friable asbestos, a licensed removalist is required, with a certificate option for Queensland homeowners. 10 m² limit At or under 10 m² Non-friable asbestos only. Each state sets what you must do first: a code of practice, a time limit or safety precautions. Past 10 m², or friable A licensed asbestos removalist does the work. Queensland homeowners may instead hold an approved certificate.
New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria all draw the line at the same area. What each one asks of you past that line is where they differ.

Could my roof contain asbestos?

If the house was built before 1990 and has not had a major renovation, the national asbestos agency says it is likely to contain asbestos. The total Australian ban on manufacture, use, reuse, import, transport, storage and sale of all forms of asbestos took effect on 31 December 2003.

The two dates that matter
The two dates that matter A year axis from 1985 to 2010 with two marked events: homes built before 1990 are likely to contain asbestos, and the total Australian ban on all forms of asbestos took effect on 31 December 2003. 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 1990 Homes built before this year are likely to contain asbestos 31 Dec 2003 Total ban on all forms of asbestos in Australia
Show the dates
DateWhat happenedSource
1990 Homes built before this year are likely to contain asbestos Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency, householders and home renovators
31 Dec 2003 Total ban on all forms of asbestos in Australia Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency, about asbestos

Official source: Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency, householders and home renovators; Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency, about asbestos.

Age tells you how likely it is, not what is on your roof. If the answer changes the job, have the material tested before work starts rather than after a sheet breaks.

How much can you remove without a licence?

State Without a licence or certificate Past that point
NSW up to 10 m² of non-friable asbestos, after reading and following the Code of Practice A licensed removalist for more than 10 m², or any friable asbestos
QLD 10 m² or less of non-friable asbestos, with safety precautions A Queensland Health approved certificate for more than 10 m²
VIC Unlicensed removal capped at 10 m², and 1 hour in any 7 days A licensed removalist for more than 10 m², or any friable asbestos

What does New South Wales ask of you?

SafeWork NSW allows up to 10 m² of non-friable asbestos in total without a licence, and expects you to read and follow the Code of Practice on safely removing asbestos, to be aware of the health risks, and to make sure anyone working with you has asbestos awareness training. Past that, more than 10 m² means a licensed removalist. SafeWork NSW also recommends a licensed professional for any amount of non-friable asbestos, which is worth weighing against a weekend of your own time.

What does Queensland ask of you?

Queensland lets a homeowner or owner-builder remove 10 m² or less of non-friable asbestos without a certificate, still taking safety precautions. Beyond that, more than 10 m² requires a certificate obtained under arrangements approved by Queensland Health, or a contractor who holds one. That certificate route is the part people miss when they compare states.

What does Victoria ask of you?

Victoria caps unlicensed removal at 10 m², and 1 hour in any 7 days, and more than 10 m² of asbestos, or any quantity of friable asbestos, has to go to a licensed asbestos removalist. The time limit comes from the rules written for employers and self-employed people. The state's homeowner page says homeowners can carry out unlicensed removal, while recommending that even small jobs go to experts.

How big is 10 square metres on a roof?

Smaller than it sounds. A standard 3 to 4 bedroom Melbourne home has a roof of 120 to 170 m², going by Singh Roofing's restoration guide. The unlicensed limit covers a patch, not a re-roof, so any whole-roof job on an older house is a licensed removalist's work from the start.

What to ask before a roofer starts

  • Whether they hold an asbestos removal licence, or which licensed removalist they bring in.
  • How much material the job disturbs, measured, and which side of the limit that puts it on.
  • In Queensland, whether the contractor holds a current asbestos removal certificate.
  • How the waste leaves the site, written into the quote.

Every rule on this page comes from an official state or federal page, linked below. Rules change, and the date each one was checked is shown with it. This is a plain summary, not legal advice.