No. You cannot legally remove 15 square metres of non-friable asbestos yourself in NSW unless you hold the required asbestos removal licence. Because 15m² is above the 10m² licensing threshold, the work must be performed by a Class A or Class B licensed asbestos removalist. Any amount of friable asbestos must be removed by a Class A licence holder.
This rule applies across NSW, including Sydney homes, strata buildings, commercial properties and renovation sites. It is not enough to wear a mask, complete a short asbestos awareness course or divide the project into several smaller jobs.
SafeWork NSW states that a Class B asbestos removal licence is required before removing more than 10m² of non-friable asbestos-containing material. SafeWork NSW also recommends using a licensed professional for any amount of asbestos because incorrect handling can release harmful fibres.
Important: This guide provides general information about asbestos removal in NSW. It is not legal, medical or site-specific safety advice. Contact SafeWork NSW or a qualified professional for guidance about your property.
Quick Answer: The NSW 10m² Asbestos Rule
| Proposed work | Can an unlicensed homeowner do it? | Licence normally required |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 10m² of intact, non-friable asbestos | Limited unlicensed removal may be permitted, but professional removal is recommended | Not always |
| Exactly 10m² | Do not rely on a boundary measurement | Seek professional advice |
| 15m² of non-friable asbestos | No | Class A or Class B |
| Any amount of friable asbestos | No | Class A |
| Asbestos-contaminated dust from a licensed-scale removal | No | Appropriate licensed removalist |
The NSW Environment Protection Authority confirms that a licensed contractor must be engaged to remove more than 10m² of non-friable asbestos from a home or any amount of friable asbestos.
Can I Legally Remove 15 Square Metres of Asbestos Myself in NSW?
You cannot legally complete an unlicensed 15m² asbestos removal project simply because:
- the asbestos is on your own property;
- you are not charging anyone for the work;
- the material looks solid;
- you plan to work slowly;
- you have building or demolition experience;
- you watched an asbestos-removal video;
- you completed an awareness course; or
- you intend to dispose of the material correctly.
The threshold applies to the total area involved in the removal project.
For example, you cannot divide a 15m² wall into two stages, remove 7.5m² on Saturday and remove the other 7.5m² the following weekend. It remains one 15m² project.
You also should not ask two people to remove 7.5m² each. Splitting the labour does not change the total scope of the asbestos removal work.
What Is Non-Friable Asbestos?
Non-friable asbestos is also called bonded asbestos. Its asbestos fibres are fixed within another material, such as cement.
Common examples in older Sydney properties include:
- fibro wall sheets;
- corrugated roof sheets;
- eaves and soffit linings;
- asbestos cement fences;
- garage and shed panels;
- bathroom and laundry linings;
- backing boards near electrical equipment; and
- some vinyl flooring products.
Bonded asbestos may remain relatively stable while it is sealed, intact and undisturbed. Its condition can change quickly when it is drilled, cut, sanded, smashed, pressure-washed or dropped.
A Class B licence allows the removal of more than 10m² of non-friable asbestos. A Class A licence permits the removal of friable and non-friable asbestos.
What Is Friable Asbestos?
Friable asbestos is material that can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry.
Possible examples include:
- loose-fill insulation;
- old pipe lagging;
- sprayed insulation;
- badly degraded asbestos products;
- fire-damaged asbestos;
- asbestos-contaminated dust; and
- some insulation boards.
Any amount of friable asbestos requires appropriately licensed removal. A 1m² friable material is not treated like a small sheet of intact bonded fibro.
Do not squeeze, scrape or break suspected material to see whether it crumbles. If its condition is uncertain, keep people away and arrange an assessment.
How Do I Calculate the 15m² Area?
Measure the length and width of every surface included in the project:
Length × width = area in square metres
For example:
- One wall measuring 5m × 2.4m equals 12m².
- One second panel measuring 2.5m × 1.2m equals 3m².
- The combined project equals 15m².
You need to include all relevant surfaces, not just the most visible wall.
A small fibro shed may have:
- a front wall;
- a rear wall;
- two side walls;
- internal lining;
- eaves;
- roof sheets; and
- broken pieces on the ground.
What first appears to be a 7m² project can easily exceed 15m² when the complete structure is measured.
Do broken pieces still count?
Yes. Broken fragments do not stop being asbestos because they are no longer complete sheets.
If pieces are scattered through soil, mixed with ordinary demolition waste or reduced to contaminated dust, the project may require a more detailed assessment. SafeWork NSW advises engaging a licensed removalist where the quantity is uncertain.
Why Is 15m² Different From a Small DIY Job?
Fifteen square metres is not a minor patch. It can represent several full-size wall sheets, a large section of eaves or much of a small outbuilding.
As the area increases, so do the practical risks:
- more sheets may break;
- more waste must be wrapped;
- a larger exclusion area may be needed;
- more surfaces can become contaminated;
- transport and disposal become harder;
- neighbours may be affected;
- more workers may enter the area; and
- clearance requirements may become more important.
The 10m² threshold is a legal licensing point. It is not a statement that work below 10m² is harmless.
Cancer Council Australia explains that inhaled asbestos fibres can become trapped in the lungs and that asbestos exposure increases the risk of mesothelioma and cancers of the lung, ovary and larynx. These diseases can develop decades after exposure.
A Practical Sydney Example
Imagine that a Sydney homeowner is preparing an old fibro garage for demolition.
The owner measures only the front and side walls and estimates that the asbestos covers about 9m². Work begins with a pry bar and a cordless drill.
After two sheets are removed, the owner discovers that:
- the rear wall is also asbestos cement;
- the internal divider contains fibro;
- fragments are present beneath the wall frame; and
- the eaves are lined with the same material.
The total area is closer to 22m².
At this point, the project did not become a licensed-scale job only when the hidden sheets were found. The complete removal scope was already above the threshold. The correct approach would have been to assess and measure the entire garage before starting.
This example is illustrative. It is not presented as a customer testimonial or a claim about a named property.
Can an Asbestos Removal Course Let Me Do the Work?
Not by itself.
An asbestos awareness course can teach people how to recognise potential asbestos materials and understand basic risks. It does not automatically provide an asbestos removal licence NSW authorities will accept for licensed work.
SafeWork NSW states that workers removing more than 10m² of non-friable asbestos or any amount of friable asbestos must complete specified vocational training. Licence applicants must also satisfy the relevant experience, supervision and application requirements.
Searching for an “asbestos removal course Sydney” is therefore not a quick way to obtain permission for a single 15m² home project.
Does SafeWork NSW Need to Be Notified?
Licensed removal involving more than 10m² of non-friable asbestos generally requires SafeWork NSW to be notified at least five calendar days before work begins.
The licensed asbestos removalist normally manages this notification. Qualifying emergency work may follow a different process, but an ordinary renovation deadline is not an emergency exemption.
A compliant project may also involve:
- Confirmation or testing of the material.
- Verification of the removalist’s licence class.
- An asbestos removal control plan.
- Site barriers and warning signs.
- Controlled removal methods.
- Decontamination procedures.
- Lawful packaging and transport.
- Disposal at an authorised facility.
- A clearance inspection or certificate where required.
Neighbour-notification requirements can depend on the type of development approval and the work being performed. Read what to do if a neighbour is removing asbestos without notifying you in Sydney for practical guidance.
What Should I Do If I Have Already Started?
Stop disturbing the material.
Do not remove the rest because the job has already begun. Continuing can spread fibres and increase the area requiring professional decontamination.
Take these steps:
- Stop drilling, cutting, scraping and demolition.
- Keep children, pets, visitors and workers away.
- Close nearby windows and doors.
- Do not sweep or dry-brush the area.
- Do not use a household vacuum cleaner.
- Do not carry broken sheets through the house.
- Do not mix asbestos with general building waste.
- Tell the removalist exactly what has been disturbed.
- Contact SafeWork NSW or your council if debris has spread beyond the site.
Do not try to conceal the material behind new wall sheets. The guide Is it illegal to cover asbestos with plasterboard in NSW? explains why covering suspected asbestos can create legal and safety problems.
How Must Asbestos Waste Be Handled?
Asbestos waste must be packaged, transported and disposed of under NSW requirements. It cannot be placed in a normal household bin or hidden beneath other construction waste.
It should be taken only to a facility authorised to accept asbestos. Acceptance rules, bookings and charges vary, so arrangements should be confirmed before transport.
Larger asbestos-waste loads may also need to be tracked through the NSW EPA’s WasteLocate system. NSW asbestos guidance states that WasteLocate applies when transporting more than 10m² or 100kg of asbestos waste.
For more information, see the guide to double-wrapping requirements for asbestos disposal in NSW.
Never:
- place asbestos in a council bin;
- put loose sheets in an ordinary skip;
- bury fragments in the garden;
- reuse old asbestos sheets;
- give the sheets to another person;
- break panels to fit them in a vehicle; or
- leave wrapped waste outside an unauthorised facility.
How Much Does 15m² of Asbestos Removal Cost in Sydney?
There is no single asbestos removal cost that applies to every 15m² project.
The asbestos removalist Sydney cost can change according to:
- the type of asbestos;
- the condition of the material;
- whether laboratory testing is needed;
- the number and size of sheets;
- internal or external access;
- roof height and pitch;
- containment needs;
- waste weight and volume;
- transport distance;
- disposal fees;
- air monitoring;
- decontamination; and
- clearance requirements.
The website’s published indicative guide places bonded asbestos removal at approximately $25–$50 per square metre, while noting that minimum charges and project conditions can make small jobs cost more per square metre. These figures are general website estimates, not a quote for your property.
Ask for a written, fixed-scope quote that states whether the price includes:
- site setup;
- removal;
- wrapping;
- transport;
- disposal fees;
- tip dockets;
- cleaning; and
- clearance documentation.
A cheap asbestos removalist Sydney quote may not be good value if essential safety work or lawful disposal is excluded.
Be cautious with phrases such as “free asbestos removalist Sydney.” A free quotation or inspection does not necessarily mean the physical removal and disposal will be free.
How Do I Check an Asbestos Removal Company?
Before selecting among asbestos removal companies Sydney property owners should check:
- the current SafeWork NSW licence;
- whether it is Class A or Class B;
- whether the class suits the material;
- insurance that covers asbestos work;
- the written scope and exclusions;
- SafeWork notification procedures;
- disposal arrangements;
- who will supervise the work;
- the clearance process; and
- experience with similar properties.
Asbestos removalist Sydney reviews can help you assess punctuality, cleanliness and communication. They do not replace licence verification.
Do not hire an ordinary furniture removalist after searching phrases such as “Sydney removalists cost” or “how much do removalists cost Sydney.” Furniture removal and asbestos removals Sydney services are completely different industries.
How X-Asbestos Removalist Sydney Can Help
X-Asbestos Removalist Sydney can assess a proposed 15m² project and explain which licence and controls are appropriate.
Depending on the site, assistance may include:
- reviewing photographs and measurements;
- arranging asbestos testing;
- confirming whether the material is bonded or friable;
- checking the complete removal area;
- preparing a written scope;
- planning access and containment;
- completing licensed bonded-asbestos removal;
- coordinating lawful transport and disposal;
- providing disposal documentation; and
- arranging clearance requirements.
The business serves homes, strata properties, renovation projects and commercial sites across Sydney.
When requesting a quote, provide the suburb, approximate dimensions, material location and condition. Mention whether anything has already been drilled, cut, broken or removed. Do not disturb the material simply to take a clearer photograph.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove exactly 10m² of asbestos myself?
Official public guidance sometimes uses “more than 10m²” and sometimes warns about “10m² or more.” Do not design a DIY project to sit exactly on the boundary. Measurement errors, concealed sheets and contaminated fragments can place the project above it.
Can I remove 9m² today and 6m² next month?
Not when both stages form part of the same 15m² removal project. Dividing the schedule does not change the total scope.
Can a builder remove the 15m²?
Only when the person or business holds the correct asbestos removal licence. A general builder or demolition licence does not automatically authorise licensed asbestos removal.
What if the asbestos is in good condition?
Good condition may reduce the likelihood of fibre release while the material remains undisturbed. It does not remove the licensing requirement for a 15m² removal job.
Can I pressure-wash asbestos before removing it?
No. Pressure-washing asbestos cement can damage the surface and spread contaminated material.
Do I need testing before removal?
Testing is appropriate when the material has not been confirmed. Asbestos cannot be identified reliably by sight alone.
Can I place the sheets in a normal skip?
No. Asbestos requires appropriate packaging, transport and disposal at a facility authorised to accept it.
Is professional removal always expensive?
Costs vary. Obtain a written quote before assuming DIY removal will save money. Accidental contamination, testing, emergency cleaning and disposal can cost far more than a planned job.
Final Answer
You cannot legally remove 15 square metres of non-friable asbestos yourself in NSW without the required asbestos removal licence.
The project exceeds the 10m² threshold and should be handled by a Class A or Class B licensed asbestos removalist. If the material is friable, a Class A removalist is required regardless of area.
Do not divide the project into smaller days or allocate parts to different people. Measure the complete scope, including walls, eaves, roof sheets, concealed material and broken fragments.
Where work has already started, stop immediately, keep people away and arrange professional advice. A planned asbestos removal Sydney service is safer and easier to price than a project involving broken sheets, contaminated dust or illegal waste.
Related Blog Posts
- Can I get fined for removing more than 10 square metres of asbestos myself in NSW?
- What do I do if my neighbour is removing asbestos without notifying me in Sydney?
About the Author
Daniel
Asbestos Removal Consultant & Customer Experience Manager
10+ years of industry experience · Sydney-based
Daniel helps homeowners, businesses, strata managers and property professionals choose suitable asbestos removal solutions. He specialises in explaining removal options, safety requirements, project planning and scheduling in clear, practical terms.
Daniel also contributes to X-Asbestos Removalist Sydney’s service guides, suburb pages and asbestos safety content.