Yes, you can be fined for removing more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos yourself in NSW without the required asbestos removal licence. Any amount of friable asbestos must also be handled by an appropriately licensed asbestos removalist.
For Sydney homeowners, the safest response is simple: stop work, keep people away from the area and contact a licensed asbestos removalist in Sydney before disturbing any more material.
The 10-square-metre limit is not a recommended DIY target. It is the point at which licensed removal becomes legally required for non-friable asbestos. Even below that amount, NSW authorities strongly recommend professional removal because asbestos fibres can cause serious disease when inhaled.
Quick answer: More than 10m² of non-friable asbestos requires a Class A or Class B licensed removalist. Friable asbestos requires a Class A removalist regardless of quantity. Unlicensed work may result in regulatory action, clean-up costs and penalties.
This article provides general information and should not be treated as legal advice. Rules can depend on the property, the type of work and whether the site is legally considered a workplace.
What Does the 10-Square-Metre Asbestos Rule Mean in NSW?
NSW asbestos rules divide removal work into different categories based on the material and its condition.
A Class B asbestos removal licence is required to remove:
- more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos-containing material; or
- asbestos-contaminated dust associated with removing that amount.
A Class A licence permits the removal of both friable and non-friable asbestos. Class A removalists are required for friable asbestos work.
Non-friable asbestos is sometimes called bonded asbestos. Its fibres are held within a solid product, often cement. Common examples in older Sydney homes can include eaves, wall sheets, roofing, fencing and backing boards.
The threshold does not mean that 10 square metres is safe. It means that the law allows limited unlicensed removal of certain non-friable material below the threshold, provided strict safety requirements are followed.
SafeWork NSW recommends using a licensed professional for any amount because disturbing asbestos can release fibres.
Can I Be Fined for Removing More Than 10m² of Asbestos Myself?
Yes. Carrying out asbestos removal in Sydney that requires a licence without holding the correct licence may constitute an offence.
SafeWork NSW inspectors can take action against people who perform unlicensed asbestos removal. Inspectors can also issue penalties where someone appoints an unlicensed removalist or where a licensed removalist fails to provide the required notification before starting notifiable work.
The possible consequences are not limited to one fixed fine. Depending on what happened, they may include:
- an on-the-spot fine;
- an improvement or prohibition notice;
- an order to stop work;
- prosecution under work health and safety legislation;
- council compliance action;
- lawful disposal expenses;
- professional decontamination costs;
- testing and clearance costs; and
- claims arising from contamination of adjoining property.
The current Work Health and Safety Act prohibits a person from performing work that the regulations require to be undertaken by or on behalf of an authorised person when the required authorisation is not held. The Act provides maximum court penalties in penalty units, and the precise exposure depends on the applicable provision and facts.
For that reason, it is better not to publish one universal dollar figure as though it applies to every homeowner. The amount can depend on whether the property is a workplace, who performed the work, whether workers were directed to do it and whether other safety or environmental offences occurred.
Does Exactly 10 Square Metres Require a Licence?
Official NSW pages are not perfectly consistent in their shorthand wording.
The current Class B licensing guidance says a licence is required for more than 10m² of non-friable asbestos. Other NSW guidance sometimes uses the wording 10m² or more when explaining the rule to the public.
Do not plan a DIY project to sit exactly on the boundary.
Measurements can be wrong. Hidden material may be discovered behind walls. Broken pieces and contaminated dust may also expand the scope of the job.
Where the estimated quantity is close to 10m², the sensible approach is to engage a licensed asbestos removalist. SafeWork NSW specifically advises using a licensed removalist where there is uncertainty about the amount of asbestos-contaminated material.
What Is Non-Friable Asbestos?
Non-friable asbestos is material in which asbestos fibres are firmly bound into another product.
It is often found in asbestos cement products, sometimes called fibro. While an intact bonded sheet may release fewer fibres than loose material, the risk changes when it is:
- cracked;
- drilled;
- sawn;
- sanded;
- smashed;
- weathered;
- pressure-washed; or
- broken during demolition.
A Class B licensed removalist may remove more than 10m² of non-friable asbestos. A Class A removalist can remove both non-friable and 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 some forms of:
- loose-fill insulation;
- pipe lagging;
- sprayed coatings;
- insulation board;
- fire-damaged asbestos; and
- badly degraded asbestos products.
A homeowner must not treat friable asbestos as a small DIY job. Any amount requires an appropriately licensed professional, normally a Class A asbestos removalist.
When you cannot tell whether the material is friable, stop and obtain professional advice. Do not squeeze, scrape or break it to test its condition.
How Do I Calculate 10 Square Metres of Asbestos?
Measure the length and width of every asbestos-containing surface and calculate:
Length × width = area in square metres
For example:
- A wall measuring 4m × 2.4m equals 9.6m².
- Two sheets measuring 2.4m × 1.2m equal 5.76m² in total.
- A shed with three asbestos walls may easily exceed 10m² once all sides are added.
The limit relates to the total area being removed, not the amount completed on one day.
You should not divide a 20m² job into several smaller sessions and claim that each session is below the threshold. The work remains one larger asbestos-removal project.
Also consider concealed material. A bathroom renovation may involve wall lining, ceiling sheets, flooring underlay and backing around wet areas. The visible sheet may be only part of the total.
A practical Sydney example
Imagine a homeowner plans to demolish an old backyard shed.
The front and side walls appear small, so the owner assumes the project is below 10m². Once the rear wall and eaves are included, the total reaches approximately 18m².
Removing one wall personally and hiring a contractor for the rest does not erase the unlicensed work already performed. Measuring the whole scope before starting helps prevent this mistake.
This example is illustrative rather than a testimonial or account of a named customer.
What Should I Do If I Have Already Started Removing It?
Stop immediately.
Do not break another sheet simply because the first section has already been removed. Continuing can increase the affected area and the amount of contaminated dust.
Take these steps:
- Keep children, pets and other people away.
- Stop drilling, cutting, sweeping and demolition.
- Leave loose material where it is unless it creates an immediate danger.
- Do not use a household vacuum cleaner.
- Close nearby windows and doors.
- Avoid walking through visible dust or debris.
- Contact a licensed asbestos removalist for site-specific advice.
- Tell the removalist exactly what has already been done.
- Contact SafeWork NSW or the local council if uncontrolled contamination has occurred.
Do not hide the situation by placing ordinary building material over the asbestos. Covering or enclosing asbestos without proper assessment may conceal a hazard and complicate later work.
Where dust or fragments may have crossed a property boundary, neighbours should be warned and professional advice obtained. The guide What do I do if my neighbour is removing asbestos without notifying me in Sydney? explains the immediate steps for nearby residents.
Can an Asbestos Removal Course Let Me Remove More Than 10m²?
Not by itself.
A general asbestos awareness course may teach participants how to recognise common materials and understand basic risks. Completing an awareness course does not automatically grant an asbestos removal licence.
SafeWork NSW states that further training and experience are required to perform licensed removal, such as removing more than 10m² of non-friable asbestos or any amount of friable asbestos.
A person seeking a Class A or Class B asbestos removal licence must satisfy the applicable training, experience, supervision and application requirements.
Therefore, searching for an “asbestos removal course Sydney” is not a shortcut that allows a homeowner to perform one large personal project.
Can I Hire an Ordinary Builder or Handyman?
Only when the person or business holds the correct asbestos removal licence for the work.
A builder’s licence, demolition experience or construction qualification does not automatically include authority to perform licensed asbestos removal.
Before hiring anyone, ask for:
- the full licence holder’s name;
- the asbestos removal licence number;
- whether it is Class A or Class B;
- the licence expiry date;
- a written scope of work;
- disposal arrangements;
- details of the removal control plan;
- evidence of insurance; and
- information about clearance requirements.
Check the licence using SafeWork NSW’s official licence-checking service rather than relying only on a screenshot supplied by the contractor.
A Class B licence permits applicable non-friable removal. Friable asbestos requires a Class A licence.
Does SafeWork NSW Need to Be Notified?
Licensed asbestos removal involving more than 10m² of non-friable asbestos or any quantity of friable asbestos generally requires notification to SafeWork NSW at least five calendar days before work starts.
There are limited emergency provisions for sudden and unexpected situations, but they should not be treated as a way to bypass normal planning.
The licensed removalist normally handles this notification. Homeowners should ask for confirmation that it has been completed where required.
SafeWork NSW states that inspectors may issue penalties to licensed removalists who fail to notify or who start within the required five-day period without an applicable exception.
What Other Offences or Costs Could Apply?
Unlicensed removal is only one part of the legal risk.
Unsafe disposal
Asbestos waste may only be taken to a facility licensed to accept it. Homeowners should contact the facility before travelling because acceptance procedures, packaging rules and booking requirements vary.
You must not:
- place asbestos in a household bin;
- hide it in mixed construction waste;
- bury it in the garden;
- leave it on a roadside;
- reuse asbestos sheets; or
- give them to someone for another building project.
NSW environmental law prohibits the reuse and recycling of asbestos waste and provides substantial maximum penalties for breaches.
Exposing workers or neighbours
Dust escaping the site can lead to additional safety, council or environmental action. The cost of cleaning a neighbour’s property may be much higher than the original saving from DIY work.
Breaching development conditions
Demolition and renovation approvals may contain asbestos-control and waste-disposal requirements. City of Sydney guidance states that owner-builders cannot remove asbestos themselves unless the material is below the applicable 10m² threshold.
Insurance problems
Insurance coverage depends on the policy and circumstances. Deliberate unlicensed work, gradual contamination and unlawful disposal may be treated differently from accidental damage.
Before major work, read Do I need to tell my insurance company about asbestos removal? and confirm the position directly with your insurer.
What Does a Legal Asbestos Removal Process Look Like?
A properly planned project normally includes the following stages.
1. Identification and testing
Suspected material is assessed and, where necessary, sampled by a competent person. The sample is sent to an appropriately accredited laboratory.
2. Licence and scope confirmation
The contractor determines whether Class A or Class B removal is required and prepares a written scope.
3. Notification
The licensed removalist notifies SafeWork NSW when the work meets the notification threshold.
4. Removal control plan
The removalist plans isolation, access restrictions, protective equipment, decontamination, waste handling and emergency procedures.
5. Controlled removal
The material is removed using methods designed to minimise breakage and fibre release.
6. Packaging and transport
Waste is wrapped, labelled and transported according to NSW requirements.
7. Disposal
The waste is taken to a facility licensed to accept asbestos.
8. Clearance
Where required, an independent competent person or licensed asbestos assessor inspects the area before it is returned to normal use.
How Much Does Asbestos Removal Cost in Sydney?
There is no single asbestos removalist Sydney cost that applies to every property.
Pricing can depend on:
- asbestos type;
- total area;
- material condition;
- access;
- building height;
- roof pitch;
- containment requirements;
- laboratory testing;
- waste weight;
- transport;
- disposal charges;
- air monitoring;
- cleaning; and
- clearance inspection.
A quote that looks unusually cheap may exclude testing, disposal, access equipment or clearance documentation.
When comparing asbestos removal companies in Sydney, ask every contractor to quote the same scope. Otherwise, the lowest price may simply include fewer safety and compliance measures.
Be careful with searches such as “free asbestos removalist Sydney” or “cheap asbestos removalist Sydney.” A free inspection, waste program or quotation is not the same as free licensed removal.
Likewise, “Sydney removalists cost” and “how much do removalists cost Sydney” usually refer to furniture-moving businesses. Use asbestos-specific terms when searching so you do not contact an ordinary household removalist by mistake.
How X-Asbestos Removalist Sydney Can Help
X-Asbestos Removalist Sydney helps homeowners, strata managers, businesses and property professionals plan compliant asbestos removal across Sydney.
For a project that may exceed 10m², the team can help with:
- reviewing photographs and project details;
- arranging asbestos testing where required;
- measuring the expected removal area;
- identifying whether Class A or Class B work is needed;
- planning site controls;
- preparing a written removal scope;
- removing bonded asbestos safely;
- coordinating licensed disposal;
- managing accidental fragments or dust; and
- arranging clearance requirements where applicable.
Where you have already disturbed suspected asbestos, explain exactly what happened. Include the suburb, approximate area, material condition and whether sheets were cut or broken.
Do not continue working while waiting for advice.
How Do I Choose the Best Asbestos Removalist in Sydney?
The best asbestos removalist Sydney property owners can choose is not automatically the contractor with the lowest price or the most review stars.
Check:
- the current asbestos removal licence;
- whether the licence class matches the material;
- insurance;
- written scope;
- SafeWork notification procedures;
- waste-disposal arrangements;
- exclusions in the quotation;
- clearance arrangements; and
- experience with similar Sydney properties.
Asbestos removalist Sydney reviews may help you assess communication and reliability, but reviews cannot replace licence verification.
Avoid anyone who:
- refuses to provide a licence number;
- offers to place the waste in a normal skip;
- plans to smash sheets for easier transport;
- asks you to hide the material under other waste;
- says notification is never required; or
- recommends dividing one large job into several pretend small jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove 12m² of bonded asbestos myself?
No. A job of approximately 12m² is over the Class B licensing threshold and should be completed by a properly licensed asbestos removalist.
Can two people each remove less than 10m²?
You should not divide one larger project among several people to avoid licensing rules. The total asbestos-removal scope is what matters.
Can I remove 9m² myself in NSW?
Limited unlicensed removal of less than 10m² of non-friable asbestos may be permitted, but strict safety requirements still apply. SafeWork NSW recommends hiring a licensed professional for any amount.
Can I remove friable asbestos if it is only a small amount?
No. Any amount of friable asbestos requires appropriately licensed removal.
What if I miscalculated and removed more than 10m²?
Stop work and speak with a licensed removalist. Be honest about the amount removed and whether material was broken. Where unsafe or unlicensed work has occurred, seek advice from SafeWork NSW or your council.
Is an asbestos awareness certificate the same as a removal licence?
No. Awareness training does not authorise licensed asbestos removal. Additional training, experience and a licence are required.
Can asbestos go in a normal construction skip?
Not unless the waste service and receiving facility are specifically authorised and the asbestos is packaged and handled according to requirements. Asbestos can only be disposed of at a facility licensed to accept it.
Will my local council fine me?
A council may investigate unauthorised demolition, unsafe work, contamination or unlawful waste handling. The action taken depends on the facts, evidence and council powers.
Can a licensed removalist fix a DIY asbestos mistake?
Often, yes. The removalist may assess the remaining material, visible debris and affected surfaces. More extensive contamination may require professional cleaning, testing or independent clearance.
Final Answer
You can face fines and other enforcement action if you remove more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos yourself in NSW without the required licence.
Any friable asbestos must be removed by an appropriately licensed professional, regardless of its size.
If you are unsure whether a job is close to 10m², do not guess. Include every wall, sheet, eave and fragment in the total. Stop work and use a licensed asbestos removalist in Sydney.
The cost of professional removal is easier to control before work begins. After asbestos is smashed, spread through a property or mixed with ordinary waste, testing, remediation and disposal can become far more complicated.
Related Blog Posts
- Do I Need to Notify Neighbours Before Removing Asbestos in NSW?
- Do I Need to Tell My Insurance Company About Asbestos Removal?
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.