Can I remove asbestos myself?

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Short answer for Queensland homeowners: you can remove a small amount of bonded asbestos yourself, but only if you follow safe work procedures, and never friable asbestos. The details matter, because the rules are set out in public health law and the penalties are real.

The limits

What	Who can remove it
Bonded (non-friable) asbestos, 10 m² or less	You, without a certificate, following safe work procedures
Bonded asbestos, more than 10 m²	You, only if you hold a homeowner certificate. Otherwise, a licensed removalist
Friable asbestos (any amount)	Only a Class A licensed removalist

Sources: Queensland Government asbestos site (opens in a new tab) and WorkSafe Queensland (opens in a new tab).

How big is 10 m²? The state's renovation guide puts it at about four sheets of asbestos cement wall sheeting, or usually just one wall of an average bathroom (Asbestos: a guide for minor renovation (opens in a new tab)). A whole room, roof or long fence will usually be well beyond that.

The certificate: homeowners wanting to remove more than 10 m² must get a certificate under arrangements approved by Queensland Health. The approved options listed are the unit CPCCDE3014 Remove non-friable asbestos through a registered training organisation, or a homeowner and DIY asbestos removal course from the approved provider named on the state asbestos site (opens in a new tab).

Friable asbestos crumbles easily. The state site gives some felt carpet underlay as an example. It's never a DIY job. See Friable asbestos removal.

Before you start

• Find out whether it's asbestos. You can't tell by looking. The state guide recommends having samples tested. See Asbestos testing.
• Consider leaving it alone. The state guidance asks whether material in good condition can be left undisturbed, painted, sealed or covered instead of removed.
• Tell your neighbours. Under public health laws you're responsible for not releasing fibres that could affect your family or neighbours. The state site suggests explaining your precautions to neighbours before you start.

Banned methods

Queensland law prohibits these on asbestos-containing material (prohibited activities (opens in a new tab)):

• power tools such as angle grinders, circular saws and electric sanders (homeowners may use a cordless drill running below 650 rpm if they take reasonable measures to minimise fibre release)
• high-pressure water cleaners
• compressed air or abrasive blasting
• household vacuum cleaners, even with a HEPA filter

Homeowners can be fined up to $10,000 for water-blasting asbestos and must pay clean-up costs, according to the state site.

Safe work basics for sheet removal

From the state's renovation tips (opens in a new tab):

1. Cordon off the area so unprotected people can't enter.
2. Wear disposable coveralls and a P2 respirator.
3. Wet the material down first, except where that would be dangerous (for example on a roof).
4. Avoid breaking the sheets.
5. Use plastic drop sheets, then wet-wipe surfaces afterwards.
6. Decontaminate: bag the coveralls, wipe boots and shower.
7. Work in the open air or a well-ventilated area where possible.

Follow the step-by-step procedures in Asbestos: a guide for minor renovation (opens in a new tab) for the specific task.

Bagging and disposal

The guide says to use thick (200 micron) plastic, only half-fill bags, double-bag and seal with duct tape, and label each bag with a clear asbestos warning. Never put asbestos in a household bin, and don't reuse, store, recycle or dump it.

In the Toowoomba Region, the council facility that accepts domestic asbestos is the Greater Toowoomba Waste Management Facility at Wellcamp, with limits and fees (council (opens in a new tab)). See Asbestos in Toowoomba for the current details, and call ahead.

When to hand it over

Use a licensed removalist when the job is over 10 m² and you don't hold a certificate, when the material is friable, or when it's damaged, at height or simply not worth the risk to you. See Bonded asbestos removal.