Bonded (non-friable) asbestos removal

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Bonded or non-friable asbestos is asbestos locked into a hard material, most commonly asbestos cement sheeting ("fibro"). It was used in many Queensland buildings before 1990 for cladding, roofs and fences, and as backing boards in kitchens and bathrooms (WorkSafe Queensland (opens in a new tab)). In good condition and left alone, it's a low risk. It becomes a problem when it's broken, cut, drilled or weathered.

Licensing

• More than 10 m²: must be removed by a business with a Class B (or Class A) asbestos removal licence. A Class B licence doesn't cover friable asbestos (WorkSafe – Asbestos licences (opens in a new tab)).
• 10 m² or less: no licence is required, but the work must still follow safe methods.
• Homeowners need a certificate from a Queensland Health-approved course to remove more than 10 m² themselves.

Clearance after the job

After licensed removal, a clearance inspection must be done to confirm the area is safe for normal use. For Class B work, it's done by an independent competent person who wasn't involved in the removal. That person can be from the removal business, as long as they didn't do the removal. They issue a written clearance certificate. At a home, the licensed removalist is responsible for making sure the clearance inspection happens (asbestos.qld.gov.au – Clearance inspections (opens in a new tab)). Ask for a copy of the certificate.

Transport and disposal

Asbestos waste must be packaged properly and taken to an approved facility. Commercial operators must complete waste tracking for any quantity, and an environmental authority is needed to transport more than 175 kg (asbestos.qld.gov.au – Transport and disposal (opens in a new tab)). Toowoomba Regional Council's Wellcamp facility takes domestic loads only, up to 175 kg per load, and not commercial asbestos (council (opens in a new tab)). So ask your removalist where they'll dispose of it.

What it might cost

hipages' national cost guide lists approximate costs of $80 – $110/m² for roofing, $80 – $110/m² for external cladding, $70 – $100/m² for internal cladding, $40 – $100/m² for ceilings, $50 – $80 per metre of eaves and $90 – $160 per metre of fencing. It notes the rate per square metre falls on larger jobs (hipages (opens in a new tab)). These are national averages, not local quotes.

Cost factors: area and type of material, height and roof access, containment needed, disposal, clearance inspection, and replacing what's removed (new sheeting, roofing or fencing is usually quoted separately).

Questions to ask

1. What's your licence class and number? (Check it on WorkSafe's register.)
2. Is replacement material in the quote, or only removal?
3. Who does the clearance inspection, and will I get the certificate?
4. Where is the waste going?
5. How will you protect neighbouring properties and our belongings?