On this page10 sections
Asbestos fibres cause lung disease when they're breathed in, which is why removal is tightly regulated in Australia. The price of an asbestos removal job depends on how much there is, what form it's in, where it sits in the house and how far it has to travel to a licensed landfill.
How much does asbestos removal cost?
Removalists quote the whole job, but they build the price from the area or length of material. Roofs and wall or ceiling sheeting are measured in square metres. Fences, eaves and gutters are measured in lineal metres, because a square-metre rate doesn't describe a long, narrow run.
These approximate market estimates can help with initial budgeting. Actual quotes depend on site conditions, disposal and the agreed scope:
Asbestos roof, about 100 m²: $2,500 to $3,000
Asbestos fence, about 50 lineal metres: $2,000 to $3,000
Bonded internal or external sheeting, about 100 m²: $2,500 to $3,500
Guttering, small house: $1,500 to $3,000
Guttering, large house: $3,000 to $4,500
Small jobs cost more per square metre than big ones. A removalist has the same set-up, protective gear, decontamination and disposal run whether the job is a single bathroom wall or a whole roof, so many set a minimum charge. Ask what it is before you book a small job.
What changes the price
Friable or bonded. Friable asbestos crumbles by hand and can only be removed by a Class A licence holder with air monitoring, so it costs far more than bonded (non-friable) sheeting.
Size of the job. More area means a higher total but usually a lower rate per square metre.
Access and height. Roof jobs take extra time and equipment to work safely at height. Tight ceiling spaces and under-floor areas take longer too.
Condition. Weathered, cracked or fire-damaged sheets break up during removal and need more care to contain.
Disposal. Asbestos can only go to a landfill licensed to take it, and the tipping fee and distance are part of the quote.
Testing and clearance. Lab testing before the job and a clearance inspection after it may be quoted separately.
Replacement. New roofing, cladding or fencing is a separate job, and often a separate trade.
Asbestos testing and inspection
You can't tell asbestos apart from other fibre cement sheeting by looking at it. The national asbestos safety agency says laboratory testing is needed to confirm asbestos; use a NATA-accredited laboratory. Leave the sampling to a trained professional rather than breaking off a piece yourself.
What would your job cost?
Get real quotes from local asbestos removal
Describe the job in a sentence. We'll send it to verified asbestos removal near you.
Free · No obligation
If you're renovating or buying an older home, ask for an asbestos survey. It records where asbestos-containing materials are, what condition they're in and whether they're likely to be disturbed. A standard pre-purchase building inspection usually doesn't cover this.
Do you need a licensed asbestos removalist?
Under the national model work health and safety rules there are two removal licences:
Class A covers all asbestos, including friable asbestos.
Class B covers non-friable (bonded) asbestos only.
We recommend a licensed removalist for any amount. Some jurisdictions allow limited removal of non-friable asbestos without a licence, but the conditions differ and do not make the work safe for an untrained person. The ACT requires licensed removal for any amount. In Victoria, the workplace exception also limits the time an employer or self-employed person can spend on removal. Check your regulator before work is planned.
Notification and clearance requirements depend on the jurisdiction and the work. For example, SafeWork NSW requires at least five calendar days' notice for licensed removal, with separate urgent-work arrangements. After licensed work, a licensed assessor for Class A work or a competent person for Class B work must inspect and issue a clearance certificate before reoccupation. Ask your removalist who will arrange this for your job.
Steps to follow for asbestos removal
Confirm it's asbestos. Have the material sampled and tested, or get a survey if several areas might be affected.
Get written quotes. Ask each removalist to quote the same scope, including disposal and the clearance inspection.
Check the licence. Look the business up on your state regulator's licence register and confirm the class matches the job.
Notification and set-up. For licensed work the removalist notifies the regulator, then seals off the work area and puts up signs.
Removal. The licensed team carries out the work under its site-specific asbestos removal control plan. Keep people away from the work area until clearance requirements are met.
Clearance. An independent assessor or competent person checks the area and issues a clearance certificate.
Disposal paperwork. Ask for proof of where the waste went, such as a landfill or waste-tracking receipt.
Removal or encapsulation
Intact asbestos may be managed in place following professional advice. Keep it undisturbed and have an asbestos professional assess its condition before planning repairs or renovations. Keep an eye on its condition. If it's broken or weathered, or a renovation will disturb it, get professional help.
Rather not lose the weekend?
Compare quotes from verified asbestos removal near you. Free, no obligation.
Encapsulation applies a protective coating rather than removing the material. As an approximate budgeting figure, this guide allows around $13 to $15 per m²; obtain a site-specific quote and assessment of whether it is suitable. It only suits material an assessor has checked and found to be in reasonable condition, and the asbestos is still there for the next renovation or sale.
How asbestos is disposed of
Asbestos waste must go to a landfill licensed to accept it. Putting it in a household rubbish bin is an offence. Disposal rules, landfill limits and paperwork vary between states, so a removalist's quote should say where the waste is going. Check disposal arrangements with the removalist and the facility. The national asbestos safety agency explains that asbestos must go to a facility licensed to accept it.
Hiring the right professionals
The cheapest quote is only good value if it covers the same work. Before you choose, ask each removalist:
Which licence class they hold, and the licence number
Whether disposal, tipping fees and the clearance certificate are included
How they'll seal off the work area and protect the rest of the house
Whether they carry public liability insurance, and for how much
For references from similar jobs
Tip: If you're planning a renovation, get the asbestos removed before the builder starts. Cutting or drilling into asbestos sheeting releases fibres, and finding it halfway through stops the job.
Related cost guides
Prices on this page are a general guide in Australian dollars. They vary by location and job, and change with the market.