Asbestos clearance certificates in Queensland

An asbestos clearance certificate is a written statement that an area is safe to use again after licensed asbestos removal. In Queensland, it is the proof that the clean-up was checked by someone other than the person who did the work.

Many homeowners in Toowoomba first hear about it from their removalist, with little explanation. This guide covers what the certificate says, who issues it and when you do not need one.

What a clearance inspection is

Before a certificate is issued, someone carries out a clearance inspection. Its purpose is to confirm that the area is safe for normal use after the removal.

The inspection must include a visual check. It may also include air monitoring, which we explain in our guide to asbestos air monitoring. The visual check looks for any remaining asbestos material, dust or debris on surfaces, in corners and on the ground around the work area.

What the certificate says

The certificate must be in writing. It can only be issued if two things are true:

• The area is free from visible asbestos contamination.
• If air monitoring was done, the fibre level is below 0.01 fibres per millilitre of air.

If either fails, there is no certificate. The area is cleaned again and re-inspected. That is the point of the process. The check is a real gate, not a formality.

Who is allowed to issue it

The rules depend on the class of work.

• Class A work (friable asbestos): an independent licensed asbestos assessor.
• Class B work (non-friable, bonded asbestos): an independent competent person. This person may come from the removal business, but only if they were not involved in that removal.

We are upfront about this. Our contractors hold a Class B licence. We remove the material and clean the site, but the inspection and the certificate come from an independent assessor or competent person, not from our crew. That separation protects you.

Who arranges it

At domestic premises, the licensed removalist is responsible for arranging the clearance inspection. You do not have to find an assessor yourself. When the job is finished, you receive the clearance certificate.

Keep it somewhere safe. If you sell or renovate later, it shows that the removal was completed and checked.

When you do not need a certificate

No written clearance certificate is required after removing 10 m² or less of non-friable asbestos. This is the amount a homeowner can remove without a certificate or licence, and it applies to the whole job. You cannot split a bigger job into small pieces on different days.

Even then, the dust and debris must be decontaminated before anyone moves back in. Wet wipe surfaces, wrap the waste properly and do not skip the clean-up. Our page on asbestos decontamination in Toowoomba explains the process. If you are unsure whether your job is over the limit, call us before you start.

When a certificate is not enough

A certificate only covers the work that was done and inspected. It does not cover areas that were never part of the job. If a storm breaks sheeting somewhere else on your property later, that is a new situation. Our guide to storm damaged asbestos covers what to do.

If you have friable material or fire damage, a Class A removalist and a licensed assessor are involved from the start. We can talk through the options on (07) 3185 2323.

A practical checklist

Before removal starts:

1. Ask who will carry out the clearance inspection.
2. Ask whether air monitoring is planned, and why or why not.
3. Ask for the licence class of the removalist and check it with WHSQ.

After removal:

1. Ask for the written certificate.
2. Check that it names your address and the area inspected.
3. Store a copy with your property records.

We serve homes across Toowoomba and nearby suburbs. Rules change. Check the current requirements at asbestos.qld.gov.au before you book.