Costs, Price Factors and 2026 Rules
Asbestos roof removal in Australia: licences, the 10 m² rule, disposal and what it adds to a re-roof
How asbestos cement roofs are identified and removed in Australia, Class A and Class B licences, the 10 m² threshold, disposal, clearance and illustrative cost arithmetic.
If your house was built before about 1990, its roof sheets, eaves linings, flues or wall cladding may contain asbestos. Under the model Work Health and Safety Regulations adopted in most states and territories, removing more than 10 m² of non-friable (bonded) asbestos requires a removalist with at least a Class B licence, and removing any amount of friable asbestos requires a Class A licence. An asbestos cement roof is almost always far more than 10 m², so a whole-roof job needs a licensed removalist, followed by a licensed roofer for the new roof. On this site's illustrative figures, removal plus a new steel roof runs about $130–$230 per m² of roof surface, against $90–$160 per m² for a tile-to-steel job without asbestos.
This guide is part of the roof replacement cost overview. It is general information, not safety or legal advice.
How to tell whether a roof may contain asbestos
You cannot confirm asbestos by looking. Clues that make it more likely:
- The house or extension was built or re-roofed before about 1990. The use of all forms of asbestos was banned nationally from 31 December 2003, and its use in building products had largely stopped before then.
- The roof is corrugated or "deep-ribbed" grey cement sheeting, sometimes painted, or the eaves are flat grey cement sheet.
- There are cement flues, vent pipes, gutters or capping on an older roof.
The only reliable way is to have a sample tested by an accredited laboratory, usually arranged by a licensed asbestos assessor or occupational hygienist. Do not break off a piece yourself without following the safety guidance from your state's asbestos authority.
Friable vs non-friable and the licence classes
| Term | Meaning | Who may remove it |
|---|---|---|
| Non-friable (bonded) | Asbestos bound in cement or another material, cannot be crumbled by hand when dry, for example most cement roof sheets in good condition | Up to 10 m² in total may be removed without a licence under strict conditions; more than 10 m² needs a Class B or Class A licence |
| Friable | Can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry, for example loose-fill or badly weathered material | Class A licence for any amount |
Rules for homeowners doing their own work differ between states, and some regulators strongly advise against any DIY removal. NSW, for example, publishes homeowner guidance on asbestos.nsw.gov.au and SafeWork NSW recommends a licensed professional for any amount. Weathered roof sheets can become badly degraded; an assessor can advise whether material should be treated as friable.
What a licensed removal involves
- Asbestos assessment and testing. Confirms what is present and in what condition.
- Notification. Licensed removalists must notify the regulator before starting licensed removal work. Under the model WHS Regulations (r. 466) the written notice is due at least five days before the work starts, except in emergencies; check your state regulator for its process.
- Removal control plan and set-up. Signage, barriers, wetting down with low-pressure water, removing sheets whole rather than breaking them, and protecting the ceiling space.
- Wrapping and transport. Sheets are wrapped in heavy plastic and transported to a facility licensed to accept asbestos waste. Transport and disposal rules are set by your state's environment protection authority.
- Clearance. After removal, a clearance inspection confirms the area is safe. For Class A work an independent licensed assessor must issue the clearance certificate; for Class B work an independent competent person can do it (r. 473). Keep the clearance certificate and disposal receipts with your house records.
- New roof. Only then does the roofer install the battens, sarking and new roof.
What asbestos adds to the price: worked example (illustrative)
A 1970s house has 150 m² of corrugated asbestos cement roof. The owner wants a new pre-painted steel roof.
| Item | Illustrative assumption | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Testing and assessment | Fixed | $600 |
| Licensed removal and disposal | $55 per m² × 150 m² | $8,250 |
| Clearance inspection | Fixed | $500 |
| New battens, blanket and steel roof | $110 per m² × 150 m² | $16,500 |
| Edge protection, flashings, skips | Fixed | $4,000 |
| Total | $29,850 |
That is $29,850 ÷ 150 = about $199 per m², inside the illustrative $130–$230 range. The asbestos-specific items (testing, removal, clearance) make up $9,350, or about 31% of the total. Use the re-roof cost estimator with the asbestos option and your own area.
Some removalists quote by the square metre, others by the job. Ask whether the quote includes disposal fees, which can vary by facility, and whether it includes the eaves, gutters or flues as well as the roof sheets.
Who to hire and how to check them
- The removalist needs the right asbestos removal licence from your state's work health and safety regulator, such as SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe Victoria or WorkSafe Queensland. Ask for the licence number and check it.
- The roofer needs the building or plumbing licence or registration required in your state. See licence thresholds by state.
- If one company does both, make sure it holds both kinds of licence or uses a licensed subcontractor, and that the contract says so.
- Check whether home warranty insurance is required for the building work and that the certificate is issued before you pay.
Should you encapsulate or remove?
Sealing or coating a sound asbestos roof can be an option where removal is not affordable, but it still disturbs the surface and may be restricted under state rules. It also leaves the asbestos in place for the next owner or the next storm. Weathered, cracked or hail-damaged asbestos sheets are usually better removed. A licensed assessor can advise on the condition, and the re-roofing versus restoration guide explains the wider trade-off.
Asbestos after a storm
Storm or hail damage to an asbestos cement roof creates broken material that should be handled by a licensed removalist. Tell your insurer the roof may contain asbestos; some policies cover the extra cost of removal of damaged asbestos material as part of the claim, others limit it. See storm damage versus wear and tear.
Frequently asked questions
Is all grey cement sheeting asbestos?
No. Fibre cement products made after the late 1980s are generally asbestos-free, and they look similar. Only a laboratory test can confirm it.
Do I need council approval to remove an asbestos roof?
Some councils and states have notification or approval requirements, particularly where the removal is part of a larger development. Ask the removalist and your council. The licensed removalist handles notification to the work health and safety regulator.
What happens to the ceiling space?
Dust and debris may have collected in the ceiling space over decades. The assessor should advise whether it needs inspection or cleaning as part of the job.
Can I sell a house with an asbestos roof?
Yes, asbestos in sound condition is not illegal to own. Buyers and their inspectors may raise it, and the cost of eventual removal is likely to be factored into offers.
Sources
- Safe Work Australia — model WHS Regulations and the Code of Practice on removing asbestos
- Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency — national awareness and homeowner information
- Asbestos NSW — homeowner guidance for NSW
- WorkSafe Victoria — Victorian licensing of asbestos removalists
- Legislation.gov.au — Commonwealth laws, including import prohibitions
