Transitional Asbestos Provisions
NSW
- Existing asbestos removal work licences will be converted to the equivalent asbestos removal licence class on renewal.
- From 1 January 2013 those wishing to apply for a new licence must complete the new units of competency to be eligible to apply for the relevant asbestos removal work licence.
- PCBUs will need to ensure that health monitoring commences before an asbestos removal worker carries out asbestos removal work from 1 January 2013.
- Under the WHS Regulation, applicants for a Class A asbestos removal work licence will need to provide evidence that they have a certified safety management system in place. This requirement will be phased in during 2012 as a licence condition.
Queensland
In short, most certificate and licence holders will be covered to perform asbestos duties up until 31 December 2013 despite the expiry date of their current licence. During this transitional period it is expected that those wishing to continue to perform asbestos removal will undergo additional training and obtain new licences.
Class A:
- Current class A friable asbestos certificate holders will have up to two years (until 31 December 2013) to apply for a new class A asbestos removal licence under the WHS Regulation 2011.
- By 31 December 2013, all supervisors for licensed asbestos removal work will need to have completed the new vocational education and training (VET) course Supervise asbestos removal.
- By 31 December 2013, all workers carrying out licensed asbestos removal work will need to have completed the new VET courses for asbestos removal. For class A asbestos removal work, the VET courses are Remove non-friable asbestos and Remove friable asbestos.
Class B:
- The most significant change is that only the PCBU will be required to hold a class B asbestos removal licence. This is different to the requirements in the WHS Regulation 2008 where all individuals carrying out certain bonded asbestos removal work were required to hold a bonded asbestos removal certificate.
- Existing bonded asbestos removal certificate holders who are PCBUs will have up to two years (until 31 December 2013) to apply for a new class B asbestos removal licence.
- From 1 January 2014, the asbestos assessor must hold an asbestos assessor licence issued under the WHS Regulation 2011.
More information on Queensland asbestos transitional arrangements
