Asbestos Awareness Training – Maintenance Contractors
In accordance with Work Health and Safety laws in Western Australia, any worker who may come into contact with asbestos containing materials in the course of their work is required to have undertaken Asbestos Awareness Training.
This training ensures workers have the knowledge and skills to:
- Safely identify asbestos containing materials,
- Understand the risks of asbestos exposure; and
- Follow the correct procedures if asbestos is suspected or discovered, to protect themselves and those around them.
What are my responsibilities as a Contractor?
The Department of Housing and Works expects you to:
- Ensure that all relevant workers, including subcontractors engaged on our sites, have completed asbestos awareness training through a registered training organisation (RTO);
- Maintain up to date training records; and
- Ensure refresher training is undertaken every 2 years.
Membership requirements for Department of Housing and Works maintenance panels:
Much of the WA Government's non-residential portfolio was constructed or renovated prior to 2004, as such there is a reasonable likelihood that asbestos-containing materials will be present when maintenance work is being carried out on these assets.
From 30 March 2026, the Department of Housing and Works will require evidence of Asbestos Awareness Training as a condition of membership for our contractor panel frameworks. This includes Service Alliance 2012 (SA12), the Low Value Maintenance Panel (LVMP) and our routine maintenance service contracts for all trade services.
We are here to help…
The Department of Housing and Works is committed to supporting our contractor base to improve their asbestos awareness. Where workers have not completed Asbestos Awareness Training, we will provide access to a suitable online training module free of charge to help you and your workers achieve compliance in a straightforward and cost effective way.
What do I need to do?
- Complete the spreadsheet (link below) with details of each worker's asbestos awareness training status;
- Attach copies of completion certificates; and
- Return the completed spreadsheet to [email protected], by close of business (5pm) on 17 October 2025.
If you or your workers have not yet completed Asbestos Awareness Training, please still complete and return the spreadsheet by the due date. This will allow DHW to provide you with the necessary support and access to the training.
Please note: failure to respond to this notice by the deadline may result in your business being suspended from receiving work until a response is provided.
