What Is Class A Asbestos & Why We're Licenced to Remove It
Asbestos doesn’t have to be visible to pose a serious risk, and when it breaks down into dust, the danger increases significantly. Its removal requires specialist equipment, containment, procedures and appropriately licenced professionals. That is why Australia has strict requirements around who can remove certain types of asbestos and the controls that must be in place when they do.
The Strip Out Kings holds a Class A asbestos removal licence, giving our team the accreditation required to safely and legally undertake friable asbestos removal across Sydney. But what exactly does that licence cover, when is it required, and why does it matter when choosing an asbestos removalist?
We cover what Class A asbestos is, how it differs from Class B asbestos, why the licensing requirements exist, and what to look for when engaging a licenced professional for your project.
What Is Class A Asbestos?
Class A asbestos is the legal term for friable asbestos: any asbestos-containing material that can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry. When disturbed, these materials can release microscopic asbestos fibres into the air, creating a serious inhalation risk.
Under Australian work health and safety legislation, Class A asbestos removal involves the highest-risk category of asbestos materials. That is why removing it requires specialist equipment, strict containment procedures and appropriately licenced professionals.
Why Friability Drives the Risk
Asbestos content alone doesn’t determine how dangerous a material is. A fibro sheet can be almost entirely asbestos and sit safely on a wall for decades, because the fibres are locked into a solid cement matrix. However, drilling, cutting, breaking or allowing the material to deteriorate can release dangerous fibres.
Friable asbestos is different. The material is already loose, fragile or easily broken down. A knock from a ladder, a damaged section of old pipe lagging or disturbance during renovation work can release fibres into the air. Once airborne, these microscopic fibres can be inhaled and may cause serious, potentially fatal diseases.
The health consequences of asbestos exposure are a significant concern in Australia, even decades after asbestos use was phased out. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare recorded 627 mesothelioma deaths in 2025, highlighting the long-term impact of exposure. Many older properties also still contain asbestos-containing materials, making professional identification and safe removal essential during renovation, demolition and refurbishment projects.
Where You’ll Find Class A Asbestos
In older Sydney properties, particularly those built or renovated before 1990, friable asbestos may be found in several locations, including:
- Pipe lagging and boiler insulation in older homes and commercial buildings
- Sprayed-on fireproofing in ceiling cavities and around structural steel
- Some older ceiling tiles and loose-fill ceiling insulation products
- Fire door cores and rope seals around older wood heaters
- Non-friable material that’s been left to weather, crack or crumble for long enough
Class A vs Class B Asbestos
Not all asbestos-containing materials present the same level of risk. The classification between Class A and Class B determines the type of material being removed, the licensing requirements that apply and the safety controls needed to manage the work.
- Class A asbestos can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry. Common examples include pipe lagging, sprayed asbestos insulation and certain older fireproofing materials. Removing these materials requires a Class A asbestos removal licence, regardless of the quantity involved. The work also requires strict controls to minimise airborne fibre release, with air monitoring and clearance procedures applied as required by the relevant regulations and project conditions.
- Class B asbestos, on the other hand, refers to non-friable asbestos-containing materials where the fibres are bonded within a solid matrix. Examples include asbestos cement fibro sheeting, roofing, eaves, fencing and some older floor tiles. These materials generally present a lower risk of fibre release when intact and undisturbed. However, cutting, drilling, breaking or deteriorating bonded asbestos can still release dangerous fibres. Licensing thresholds and monitoring requirements vary between Australian states and territories, so the applicable local regulations must always be checked.
It is also important to remember that non-friable asbestos does not always remain non-friable. Fire damage, water exposure, deterioration and decades of harsh weather can weaken bonded materials until they begin to crack, crumble or release fibres more easily. A roofing or demolition project that initially appears to involve straightforward non-friable asbestos removal may therefore require Class A controls if the material has deteriorated sufficiently.
At The Strip Out Kings, we assess the condition and type of asbestos-containing material before recommending a removal approach. This helps ensure the work is properly classified, the correct licence is used, and the necessary safety measures are in place before removal begins.
Why Only a Licenced Operator Can Legally Remove Class A Asbestos
Australian work health and safety legislation requires this work to be undertaken by appropriately licenced operators. These requirements help protect workers, property occupants and the broader community from potentially serious exposure.
Unlike certain types of non-friable asbestos work, there is generally no small-job exemption that allows homeowners to remove friable asbestos themselves. Even a relatively small amount of damaged insulation, pipe lagging or other friable material can present a significant exposure risk when disturbed.
What It Takes to Hold a Class A Licence
A Class A asbestos removal licence demonstrates that a business has met specific requirements relating to training, competency, practical experience, supervision and safety management.
In NSW, SafeWork NSW establishes the licencing requirements for asbestos removal businesses. Applicants must complete the relevant approved training, demonstrate appropriate practical experience and satisfy the regulator’s requirements for safety management and business operations.
Class A asbestos removal work requires trained personnel, competent supervision and carefully planned control measures. Depending on the nature of the project, this may involve:
- Specialist asbestos removal training: Workers and supervisors must hold the appropriate training and competency for the work they undertake.
- Relevant practical experience: Experience in friable asbestos removal is essential for understanding the risks and implementing effective control measures.
- Competent supervision: Class A removal work must be supervised in accordance with applicable NSW requirements.
- A documented safety management system: Businesses must demonstrate that appropriate systems are in place to manage asbestos-related risks.
- Project-specific planning: Each removal project requires suitable risk assessments, removal procedures, containment arrangements and decontamination measures.
What Happens If an Operator Works Without the Required Licence?
It happens more often than it should. After the 2017 Sir Ivan bushfires in western NSW, SafeWork NSW had to publicly warn property owners about unlicenced operators offering to clear fire-damaged asbestos, with fines at the time reaching $18,000 for a body corporate and $3,600 for an individual.
However, money is the smallest part of the risk. An unlicenced removal usually means no negative pressure enclosure, no air monitoring, and no valid clearance certificate, so you have no proof your home is actually safe to move back into. This means contamination risks that require further assessment and remediation.
How to Verify an Asbestos Removalist’s Licence
Before booking an asbestos removal contractor, confirm that the business holds the appropriate licence for the type of work required. A contractor who advertises asbestos removal services may not necessarily be authorised to undertake friable asbestos removal so it is advisable to ask the contractor:
- Do you hold a current Class A asbestos removal licence?
- Is the licence held by the business undertaking the work?
- Does your licence cover the type of asbestos identified on the property?
- Who will supervise the removal?
- What containment, decontamination and clearance procedures will be implemented?
- How will asbestos waste be packaged, transported and disposed of?
For properties in NSW, SafeWork NSW’s verification service allows you to check licensing information using a business name or licence number.
How We Safely Remove Class A Asbestos
Class A asbestos removal process is designed to prevent asbestos fibres from becoming airborne and spreading beyond the controlled work area.
At The Strip Out Kings, every project begins with careful planning and site preparation before any friable asbestos is disturbed. Our Class A licence, trained personnel and established safety procedures allow us to manage the higher risks associated with friable asbestos removal.
1. Before Removal Begins: Assess, Plan and Isolate
The first step is a thorough assessment of the property and the proposed works. We consider the building’s age and history, the location and condition of suspected asbestos-containing materials (ACM), how the area will be accessed and what other demolition or renovation work is planned.
Where required, suspected materials are sampled and analysed to confirm their composition and condition. The findings then inform the risk assessment and removal control plan, including the containment, equipment, PPE and decontamination procedures required for the project.
Before work begins, the asbestos removal area is isolated from surrounding spaces. Exclusion zones, signage and access controls help prevent unauthorised people from entering, while the removal area is coordinated with occupants and other contractors to minimise the risk of exposure or cross-contamination.
Any required notifications are also completed in accordance with the applicable NSW requirements.
2. Full Containment and Negative Pressure
Once the site is prepared, the removal area is fully contained using suitable barriers and heavy-duty plastic sheeting. Where required, a negative-pressure enclosure is established to help prevent contaminated air from escaping into surrounding areas.
HEPA-filtered extraction equipment maintains the appropriate airflow within the enclosure, while controlled entry and exit procedures prevent fibres from being carried outside the removal area.
3. Controlled Removal, PPE and Fibre Suppression
Professional asbestos removal is fundamentally about exposure control, not just removing the material itself. Where appropriate, materials are wetted before and during removal to suppress airborne fibres.
Our workers use the appropriate personal protective equipment and respiratory protective equipment for the work being undertaken. Power tools are avoided where their use could generate airborne asbestos fibres, with removal methods selected according to the material, its condition and the requirements of the project.
3. Controlled Removal, PPE and Fibre Suppression
Professional asbestos removal is fundamentally about exposure control, not just removing the material itself. Where appropriate, materials are wetted before and during removal to suppress airborne fibres.
Our workers use the appropriate personal protective equipment and respiratory protective equipment for the work being undertaken. Power tools are avoided where their use could generate airborne asbestos fibres, with removal methods selected according to the material, its condition and the requirements of the project.
4. Decontamination
Asbestos waste is never placed in ordinary household or construction waste. Its handling, transport and disposal are subject to specific regulatory requirements.
Workers, equipment and the work area are managed through appropriate decontamination procedures before anything leaves the controlled zone. Asbestos waste is carefully packaged and contained to minimise the potential for fibre release during handling, transport and disposal.
5. Independent Air Monitoring and Clearance
Once the removal work and initial cleaning have been completed, the area must undergo the appropriate inspection and clearance process. Where required, an asbestos assessor conducts air monitoring and a detailed visual inspection to determine whether the area meets the relevant clearance requirements. This final stage provides documented confirmation that the removal area is suitable for its intended next use or reoccupation.
What Makes The Strip Out Kings’ Approach Different?
Our Class A asbestos licence is an important part of our capability, but our experience, competent personnel, careful planning and consistent application of safety procedures are what ensure every project is managed to the highest possible standard.
When you engage The Strip Out Kings, you can expect:
- Class A licenced asbestos removal for friable asbestos-containing materials.
- Experienced asbestos removal professionals with the skills and knowledge required to manage high-risk asbestos work.
- Detailed site assessment and preparation to identify risks and establish the appropriate controls before work begins.
- Professional containment and fibre-control measures designed to minimise the risk of airborne fibre release and contamination.
- Appropriate PPE and respiratory protection for all personnel undertaking the work.
- Strict decontamination procedures for workers, equipment and controlled work areas.
- Careful coordination with other contractors and site occupants to maintain safe separation throughout the project.
- Comprehensive documentation and regulatory compliance from initial planning through to completion.
- Secure asbestos waste handling, transport and disposal in accordance with applicable requirements.
- Seamless coordination with demolition and renovation works, where required, to help keep the wider project moving safely and efficiently.
Planning demolition, renovation or asbestos removal in Sydney? Contact The Strip Out Kings today to discuss your project and arrange a professional assessment.
When Do You Need a Class A Licenced Removalist?
Recognising when asbestos requires specialist removal is critical to protecting workers, occupants and everyone else who may come into contact with the site. If suspected asbestos is friable, damaged or likely to be disturbed during building works, the safest approach is to stop work and engage an appropriately licenced expert.
You should arrange an assessment if:
- Your property was built or renovated before 1990.
- You’ve discovered pipe lagging, sprayed insulation or potentially loose-fill ceiling insulation.
- Suspected asbestos appears powdery, damaged or crumbly.
- A building or pest inspection has identified suspected friable asbestos.
- Suspected asbestos has been affected by fire, flooding, storms or significant physical damage.
- You are planning demolition or renovation that could disturb older building materials.
If you’re unsure what you’re dealing with, don’t disturb or attempt to remove the material yourself. An appropriate assessment can determine what the material is, its condition and what controls are required before work proceeds.
Safe, Compliant Asbestos Removal Needs the Right Team
Asbestos may have been used extensively in Australian buildings decades ago, but the risks associated with disturbing it have not gone away. When asbestos is friable, the potential for airborne fibre release is significantly higher, making professional removal and strict exposure controls a legal requirement.
Understanding the difference between Class A and Class B asbestos is an important first step. Class A covers friable asbestos and requires a higher level of licensing, planning, containment and control. Class B generally applies to non-friable asbestos, although deteriorated or damaged materials can require a different approach.
If you’ve discovered suspected asbestos in an older Sydney property, don’t disturb it and don’t leave the risk to an unlicenced operator. Getting the right advice before work begins can help protect everyone on site, prevent unnecessary contamination and keep your demolition or renovation project moving safely.
About the Author
The Strip Out Kings Team, Licensed Asbestos Removalists, Class A and B (NSW)
The Strip Out Kings are a licenced and insured asbestos removal and demolition company based in Kirrawee, servicing homes and businesses across Sydney and NSW. The team works to SafeWork NSW codes of practice on every job, from single fibro sheets to full friable removal under containment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes asbestos Class A rather than Class B?
The classification comes down to friability, not asbestos content. Class A (friable) material can be crumbled to powder by hand pressure when dry, which means fibres release easily into the air. Class B (non-friable) material has its fibres bonded into a solid matrix, such as cement sheeting, and only becomes hazardous once it’s damaged, drilled, or has deteriorated with age.
Can I remove Class A asbestos myself in NSW?
Class A (friable) asbestos removal must always be carried out by a business holding a Class A asbestos removal licence, regardless of how much material is involved. There’s no DIY exemption.
What's the difference between friable and non-friable asbestos?
Friable asbestos crumbles to dust under hand pressure and releases fibres with minimal disturbance. Non-friable (bonded) asbestos has its fibres locked inside a solid material, like cement sheeting or vinyl tiles, and stays relatively stable until it’s cut, drilled, or damaged by weathering, fire or water.
How do I check if a company actually holds a Class A licence?
In NSW, use SafeWork NSW’s licence verification tool to search by business name or licence number. Any legitimate Class A licence holder should also be happy to provide their licence details on request, before any work begins on your property.
What happens if unlicenced asbestos removal is carried out?
It’s a breach of the Work Health and Safety Regulation, and SafeWork NSW has previously fined individuals and businesses over it, with penalties reaching into the tens of thousands of dollars for companies. Beyond the fine, unlicenced removal usually means no air monitoring and no valid clearance certificate, so there’s no proof the property is actually safe to reoccupy.
