Nationally Recognised Training • RTO 91826

Asbestos Awareness vs Class B Licence: What’s the Difference?

If you work in construction, maintenance, demolition, electrical, plumbing or property management, there is a good chance asbestos is part of the environment you work in.

Many Australian homes and commercial buildings built before 1990 still contain asbestos-containing material (ACM), and buildings constructed before 2004 remain a common risk point for trades and maintenance workers. For workers and PCBUs (Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking), understanding the difference between asbestos awareness training and a Class B asbestos removal licence is not just about compliance. It is about protecting people’s health, avoiding serious penalties and making sure work is done safely.

One of the biggest points of confusion for workers and employers is knowing whether asbestos awareness training is enough, or whether a Class B asbestos removal licence is required.

The answer depends on the type of work involved. If you may come across asbestos but are not removing it, asbestos awareness training is usually the right step. If your business is carrying out non-friable asbestos removal above the legal threshold, a Class B asbestos removal licence is required.

Knowing where that line sits matters. A tradie renovating an old school bathroom faces a very different legal obligation from a property manager organising routine maintenance in a 1980s office building. Both need to understand asbestos risk, but only one may need licensed removal.