When a certificate is required
After licensed asbestos removal, Victorian rules require a visual clearance inspection by an independent person and a clearance certificate before the area is reoccupied. The exception is small bonded work: no certificate is required if the job removed only non-friable asbestos of 10 m² or less in total.
| Job | Clearance certificate |
|---|---|
| Friable removal, any amount | Required, with clearance air monitoring |
| Bonded removal over 10 m² | Required, visual inspection |
| Bonded removal 10 m² or less | Not required |
Who arranges it, and who issues it
The duty sits with whoever commissions the removal. On a home job, where you have engaged a licence holder to remove asbestos from your house, Victorian rules place that duty on the licence holder. The clearance is arranged as part of the job.
The person issuing the certificate must be independent of both you and the removalist, with the skills and experience to do it, usually an occupational hygienist or asbestos assessor.
What the inspection covers
- The work area. Every surface, ledge and corner where asbestos was removed is checked for visible dust or debris.
- The surrounding area. Hallways, entry points and the route the waste took out of the building.
- Waste and equipment. All waste, sheeting and gear must be gone.
- Air (friable jobs). Clearance monitoring confirms airborne fibres are below 0.01 fibres/mL.
If anything fails, the area is cleaned again and re-inspected before the certificate is issued.
What to expect from clearance certificates
- A certificate that records where the work took place, the type of asbestos removed, and that the area and its surroundings are free of visible asbestos debris.
- The air result on the certificate wherever clearance monitoring was done.
- No reoccupation of the area until the certificate is in hand.
- A document worth keeping. Buyers, builders and insurers may ask for it, so file it with your property records.
Asbestos just removed? Make sure the clearance is sorted.
Clearance in Bendigo
Around Bendigo, clearance most often follows ceiling removals, wet-area strip-outs and pre-demolition work on post-war homes. Owner-builders and renovators are often asked for the certificate by the next trade on site. A builder or tiler starting in a cleared bathroom will want to see it.
Clearance across Bendigo and district
Independent clearance inspections are available in Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat, Strathfieldsaye, Eaglehawk, Golden Square, Castlemaine and Heathcote.
Clearance certificates: common questions
Can I move back in before the certificate is issued?
No. The cleared area should not be reoccupied until the certificate has been issued.
I removed a small amount of fibro myself. Do I need one?
For bonded asbestos of 10 m² or less in total, Victorian rules don't require a certificate. Clean the area thoroughly and dispose of the waste correctly.
My builder removed asbestos. Who arranges the certificate?
Whoever commissioned the work. If you engaged the licence holder for a home job, it is their responsibility. Ask for a copy before paying the final invoice.
Is a clearance certificate the same as a test result?
No. A test result says whether a material contains asbestos. A clearance certificate confirms a removal area is clear afterwards.