Asbestos Removal NZ Regulations – Compliance Guide (2026)
New Zealand’s Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016 (the Asbestos Regulations) set strict requirements for managing and removing asbestos in workplaces. This guide explains your obligations in plain English, covering licensed removalist rules, the difference between Class A and Class B work, friable vs non-friable asbestos, and when you must notify WorkSafe. All information is current as of May 2026.
Key rule: Under Regulation 11, a PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking) must ensure that asbestos removal work is carried out only by a licensed removalist, unless the work is specifically exempt (e.g., short-duration, non-friable tasks under 1m²).
1. The Asbestos Management Plan (Regulation 10)
If your workplace contains or may contain asbestos, you must prepare and maintain an asbestos management plan. This plan must:
- Identify the location and condition of all asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).
- Set out decisions and reasons for managing the risk (e.g., removal, encapsulation, or sealing).
- Include procedures for emergencies and for safely handling any ACM discovered during work.
- Be reviewed at least every 5 years, or sooner if the asbestos is disturbed or its condition changes.
The plan must be readily accessible to workers, contractors, and anyone else who may disturb the asbestos.
2. Friable vs Non-Friable Asbestos
The regulations distinguish between two types of asbestos material:
- Friable asbestos – can be crumbled, pulverised, or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry (e.g., sprayed-on insulation, pipe lagging). It poses a higher risk because fibres are easily released.
- Non-friable asbestos – bonded in a solid matrix (e.g., asbestos cement sheets, floor tiles). Fibres are only released if the material is cut, drilled, or broken.
Friable asbestos removal is always Class A work. Non-friable removal may be Class B or exempt depending on the quantity and duration.
3. Class A vs Class B Licensed Removal Work
The Asbestos Regulations divide licensed removal into two classes:
| Class | Type of work | Licence required |
|---|
| Class A | Removal of any amount of friable asbestos | Class A licence (highest level) |
| Class B | Removal of >10m² of non-friable asbestos (or any amount if the work is not short-duration) | Class B licence |
Exempt work (no licence needed) includes:
- Removal of ≤10m² of non-friable asbestos in total, provided the work is completed within one hour per week (Regulation 17).
- Removal of asbestos-contaminated dust that is not friable.
- Sampling and analysis by a competent person.
Warning: Even if the work is exempt from licensing, you must still comply with all other duties under the Regulations, including safe work procedures, training, and waste disposal. WorkSafe can prosecute for unsafe removal regardless of licence status.
4. WorkSafe Notification Requirements
Before any licensed asbestos removal work begins, you must notify WorkSafe at least 5 working days in advance (Regulation 18). The notification must include:
- The location and description of the work.
- The class of licence and the licence holder’s details.
- The start date and expected duration.
- The number of workers involved and their training records.
- The asbestos management plan or a copy of the relevant section.
WorkSafe may inspect the site before or during the removal. Failure to notify can result in fines of up to $50,000 for an individual and $250,000 for a company.
5. Duties of the Licensed Removalist
A licensed removalist must (Regulations 19–24):
- Prepare a removal control plan specific to the job.
- Ensure all workers have completed approved training (e.g., Unit Standard 29765 or equivalent).
- Provide and enforce the use of appropriate PPE (P2 or P3 respirators, disposable coveralls).
- Set up a decontamination unit (for Class A work) or a designated dirty area (for Class B).
- Dispose of asbestos waste in sealed, labelled bags at an approved facility.
- Arrange for a licensed assessor to conduct air monitoring and clearance inspection after Class A removal.
Key rule: After any licensed removal, the area must be certified as safe by a licensed asbestos assessor (Regulation 25). A clearance certificate must be issued before the area can be reoccupied.
6. Training and Competency
All workers who may disturb asbestos (including those doing exempt work) must be provided with information, instruction, and training. For licensed removal, workers must hold a certificate of competency issued by a WorkSafe-approved training provider. Refresher training is required every 2 years.
7. Record-Keeping
Keep the following records for at least 5 years:
- Asbestos management plan and any updates.
- Licence details and notifications to WorkSafe.
- Air monitoring results and clearance certificates.
- Training records for all workers.
- Waste disposal receipts.
Records must be made available to WorkSafe on request.
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Access the compliance portal here.
8. Penalties for Non-Compliance
Breaches of the Asbestos Regulations can lead to serious penalties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015:
- Individuals: fines up to $300,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 5 years.
- Companies: fines up to $1.5 million.
- WorkSafe may also issue improvement notices, prohibition notices, or suspend licences.
Repeat offenders face higher penalties and possible director disqualification.
9. Practical Steps for PCBUs
- Identify all ACMs in your workplace (get a survey if unsure).
- Prepare an asbestos management plan and keep it up to date.
- Train workers who may disturb asbestos.
- Use licensed removalists for all non-exempt work.
- Notify WorkSafe at least 5 working days before licensed removal.
- Keep records for at least 5 years.
For more detailed guidance, refer to WorkSafe’s Asbestos: A Guide for Workplaces (available at worksafe.govt.nz).
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence to remove asbestos in New Zealand?
You need a Class A licence for any friable asbestos removal, and a Class B licence for removal of more than 10m² of non-friable asbestos (or any amount if the work is not short-duration). Removal of ≤10m² of non-friable asbestos completed within one hour per week is exempt from licensing, but you must still follow safe work procedures.
What is the difference between Class A and Class B asbestos removal?
Class A removal involves friable asbestos (e.g., sprayed insulation, pipe lagging) and requires the highest level of licence, full containment, and a decontamination unit. Class B removal involves non-friable asbestos (e.g., cement sheets, floor tiles) over 10m², with less stringent containment but still requiring a licence and WorkSafe notification.
When must I notify WorkSafe about asbestos removal?
You must notify WorkSafe at least 5 working days before any licensed asbestos removal work begins (Regulation 18). The notification must include the location, licence details, start date, duration, worker training, and a copy of the asbestos management plan.
What is an asbestos management plan and who needs one?
An asbestos management plan is a written document that identifies asbestos-containing materials in a workplace, sets out how risks will be managed, and includes emergency procedures. Every PCBU with asbestos in their workplace must prepare and maintain one under Regulation 10.
What are the penalties for breaking asbestos regulations in NZ?
Penalties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 include fines up to $300,000 for individuals and $1.5 million for companies, plus possible imprisonment for up to 5 years. WorkSafe can also issue improvement or prohibition notices and suspend licences.