• Changes to asbestos 'B' class certificates
• Asbestos removal work
  • Removal of friable asbestos containing material
  • Removal of bonded asbestos containing material
  • Registered training organisations and authorised accredited providers
• Demolition work
  • Certificate to perform demolition work
  • Requirements to supervise demolition work

• Asbestos
• Prescribed occupations
• Registration

Print-friendly page

'B' class certificate

What is the asbestos 'B' class certificate and when do I need one?
Why is there a 'B' class asbestos certificate?
How do I obtain a 'B' class certificate?
Find an authorised assessor or registered training organisation

What is the asbestos 'B' class certificate and when do I need one?

People at workplaces removing 10 square metres or more of bonded asbestos must hold a B class certificate (or bonded asbestos removal certificate). This is equal to about four standard sheets of plasterboard.

Bonded asbestos materials include asbestos cement sheeting, often called fibro, used in many Queensland buildings before 1990. The sheeting was used for cladding and roofs, and can often be found as backing boards in wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms.

An 'A' class certificate, also known as an Asbestos Removal Business Certificate, is required to remove any quantity of friable (easily crumbled) asbestos.

A person that is carrying out the removal of bonded asbestos is not required to hold a ' B' class certificate if the person:

• performs the work under a business that holds an 'A' class certificate; and
• is directly supervised by the 'A ' class certificate holder's 'competent person'.

A 'competent person' for an 'A' class certificate is not required to hold a ' B' class certificate.

Why is there a 'B' class asbestos certificate?

Any tradesperson or other worker who is required to remove significant amounts of bonded asbestos material needs to know how to do it safely.

Although a certificate is not required to remove less than 10 square metres of bonded asbestos material, all asbestos removal work must be carried out in accordance with the national asbestos removal code of practice. It's the law.

Queensland is the first state to wholly adopt national codes of practice for managing and removing asbestos, which is the most effective way of minimising the potential exposure to asbestos.

How do I obtain a 'B' class certificate?

To obtain a 'B' class certificate an applicant (or employee of an applicant) has to demonstrate they are familiar with the practices and procedures for removing bonded asbestos material that are set out in the National Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos 2^nd Edition [NOHSC:2002 (2005)] (non-Queensland Government link) as stated in Information Paper AR3: Approved criteria for a certificate to perform work to remove bonded asbestos containing material (PDF, 34 kB).

Competency can be demonstrated by:

• producing a statement of attainment issued by a registered training organisation for a course which covers competencies for the removal of bonded asbestos material as set out in asbestos removal code
• passing an exam assessed by an authorised accredited provider or registered training organisation.

Authorised accredited providers and registered training organisations offer examinations to qualify for the 'B' class certificate.

Find a registered training organisation or authorised accredited provider that offers examinations to qualify for the 'B' class certificate.