Which asbestos course do you need?
Awareness, Non-Friable (Class B) Removal or Supervise Asbestos Removal — who each one is for, what you need first, and what you finish with.
Written byEdway
The short answer
Choose Asbestos Awareness if you may encounter asbestos but will not remove it. Choose Non-Friable Removal if you will remove bonded asbestos. Choose Supervise Asbestos Removal if you already hold a removal unit.
The supervisor course is for the named supervisor on licensed removal work.
Compare the 3 courses
| Course | Choose it when | Training outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Asbestos Awareness | You may encounter asbestos but will not remove it | Non-accredited Certificate of Completion |
| Non-Friable Removal | You will remove bonded, non-friable asbestos | Nationally recognised Statement of Attainment |
| Supervise Asbestos Removal | You will be the named supervisor on licensed removal work | Nationally recognised Statement of Attainment |
These are different job roles, not 3 levels that everyone completes.
Awareness is for recognising risk
Asbestos Awareness is for people who may disturb or work near asbestos-containing materials. It covers common locations, health risks, avoiding exposure and following the workplace asbestos-management process.
It is self-paced and online. It is non-accredited, so you receive a Certificate of Completion rather than a Statement of Attainment.
Awareness training does not authorise you to remove asbestos. Ask your employer whether it meets the training requirement for your role.
Class B is for bonded asbestos
Non-Friable Removal covers bonded asbestos, such as sheeting that remains firm rather than crumbling easily. The unit is CPCCDE3028 Remove non-friable asbestos.
The course covers preparing and enclosing the work area, carrying out removal, decontamination, clean-up and the required records.
The course itself is not a removal licence. State regulators issue Class B licences separately. The national code treats removal of up to 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos as the unlicensed limit.
You need a current White Card issued after May 2009. This unit also comes before Class A friable-asbestos training and can be a prerequisite for supervision.
Supervision is a separate role
Supervise Asbestos Removal is for the named supervisor on licensed removal work. It covers planning the job, overseeing preparation and removal, monitoring decontamination and keeping the work compliant.
You must already hold the relevant non-friable or friable removal unit. A current White Card is also required. The course does not replace the removal training needed for the work being supervised.
Check before you book
For removal and supervision training, check that you hold the required White Card and earlier asbestos units. Entry can be refused when the evidence is missing.
The issuing RTO depends on the state. In New South Wales, the removal courses are issued by Training Aid Australia (RTO 91411). In Victoria, they are issued by Edway Training (RTO 91401).
Asbestos Awareness is issued by Edway Training (RTO 91401). It has no removal prerequisite and does not require a USI.
Next step
For recognition and avoidance only, ask Edway about Asbestos Awareness.
For bonded-asbestos removal, see Non-Friable Asbestos Removal (Class B). If you already hold a removal unit and will supervise the work, see Supervise Asbestos Removal.
Sources
- Safe Work Australia — Model Code of Practice: How to safely remove asbestosThe unlicensed 10 square metre limit, the Class B licence, the named supervisor's duties on Class A and Class B jobs, and the Class B unit being completed before Class A
- Safe Work Australia — Asbestos: WHS dutiesThe employer's duty to train workers who might work with asbestos, and awareness training where no licence is needed
- SafeWork NSW — Asbestos: employer training obligationsWho awareness training must be provided to, and the trades the regulator names as examples
- SafeWork NSW and WorkSafe Victoria — asbestos removal licensingClass B removal licences being issued by the state regulator, and WorkSafe Victoria's refresher recommendation
- training.gov.au — CPCCDE3028 and CPCCDE4009Unit codes, official titles and superseded codes