Perth Asbestos Rules for Schools - City Bylaw Guide

Education Western Australia 3 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Western Australia

Perth schools in Western Australia must manage asbestos risks under state safety and education management systems. This guide summarises responsibilities for school principals, contractors and councils, explains how asbestos removal and licensing are enforced, and gives practical steps for reporting, hiring licensed removalists and keeping records. It is written for school administration, facilities managers and parent committees in Perth, Western Australia who need clear, actionable compliance steps and contacts.

Overview of Legal Framework

Asbestos in school buildings is managed under state workplace safety and public‑health frameworks, while the Department of Education holds day-to-day responsibility for public school sites. Removal and high-risk work are regulated and must be performed by licensed asbestos removalists. For regulator guidance on duties and safe work practices see the regulator guidance below.[1]

Check records and asbestos registers before any maintenance or renovation.

Who Is Responsible

  • The Department of Education (public schools) or school owner/board (non-government schools) for maintaining asbestos registers and management plans.
  • Principals and site managers for day-to-day compliance and contractor oversight.
  • Licensed asbestos removalists for removal work and safe disposal.
  • WorkSafe/DMIRS (state regulator) for enforcement, licensing and incident investigation.

Penalties & Enforcement

State regulators enforce asbestos laws for workplaces and licensed removal activities; school administrators should expect inspections and formal notices for non-compliance. The primary regulator provides guidance on duties, licensing and enforcement actions for asbestos-related breaches.[1]

Non-compliance can trigger immediate stop-work directions for hazardous activities.
  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.[1]
  • Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offence ranges are not specified on the cited page; see regulator for statutory penalty schedules.[1]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: improvement and prohibition notices, stop-work orders, seizure of unsafe materials, and court proceedings are used by the regulator.[1]
  • Enforcer: state workplace regulator for asbestos licensing and enforcement; inspection and complaint pathways are via the regulator contact pages.[1]
  • Appeals and review: appeal rights and time limits are set by the regulator and underlying legislation; time limits are not specified on the cited page.[1]
  • Defences and discretion: statutory defences or exemptions are governed by legislation and regulator policy; specific permitted exceptions are not specified on the cited page.[1]

Common Violations and Typical Outcomes

  • Failure to maintain an asbestos register - likely compliance notice or improvement direction.
  • Unlicensed removal work - immediate stop-work and regulatory enforcement action.
  • Poor site controls during maintenance - orders to remediate and potential prosecution.

Applications & Forms

Licensed asbestos removalists must hold the appropriate licence and follow notification procedures; specific school-level application forms for asbestos management are not published on the cited regulator page. For licensed removal notifications and licence application forms consult the regulator and licensing pages listed in Resources.

Action Steps for Schools

  • Confirm and maintain an up-to-date asbestos register for each site.
  • Plan maintenance to avoid disturbing known asbestos-containing materials; schedule work outside school hours if possible.
  • Engage only licensed asbestos removalists for any removal or high-risk work and obtain written method statements.
  • Keep records of inspections, air monitoring and disposal receipts for the site file.
  • Report incidents or unsafe work to the state regulator and follow their directions.
Keep copies of all asbestos certificates and clearance reports on the site file for ten years where practicable.

FAQ

Who enforces asbestos rules for Perth schools?
The state workplace regulator enforces asbestos licensing and safety; school administrators must also follow Department of Education directions and site management policy.[1]
Can the school remove asbestos itself?
No; licensed asbestos removalists must perform removal and disposal of asbestos as required by the regulator and relevant legislation.
What should I do if I find suspected asbestos?
Stop work, isolate the area, contact your site asbestos officer or principal and engage a licensed removalist or the regulator for guidance.

How-To

  1. Locate the site asbestos register and identify the material and risk rating.
  2. Notify school leadership and, for urgent risks, contact the regulator via their incident reporting line.
  3. Engage a licensed asbestos removalist and obtain a written safe-work method and clearance certificate.
  4. Retain removal and disposal records and update the asbestos register.
  5. If issued a notice, follow directions promptly and use appeal routes only as set out by the regulator.

Key Takeaways

  • Asbestos management in Perth schools is regulated at state level and requires licensed removal for high-risk work.
  • Maintain an asbestos register, engage licensed contractors and keep clearance records.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] WorkSafe Western Australia - Asbestos information

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