17 August 2026
The NSW Government has released its Asbestos Plan of Action, setting out a comprehensive new approach to managing asbestos in construction and demolition (C&D) waste and recovered materials. Published in July 2026 by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), the plan is the government's full response to nine recommendations made by the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer (OCSE), following a review that identified significant gaps in the current regulatory framework including insufficient barriers and quality controls across the waste value chain.
The plan uses a coordinated, risk-based “through-chain” approach, applying controls at every stage from demolition through to the final product. Its main aim is to stop asbestos entering the recycling stream by focusing on early identification and proper removal at the source. The plan is supported by a commitment to review and update relevant legislation, including the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.
The first and most significant focus area targets waste generators including builders, demolishers and renovators who create C&D waste. In the short term, intrusive asbestos surveys will be promoted as best practice before demolition or renovation begins. Over the following 6–18 months, planning controls will be strengthened, post-demolition checks made mandatory, and guidance resources updated for industry. Longer term, an accreditation scheme for waste classifiers will be introduced, with waste generators required to use accredited classifiers and ensure documentation accompanies each load through the chain.
The second focus area addresses the transport of suspected asbestos waste. Waste transporters and facilities will be required to report rejected loads via the EPA's Integrated Waste Tracking Solution (IWTS), reducing the risk of illegal dumping. In the longer term, the government will explore a networked register to share information on rejected loads between facilities, and integrate data sharing between tracking systems, the planning portal, and local councils.
At the facility end, the EPA's Standards for C&D Waste Facilities will be revised to incorporate stronger asbestos management requirements, including site-specific quality assurance systems, unexpected finds protocols, and mandatory use of accredited waste classifiers. Significantly, a formal threshold of 0.001% w/w for asbestos in recovered materials will be introduced (aligning with the Western Australia guideline) supported by approved analytical methods tailored to different material types and circumstances.
A fourth stream of complementary actions will support the broader framework through education, technology and cross-jurisdictional collaboration. Working with the Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute, the EPA will develop educational materials for the value chain. The government will also conduct periodic horizon scans for emerging asbestos detection technology, run targeted compliance campaigns, and engage with other states through the Heads of EPA in Australia (HEPA) to promote national consistency.
Implementation will be staged over three timeframes: within 6 months, 6 to 18 months, and beyond 18 months; led by the EPA in partnership with SafeWork NSW, Planning NSW and the Building Commission NSW. For the demolition and asbestos removal industry, the message is clear; the regulatory environment is tightening, and early identification and proper handling of asbestos before other materials enter the recycling stream will become a formal requirement, not just best practice.