Quick Answer
Asbestos removal in Wollongong and the Illawarra:
- Sample testing: $200 for the first sample, $80 for each additional sample
- Bonded (non-friable) asbestos removal: from $50 per square metre
- Disposal: all waste goes to EPA-approved tipping locations with full chain-of-custody documentation
Final price depends on the type of asbestos, quantity, access, and site conditions. DemoEx provides free on-site quotes across the Illawarra — written quote within 24 hours of the site visit.
What Determines the Cost?
1. Type of asbestos: bonded vs friable
The single biggest pricing factor. Asbestos is classified into two categories under NSW Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017:
Bonded (non-friable) asbestos — fibres are locked into a hard cement matrix. Examples: asbestos-cement sheets (“fibro”), eaves, soffits, fence panels, roof sheeting, vinyl floor tiles. Bonded asbestos is stable as long as it’s not damaged or weathered. Removal requires a Class B licence in NSW for quantities over 10 square metres.
Friable asbestos — fibres can be crumbled or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry. Examples: pipe lagging, sprayed insulation, vermiculite ceiling insulation. Friable material requires a Class A licence, full air-tight containment, negative-pressure decontamination, air monitoring, and clearance certificates. This is why friable removal costs significantly more.
2. Quantity
Per-square-metre rates drop on larger jobs because mobilisation costs (transport, set-up, PPE, tip runs) are spread across more area. A small 5 sqm bathroom panel job has a higher effective rate than a 200 sqm whole-roof replacement.
3. Access and complexity
Single-storey freestanding sheets with truck access are the simplest scenario. Costs increase for:
- Two-storey work (scaffolding required)
- Restricted access (narrow blocks, no driveway)
- Asbestos inside ceilings, walls, or wrapped around pipes
- Sites with live services that need temporary disconnection
- Heritage-listed buildings requiring extra documentation
4. Disposal
Asbestos must go to an EPA-approved asbestos disposal facility with full chain-of-custody documentation. DemoEx includes disposal in all quotes and provides tip dockets and tracking documentation on completion.
5. Air monitoring and clearance
Required for friable asbestos and recommended for larger bonded jobs. An independent licensed asbestos assessor charges separately — typically $400–$800 per visit. Clearance certificates are mandatory before reoccupation for friable jobs.
Indicative Price Examples — Wollongong / Illawarra (2026)
| Job | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Sample testing (first sample) | $200 |
| Sample testing (each additional sample) | $80 |
| Small bonded panel — 5–10 sqm (bathroom or laundry) | $1,200 – $2,000 |
| Garage roof replacement (50 sqm) | $3,500 – $6,000 |
| Full house re-roof (150–200 sqm bonded) | $7,500 – $14,000 |
| Asbestos eaves only (whole house) | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| Asbestos fence (30 m run) | $2,000 – $4,500 |
| Friable asbestos in ceiling cavity (small area) | $5,000 – $12,000+ |
These are indicative ranges only. Always get a written quote based on a site inspection.
What’s Included in a Quote?
A complete asbestos removal quote from DemoEx covers:
- Pre-removal SafeWork NSW notification (5 working days minimum)
- All required PPE (P2 masks, disposable coveralls, etc.)
- Site set-up: signage, barriers, polythene sheeting where required
- Removal using approved methods (wet methods, no power tools, controlled lowering)
- Double-bagging in 200µm polythene with asbestos warning labels
- Transport to an EPA-approved asbestos disposal facility
- Tip fees and disposal documentation
- Site clean-down and final visual inspection
- Air monitoring and clearance certificate (friable jobs, or larger bonded jobs by request)
If a quote is significantly cheaper than the ranges above, ask what’s been left out — most commonly disposal fees, air monitoring, or SafeWork NSW notifications.
Class A vs Class B Licences
- Class A licence — can remove any asbestos: bonded or friable, any quantity.
- Class B licence — can remove bonded (non-friable) asbestos only, any quantity.
- No licence required — for under 10 sqm of bonded asbestos (homeowners), but SafeWork NSW safe-work procedures still apply.
If your job involves any friable material — even suspected — a Class A contractor is required. DemoEx holds a SafeWork NSW Class B (Non-Friable) Asbestos Removal Licence — AD214187 (valid to 7 May 2028). For confirmed friable jobs, we coordinate with licensed Class A partners.
Can I Remove Asbestos Myself?
In NSW, a homeowner can legally remove up to 10 square metres of bonded asbestos from their own property without a licence, provided they follow SafeWork NSW guidelines: correct PPE, wet methods only, no power tools, double-bagging, disposal at an EPA-approved facility.
You cannot legally remove:
- Any quantity of friable asbestos
- More than 10 square metres of bonded asbestos
- Asbestos from a property that isn’t your own residence
- Asbestos as part of any commercial activity
Even where DIY is legal, we strongly recommend using a licensed contractor. Fines for improper disposal are $15,000+ for individuals in NSW, and contaminated soil can require expensive remediation.
How the Process Works
- Site visit and quote — call 0457 336 639 or submit an enquiry. We attend site (same day in Wollongong, next day in Kiama, 2–3 days for Bowral), identify whether material is bonded or friable, take samples if needed ($200 first / $80 each additional), and provide a written quote within 24 hours.
- Booking — once you accept, we lodge SafeWork NSW notification (5 working days minimum for licensed work).
- Pre-start — neighbours notified if required, services confirmed disconnected if needed, site secured.
- Removal day — controlled removal using approved methods, double-bagged on site.
- Disposal — material taken directly to an EPA-approved asbestos disposal facility. Tip dockets retained.
- Documentation — clearance report (where applicable), tip receipts, and job completion certificate.
Service Area
DemoEx services the entire Illawarra region for asbestos removal, operating within a ~55 km radius from Unanderra:
Wollongong, Port Kembla, Dapto, Albion Park, Shellharbour, Warilla, Kiama, Helensburgh, Bulli, Thirroul, Corrimal, Unanderra, Figtree, Mount Keira, Berkeley, Warrawong, Gerringong, Jamberoo, Berry, Bowral, Mittagong, Moss Vale, and surrounding areas.
Get a Free Quote
Call 0457 336 639 or submit an enquiry through the website. We attend site same day in the Wollongong area, next day for Kiama, and 2–3 days for the Bowral / Southern Highlands area. Written quotes within 24 hours of the site visit.
