When it comes to removing asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), safety is not just a best practice; it’s a legal and ethical obligation. In New South Wales (NSW), every licensed asbestos removal project must begin with a carefully structured document known as an Asbestos Removal Control Plan (ARCP).

An ARCP serves as the foundation for a safe and compliant asbestos removal process. It outlines the specific control measures, procedures, and responsibilities involved before any work begins. 

At Hazardous Removal Company (HRC), we treat every ARCP as more than just paperwork; it’s a safety-first strategy designed to protect lives, prevent exposure, and ensure full legal compliance with SafeWork NSW.

Whether you’re a homeowner renovating a pre-1990s property, a builder managing a friable asbestos risk, or a property manager overseeing a commercial site, understanding ARCPs is crucial to ensuring your asbestos removal is carried out responsibly.

Is an ARCP Legally Required in NSW?

Yes, under WHS Regulation 464, an Asbestos Removal Control Plan is a mandatory requirement for any licensed asbestos removal work in NSW. This includes:

• Friable asbestos removal, which always requires a Class A licence
• Non-friable asbestos removal when the area exceeds 10 square metres

The ARCP must be site-specific, tailored to the unique risks and conditions of the location, and prepared by a licensed asbestos removalist. It must also be submitted to SafeWork NSW at least five days prior to starting the removal.

This legal framework ensures that removal projects are not only methodical but also accountable, reducing the risk of airborne contamination, improper disposal, and harm to workers or the public.

At HRC, we’ve delivered ARCPs for projects across Greater Sydney, including Northmead, Engadine, and Campbelltown, and we remain committed to preparing these documents in strict accordance with current regulations.

Who Is Responsible for Preparing the ARCP?

The responsibility for preparing an ARCP rests solely with a licensed asbestos removalist, such as HRC. It cannot be completed by a homeowner, general contractor, or building owner unless they hold the appropriate licence. 

This ensures that all procedures are designed by qualified professionals who understand the legal, environmental, and health implications of asbestos exposure.

An effective ARCP is not developed in isolation. The plan must be created in consultation with:

• The person commissioning the asbestos removal work
• The person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) or site controller
• On-site workers, especially those directly involved
• Any health and safety representatives

By engaging all relevant parties, the ARCP becomes a living document that reflects real-world risks, responsibilities, and safeguards. This collaborative approach is one of the ways we ensure every asbestos removal job is both safe and legally sound.

What’s Included in an Asbestos Removal Control Plan?

A well-prepared ARCP is far more than a checklist; it’s a comprehensive, site-specific roadmap designed to ensure the safe, compliant, and efficient removal of asbestos.

At Hazardous Removal Company, we develop each ARCP with meticulous attention to both legal requirements and on-site realities. The following elements are always included:

• Removal Methodology: A step-by-step explanation of how asbestos will be removed, including the sequence of work, area isolation, and operational controls.
• Location, Type & Condition of Asbestos: The ARCP identifies the exact position of asbestos materials within the property, their classification (friable or non-friable), and their current condition. This is often based on prior asbestos registers and sampling reports.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): The plan outlines the mandatory PPE for workers, such as P2 respirators, disposable coveralls, and gloves, ensuring full body protection during removal.
• Air Monitoring Strategy: In high-risk jobs, especially involving friable asbestos, the ARCP includes provisions for air monitoring to detect airborne fibres in real time and validate exposure levels that remain within safe limits.
• Decontamination Procedures: Step-by-step instructions for decontaminating workers, tools, and containment areas, minimising the chance of fibre transfer outside the work zone.
• Waste Disposal Plan: A legally compliant method for collecting, sealing, transporting, and disposing of asbestos waste to licensed facilities, tracked per NSW environmental regulations.
• Emergency Response Measures: A pre-defined response in case of accidental asbestos disturbance, containment failure, or medical incident, ensuring fast, safe recovery.

Every one of these components is tailored to the property, the type of asbestos, and the work being performed. There are no templates or shortcuts, only legally sound, professionally delivered plans.

Why ARCPs Matter for Your Health and Safety

Asbestos is classified as a Group 1 human carcinogen, and even brief exposure can lead to life-threatening illnesses like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. That’s why the ARCP isn’t simply a compliance exercise, it’s a critical barrier between the hazard and the people potentially affected by it.

Without a detailed and enforced ARCP, asbestos fibres can become airborne, invisible, and dangerously inhalable. This risk applies not just to workers on site but also to nearby tenants, neighbours, or building occupants. Inadequate planning or improper removal increases the likelihood of contamination events that could have lifelong health consequences.

At HRC, our approach is always precautionary. We don’t cut corners, and we don’t delay safety. Every ARCP we prepare prioritises containment, protection, and risk mitigation, backed by qualified Class A removalists, licensed asbestos assessors, and, when required, NATA-accredited testing and verification.

“Your safety is our priority” isn’t a slogan; it’s a commitment we make to every client and every job, regardless of size or location.

How ARCP Fits into Full Asbestos Compliance

Understanding where the ARCP fits within the wider asbestos removal process can help you see why it’s essential, not optional.

At Hazardous Removal Company, we follow a legally sound, five-step compliance framework for every job:

1. Asbestos Testing & Identification: First, any suspected material is confirmed through NATA-accredited laboratory testing using PLM and DS methods. Testing ensures that materials are definitively classified as ACMs.
2. ARCP Preparation: Once asbestos is confirmed, we prepare a site-specific ARCP. It defines how the material will be removed, who is responsible, and what controls are in place.
3. Air Monitoring Implementation: During the removal, especially for friable asbestos, air monitoring ensures airborne fibres are tracked and contained. This protects both workers and the wider community.
4. Asbestos Removal Execution: Our licensed team carries out the work in accordance with the ARCP, using sealed enclosures, PPE, waste handling protocols, and regulated workflows.
5. Clearance Certificate Issued: Upon completion, a licensed asbestos assessor conducts visual and air inspections. If all safety criteria are met, a Clearance Certificate is issued, confirming the area is safe for reoccupation.

This end-to-end approach ensures your project remains compliant, your people stay safe, and your documentation stands up to any regulatory review.

Example: ARCP in a Northmead School Project

In a recent project in Northmead, our team was contracted to manage the removal of friable asbestos ceiling panels from a primary school undergoing renovation. Given the high-risk nature of the material and the sensitive environment, children, staff, and adjacent public areas, our Asbestos Removal Control Plan had to meet the strictest standards of planning and execution.

Here’s how we structured the ARCP:

• Pre-removal sampling confirmed the presence of friable asbestos across multiple ceiling voids.
• The ARCP detailed sealed enclosures, HEPA-filtered negative pressure units, and scheduled air monitoring checkpoints throughout the removal.
• We included emergency response measures specific to a school environment, including evacuation contingencies and communication protocols with school administrators.
• The plan was submitted to SafeWork NSW five days before commencement and approved without amendment.
• Upon completion, a Clearance Certificate was issued following a comprehensive air and visual inspection by a licensed asbestos assessor.

This project is just one example of how an ARCP is more than paperwork; it’s a safeguard. For clients like school boards, councils, and families, it provides confidence that every stage of the removal process is managed responsibly.

What Happens Without an ARCP?

Failure to prepare a compliant ARCP doesn’t just compromise health; it puts your entire project at risk.

Here’s what’s at stake:

• Regulatory action: SafeWork NSW can halt the project, issue fines, or suspend licences.
• Legal liability: In the event of asbestos exposure, clients and contractors may be held responsible, even years after the project ends.
• Insurance issues: Most general public liability insurance policies exclude asbestos, meaning non-compliance could result in rejected claims or uncovered losses.
• Health consequences: Without a controlled removal plan, workers and occupants could unknowingly be exposed to airborne fibres, putting them at risk of diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer.

In our experience, it’s always safer and more cost-effective to do it right the first time. That starts with a compliant ARCP prepared by licensed professionals.

Why Choose Hazardous Removal Company for Your ARCP?

At Hazardous Removal Company, preparing Asbestos Removal Control Plans is not just part of our job; it’s part of our commitment to protecting lives, complying with NSW law, and delivering peace of mind to every client we serve.

Whether you’re a homeowner in Vaucluse, a property manager in Canterbury-Bankstown, or overseeing a government facility in the Blue Mountains, we ensure that your ARCP is:

• Prepared by a Class A licensed removalist (Licence #AD213403)
• Tailored to your specific site, material type, and risk profile
• Submitted on time to SafeWork NSW, with all legal documentation in place
• Supported by air monitoring and clearance certification
• Developed with empathy for your property’s use, be it residential, commercial, or community-focused

We’ve delivered safe, legally compliant asbestos removal services across over 30 Greater Sydney suburbs, with over 500 successful projects completed. Every plan we prepare reflects our promise: “Your safety is our priority.”

Request Your ARCP or Quote Today

If you’re planning asbestos removal in Sydney, don’t take the risk of proceeding without a legally compliant ARCP. Our team is ready to guide you through the process, efficiently, safely, and without compromise.

Contact us today for a free quote with no obligation. Let’s build a safer environment together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an ARCP for non-friable asbestos?

Yes, if the total area exceeds 10 square metres, an ARCP is legally required under WHS Regulation 464.

Can I use a template or write my own ARCP?

Templates are available via SafeWork NSW, but only a licensed asbestos removalist can legally prepare and submit an ARCP. At HRC, our plans are based on official frameworks but tailored to your site.

Is an ARCP different from an asbestos register?

Yes. An asbestos register identifies where asbestos exists. The ARCP details how it will be safely removed, including methodology, PPE, air monitoring, and waste management.
If you manage a commercial property built before 2003, you’ll likely need both.

How long does it take to prepare an ARCP?

Most ARCPs are completed within 1–2 business days, depending on site complexity. For urgent jobs, HRC offers a 24-hour turnaround with immediate SafeWork submission.

What’s included after the ARCP?

After removal is completed in accordance with the plan, a Clearance Certificate must be issued by a licensed asbestos assessor. This final document confirms the site is safe to reoccupy and legally compliant.