The following Northern Territory and Australian Government agencies have a role in the management and regulation of asbestos.
The Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) is an independent authority established under the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority Act 2012. The functions of the NT EPA as related to asbestos are:
Contact: (08) 8924 4218 or email ntepa@nt.gov.au
The Department of Health - Environmental Health Branch is responsible for:
Under the public and environmental health legislation, asbestos may be treated as a public health nuisance similar to other contaminants such as pesticide spray drift, refuse accumulation or rodent infestation. Under these provisions, the owner of a property or person causing a nuisance must take all reasonable steps to eliminate the nuisance.
Contact: 1800 095 646 or email envirohealth@nt.gov.au
NT WorkSafe is responsible for the licensing for asbestos removal work and asbestos assessor work under the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011. The Regulations require NT WorkSafe to be notified of asbestos removal work 5 days prior to work commencing.
While the Regulations cover all work relating to asbestos as well as the management of asbestos in a workplace, they do not cover asbestos in a residence unless the residence is a worksite (e.g. during a renovation or demolition) or asbestos in any other non-work related circumstance (e.g. legacy waste asbestos).
The Regulations require that transportation and disposal be in accordance with the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act 1998 as regulated by the NT EPA.
Contact: 1800 019 115 or email ntworksafe@nt.gov.au
The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency has been established to provide a national focus on asbestos issues which go beyond workplace safety to encompass environmental and public health issues.
The Agency has broad functions including encouraging, coordinating, monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Awareness and Management.
The Agency also manages the National Asbestos Exposure Register which records the details of members of the Australian community who think they may have been exposed to asbestos containing materials.
Contact: 1300 326 148 or visit www.asbestossafety.gov.au/contact-us
An Australia-wide ban on the importation, manufacture and use of all forms of asbestos and asbestos containing products took effect from 31 December 2003. To complement this ban, the import prohibition on asbestos under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 was also introduced. Importing asbestos into Australia is only allowed under very limited circumstances.
Contact 1300 363 263 or email information@customs.gov.au
