Verified client relationship
Wiradjuri Demolitions
Spire Safety has worked with Wiradjuri Demolitions in New South Wales.
Exemplar Global & JAS-ANZ certification preparation
Exemplar Certification for Asbestos Removal Licences
A licence-specific, ISO 45001-aligned safety management system and the evidence needed for independent certification — with the correct route confirmed before work starts.
Looking to become an Exemplar Global certified auditor yourself? This page is for asbestos and demolition contractors preparing a licence safety management system for certification. We don't provide auditor certification.
- Preparation only — independent certification
- NSW and Queensland routes explained
- Class A asbestos focus
What is a certified safety management system for an asbestos licence?
A certified safety management system is an organisation's WHS system independently audited against an accepted standard by an appropriately accredited certification body. For asbestos licensing, it must cover the contractor's actual removal work and produce evidence of implementation; the requirement generally applies to Class A licences in harmonised WHS jurisdictions.
Spire prepares and remediates the system, runs internal readiness work and organises the evidence. The independent certifier accepted by the relevant regulator makes the certification decision.
Reviewed by Nathan Owen, Senior Safety Consultant · Updated September 2026
Which asbestos licences need a certified safety management system?
The requirement is not uniform across Australia. Confirm the current application form and evidence standard with the regulator before engaging a certifier.
| Jurisdiction | Licence class | Certified SMS required? | Regulator |
|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Class A | Yes — Class A only | SafeWork NSW |
| Queensland | Class A | Yes — Class A only | Workplace Health and Safety Queensland |
| Victoria | Class A and Class B | Not listed as a Victorian licence requirement | WorkSafe Victoria |
| Western Australia | Class A | Yes — Class A only | WorkSafe WA |
| South Australia | Class A | Yes — Class A only | SafeWork SA |
| Tasmania | Class A | Yes — Class A only | WorkSafe Tasmania |
| Australian Capital Territory | Class A | Confirm with regulator before applying | WorkSafe ACT |
| Northern Territory | Class A | Yes — Class A only | NT WorkSafe |
Sources: current asbestos licensing guidance and WHS/OHS regulations published by each named regulator. ACT applicants should confirm the accepted certification evidence directly with WorkSafe ACT. Last checked: 24 September 2026.
Exemplar Global vs JAS-ANZ: who can certify your system?
| Organisation | What it is | What it certifies or accredits | How it relates to your application |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAS-ANZ | The Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand. | Accredits certification bodies that audit organisations' management systems. | Where the regulator requires accredited organisational certification, use a certification body with the correct JAS-ANZ scope. |
| Exemplar Global | A personnel certification body. | Certifies individual auditors and management-system professionals, not the contractor's organisation. | An Exemplar Global credential may demonstrate an individual's competence, but it does not itself replace an organisational certificate where one is required. |
Services
Asbestos licence certification preparation services
Licence requirement check
Confirm the jurisdiction, licence class, application deadline and certification evidence the regulator currently accepts.
SMS readiness review
Assess existing procedures, asbestos controls and operating records against the licence and certification requirements.
Safety management system build
Develop or remediate the controlled framework around the contractor's actual licensed asbestos removal work.
Asbestos procedure development
Document removal, enclosure, decontamination, monitoring, clearance, waste and emergency controls.
Internal readiness audit
Test the system and its records before the independent certification audit, then track corrective actions to closure.
Licence evidence pack
Organise controlled documents, records, audit evidence and certification material for the application handover.
What an asbestos removal safety management system must cover
The system combines ordinary WHS governance with controls specific to licensed asbestos removal and should be consistent with Safe Work Australia's model Code of Practice, How to safely remove asbestos, as adopted or varied in the relevant jurisdiction.
System scope
Core controls and evidence
- Leadership, roles and Class A supervision
- Friable and non-friable work boundaries
- Enclosures and negative pressure
- Decontamination and hygiene
- Air monitoring and clearance
- Waste containment and disposal
- Respiratory protection and fit testing
- Emergency and exposure response
How long does asbestos licence SMS certification take?
There is no reliable fixed timeframe. Preparation depends on the system already in place, the amount of asbestos-specific work required, available operating records, staff availability, regulator confirmation, certifier scheduling and the time needed to close audit findings. We confirm those dependencies before proposing a scope or target date.
Typical stages
From requirement check to certification readiness
- 1
Confirm the licence route · timing depends on regulator confirmation
Check the jurisdiction, licence class, deadline and the form of certification evidence currently accepted.
- 2
Review what exists · timing depends on system maturity
Assess procedures, competencies, records and asbestos controls to establish the real preparation scope.
- 3
Build or remediate · timing depends on the gaps
Develop missing system elements from the contractor's licensed work and align them with the accepted standard.
- 4
Operate and collect evidence · timing depends on available records
Use the system long enough to produce credible records that an independent auditor can sample.
- 5
Internal readiness audit · timing depends on corrective actions
Test implementation, record nonconformities and verify that corrective actions are effective before certification.
- 6
Independent certification · timing is set by the certifier
Submit the controlled evidence pack, support the audit and close any findings required before certification.
Deliverables
What you receive
- Jurisdiction and licence requirement summary
- ISO 45001-aligned safety management system
- Asbestos-specific procedures and controls
- Competency and supervision framework
- Internal audit report and corrective-action register
- Controlled licence application evidence pack
- Independent certifier handover
- System maintenance and surveillance plan
How much does SMS certification preparation cost?
The cost is scope-based and quoted after the licence requirement and current system are reviewed. Consultant preparation and independent certifier fees are separate: Spire prices the system and readiness work, while the selected certification body prices its audit, findings close-out and ongoing certification cycle.
| Cost area | What it covers | What drives the cost |
|---|---|---|
| Consultant preparation | Requirement check, gap review, system build or remediation, asbestos procedures, internal audit and evidence pack. | Existing system maturity, licence class, activities, sites, document gaps, records and internal support available. |
| Certifier fees | Independent certification audit, findings close-out, surveillance and recertification. | Accreditation scope, workforce, sites, operational complexity, audit duration, travel and corrective-action follow-up. |
Where we work
Exemplar certification support across Australia
- Exemplar certification support in Brisbane
- Exemplar certification support in Sydney
- Exemplar certification support in Melbourne
- Exemplar certification support in Adelaide
- Exemplar certification support in Perth
- Exemplar certification support in Hobart
- Exemplar certification support in Canberra
- Exemplar certification support in Darwin
Brisbane-based and delivered remote-first nationally. See our full list of service locations.
Experience supporting asbestos and demolition contractors
Consultants for system preparation and audit readiness
Nathan Owen
Senior Safety Consultant
Masters Workplace Health and Safety · Masters Business Administration · Diploma of Vocational Education
Nathan provides management-system development, implementation and certification preparation for Australian contractors.
Jodie Rice
Safety Consultant
IMS Lead Auditor · Certificate IV WHS · Diploma Human Resources
Jodie supports objective internal auditing, evidence review and corrective-action close-out before certification.
FAQ
Exemplar certification FAQs
01Can Spire certify our system?
No. Spire prepares the safety management system and evidence; the independent certification party accepted by your regulator makes the certification decision.
02What is a certified safety management system?
It is a documented WHS management system independently audited against an accepted standard, with procedures and operating evidence specific to the licensed asbestos removal work.
03Does every asbestos licence require certification?
No. The certified-system requirement generally applies to Class A licences in harmonised WHS jurisdictions, not Class B licences, and Victoria uses different licensing criteria.
04Does a demolition licence require a certified system?
Not automatically. Certification may arise from an asbestos licence, prequalification or client requirement rather than the demolition licence itself.
05What is the difference between JAS-ANZ and Exemplar Global?
JAS-ANZ accredits certification bodies, while Exemplar Global certifies individual auditors and management-system professionals. See the comparison above for how each may relate to a licence application.
06Can we use our existing ISO 45001 certification for the licence?
Possibly, but acceptance is not automatic. Confirm that the certificate, accreditation scope and asbestos-removal activities meet the specific regulator's current requirements before relying on it.
07What happens if the certification audit finds nonconformities?
The findings must be corrected and closed to the certifier's satisfaction. A major nonconformity can prevent certification until the corrective action is verified.
08Does the certified system need ongoing surveillance audits?
Yes. Management-system certification normally includes surveillance audits during the certification cycle and recertification before the certificate expires.
Check the requirement before you buy certification work
Tell us the jurisdiction, licence class, current system and application deadline. A senior consultant will confirm the preparation scope and independent certification route.