To be granted permission to import or export asbestos, you will need to provide information regarding your intentions and safety measures. Permits allowing for the import or export of asbestos are only granted in limited circumstances.
Applications for a new permit to import or export asbestos can be made by completing the permit application form and emailing it to permits@asbestossafety.gov.au.
Applications to renew a current permit to import or export asbestos can be made by completing the permit renewal form and emailing it to permits@asbestossafety.gov.au.
Applying for a permit is not a guarantee it will be granted.
Goods containing asbestos must not be shipped until permission is granted in writing by ASSEA and received by the applicant.
Information for Australian External Territories (AETs)
Applicants in an AET may need to apply for both an export permit (to leave the territory) and import permit (to enter Australia). It’s best to apply for both at the same time. For more information on this, see the ABF website's asbestos section on the AETs under the heading 'Import and export exceptions and permissions'.
Laboratories importing prepared samples for proficiency testing and/or as reference standards
Prepared samples containing asbestos must have permission to import when intended for importation and use:
- within the participation of an established testing proficiency scheme, and/or
- as a reference standard.
Examples of commercial suppliers include:
- UK Health and Safety Executive
- RTI International in the USA
Some prepared samples may not contain asbestos, by design, to be determined by the participant laboratory as part of the proficiency scheme process. These samples must be treated as containing asbestos at the border.
Laboratories intending to return prepared samples to the supplier to enable re-use by other proficiency scheme participants must also apply for permission to export.
- A permit granted for the above parameters (only) will be conditioned to confine importation from, and exportation to (if required), the named supplier and relevant country.
Laboratories intending to also import samples for testing to be undertaken for clientele, must also provide the relevant details for this in the application.
Soil samples imported for testing for the presence of asbestos
Importations of soil, including samples for analysis, are controlled according to Australian biosecurity laws.
Asbestos import permit holders intending to import soil samples for testing may be required to obtain an import permission granted by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Agriculture), or may be subject to mandatory conditions upon importation. Relevant information can be found at the Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) database published on the Agriculture website: BICON - Australian Biosecurity Import Conditions.