Different departments regulate how asbestos can be transported into, out of and within Australia. Goods containing asbestos need to follow the standard chemical labelling system.
Transport
The Commonwealth Government is responsible for regulating the transport of dangerous goods by air and sea:
- Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is responsible for regulating transport by air.
- Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is responsible for regulating transport by sea.
The Australian states and territories have responsibility for road and rail transport of dangerous goods.
Australia Post’s webpage on dangerous, prohibited and restricted items outlines requirements when sending dangerous good via the postal system.
State and Territory authority confirmation
The importation and/or exportation of asbestos, or goods that contain asbestos, is lawful if an authority of a State or Territory confirms in writing that the importation of such goods is for a purpose in line with that State or Territory WHS laws.
The written confirmation may serve in lieu of a permission granted by ASSEA. State and Territory WHS authorities, however, retain the right not to provide such a confirmation. The confirmation must also be given to the ABF at the border if requested. Such confirmations are rarely provided to importers.
Labelling
The Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is an internationally recognised system of labelling and is incorporated into most work health and safety laws in Australia. Safe Work Australia’s Using the GHS webpage provides additional information about this system.
For more information, see Safe Work Australia’s website and your state/territory health and safety regulator (SafeWork or WorkSafe in your state or territory) (https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/safety-topic/hazards/chemicals/labelling-hazardous-chemicals).
Australia Post
The Australia Post general mail system must not be used for the transport of asbestos or goods containing asbestos, likewise, the international mail stream must not be used to send or receive goods that contain asbestos, even with Ministerial permission. For more information regarding restrictions on postal articles, see Australia Post’s Dangerous, prohibited and restricted items webpage.