Asbestos Management Plans: When Are They Legally Required in WA?
Asbestos management plans are a key part of controlling asbestos risks in workplaces and public buildings across Western Australia. They are not just a compliance document - they are a practical system for making sure asbestos is identified, communicated, and managed safely over time.
Under the Code of Practice: How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace, supported by WorkSafe WA, an asbestos management plan is required whenever asbestos or suspected asbestos is present in a workplace that is being used, maintained, or altered.
A key point in the Code is the 31 December 2003 cut-off date. Buildings constructed on or after 1 January 2004 are generally assumed not to contain asbestos, as its use was phased out in Australia by this time. In these newer buildings, a management plan is usually not required unless asbestos is later identified.
For buildings built before 2004, the opposite applies. It must be assumed that asbestos may be present unless proven otherwise. In these cases, an asbestos management plan is required and becomes an ongoing part of how the building is managed.
The plan works alongside the asbestos register. Together, they record where asbestos is located, what condition it is in, and how it should be managed. This information must be made available to anyone carrying out maintenance, refurbishment, or other work in the building so asbestos is not accidentally disturbed.
A good asbestos management plan also sets out clear procedures - how risks are communicated, how maintenance work is controlled, and when inspections or reviews are required. It is not a “set and forget” document. It must be updated whenever asbestos is removed, new information becomes available, or the building changes.
In practice, many issues occur when asbestos information is outdated or not shared properly between owners, tenants, and contractors. This is why the Code of Practice places strong emphasis on communication and coordination between all duty holders.
For higher-risk works, such as renovations or demolition, additional steps are often required, including asbestos surveys, licensed removal, and clearance certification before areas can be reoccupied.
In short, asbestos management plans help ensure that asbestos is not just recorded, but actively managed, so people working in or around buildings can do so safely and with clear information.