Demolition Notification in Australia: What Every Construction Manager Must Know

Demolition notification is one of the most commonly missed compliance steps on Australian construction projects. Miss it, and you are looking at potential improvement notices, project delays, and personal liability under the Work Health and Safety Act. This guide breaks down exactly when notification is required, what demolition safety controls must be in place before a single wall comes down, and what differs across every state and territory.

Whether you are a principal contractor overseeing a subcontracted demolition crew or a construction manager planning a structural strip-out, this is what you need to know.

What Is Demolition Work? (And Why It Matters for Safety)

Demolition work is defined as work to demolish or dismantle a structure, or part of a structure, that is load-bearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of the structure.

This is an important distinction. Removing a non-structural partition wall is not demolition work in the WHS sense. Pulling down a load-bearing wall, removing structural columns, or dismantling a suspended slab most definitely is.

Demolition work is classified as High Risk Construction Work (HRCW) under the Work Health and Safety Regulation. That means a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is legally required before the work begins, no exceptions.

It is also worth noting that demolition work is a type of construction work, so all construction work duties apply on top of the demolition-specific requirements.

When Is Demolition Notification Required?

Demolition notification requirements are set out in the WHS Regulation across harmonised jurisdictions. The rule is straightforward: a PCBU must give written notice to the regulator at least 5 days before work commences if the demolition involves any of the following triggers.

National Notification Triggers (All Harmonised Jurisdictions)

• Demolition of a load-bearing structure, or part of a structure, that is at least 6 metres in height
• Demolition work involving load-shifting machinery operating on a suspended floor
• Demolition work involving explosives
• (ACT only) Demolition of a structure that contains or has contained loose-fill asbestos insulation

The 6-metre height is measured from the lowest ground level immediately adjacent to the base of the structure to its highest point. This catches a lot of standard commercial and residential demolition projects that people assume do not require notification.

Victoria operates differently. It sits outside the harmonised WHS framework under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, and notifications in VIC are managed through the mandatory building permit and building surveyor inspection stages rather than a direct WHS regulator notification.

For the HSE Direct Demolition Work Standard, which includes a pre-commencement checklist aligned to these requirements, visit HSE Direct Standards.

State-by-State Demolition Notification and Permit Requirements

The table below summarises the key requirements across all Australian states and territories. Note that planning approval (a DA or building permit) and WHS regulator notification are separate obligations and both may apply to the same project.

State / Territory	Planning Approval	WHS Notification Required	Notice Period	WHS Regulator
NSW	DA from council or CDC via private certifier	Yes	5 days	SafeWork NSW
VIC	Building Permit from Building Surveyor (mandatory)	Via building surveyor stages only	N/A (direct)	WorkSafe Victoria
QLD	Development Approval from local council	Yes	5 days	Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
WA	Building Permit from local council	Yes	5 working days (AS 2601); 10 working days (non-AS 2601); 15 working days (explosives)	WorkSafe WA
SA	Development Approval from council	Yes	5 days	SafeWork SA
TAS	Building Permit from council or permit authority	Yes	5 days	WorkSafe Tasmania
ACT	Development Approval	Yes (plus additional trigger for loose-fill asbestos structures)	5 days	WorkSafe ACT
NT	Building Permit	Yes	5 days	NT WorkSafe

Western Australia has the most complex demolition notification framework in the country. Under the WHS Regulation 2022 (WA), the notice period depends on the demolition method and whether the work aligns with AS 2601 or uses an alternative approach. If you are working in WA, confirm requirements directly with WorkSafe WA before scheduling.

Demolition Safety: What the Construction Manager Must Verify

The demolition contractor handles the physical work. But as the principal contractor, you hold legal obligations under the WHS Act that do not disappear just because you have subcontracted the demolition. Here are the five areas every construction manager must verify before work starts.

1. Hazardous Materials Survey

A hazardous materials survey must be completed before demolition of any building or structure, full stop. The survey must be conducted by a competent person and must identify asbestos, lead paint, PCBs, synthetic mineral fibres, and any other hazardous substances present.

Hazardous materials must be removed before structural demolition begins, not during it.

The most common demolition safety failure on older Australian buildings is the discovery of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) after demolition has already started. At that point, you have a potential site shutdown, a notifiable incident, and an asbestos remediation bill. A survey done upfront eliminates that risk.

For asbestos specifically, the licensing requirements are as follows:

• Up to 10 m2 of non-friable ACM: No asbestos licence required (but competency still applies)
• More than 10 m2 of non-friable ACM: Class B asbestos removal licence required
• Any amount of friable asbestos: Class A asbestos removal licence required

Refer to the Safe Work Australia asbestos resources and the HSE Direct Asbestos Standard for detailed management requirements.

2. Essential Services Identification and Disconnection

Before any demolition work starts, every essential service must be identified, and those not required for the demolition process must be physically disconnected and tested dead by a competent person.

Isolation at the meter is not sufficient. A physical disconnection and a test for dead are both required.

Services that remain live during demolition must be clearly labelled and physically protected against mechanical damage. This includes temporary services installed for the demolition works themselves.

Contact Dial Before You Dig on 1100 to obtain underground services information before excavation or demolition that could affect below-ground assets.

3. Risk Assessment and As-Built Drawings

A risk assessment must be completed before demolition commences, and as-built architectural and structural drawings must be consulted in developing it. If as-built documentation is not available, or if there is reason to believe the structure has been altered or damaged, a qualified structural engineer must complete an engineering investigation first.

The risk assessment must address structural integrity and demolition sequencing, services locations, hazardous materials, adjacent structures, plant and equipment, falls, and public safety as a minimum.

4. The SWMS

Because demolition of load-bearing or structural-integrity-related elements is HRCW, a Safe Work Method Statement is legally required. The SWMS must be prepared in consultation with the workers who will carry out the work, based on the risk assessment and the engineer’s approved demolition sequence.

As the principal contractor, you must take all reasonable steps to obtain a copy of the SWMS before high risk construction work commences. This is a specific duty under the WHS Regulation, not just a best practice.

If at any point the demolition is not being carried out in accordance with the SWMS, work must stop immediately.

5. Exclusion Zones and Site Security

Exclusion zones must be established before work begins using physical barricading and signage stating that demolition works are in progress. This is non-negotiable from both a legal and a practical demolition safety perspective.

Where demolition is adjacent to public areas or footpaths, overhead protection (gantries or hoardings) must be provided. Refer to the HSE Direct Barricading Standard for minimum barricading specifications.

The Construction Manager’s Pre-Commencement Checklist

Before giving the green light for demolition to commence, run through the following:

• Hazardous materials survey completed and report on file
• Hazardous materials removed or sequenced removal plan confirmed
• As-built drawings obtained (or structural engineering investigation completed)
• Risk assessment documented and approved
• Demolition Management Plan prepared in accordance with AS 2601
• SWMS obtained, reviewed, and signed by all workers
• Licensed demolition contractor confirmed and licence sighted
• Demolition notification submitted to the regulator (where required) and confirmation on file
• Planning or building permit confirmed (where required)
• All services identified; disconnections completed and tested dead
• Live services labelled and physically protected
• Temporary works design approved (if applicable)
• Exclusion zones and barricading erected
• Overhead protection in place where required
• Permits to work issued
• Pre-start briefing conducted and attendance record signed

Demolition Management Plan: What It Must Cover

A Demolition Management Plan prepared to AS 2601 must include the scope and approved sequence of demolition works, identification of all HRCW activities and controls, engaged contractors and supervision arrangements, SIMOPS management, temporary works requirements, services management, and hazardous materials removal sequencing.

The plan is a live document. If the demolition sequence changes, the plan and SWMS must be updated and re-communicated before the revised approach is implemented.

Adjacent Structures and Temporary Works

One of the most underestimated demolition safety risks on construction projects is the effect of demolition on neighbouring buildings and structures. The demolition contractor has an obligation to ensure that no part of the demolition process adversely affects the structural integrity of adjacent buildings.

Key considerations include:

• Maintaining lateral support for adjoining structures at all times
• Assessing and managing vibration and concussion effects, particularly near hospitals, heritage buildings, or structures containing vibration-sensitive equipment
• Managing changes to soil conditions through shoring or underpinning where required
• Preventing flooding or water penetration to adjoining properties

Where temporary supports are required to maintain stability during the demolition sequence, a structural engineer must design and sign off those temporary works before demolition commences.

Applicable Legislation and References

The following legislation and codes of practice apply to demolition work across Australia:

• WHS Regulation 2017 (NSW) – Parts 4.6 and 8.6
• WHS Regulation 2022 (WA) – Part 4.6
• WHS Regulation 2011 (QLD, ACT) – Parts 4.6 and 8.6
• Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (VIC) – Part 4.3 Division 6
• Safe Work Australia – Demolition Work Code of Practice 2021
• SafeWork NSW – Demolition Work Code of Practice
• AS 2601 – The Demolition of Structures

Summary

Demolition notification is a legal requirement across every harmonised Australian jurisdiction for notifiable demolition work, with a minimum 5-day notice period before work commences. Victoria manages notifications through the building permit process rather than direct WHS notification. Western Australia has the most complex framework, with notice periods ranging from 5 to 15 working days depending on the demolition method.

Beyond notification, the principal contractor carries specific obligations for hazardous materials management, essential services disconnection, SWMS obtainment, and securing the work area, regardless of whether a specialist demolition contractor has been engaged.

For the complete HSE Direct Demolition Work Standard, including the full pre-commencement checklist and construction manager verification checklist, visit HSE Direct Standards.