Prioritised removal is a systematic approach where asbestos is removed based on risk.
A national direction towards staged removal
In 2012, the national Asbestos Management Review recommended that, by 2030, governments establish systems and processes to support the staged removal of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) from the built environment.
Phase Three of the Asbestos National Strategic Plan continues this direction, focusing on the systems that support safe, proactive removal. It acknowledges that the best way to address Australia’s legacy asbestos is to safely remove it.
Tools to support removal
The VAEA has developed tools to support this shift in Victorian Government-owned buildings. AIRSystem consolidates asbestos registers and related information, and the VAEA risk model provides a consistent, objective method for prioritising ACMs for removal.
Together, these tools give government agencies a foundation for moving from managing ACMs in place indefinitely to planning their staged removal.
From assessment to removal
High-quality asbestos surveys provide the information needed to assess ACM risk. Survey findings and risk assessments inform removal recommendations, which help organisations develop removal plans, budgets and schedules.
Updated 29 October 2026