A licence is required in Western Australia for certain types of demolition works. Only a licence holder or an employee of a licence holder may carry out this type of work.

In the regulations 'demolition' means the complete or partial demolition of a building or structure by pre-planned and controlled methods or procedures.

Demolition work in mines is covered by the Mines Safety and Inspection Act and regulations made under that Act.
There are three types of licence (Class1, 2 and 3) Each licence is valid for a period of two years and is endorsed with a number of conditions that relate to the way demolition work is carried out:

Class 1: in relation to demolition work, means demolition work of any of the following kinds —

1. work comprising the total demolition of a building or structure that is 10 metres or more in height when measured from the lowest ground level of the building or structure to the highest part of the building or structure;
2. work —
   • comprising the partial demolition of a building or structure that is 10 metres or more in height when measured from the lowest ground level of the building or structure to the highest part of the building or structure; and 
   • affecting the structural integrity of the building or structure;
3. work —
   • comprising the total or partial demolition of a building or structure; and
   • involving the use of load shifting equipment on a suspended floor;
4. work comprising the total or partial demolition of pre tensioned or post tensioned structural components of a building or structure;
5. work comprising the total or partial demolition of a building or structure containing precast concrete elements erected by the tilt up method of construction;
6. work involving the removal of key structural members of a building or structure so that the whole or a part of the building or structure collapses;
7. work done to a building or structure involving explosives;
8. work comprising the demolition or partial demolition of a building or structure that involves the use of a tower crane or any crane with a safe working load greater than 100 tonnes;
9. work involving the removal of an area of brittle or fragile roofing material in excess of 200 m2 from a building or structure if any part of the area to be removed is 10 metres or more above the lowest ground level of the building or structure;

Class 2: in relation to demolition work, means demolition work comprising the total or partial demolition of a building or structure that is less than 10 metres in height when measured from the lowest ground level of the building or structure to the highest part of the building or structure but does not include —

1. the total or partial demolition of a single storey dwelling; or
2. work of a kind referred to in paragraphs (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), or (8) of the definition of class 1;

Class 3: in relation to demolition work, means work comprising the removal of more than 200 m² of brittle or fragile roofing material from a building or structure;

Single story dwellings can be demolished without holding a demolition licence.   Although a licence is not required to demolish a single story dwelling, all demolition work must be carried out properly using safe work procedures and systems of work. There is a duty of care that all demolition is carried out in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984, the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 and Australian Standard 2601 – The Demolition of Structures.

Each licence in valid for a period of two years and is endorsed with a number of conditions that relate to the way demolition work is carried out.