In short: a Jim’s Hazmat franchise suits people who want physically hard, practical, problem-solving work with serious training behind it. Gary and Jason explain how Jim’s Hazardous Material Removal handles asbestos, mould, hoarder cleans, meth decontamination, guano, water damage, and other complex jobs across Australia.
In a Jim’s Podcast episode, Gary, a Jim’s Hazardous Material Removal franchisee in Brisbane moved from FIFO industrial painting into hazmat work, and Jason, the division’s national franchise manager, shares how the division uses containment walls, PPE, SWMS, asbestos removal control plans, and photo-based quoting support to handle asbestos, mould, hoarder cleans, guano, water damage, and other complex jobs.
A Jim’s Hazmat franchise can suit people who want hard, hands-on work with high-value jobs and strong support. Jason said the division has 31 franchisees, lead fees of around $40, and recent jobs of $42,000 and $90,000. This article covers the technical side of hazmat work, the Jim’s system, local demand, and what future franchisees should know.
Watch the full episode below, or keep reading for the key takeaways.
How Did Gary Go From FIFO Work To A Jim’s Hazmat Franchise?
Gary came into Jim’s Group after years of FIFO work as an industrial painter. His background included sandblasting bridges and working on gas plants, including a gas plant in Darwin.
When he returned to Brisbane, he was looking for something different. Jim’s Hazmat appeared on Facebook, and the hazardous material side caught his attention.
He had looked at franchise models before through car washes, but found them too complicated. Too many rules, too many regulations, and too much friction.
That changed when he came to Melbourne for the Jim’s training course. Gary said the three-day course changed how he thought about the franchise model.
From there, the business grew steadily. He started with a laptop in the corner of the kitchen, moved to the kitchen bench, then into a bedroom, then into a house extension, and eventually into a proper shed.
That growth did not come from taking huge numbers of leads. Gary said his business was only taking three or four leads a month before buying the division.
The focus was on customer service, repeat work, and being present with the customer. His view is simple: you cannot properly understand a job unless you stand in the property, speak to the client, and see the problem yourself.
Why Is Jim’s Hazmat More Than Standard Cleaning?
Jim’s Hazardous Material Removal is not standard cleaning. The work can involve asbestos, mould, methamphetamine decontamination, hoarder cleans, guano, water damage, trauma scenes, contaminated soil, and commercial clean-outs.
One key technical method mentioned in the episode is building a containment wall on a real job. Gary said new franchisees learn this on-site because it is different when the job is their own client and their own responsibility.
The science is straightforward. Hazardous material work is about controlling exposure. Asbestos fibres, mould spores, biological waste, contaminated dust, and airborne particles can spread when disturbed. Containment helps isolate the work area, protect occupants, and reduce the risk of contaminants moving through the property.
That matters in Australian conditions. Older homes may contain asbestos, especially homes built before 1990, according to Gary. Humid areas, flood-prone regions, leaking bathrooms, burst flexi hoses, and poor ventilation can also create mould and water damage problems.
This is why Hazmat work needs more than a ute and cleaning gear. Jason said the division involves 13 services, external IICRC training for mould and water, SWMS paperwork on every job, and asbestos removal control plans on asbestos jobs.
Pro Tips:
- Take wide, complete photos of every room. Jason said many people take one quick photo and miss half the site.
- Do not assume a hoarder clean is only rubbish removal. Gary described finding hidden syringes after the team started moving items.
- Treat customer communication as part of the technical job. A client dealing with mould, asbestos, or a hoarder clean is usually dealing with stress, risk, and uncertainty.
What Support Do Jim’s Hazmat Franchisees Get?
The Jim’s system gives Hazmat franchisees structure before they go live and support after they start. New franchisees complete two days of general Jim’s business training, then three days of division-specific training in Brisbane.
From there, they spend time with the Brisbane team doing physical training. Gary also supports the first 30 quotes, even for franchisees working remotely in places like WA.
The system uses Dropbox for photos, quote templates, and support documents. That allows Gary and the team to review jobs and help franchisees quote properly from anywhere in the country.
Jason said the division also has online pre-induction training, so franchisees can learn paperwork, SWMS, legislation, and key processes before coming into the in-person induction.
This matters because Hazmat is not a simple “learn once and go” trade. Jason said most people entering the division have no industry experience. A new franchisee may take three months to feel a little comfortable, 12 months to feel very comfortable, and up to five years before things really happen.
The Jim’s model also helps reduce the risk of going independent. Franchisees get training, branding, leads, systems, team support, and the ability to work with other franchisees.
Jason said the division has never had to pay the pay-for-work guarantee because franchisees can help each other when one area is quiet, and another job needs more hands.
For people comparing options, the broader own a Jim’s franchise pathway also explains the training, flat-fee model, systems, and support that sit behind the network.
You can also read more about how franchising fees work, what is included in franchisee training, and how much you can earn with a Jim’s franchise.
For this division specifically, learn more about the Jim’s Hazardous Material Removal franchise.
What Local Expertise Does A Jim’s Hazmat Franchise Need In Brisbane And Beyond?
A Jim’s Hazmat franchise needs local knowledge because the jobs change by region, property type, climate, and customer need.
In Brisbane and Queensland, Gary discussed storm damage, burst water pipes, leaking bathrooms, mould, humidity, and asbestos. He also gave examples from Nambour and Bundaberg, showing that work is not limited to capital cities.
Jason said a franchisee in a place like Bundaberg may travel one or two hours for a $20,000 job, stay overnight, complete the work, and come home with a good week’s income.
Victoria currently has the highest number of franchisees in the division, even though many people assume humid Queensland would dominate. Gary said the opportunity is Australia-wide.
The work also crosses residential and commercial properties. The episode covered leaking bathrooms, air-conditioning cleaning, hoarder homes, phone towers with guano, mechanic shop clean-outs, insurance work, asbestos jobs, and fire damage.
That range is why customer education matters. Gary said many people hear “Hazmat” and do not connect it with a dirty air conditioner, a leaking bathroom, or a mould patch in the lounge room.
Jim’s Hazmat Vs Independent Contractors: What Is The Difference?
| Feature | Standard Independent Contractor | Jim’s Professional Standard |
| Training | Learns through trial and error | Two days Jim’s training, three days of division training, online pre-induction, and field support |
| Job Support | Usually works alone | Gary supports the first 30 quotes, and franchisees can work together |
| Hazard Control | May not have systems for asbestos, mould, or biohazards | Uses SWMS, asbestos control paperwork, PPE, containment, and trained processes |
| Customer Trust | Must build brand recognition from scratch | Uses the Jim’s Group brand, local service, and national systems |
| Growth Path | Limited by personal network and capacity | Can stay solo, work with other franchisees, outsource, or build a team |
“You can’t tell what you’re doing until you’re actually physically present and available for that client. You’ve got to get out there. You’ve got to be amongst it.“
– Gary, Jim’s Hazardous Material Removal franchisee in Brisbane
FAQ About A Jim’s Hazmat Franchise
A Jim’s Hazmat franchise can handle asbestos, mould, methamphetamine decontamination, hoarder cleans, guano, water damage, air-conditioning cleaning, and other complex jobs. Jason said the division trains across 13 services.
No prior hazmat experience is required, according to Jason. He said most people coming into the division have no experience in the industry, so training starts from the basics.
Yes. Jason said franchisees can work in hazmat suits, masks, and full-face masks in 40-degree outside heat and 50 to 60-degree conditions inside. He made it clear that the work is hard and not for everyone.
Jason said the buy-in is around $65,000. He also mentioned a base franchise fee of $1,021, a marketing fee of $1,056, and lead fees of around $40.
The episode mentioned jobs of $42,000, $90,000, $30,000 in three days, and a $45,000 hoarder clean in Sydney. Jason also said an average invoice could be $1,000 or $10,000.
New franchisees receive Jim’s business training, division-specific training in Brisbane, field training, online pre-induction, and help with their first 30 quotes. Gary said his phone number is one of the most important support tools.
Gary and Jason said opportunities exist across Australia, including regional areas. Jason gave Bundaberg as an example where a franchisee might travel one or two hours for a $20,000 job.
The right person needs a work ethic, fitness, empathy, listening skills, and a willingness to learn. Jason said the division vets people carefully and uses observation days to help prospects decide if the work suits them.
Key Takeaways
- Jim’s Hazmat suits people who want hard, technical, problem-solving work.
- Gary grew from a kitchen laptop in Brisbane to a larger operation with team support.
- The division trains across 13 services, including asbestos, mould, hoarding, meth decontamination, and water damage.
- The Jim’s system gives franchisees training, quoting help, branding, leads, and peer support.
- High-value jobs are possible, but Jason made it clear that the work is physically demanding and not for everyone.
Need Help With A Hazardous Material Job?
Get Hazardous Material Work Handled Properly
If you have asbestos, mould, water damage, hoarding, guano, meth contamination, or another hazardous material problem, speak to your local Jim’s Hazardous Material Removal professional.
You get local service, trained processes, professional standards, and the backing of the Jim’s National Guarantee.
Request your free quote from Jim’s Hazardous Material Removal today.
Build A Practical Business Backed By Jim’s
Gary’s story shows what can happen when a practical worker combines hard work with the Jim’s Group system. He moved from FIFO industrial painting into a division with 31 franchisees, high-value jobs, strong team support, and room to grow across Australia and New Zealand.
If you want a franchise that is hands-on, technical, and built around real customer problems, this division is worth a closer look.
Learn more about joining Jim’s Group at jims.net or call 131 546 today.