Part 1—Preliminary
1 Name
This instrument is the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Regulations 2018.
3 Authority
This instrument is made under the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998.
4 Definitions
Note: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act, including the following:
(a) controlled apparatus;
(b) controlled facility;
(c) controlled material;
(d) controlled person;
(e) deal with.
In this instrument:
absorbed dose means the energy absorbed per unit mass by matter from ionizing radiation that impinges upon it.
Note: See the Planned Exposure Code.
Act means the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998.
action level means an intervention level applied to exposure to radiation.
activity concentration value steps: the activity concentration value steps for a waste package are the following steps:
(a) first, divide the activity of each nuclide in the waste package by the mass of the waste package;
(b) secondly, divide the result of paragraph (a) for each nuclide by the activity concentration value set out in Part 1 of Schedule 1 for the nuclide;
(c) thirdly, if there is more than one nuclide in the waste package, total the result of paragraph (b) for each nuclide.
Note: Section 5 affects how the activity of a parent nuclide mentioned in Part 2 of Schedule 1 (or marked a in Part 1 of Schedule 1) is worked out, by providing for inclusion of the activity of certain progeny nuclides that are included in secular equilibrium with the parent nuclide.
activity value division steps: the activity value division steps for sources or controlled materials are the following steps:
(a) first, divide the activity of each nuclide in the sources or controlled materials by the activity value set out in Part 1 of Schedule 1 for the nuclide;
(b) secondly, if there is more than one nuclide in the sources or controlled materials, total the result of paragraph (a) for each nuclide.
Note: Section 5 affects how the activity of a parent nuclide mentioned in Part 2 of Schedule 1 (or marked a in Part 1 of Schedule 1) is worked out, by providing for inclusion of the activity of certain progeny nuclides that are included in secular equilibrium with the parent nuclide.
appointed member of the Council or a Committee means a member of the Council or Committee other than the CEO.
AS/NZS IEC 60825.1:2014 means the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS IEC 60825.1:2014 Safety of laser products, Part 1: Equipment classification and requirements, published jointly by, or on behalf of, Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand, as existing on 8 December 2018.
AS/NZS IEC 60825.2:2011 means the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS IEC 60825.2:2011 Safety of laser products, Part 2: Safety of optical fibre communication systems (OFCS), published jointly by, or on behalf of, Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand, as existing on 8 December 2018.
AS/NZS IEC 62471:2011 means the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS IEC 62471:2011 Photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems, published jointly by, or on behalf of, Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand, as existing on 8 December 2018.
committed effective dose means the effective dose that a person is committed to receive from an intake of radioactive material.
Note: See the Planned Exposure Code.
Committee means the Radiation Health Committee or the Nuclear Safety Committee.
Disposal of Radioactive Waste Code means the Code for the Disposal of Radioactive Waste by the User (Radiation Protection Series C‑6), published by the CEO, as existing on 7 November 2019.
Note: The Disposal of Radioactive Waste Code could in 2021 be viewed on ARPANSA’s website (https://www.arpansa.gov.au).
dose includes absorbed dose, equivalent dose and effective dose.
Note: See the Planned Exposure Code.
effective dose means a measure of dose that takes into account both the type of radiation involved and the radiological sensitivities of the organs and tissues irradiated.
Note: See the Planned Exposure Code.
equivalent dose means a measure of dose in organs and tissues that takes into account the type of radiation involved.
Note: See the Planned Exposure Code.
excluded exposure means the component of exposure that arises from natural background radiation, provided that:
(a) any relevant action level or levels for the workplace are not exceeded; and
(b) the CEO does not prohibit the exclusion of that component.
exposure means exposure to radiation.
Group 1: each controlled apparatus or controlled material described in the following table is in Group 1.
Group 1 controlled apparatus and controlled materials |
| Controlled apparatus or controlled material |
1 | Sealed source for calibration purposes of activity of 40 MBq or less |
2 | Sealed source in a fully enclosed analytical device |
3 | Sealed source with activity of 400 MBq or less in a fixed gauge |
4 | Sealed source in a blood irradiator |
5 | Sealed source in a bone densitometer |
6 | Sealed source that: (a) is in storage and awaiting disposal; and (b) has a nuclide with a maximum activity of not more than 109 times the activity value for that nuclide set out in Part 1 of Schedule 1 |
7 | Unsealed source, or sources, in a laboratory or particular premises, having nuclides of one kind only with a maximum activity not more than 102 times the activity value for that nuclide set out in Part 1 of Schedule 1 |
8 | Unsealed source, or sources, in a laboratory or particular premises, having nuclides such that, when the maximum activity of each nuclide in the source, or sources, is divided by the activity value for that nuclide set out in Part 1 of Schedule 1, the total of the results for all nuclides in the source, or sources, is not more than 102 |
9 | Mammographic X‑ray unit |
10 | Conventional dental X‑ray unit |
11 | X‑ray unit used for bone densitometry |
12 | X‑ray unit used for veterinary radiography |
13 | Fully enclosed X‑ray analysis unit |
14 | Baggage inspection X‑ray unit |
15 | Mobile or portable medical X‑ray unit |
16 | Magnetic field non‑destructive testing device |
17 | Induction heater or induction furnace |
18 | Industrial radiofrequency heater or welder |
19 | Radiofrequency plasma tube |
20 | Microwave or radiofrequency diathermy equipment |
21 | Industrial microwave or radiofrequency processing system |
22 | Optical source, other than a laser product, emitting ultraviolet radiation, infra‑red or visible light |
23 | Laser product with an accessible emission that exceeds the accessible emission limits of a Class 3R laser product, as set out in AS/NZS IEC 60825.1:2014 |
24 | Optical fibre communication system exceeding Hazard Level 3R, as defined by AS/NZS IEC 60825.2:2011 |
25 | Sealed source not mentioned in another item of this table or in the definition of Group 2 or Group 3, dealings with which do not have the potential for accidental exposure likely to exceed the dose limits mentioned in sections 77 and 79 |
26 | Controlled apparatus that produces ionizing radiation and is not mentioned in another item of this table or in the definition of Group 2 or Group 3, dealings with which do not have the potential for accidental exposure likely to exceed the dose limits mentioned in sections 77 and 79 |
27 | Controlled apparatus that produces non‑ionizing radiation and is not mentioned in another item of this table |
Group 2: each controlled apparatus or controlled material described in the following table is in Group 2.
Group 2 controlled apparatus and controlled materials |
| Controlled apparatus or controlled material |
1 | Sealed source for calibration purposes of activity of more than 40 MBq |
2 | Sealed source in a partially enclosed analytical device |
3 | Sealed source of activity of more than 400 MBq in a fixed gauge |
4 | Sealed source in a mobile gauge |
5 | Sealed source for medical or veterinary diagnostic nuclear medicine use |
6 | Unsealed source, or sources, in a laboratory or particular premises, having nuclides of one kind only with a maximum activity of more than 102, but not more than 104, times the activity value for that nuclide set out in Part 1 of Schedule 1 |
7 | Unsealed source, or sources, in a laboratory or particular premises, having nuclides such that, when the maximum activity of each nuclide in the source, or sources, is divided by the activity value for that nuclide set out in Part 1 of Schedule 1, the total of the results for all nuclides in the source, or sources, is more than 102 but not more than 104 |
8 | Unsealed sources used for tracer studies in the environment |
9 | Industrial radiography X‑ray unit |
10 | Fixed medical X‑ray unit, including a unit used for fluoroscopy, tomography and chiropractic radiography |
11 | Partially enclosed X‑ray analysis unit |
12 | Medical therapy simulator |
13 | CT scanner |
14 | Sealed source not mentioned in another item of this table or in the definition of Group 1 or Group 3, dealings with which have the potential for accidental exposure likely to exceed a dose limit mentioned in sections 77 and 79 but unlikely to result in acute effects |
15 | Controlled apparatus that produces ionizing radiation not mentioned in another item of this table or in the definition of Group 1 or Group 3, dealings with which have the potential for accidental exposure likely to exceed a dose limit mentioned in sections 77 and 79 but unlikely to result in acute effects |
Group 3: each controlled apparatus or controlled material described in the following table is in Group 3.
Group 3 controlled apparatus and controlled materials |
| Controlled apparatus or controlled material |
1 | Sealed source for industrial radiography |
2 | Sealed source for medical and veterinary radiotherapy |
3 | Sealed source in a borehole logger |
4 | Sealed source not mentioned in another item of this table or in the definition of Group 1 or Group 2, dealings with which have the potential for accidental exposure likely to exceed a dose limit mentioned in sections 77 and 79 and likely to result in acute effects |
5 | Unsealed source, or sources, in a laboratory or particular premises, having nuclides of one kind only with a maximum activity of more than 104, but not more than 106, times the activity value for that nuclide set out in Part 1 of Schedule 1 |
6 | Unsealed source, or sources, in a laboratory or particular premises, having nuclides such that, when the maximum activity of each nuclide in the source, or sources, is divided by the activity value for that nuclide set out in Part 1 of Schedule 1, the total of the results for all nuclides in the source, or sources, is more than 104 but not more than 106 |
7 | Veterinary or medical radiotherapy unit |
8 | Controlled apparatus that produces ionizing radiation not mentioned in another item of this table or in the definition of Group 1 or Group 2, dealings with which have the potential for accidental exposure likely to exceed a dose limit mentioned in sections 77 and 79 and likely to result in acute effects |
GSR Part 3 means Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards—IAEA Safety Standards Series No. GSR Part 3, published by the International Atomic Energy Agency, as existing on 1 March 2022.
Note: GSR Part 3 could in 2022 be viewed on the International Atomic Energy Agency’s website (https://www.iaea.org).
holder of a licence means the controlled person to whom the licence is issued.
incident means:
(a) any unintended event, including an operating error, equipment failure, initiating event, accident precursor, near miss or other mishap; or
(b) any unauthorised act, whether or not malicious;
the consequences or potential consequences of which are not negligible.
irradiator means a device that contains a controlled material and gives a controlled dose of radiation to any target material.
Licence Charges Regulations means the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (Licence Charges) Regulations 2018.
non‑ionizing radiation exposure limits means any of the following:
(a) the reference levels mentioned in the ICNIRP Guidelines For Limiting Exposure To Time‑Varying Electric And Magnetic Fields (1 Hz—100 kHz), published by the International Commission on Non‑Ionizing Radiation Protection, as existing on 8 December 2018;
(b) the limiting exposure mentioned in the Radiation Protection Standard for Limiting Exposure to Radiofrequency Fields—100 kHz to 300 GHz (2021) (Radiation Protection Series S‑1 (Rev. 1)), published by the CEO, as existing on 1 July 2021;
(c) the maximum permissible exposure limits mentioned in AS/NZS IEC 60825.1:2014;
(d) the exposure limits mentioned in AS/NZS IEC 62471:2011;
(e) the exposure limits mentioned in the Radiation Protection Standard for Occupational Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation (2006) (Radiation Protection Series No. 12), published by the CEO, as existing on 8 December 2018;
(f) the exposure limits mentioned in the ICNIRP Guidelines On Limits Of Exposure To Static Magnetic Fields, published by the International Commission on Non‑Ionizing Radiation Protection, as existing on 8 December 2018.
Note 1: The documents mentioned in paragraphs (a), (b), (e) and (f) could in 2021 be viewed on, or accessed from, ARPANSA’s website (https://www.arpansa.gov.au).
Note 2: For guidance on the exposure limits mentioned in paragraph (d), see the ICNIRP Guidelines On Limits Of Exposure To Incoherent Visible And Infrared Radiation, published by the International Commission on Non‑Ionizing Radiation Protection. The Guidelines could in 2021 be accessed from ARPANSA’s website (https://www.arpansa.gov.au).
notifiable incident means any of the following:
(a) an incident that exposes a person to a dose of ionizing radiation that exceeds an effective dose limit mentioned in section 77 or an equivalent dose limit mentioned in section 79;
(b) an incident involving a diagnostic or interventional medical procedure resulting in an observable acute radiation effect;
(c) an incident involving exposure to non‑ionizing radiation from controlled apparatus that:
(i) exceeds the non‑ionizing radiation exposure limits; or
(ii) results in noticeable eye or skin damage;
(d) a theft or loss of controlled material or controlled apparatus, other than controlled material or controlled apparatus in Group 1;
(e) an incident involving the release of controlled material if the result of the activity value division steps for the controlled material is greater than 104;
(f) an incident involving transport of a package of controlled material if:
(i) the result of the activity value division steps for the controlled material is greater than 104; and
(ii) the package is damaged in such a way that safety provisions are degraded.
occupational exposure means exposure of a person that:
(a) occurs in the course of the person’s work; and
(b) is not excluded exposure.
Planned Exposure Code means the Code for Radiation Protection in Planned Exposure Situations (2020), published by the CEO, as existing at the commencement of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Amendment (2021 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2021.
Note: The Planned Exposure Code could in 2021 be viewed on ARPANSA’s website (https://www.arpansa.gov.au).
public exposure means exposure of a person that is none of the following:
(a) occupational exposure of the person;
(b) exposure of the person:
(i) as a patient undergoing medical diagnosis or therapy; or
(ii) as a volunteer in medical research;
(c) exposure, other than occupational exposure, received as a consequence of the person assisting an exposed patient.
sealed source means controlled material permanently contained in a capsule, or closely bound in a solid form, that is strong enough to be leak‑tight for:
(a) the intended use of the controlled material; and
(b) any reasonably foreseeable abnormal events likely to affect the controlled material.
Security Code of Practice means the document Security of Radioactive Sources (2019), published by the CEO, as existing at the commencement of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Amendment (2021 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2021.
Note: The Security Code of Practice could in 2021 be viewed on ARPANSA’s website (https://www.arpansa.gov.au).
solid clearance material: see subsection 65(7).
solid clearance value: see subsection 65(8).
Transport Code means the Code for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (2019), published by the CEO, as existing at the commencement of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Amendment (2021 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2021.
Note: The Transport Code could in 2021 be viewed on ARPANSA’s website (https://www.arpansa.gov.au).
unsealed source means controlled material that is not a sealed source.
waste package means the waste form of controlled material and its container as prepared for handling, transport, storage or disposal.
5 Parent nuclides and progeny nuclides included in secular equilibrium
(1) For the purposes of this instrument, in determining the activity of a parent nuclide mentioned in an item of Part 2 of Schedule 1, include the activity of any progeny nuclide mentioned in that item that is included in secular equilibrium with the parent nuclide.
Note: Parent nuclides are also marked a in Part 1 of Schedule 1.
(2) Except for the purposes of determining under subsection (1) the activity of a parent nuclide mentioned in an item of Part 2 of Schedule 1, the activity of a progeny nuclide mentioned in an item of that Part is taken to be nil when included in secular equilibrium with a parent nuclide mentioned in that item.
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply for the purposes of subsections 65(7) to (9).
Note: Subsections 65(7) to (9) deal with the activity concentration of progeny nuclides in relation to solid clearance material by reference to GSR Part 3.
Part 2—CEO’s functions
6 Simplified outline of this Part
The CEO’s functions include:
(a) granting permissions and approvals for other regulatory regimes; and
(b) making guidelines about compliance by licence holders and conducting of inspections.
7 CEO’s functions
For the purposes of paragraph 15(1)(i) of the Act, the following are functions of the CEO:
(a) to grant permissions to export from Australia high activity radioactive sources under regulation 9AD of the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958;
(b) to grant permissions to import into Australia radioactive substances under regulation 4R of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956;
(c) to grant approvals under the Transport Code in the CEO’s capacity as competent authority for the Commonwealth for the purposes of the Transport Code;
(d) to make guidelines about:
(i) how holders of licences will report their compliance with the Act, this instrument and licence conditions; and
(ii) how inspection of controlled facilities, controlled apparatus and controlled materials will be conducted.
Part 3—Controlled apparatus, controlled facilities and controlled persons
Division 1—Simplified outline of this Part
8 Simplified outline of this Part
Under the Act, controlled apparatus includes apparatus prescribed by regulations that produces harmful non‑ionizing radiation when energised. Division 2 of this Part prescribes apparatus that is controlled apparatus.
Under the Act, controlled facilities are:
(a) nuclear installations, including both radioactive waste storage or disposal facilities with an activity greater than the activity level prescribed by the regulations and facilities for production of radioisotopes with an activity greater than the activity level prescribed by regulations; and
(b) prescribed radiation facilities, which are facilities or installations prescribed by regulations; and
(c) prescribed legacy sites, which are places prescribed by regulations.
Division 3 of this Part prescribes:
(a) activity levels for facilities to be nuclear installations; and
(b) facilities and installations that are prescribed radiation facilities; and
(c) places that are prescribed legacy sites.
Under the Act, controlled persons include persons in Commonwealth places prescribed by regulations. Division 4 of this Part prescribes such places.
Division 2—Controlled apparatus
9 Kinds of apparatus that are controlled apparatus
(1) For the purpose of paragraph (c) of the definition of controlled apparatus in section 13 of the Act, an apparatus is prescribed if:
(b) the apparatus produces non‑ionizing radiation that could lead to a person being exposed to radiation levels exceeding the non‑ionizing radiation exposure limits; and
(c) exposure to those levels is readily accessible to persons:
(i) in the course of intended operations or procedures of the apparatus; or
(ii) as a result of a reasonably foreseeable abnormal event involving the apparatus; or
(iii) as a result of a reasonably foreseeable single element failure of the apparatus; or
(iv) without the use of tools or other specialised equipment required to remove protective barriers or access panels; and
(d) the apparatus is not declared under subsection (2).
(2) The CEO may declare, in writing, that particular apparatus is not prescribed by subsection (1).
Note: A decision to refuse to make a declaration is reviewable under section 86.
(3) The CEO must not make a declaration under subsection (2) unless the CEO is satisfied that:
(a) the apparatus does not pose an unacceptable hazard to the health and safety of people or to the environment; or
(b) it would be inappropriate for the apparatus to be a controlled apparatus.
(4) The CEO must publish the declaration on ARPANSA’s website as soon as practicable after making it.
Division 3—Controlled facilities
Subdivision A—Activity levels for certain facilities to be nuclear installations
10 Activity level for radioactive waste storage facilities to be nuclear installations
(1) For the purposes of paragraph (c) of the definition of nuclear installation in section 13 of the Act, this section prescribes the activity level for a radioactive waste storage facility that contains, or is designed to contain, controlled materials.
Level for facility for unsealed sources
(2) If:
(a) the facility contains, or is designed to contain, unsealed sources; and
(b) the result of the activity concentration value steps for a waste package of the unsealed sources is greater than 104;
the level is that at which the result of the activity value division steps for the unsealed sources in the facility is 106.
Note: For activity concentration value steps, activity value division steps, unsealed source and waste package, see section 4.
Level for facility for sealed sources
(3) If the facility contains, or is designed to contain, sealed sources, the level is that at which the result of the activity value division steps for the sealed sources in the facility is 1010.
Note: For activity value division steps and sealed source, see section 4.
11 Activity level for radioactive waste disposal facilities to be nuclear installations
(1) For the purposes of paragraph (c) of the definition of nuclear installation in section 13 of the Act, this section prescribes the activity level for a radioactive waste disposal facility if:
(a) the facility contains, or is designed to contain, controlled materials; and
(b) the result of the activity concentration value steps for a waste package of the controlled materials is greater than 102.
Note: For activity concentration value steps and waste package, see section 4.
(2) The level for the facility is that at which the result of the activity value division steps for the controlled materials in the facility is 108.
Note: For activity value division steps, see section 4.
12 Activity level for facilities for production of radioisotopes to be nuclear installations
(1) For the purposes of paragraph (d) of the definition of nuclear installation in section 13 of the Act, this section prescribes the activity level for a facility for production of radioisotopes.
Level for facility for unsealed sources
(2) If the facility contains, or is designed to contain, unsealed sources, the level is that at which the result of the activity value division steps for the unsealed sources is 106.
Note: For activity value division steps and unsealed source, see section 4.
Level for facility for sealed sources
(3) If the facility contains, or is designed to contain, sealed sources, the level is that at which the result of the activity value division steps for the sealed sources is 1010.
Note: For activity value division steps and sealed source, see section 4.
Subdivision B—Prescribed radiation facilities
13 Prescribed radiation facility
(1) For the purposes of the definition of prescribed radiation facility in section 13 of the Act, the following facilities and installations are prescribed:
(a) a particle accelerator that:
(i) has, or is capable of having, a beam energy greater than 1 MeV; or
(ii) can produce neutrons;
(b) an irradiator that contains more than 1015 Bq of a controlled material;
(c) an irradiator that contains more than 1013 Bq but not more than 1015 Bq of a controlled material and:
(i) does not include shielding as an integral part of its construction; or
(ii) includes as an integral part of its construction shielding that does not prevent a person from being exposed to the source or does not shield a source during the operation of the irradiator;
(d) a facility (other than a nuclear installation) used for the production, processing, use, storage, management or disposal of:
(i) unsealed sources for which the result of the activity value division steps is greater than 106; or
(ii) sealed sources for which the result of the activity value division steps is greater than 109.
Note: For activity value division steps, sealed source and unsealed source, see section 4.
(2) However, the CEO may declare, in writing, that a particular facility is not a prescribed radiation facility. The declaration has effect according to its terms.
Note: A decision to refuse to make a declaration is reviewable under section 86.
(3) The CEO must not make a declaration under subsection (2) unless the CEO is satisfied that:
(a) the facility does not pose an unacceptable hazard to the health and safety of people or to the environment; and
(b) it would be inappropriate for the facility to be a prescribed radiation facility.
(4) The CEO must publish the declaration on ARPANSA’s website as soon as practicable after making it.
Subdivision C—Prescribed legacy sites
14 Prescribed legacy site
(1) For the purposes of the definition of prescribed legacy site in section 13 of the Act, the place described in subsection (2) is prescribed.
(2) The place is that known as the Little Forest Legacy Site, as shown labelled “LFLS” on site plan drawing No. AO SK 127039 revision G dated 1 July 2015, Little Forest Road, Lucas Heights, in the local government area of Sutherland, Parish of Holsworthy, County of Cumberland, erected on part of the land contained in Certificate of Title folio identifier 1/106967.
Note: The Little Forest Legacy Site was previously known as the Little Forest Burial Ground.
Division 4—Controlled persons
15 Prescribed Commonwealth place
(1) For the purposes of the definition of prescribed Commonwealth place in section 13 of the Act, the place described in subsection (2) is prescribed.
(2) The place is that known as Building 64, as shown on site plan drawing No. A3E 111993 dated November 1999, Lucas Heights Science and Research Centre, New Illawarra Road, Lucas Heights, in the local government area of Sutherland, Parish of Eckersley, County of Cumberland, erected on part of the land contained in Certificate of Title folio identifier 1/89876.
Part 4—The Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council and advisory committees
Division 1—Introduction
16 Simplified outline of this Part
The Act establishes the Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council, the Radiation Health Committee and the Nuclear Safety Committee and specifies their membership, but allows the regulations to provide for matters relating to those bodies, including the following:
(a) the term of appointment of members;
(b) resignation of members;
(c) disclosure of interests by members;
(d) procedural matters.
This Part deals with all those matters.
17 Authority for this Part
This Part has effect for the purposes of section 29 of the Act.
Division 2—Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council
Subdivision A—Provisions about membership of the Council
18 Term of appointment
Appointed member of the Council
(1) An appointed member of the Council holds office for the period specified in the instrument of appointment. The period must not exceed 3 years.
Chair of the Council
(2) The Chair of the Council holds office for the period specified in the instrument of appointment.
19 Resignation
(1) An appointed member of the Council may resign the member’s appointment by giving the Minister a written resignation.
(2) The resignation takes effect on the day it is received by the Minister or, if a later day is specified in the resignation, on that later day.
20 Disclosure of interests to the Minister
An appointed member of the Council must give written notice to the Minister of all interests, pecuniary or otherwise, that the member has or acquires and that conflict or could conflict with the proper performance of the member’s functions.
21 Disclosure of interests to the Council
(1) A member of the Council who has an interest, pecuniary or otherwise, that conflicts or could conflict with the proper performance of the member’s functions in a matter being considered or about to be considered by the Council must disclose the nature of the interest to a meeting of the Council.
(2) The disclosure must be made as soon as possible after the relevant facts have come to the member’s knowledge.
(3) The disclosure must be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
22 Termination of appointment
(1) The Minister may terminate the appointment of an appointed member of the Council:
(a) for misbehaviour; or
(b) if the member is unable to perform the duties of the member’s office because of physical or mental incapacity.
(2) The Minister may terminate the appointment of an appointed member of the Council if:
(a) the member:
(i) becomes bankrupt; or
(ii) applies to take the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors; or
(iii) compounds with the member’s creditors; or
(iv) makes an assignment of the member’s remuneration for the benefit of the member’s creditors; or
(b) the member is absent, except on leave of absence, from 3 consecutive meetings of the Council; or
(c) the member fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with section 20 or 21.
23 Leave of absence
(1) The Minister may grant leave of absence to the Chair of the Council.
(2) The Chair may grant leave of absence to any other member of the Council on the terms and conditions that the Chair determines.
Subdivision B—Provisions about Council procedure
24 Council procedures generally
(1) In performing its functions, the Council:
(a) must act according to this instrument; and
(b) must act with as little formality and as quickly as the requirements of this instrument, and a proper consideration of the issues before the Council, allow; and
(c) may obtain information about an issue in any way it considers appropriate.
(2) However, the Council must comply with any directions given, in writing, to the Council by the Minister or the CEO about the Council’s performance of its functions.
25 Meetings
(1) The Minister or the CEO may, by written notice to the Council, direct the Council to hold meetings at the times and places, and to deal with matters in the manner, stated in the notice.
(2) If the Minister or the CEO has not given written notice to the Council under subsection (1), the Council may hold the meetings at the times and places, and may deal with matters in the manner, that the Council considers necessary for the performance of its functions.
(3) Subject to this Division, the procedure of a meeting of the Council is as decided by the Council.
26 Presiding at meetings
(1) The Chair of the Council must preside at all meetings at which the Chair is present.
(2) If the Chair of the Council is not present at a meeting, the other members of the Council present must appoint one of themselves to preside.
27 Quorum
At a meeting of the Council, a quorum is constituted by a majority of members of the Council.
28 Voting at meetings
(1) A question arising at a meeting of the Council is to be determined by a majority of the votes of the members of the Council present and voting.
(2) The person presiding at a meeting of the Council has a deliberative vote and, if the votes are equal, a casting vote.
29 Records and reports
(1) The Council must keep minutes of its meetings.
(2) The Council must prepare a report for the CEO on the Council’s activities for each financial year. The Council must give the CEO the report by the first 31 July after the end of the financial year.
Division 3—Radiation Health Committee and Nuclear Safety Committee
Subdivision A—Provisions about membership of the Committees
30 Term of appointment
Appointed member of a Committee
(1) An appointed member of a Committee holds office for the period specified in the instrument of appointment. The period must not exceed 3 years.
Chair of a Committee
(2) The Chair of a Committee holds office for the period specified in the instrument of appointment.
31 Resignation
(1) An appointed member of a Committee may resign the member’s appointment by giving the CEO a written resignation.
(2) The resignation takes effect on the day it is received by the CEO or, if a later day is specified in the resignation, on that later day.
32 Disclosure of interests to the CEO
An appointed member of a Committee must give written notice to the CEO of all interests, pecuniary or otherwise, that the member has or acquires and that conflict or could conflict with the proper performance of the member’s functions.
33 Disclosure of interests to the Committee
(1) A member of a Committee who has an interest, pecuniary or otherwise, that conflicts or could conflict with the proper performance of the member’s functions in a matter being considered or about to be considered by the Committee must disclose the nature of the interest to a meeting of the Committee.
(2) The disclosure must be made as soon as possible after the relevant facts have come to the member’s knowledge.
(3) The disclosure must be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
34 Termination of appointment
(1) The CEO may terminate the appointment of an appointed member of a Committee:
(a) for misbehaviour; or
(b) if the member is unable to perform the duties of the member’s office because of physical or mental incapacity.
(2) The CEO may terminate the appointment of an appointed member of a Committee if:
(a) the member:
(i) becomes bankrupt; or
(ii) applies to take the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors; or
(iii) compounds with the member’s creditors; or
(iv) makes an assignment of the member’s remuneration for the benefit of the member’s creditors; or
(b) the member is absent, except on leave of absence, from 3 consecutive meetings of the Committee; or
(c) the member fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with section 32 or 33.
35 Leave of absence
(1) The CEO may grant leave of absence to the Chair of a Committee.
(2) The Chair of a Committee may grant leave of absence to any other member of the Committee on the terms and conditions that the Chair determines.
Subdivision B—Provisions about Committee procedure
36 Committee procedures generally
(1) In performing its functions, a Committee:
(a) must act according to this instrument; and
(b) must act with as little formality and as quickly as the requirements of this instrument, and a proper consideration of the issues before the Committee, allow; and
(c) may obtain information about an issue in any way it considers appropriate.
(2) However, the Committee must comply with any directions given, in writing, to the Committee by the CEO about the Committee’s performance of its functions.
37 Meetings
(1) The CEO may, by written notice to the Committee, direct the Committee to hold meetings at the times and places, and to deal with matters in the manner, stated in the notice.
(2) If the CEO has not given written notice to the Committee under subsection (1), the Committee may hold the meetings at the times and places, and may deal with matters in the manner, that the Committee considers necessary for the performance of its functions.
(3) Subject to this instrument, the procedure of a meeting of a Committee is as decided by the Committee.
38 Presiding at meetings
(1) The Chair of a Committee must preside at all meetings of the Committee at which the Chair is present.
(2) If the Chair of a Committee is not present at a meeting, the other members of the Committee present must appoint one of themselves to preside.
39 Quorum
At a meeting of a Committee, a quorum is constituted by a majority of members of the Committee.
40 Voting at meetings
(1) A question arising at a meeting of a Committee is to be determined by a majority of the votes of the members of the Committee present and voting.
(2) The person presiding at a meeting of a Committee has a deliberative vote and, if the votes are equal, a casting vote.
41 Records and reports
(1) A Committee must keep minutes of its meetings.
(2) A Committee must prepare any report that is requested by the CEO.
(3) If a Committee prepares a report on any matter, it must give a copy of the report to the CEO.
Part 5—Licences
Division 1—Simplified outline of this Part
42 Simplified outline of this Part
This Part provides for:
(a) exemptions from requirements to hold a licence under the Act; and
(b) making and deciding applications for licences; and
(c) fees for applications for licences; and
(d) conditions on licences; and
(e) payment, adjustment and refund of annual charges for licences.
Division 2—Exemptions
43 Exemption of controlled person from requirement for facility licence for conduct relating to controlled facility
(1) For the purposes of paragraph 30(1)(g) of the Act, a controlled person is exempted in relation to conduct of a kind mentioned in paragraph 30(1)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (ea) of the Act in relation to a controlled facility if:
(a) the controlled person, the kind of conduct and the controlled facility are specified in a declaration that is made and published under this section; and
(b) the declaration is in effect at the time the conduct is undertaken.
Declaration
(2) The CEO may declare, in writing, that particular current or future conduct of a kind mentioned in paragraph 30(1)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (ea) of the Act, by a particular controlled person in relation to a particular controlled facility, does not, or will not, pose an unacceptable potential hazard to the health and safety of people or to the environment.
Note: A decision to refuse to make a declaration is reviewable under section 86.
(3) The CEO may also state in the declaration that:
(a) the declaration has effect only if circumstances mentioned in the declaration exist; or
(b) the declaration does not have effect if circumstances mentioned in the declaration exist.
Prerequisites for making declaration
(4) If the CEO proposes to make a declaration under subsection (2), the CEO must, as soon as practicable, publish a notice in a daily newspaper circulating nationally, and on ARPANSA’s website, stating that the CEO proposes to make the declaration.
(5) The notice must include:
(a) either:
(i) a copy of the proposed declaration; or
(ii) a description of the controlled person, the kind of conduct and the controlled facility that are to be the subject of the declaration, and the text of any statements permitted under subsection (3); and
(b) if the proposed declaration relates to a nuclear installation:
(i) an invitation to people and bodies to make submissions about the proposed declaration; and
(ii) information about the period for making submissions and procedures for making submissions.
Publication of declaration
(6) The CEO must publish the declaration on ARPANSA’s website as soon as practicable after making it.
44 Exempt dealings with controlled material or controlled apparatus
Dealings that are exempt unless declared
(1) For the purposes of paragraph 31(1)(b) of the Act, a dealing that is described in an item of the following table is an exempt dealing unless the dealing is declared under subsection (2) of this section.
Exempt dealings |
| Description of dealing |
1 | The dealing is with a controlled material that has: (a) an activity concentration less than the activity concentration value for the material set out in Part 1 of Schedule 1; or (b) an activity less than the activity value for the material set out in that Part |
2 | The dealing is mixing 2 or more controlled materials, and either of the following totals is one or less: (a) the total (for all of the materials) of the results of dividing the activity for each material by the activity value for the material set out in Part 1 of Schedule 1; (b) the total (for all of the materials) of the results of dividing the activity concentration for each material by the activity concentration value set out in Part 1 of Schedule 1 for the material |
3 | The dealing: (a) is with radon‑222 with an activity concentration of less than 1,000 Bq/m3 occurring naturally in a workplace; and (b) either: (i) does not involve any other controlled material; or (ii) involves another controlled material whose use in the dealing is an exempt dealing (apart from this item) |
4 | The dealing: (a) is with depleted uranium that: (i) is being used as radiation shielding in a container for controlled materials; and (ii) is completely contained in an appropriate metallic sheath; and (iii) is in a container for controlled materials that complies with the requirements in the Transport Code; and (b) is not with any other controlled material |
5 | The dealing: (a) is with depleted uranium that is in solid massive form used for ballast; and (b) is not with any other controlled material |
6 | The dealing: (a) is with a smoke detector designed and made in accordance with Australian Standard AS 3786:2014: Smoke Alarms using scattered light, transmitted light or ionization, as existing on 8 December 2018; and (b) is not repair or maintenance of the detector |
7 | The dealing is with any of the following items and no other controlled apparatus or controlled material: (b) a television receiver; (c) a visual display terminal; (d) a cathode ray tube; (e) an electron microscope; (f) arc welding equipment; (i) radar equipment used for detection and ranging; (j) radiofrequency equipment used for communications; (k) an artificial optical source emitting ultraviolet A radiation (315—400 nm); (l) a completely enclosed apparatus containing an ultraviolet radiation light source (e.g. a spectrophotometer); (m) a biological safety cabinet (laminar flow or biohazard) with a failsafe interlocking system; (n) a laser product with an accessible emission that does not exceed the accessible emission limits of a Class 3R laser product, as set out in AS/NZS IEC 60825.1:2014; (o) an optical fibre communication system that does not exceed the hazard level 3R, as set out in AS/NZS IEC 60825.2:2011; (p) a klystron; (q) a range finder with power less than 5 milliwatts; (r) an optical light source that: (i) emits infra‑red or visible light at a level not exceeding the exposure limits mentioned in AS/NZS IEC 62471:2011; and (ii) is not a laser product |
8 | The dealing is with a sealed source used for teaching the characteristics and properties of radiation or radiation sources, and the sealed source contains one or more of the following: (a) cobalt‑60 with an activity not greater than 200 kBq; (b) strontium‑90 with an activity not greater than 80 kBq; (c) caesium‑137 with an activity not greater than 200 kBq; (d) radium‑226 with an activity not greater than 20 kBq; (e) americium‑241 with an activity not greater than 40 kBq |
9 | The dealing is with a geological sample that: (a) contains radioactive material that emits radiation at a level not exceeding 5 micrograys an hour, measured at a distance of 10 cm from its surface; and (b) is being used as a sample in teaching or for display as a geological specimen |
10 | The dealing is with a gaseous tritium light device that: (a) is used solely for safety purposes; and (b) includes not greater than 74 GBq of tritium; and no other controlled apparatus or controlled material |
11 | The dealing is with an electron capture detector or similar device used in gas chromatography containing: (a) a nickel‑63 sealed source with activity not greater than 750 MBq; or (b) a tritium source with activity not greater than 20 GBq; and no other controlled apparatus or controlled material |
12 | The dealing is with lighting products that include krypton‑85 and no other controlled apparatus or controlled material |
Exception to exemption for declared risk of non‑trivial dose
(2) The CEO may declare, in writing, that a particular dealing described in the table in subsection (1) is a dealing for which:
(a) under reasonably foreseeable circumstances, the effective dose to an individual is likely to be greater than 10 microsieverts in a year; or
(b) an accident, misuse or exceptional circumstance affecting the dealing is likely to produce an effective dose to an individual greater than 1 mSv in a year.
Note: A decision to make a declaration under this subsection is reviewable under section 86.
Exemption by declaration of dealings not covered by subsection (1)
(3) For the purposes of paragraph 31(1)(b) of the Act, a dealing that is declared under subsection (4) or (5) of this section is an exempt dealing.
Note: A decision to refuse to make a declaration under subsection (4) or (5) is reviewable under section 86.
Declaration of low‑dose dealing
(4) The CEO may declare, in writing, that a particular dealing that is not described in the table in subsection (1) is a dealing for which:
(a) under reasonably foreseeable circumstances, the effective dose to an individual is likely to be not greater than 10 microsieverts in a year; or
(b) an accident, misuse or exceptional circumstance affecting the dealing is not likely to produce an effective dose to an individual greater than 1 mSv in a year.
Declaration of low‑risk dealings
(5) The CEO may declare, in writing, that:
(a) a particular dealing that is not described in an item in the table in subsection (1) is a dealing involving:
(i) a radiological emergency or its after‑effects; or
(ii) the after‑effects of a previous dealing; or
(iii) naturally occurring materials; or
(iv) bulk material with a mass of more than 1,000 kg; and
(b) an assessment of the magnitude of individual doses, the number of people exposed and the likelihood that potential exposure will actually occur justifies the dealing being exempt.
Publication of declarations
(6) The CEO must publish a declaration under subsection (2), (4) or (5) on ARPANSA’s website as soon as practicable after making it.
Division 3—Applications for licences
45 How application for facility licence or source licence for Commonwealth entity is to be made
An application for a facility licence, or source licence, for a Commonwealth entity (except an employee) must be made:
(a) in the name of a Department or the entity; and
(b) by the chief executive of the Department or entity or by a person authorised by the chief executive.
46 Application for facility licence
What must be included in application
(1) An application for a facility licence must include the following:
(a) the applicant’s full name, position and business address;
(b) a description of the purpose of the facility to which the licence is to relate;
(c) a detailed description of the facility and the site of the facility;
(d) the applicant’s plans and arrangements for managing the facility to ensure the health and safety of people and the protection of the environment, including the following:
(i) arrangements for the applicant to maintain effective control of the facility;
(ii) the safety management plan for the facility;
(iii) the radiation protection plan for the facility;
(iv) the radioactive waste management plan for the facility;
(v) the security plan for the facility;
(vi) the emergency plan for the facility;
(vii) the environment protection plan for the facility;
(viii) the decommissioning plan for the facility;
(e) for each activity to be authorised by the licence—a safety analysis report that is as complete as possible.
Extra information CEO may ask for
(2) The CEO may ask an applicant for a facility licence to give the CEO either or both of the following:
(a) some or all of the information and documents described (or about a matter described) in an item of the following table relevant to the licence;
(b) other information about the facility concerned that is relevant to deciding whether to issue the licence.
Information and documents CEO may ask applicant for facility licence to give |
| Column 1
Act to be authorised by licence | Column 2
Information or documents CEO may ask for |
1 | Preparing a site for a controlled facility | (a) detailed site evaluation establishing the suitability of the site for the facility; (b) the characteristics of the site, including the extent to which the site may be affected by natural and human events; (c) any environmental impact statement (however described) requested or required by a Commonwealth, State, Territory or local government agency in relation to the site or the facility, and the outcome of the environmental assessment |
2 | Constructing a controlled facility | (a) the design of the facility, including ways in which the design deals with the physical and environmental characteristics of the site; (b) any fundamental difficulties that will need to be resolved before any facility licence relating to the facility is issued; (c) the construction plan and schedule; (e) the arrangements for testing and commissioning safety‑related items |
3 | Having possession or control of a controlled facility | (a) arrangements for maintaining criticality safety during loading, moving or storing nuclear fuel and other fissile materials at the facility; (b) arrangements for safe storage of controlled material and maintaining the facility |
4 | Operating a controlled facility | (a) description of the structures, components, systems and equipment of the facility as they have been constructed; (c) operational limits and conditions of the facility; (d) arrangements for commissioning the facility; (e) arrangements for operating the facility; (f) results of a field exercise to respond to a scenario that involves an emergency and has been agreed with the CEO |
5 | Decommissioning a controlled facility | Schedule for decommissioning the facility |
6 | Abandoning a controlled facility | (a) results of decommissioning activities at the facility; (b) details of any environmental monitoring program proposed for the site of the facility |
(3) The CEO may ask an applicant for a facility licence authorising dealing with controlled apparatus or controlled material to give the CEO anything described in section 47.
47 Application for source licence
What must be included in application
(1) An application for a source licence must include the following:
(a) the applicant’s full name, position and business address;
(b) a description of the purpose of the dealing to be authorised by the licence;
(c) a description of the purpose of the licence;
(d) the applicant’s plans and arrangements for managing the controlled material or controlled apparatus to ensure the health and safety of people and the protection of the environment, including the following:
(i) arrangements for maintaining effective control of the controlled material or controlled apparatus;
(ii) the safety management plan for the controlled material or controlled apparatus;
(iii) the radiation protection plan for the controlled material or controlled apparatus;
(iv) the radioactive waste management plan for the controlled material or controlled apparatus;
(v) the plan for ultimate disposal or transfer of the controlled material or controlled apparatus;
(vi) the security plan for the controlled material or controlled apparatus;
(vii) the emergency plan for the controlled material or controlled apparatus.
Extra information CEO may ask for
(2) The CEO may ask an applicant for a source licence to give either or both of the following:
(a) some or all of the information and documents described (or about a matter described) in an item of the following table relevant to the licence;
(b) other information about the application that is relevant to deciding whether to issue the licence.
Information and documents CEO may ask applicant for source licence to give |
| Column 1
Dealing to be authorised by licence | Column 2
Information or documents CEO may ask for |
1 | A dealing with a sealed source | (a) the nuclide, activity, chemical form, encapsulation material and physical form of the sealed source; (b) the purpose and identification details of the sealed source; (c) the place where the sealed source is to be located; (d) a copy of any sealed source certificate for the sealed source |
2 | A dealing with an unsealed source | (a) the nuclide, chemical form and physical form of the unsealed source; (b) the purpose and identification details of the unsealed source; (c) the maximum activity of each nuclide to be held on particular premises at any one time; (d) the place where the unsealed source is to be located |
3 | A dealing with a controlled apparatus that produces ionizing radiation | (a) the purpose and identification details of the controlled apparatus; (b) the maximum kilovoltage; (c) the place where the controlled apparatus is used |
4 | A dealing with a controlled apparatus that produces non‑ionizing radiation | (a) the purpose and identification details of the controlled apparatus; (b) the likely exposure levels including the nature of the radiation; (c) all output parameters relevant to the likely exposure conditions; (d) the place where the controlled apparatus is used |
48 Public notice and consultation before facility licence issued
(1) This section applies if the CEO receives an application for a facility licence.
(2) As soon as practicable after receiving the application, the CEO must publish a notice in a daily newspaper circulating nationally, and on ARPANSA’s website, stating that the CEO intends to make a decision on the application.
(3) If the application relates to a nuclear installation, the CEO must also include in the notice:
(a) an invitation to people and bodies to make submissions about the application; and
(b) information about:
(i) the period for making submissions; and
(ii) procedures for making submissions.
Division 4—Licence fees
49 Application fees
For the purposes of paragraph 34(b) of the Act, the fee to accompany an application for a licence described in an item of the following table is the fee set out in the item.
Application fees |
Item | Application | Fee ($) |
1 | Application for a facility licence, except an application covered by item 2 | 10,607 |
2 | Application for a facility licence, if the application relates to a controlled facility that is a particle accelerator described in paragraph 13(1)(a) of this instrument | 11,787 |
3 | Application for a source licence, if the application relates only to controlled apparatus or controlled material in Group 1 | 834 |
4 | Application for a source licence, if the application relates only to controlled apparatus or controlled material in: (a) Group 2; or (b) both Groups 1 and 2 | 2,463 |
5 | Application for a source licence, if the application relates to controlled apparatus or controlled material in: (a) Group 3; or (b) Group 3, and either or both Groups 1 and 2 | 9,215 |
50 Fees for CEO services—assessing applications for certain facility licences
(1) For the purposes of section 54 and paragraph 85(2)(f) of the Act, this section sets out the fee payable for the service provided by the CEO of assessing an application for a facility licence covered by item 1 of the table in section 49.
(2) The fee is the sum of:
(a) $176 for each hour, or part of an hour, spent in assessing the application, less $10,607; and
(b) if, for the purposes of assessing the application, the CEO incurs expenses for services provided by external consultants and suppliers—an amount equal to those expenses.
(3) The fee is payable to the Commonwealth in accordance with one or more notices, in writing, given to the applicant for the licence.
Division 5—Deciding whether to issue licence
53 Issue of facility licence—matters to be taken into account by CEO
For the purposes of subsection 32(3) of the Act, matters (to be taken into account by the CEO in deciding whether to issue a facility licence) include the following:
(a) whether the application for the licence complies with subsection 46(1) of this instrument;
(b) whether the applicant for the licence has given the information asked for by the CEO;
(c) whether the application, together with the information (if any) given as described in paragraph (b), establishes that the conduct proposed to be authorised by the licence can be carried out without undue risk to the health and safety of people, and to the environment;
(d) whether the applicant has shown that there is a net benefit from carrying out the conduct proposed to be authorised by the licence;
(e) whether the applicant has shown that the magnitude of individual doses, the number of people exposed and the likelihood that exposure will happen are as low as reasonably achievable, having regard to economic and societal factors;
(ea) whether the applicant has shown that the applicant has considered interactions between technical, human and organisational factors in the management of safety;
(f) whether the applicant has shown a capacity for complying with this instrument and the licence conditions that would be imposed under section 35 of the Act;
(g) whether the application has been signed by an office holder of the applicant, a person authorised by an office holder of the applicant or, if the licence is for a Commonwealth entity mentioned in section 45 of this instrument, someone described in paragraph (b) of that section;
(h) if the application is for a facility licence for a nuclear installation—the content of any submissions made by members of the public about the application.
Note: Subsection 32(3) of the Act requires the CEO to take international best practice in relation to radiation protection and nuclear safety into account too.
54 Issue of source licence—matters to be taken into account by CEO
For the purposes of subsection 33(3) of the Act, matters (to be taken into account by the CEO in deciding whether to issue a source licence to deal with controlled apparatus or controlled material) include the following:
(a) whether the application for the licence complies with subsection 47(1) of this instrument;
(b) whether the applicant for the licence has given the information asked for by the CEO;
(c) whether the application, together with the information (if any) given as described in paragraph (b), establishes that the controlled apparatus or material can be dealt with without undue risk to the health and safety of people, and to the environment;
(d) whether the applicant has shown that there is a net benefit from dealing with the controlled apparatus or material;
(e) whether the applicant has shown that the magnitude of individual doses, the number of people exposed and the likelihood that exposure will happen are as low as reasonably achievable, having regard to economic and societal factors;
(ea) whether the applicant has shown that the applicant has considered interactions between technical, human and organisational factors in the management of safety;
(f) whether the applicant has shown a capacity for complying with this instrument and the licence conditions that would be imposed under section 35 of the Act;
(g) whether the application has been signed by an office holder of the applicant, a person authorised by an office holder of the applicant or, if the licence is for a Commonwealth entity mentioned in section 45 of this instrument, someone described in paragraph (b) of that section.
Note: Subsection 33(3) of the Act requires the CEO to take international best practice in relation to radiation protection and nuclear safety into account too.
Division 6—Licence conditions
55 Authority for this Division
This Division has effect for the purposes of paragraph 35(1)(b) of the Act (which provides that a licence is subject to conditions prescribed by regulations).
56 Taking steps to prevent breaches of other conditions
The holder of a licence must take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent breaches of licence conditions (except the condition prescribed by this section).
57 Investigating and rectifying breaches of conditions
(1) The holder of a licence must investigate suspected breaches of licence conditions.
(2) If the holder of a licence identifies a breach, the holder must rectify the breach and any consequences of the breach as soon as reasonably practicable.
(3) If the holder of a licence identifies a breach, the holder must also tell the CEO as soon as reasonably practicable.
57A Preventing and minimising human error and organisational failures
(1) The holder of a licence must take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent and minimise human errors and organisational failures involving controlled materials, controlled apparatus or controlled facilities described in the licence.
(2) In doing so, the holder must take into account human and organisational factors.
57B Effective emergency preparedness and response
The holder of a licence must have in place arrangements that demonstrate the licence holder’s preparedness to respond effectively to an emergency involving radiation exposure resulting from controlled materials, controlled apparatus or controlled facilities described in the licence.
57C Effective security arrangements
The holder of a licence must have in place arrangements to ensure the effective security of controlled materials, controlled apparatus and controlled facilities described in the licence.
58 Preventing, controlling and minimising incidents
Preventing incidents
(1) The holder of a licence must take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent incidents involving controlled materials, controlled apparatus or controlled facilities described in the licence.
Actions if a notifiable incident occurs
(2) If a notifiable incident involving controlled materials, controlled apparatus or controlled facilities described in a licence happens, the holder of the licence must take the actions set out in subsections (3), (4) and (5).
(3) The holder must take all reasonably practicable steps:
(a) to control the notifiable incident; and
(b) to minimise the consequences of the notifiable incident, including injury to any person and damage or harm to the environment; and
(c) to manage the notifiable incident in a way that facilitates investigation and learning.
(4) The holder must:
(a) within 24 hours of the notifiable incident happening, tell the CEO about the notifiable incident; and
(b) give the CEO a written report about the notifiable incident, including the causes of the notifiable incident, within:
(i) 14 days of the notifiable incident happening; or
(ii) if the CEO extends the period—the extended period; and
(c) take the actions mentioned in subsection (5) within:
(i) 6 months of the notifiable incident happening; or
(ii) if the CEO extends the period—the extended period; and
(d) give the CEO a written summary of the outcome of the actions mentioned in subsection (5) within:
(i) 7 months of the notifiable incident happening; or
(ii) if the CEO extends the period—the extended period.
(5) The holder must, for the purposes of preventing a reoccurrence of the notifiable incident, review and update the following plans and arrangements that are relevant to the notifiable incident (including any internal safety approval system that authorised an activity that led to the notifiable incident):
(a) if the notifiable incident involves a controlled facility—the plans and arrangements described in paragraph 46(1)(d);
(b) if the notifiable incident involves a controlled material or a controlled apparatus—the plans and arrangements described in paragraph 47(1)(d).
(6) The CEO may, in writing, extend or further extend the periods mentioned in subparagraphs (4)(b)(i), (4)(c)(i) and (4)(d)(i).
(7) However, subsections (4) and (5) do not apply to the extent that the licence makes other arrangements for a matter mentioned in the subsections.
59 Complying with Codes
Facility licences
(1) The holder of a facility licence must ensure that the following are complied with in relation to activities relating to the controlled facilities to which the licence relates:
(aa) the Code for Disposal Facilities for Solid Radioactive Waste (Radiation Protection Series C‑3), published by the CEO, as existing on 7 November 2019;
(ab) the Disposal of Radioactive Waste Code;
(a) the Planned Exposure Code;
(b) the Security Code of Practice;
(c) the Transport Code.
Note: The Code for Disposal Facilities for Solid Radioactive Waste could in 2021 be viewed on ARPANSA’s website (https://www.arpansa.gov.au).
(2) If a facility licence authorises persons to deal with a controlled apparatus or a controlled material, the holder of the licence must ensure that the following are complied with in relation to dealings with the controlled apparatus or controlled material:
(aa) the Disposal of Radioactive Waste Code;
(a) the Planned Exposure Code;
(b) the Security Code of Practice;
(c) the Transport Code.
Source licences
(3) The holder of a source licence must ensure that the following are complied with in relation to dealings with the controlled apparatus or controlled material to which the licence relates:
(aa) the Disposal of Radioactive Waste Code;
(a) the Planned Exposure Code;
(b) the Security Code of Practice;
(c) the Transport Code.
Application of subsections (2) and (3)
(4) Subsections (2) and (3) do not apply in relation to dealings with an apparatus covered by paragraph (c) of the definition of controlled apparatus in section 13 of the Act.
Note: Section 9 of this instrument identifies such apparatus.
60 Managing safety
(1) The holder of a facility licence must take all reasonably practicable steps to manage the safety of the facility described in the licence, including:
(a) having in place plans and arrangements described in paragraph 46(1)(d); and
(aa) ensuring that such plans and arrangements consider human and organisational factors to reduce human error and organisational failures; and
(b) ensuring that such plans and arrangements are implemented to the extent reasonably practicable; and
(c) having in place safety analysis reports described in paragraph 46(1)(e); and
(d) ensuring that such safety analysis reports consider human and organisational factors to reduce human error and organisational failures.
(2) The holder of a source licence, or a facility licence authorising dealing with a source, must take all reasonably practicable steps to manage the safety of the source, including:
(a) having in place plans and arrangements described in paragraph 47(1)(d); and
(aa) ensuring that such plans and arrangements consider human and organisational factors to reduce human error and organisational failures; and
(b) ensuring that such plans and arrangements are implemented to the extent reasonably practicable.
61 Reviewing and updating plans and arrangements for managing safety, and safety analysis reports
(1) The holder of a licence must, at least once every 3 years, review and update the plans and arrangements, and safety analysis reports, mentioned in section 60 in relation to the licence.
(2) The holder of a licence must keep records of any changes made to the plans and arrangements and safety analysis reports.
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to the extent that the licence makes other arrangements for a matter mentioned in that subsection.
(4) In working out when plans and arrangements have been reviewed and updated for the purposes of subsection (1), disregard any reviews and updates done for the purposes of subsection 58(5).
Note: Subsection 58(5) requires the holder of a licence to review and update plans and arrangements (including internal safety approval systems) relevant to a notifiable incident for the purposes of preventing a reoccurrence of the notifiable incident.
62 Keeping accurate inventory of controlled apparatus and materials
(1) The holder of a licence must keep an accurate inventory of the controlled apparatus and controlled materials that the holder deals with.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the extent that the licence makes other arrangements for keeping an inventory of the controlled apparatus and controlled materials that the holder of the licence deals with.
63 Obtaining CEO’s approval for certain changes
Before doing either of the following, the holder of a licence must obtain the CEO’s approval to do it if it will have significant implications for safety:
(a) changing anything described in the application for the licence;
(b) modifying the controlled apparatus, controlled material or controlled facility described in the licence.
64 Telling CEO about other changes
(1) The holder of a licence must, within 3 months after doing a thing mentioned in paragraph 63(a) or (b) that is unlikely to have significant implications for safety, tell the CEO about the thing.
(2) However, subsection (1) does not apply to the extent that the licence makes other arrangements for a matter mentioned in that subsection.
65 Disposal of controlled apparatus, controlled materials and controlled facilities
Disposal of controlled apparatus and controlled materials
(1) The holder of a licence must not dispose of controlled apparatus or controlled materials unless the licence holder:
(a) has approval from the CEO to dispose of the controlled apparatus and controlled material; or
(b) transfers the controlled apparatus or controlled material to another licence holder in accordance with subsection (2); or
(c) returns the controlled apparatus to the supplier of the controlled apparatus in accordance with paragraph (3A)(a); or
(d) disposes of the controlled apparatus, by rendering the controlled apparatus permanently inoperable as a controlled apparatus, in accordance with paragraph (3A)(b).
(2) The holder of a licence may, without the approval of the CEO, dispose of controlled apparatus or controlled materials described in the licence by way of transfer to another person (the transferee) if the disposal is not covered by subsection (3A) and both of the following apply:
(a) the transferee is the holder of a facility licence or a source licence;
(b) the transferee’s licence authorises the transferee to deal with the controlled apparatus or controlled materials.
(3) If the holder of a licence (the transferor) transfers controlled apparatus or controlled materials described in the licence to another person (the transferee) under subsection (2), the transferor must, within 7 days of the transfer, tell the CEO:
(a) that the transfer has happened; and
(b) the name of the transferee; and
(c) the number of the licence held by the transferee; and
(d) the location of the controlled apparatus or controlled materials after the transfer.
(3A) The holder of a licence may, without the approval of the CEO, dispose of Group 1 controlled apparatus that is described in the licence and that does not contain controlled material:
(a) by returning the controlled apparatus to the person that supplied the controlled apparatus to the holder of the licence; or
(b) by rendering the controlled apparatus permanently inoperable as a controlled apparatus.
Disposal of controlled facilities
(4) The holder of a licence must not dispose of a controlled facility described in the licence without the CEO’s approval.
Exceptions
(5) Subsection (1), (2), (3), (3A) or (4) does not apply to the extent that the licence makes other arrangements for a matter mentioned in that subsection.
(6) Subsections (1), (2) and (3) do not apply in relation to controlled material that is solid clearance material.
Solid clearance material
(7) Controlled material is solid clearance material if:
(a) the material is in solid form; and
(b) the total of the results of dividing the activity concentration of each nuclide of artificial origin in the material by the solid clearance value for the nuclide is not greater than one; and
(c) the activity concentration of each nuclide of natural origin in the material is not greater than the level for the nuclide set out in in Table I.3 in Schedule I to GSR Part 3.
(8) The solid clearance value, for a nuclide in controlled material, is:
(a) if the weight of the controlled material exceeds 1 tonne and Table I.2 in Schedule I to GSR Part 3 sets out an activity concentration level for the nuclide—that activity concentration level; or
(b) otherwise—the activity concentration level for the nuclide set out in Table I.1 in Schedule I to GSR Part 3.
(9) For the purposes of dividing the activity concentration of a nuclide by the solid clearance value for the nuclide in accordance with paragraph (7)(b), the activity concentration of the nuclide is taken to be nil if:
(a) all of the following apply:
(i) the solid clearance value is an activity concentration level set out in Table I.2 in Schedule I to GSR Part 3;
(ii) the nuclide is a progeny nuclide mentioned in note a to that table;
(iii) the nuclide is included in secular equilibrium with the corresponding parent nuclide mentioned in that note; or
(b) all of the following apply:
(i) the solid clearance value is an activity concentration level set out in Table I.1 in Schedule I to GSR Part 3;
(ii) the nuclide is a progeny nuclide mentioned in note b to that table;
(iii) the nuclide is included in secular equilibrium with the corresponding parent nuclide mentioned in that note.
66 Obtaining approval for constructing safety item
The holder of a licence, or a person covered by a licence, must not construct an item that is important for safety, and that is identified in a safety analysis report, as part of the construction of a controlled facility, unless the CEO has given the holder, or the person, approval to construct the item.
67 Obtaining approval for loading nuclear fuel
The holder of a licence, or a person covered by a licence, must not load nuclear fuel into a controlled facility described in the licence, as part of the construction of the facility, unless the CEO has given the holder, or the person, approval to load the fuel.
Division 7—Annual charge
68 Authority for this Division
This Division has effect for the purposes of paragraph 85(2)(e) of the Act.
69 Time for payment of annual charge
The annual charge for a facility licence or a source licence held during a financial year must be paid on or before the later of:
(a) 31 July in that financial year; and
(b) 30 days after the day the licence was issued.
70 Pro‑rating of annual charge
(1) If a facility licence or source licence is to be held for only part of a financial year, the CEO may decide to make a pro‑rata adjustment of the amount of the annual charge for the licence for the year.
(2) If the CEO decides to make a pro‑rata adjustment, the amount of the annual charge is:
71 Refund of annual charge
(1) This section applies to the annual charge for a facility licence or a source licence for a financial year if:
(a) either:
(i) the whole of the annual charge for the licence for the year has been paid; or
(ii) if section 70 applies in relation to the licence—the whole of the annual charge for the licence for the year, as adjusted under that section, has been paid; and
(b) the licence is suspended, cancelled or surrendered before the end of the year.
(2) The CEO may decide to refund to the holder of the licence part of the amount of the annual charge that has been paid for the licence for the year.
(3) If the CEO decides to refund part of the amount of the annual charge, the amount of the refund is:
Part 6—Practices and procedures to be followed
Division 1—Introduction
72 Simplified outline of this Part
The holders of licences must ensure that exposure of people to radiation is limited.
Controlled persons must comply with various codes of practice.
73 Application of this Part
For the purposes of paragraph 85(2)(a) of the Act, this Part requires practices and procedures to be followed and measures to be taken by controlled persons in relation to:
(a) activities relating to controlled facilities; and
(b) dealings with controlled apparatus or controlled material.
74 Limits on the operation of this Part
This Part operates in relation to a controlled person who is the holder of a licence, or a person covered by a licence, only so far as the person can comply with the conditions of the licence without discriminating unlawfully under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 and the Age Discrimination Act 2004.
Division 2—Dose limits
75 Scope of this Division
This Division sets out practices and procedures that must be followed, and measures that must be taken, in relation to dose limits.
76 Practices to be followed by holders of licences
By holder of a facility licence
(1) The holder of a facility licence for a controlled facility must ensure that the doses to which a person is exposed, inside or in connection with the facility, do not exceed the effective dose limits mentioned in section 77, and the equivalent dose limits mentioned in section 79.
By holder of licence authorising dealing with controlled apparatus or controlled material
(2) The holder of a source licence, or a facility licence, authorising dealing with controlled apparatus or controlled material must ensure that the doses to which a person is exposed while the source in the apparatus or material is under the holder’s control do not exceed the effective dose limits mentioned in section 77, and the equivalent dose limits mentioned in section 79.
By holders of licences generally
(3) The holder of a licence must ensure that radiation protection and safety of the following relating to the licence are optimised in order to achieve the outcome mentioned in subsection (4):
(a) controlled material;
(b) controlled apparatus (other than apparatus prescribed by section 9 that produce harmful non‑ionizing radiation when energised);
(c) a controlled facility.
(4) For the purposes of subsection (3), the outcome is that the following are as low as reasonably achievable after taking into account economic and societal factors:
(a) the magnitude of individual doses;
(b) the number of people who are exposed;
(c) the likelihood of incurring exposures to radiation.
(5) The optimisation of radiation protection and safety mentioned in subsection (3) must be in accordance with source‑related dose constraints established in accordance with the Planned Exposure Code and agreed by the CEO with the holder of the licence.
(6) The holder of a licence that authorises dealing with apparatus prescribed by this instrument that produce harmful non‑ionizing radiation when energised must ensure that exposure of people to such radiation produced by the apparatus is kept to the lowest level that can be achieved, consistent with best practice.
77 Effective dose limits for ionizing radiation
Limit for occupational exposure of persons who are at least 18
(1) The limit on effective dose for occupational exposure of a person who is at least 18 is 20 mSv annually, averaged over 5 consecutive years.
(2) However, the effective dose for a person who is at least 18 subject to occupational exposure must not, in a year, be greater than 50 mSv.
Limit for occupational exposure of persons who are 16 or 17
(2A) The limit on effective dose for occupational exposure of a person who is 16 or 17 is 6 mSv annually.
Limit for public exposure
(3) The limit on effective dose for public exposure is 1 mSv annually.
(4) The limit on effective dose for an unborn child is to be consistent with the effective dose limit for public exposure.
Note: See also the Planned Exposure Code for the obligation to consider additional controls in relation to female employees who are pregnant.
78 Effective doses
(1) For the purposes of section 77, a person’s effective dose for a period that is relevant to the person under subsection (2) of this section is the sum of:
(a) the effective dose that the person receives, from a source outside the person’s body, during the relevant period; and
(b) the person’s committed effective dose, received from intakes during the relevant period, for the next 50 years.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), a period that is relevant to a person is:
(a) if the person is a controlled person—5 years; or
(b) if the person is a member of the public—1 year.
(3) Despite paragraph (1)(b), if the person is under 18, the committed effective dose must be worked out on the basis of the number of years calculated by subtracting the person’s age, at the time of the calculation, from 70.
79 Annual equivalent dose limit for ionizing radiation
Limit for occupational exposure of the lens of the eye
(1) For occupational exposure, the equivalent dose limit to the lens of the eye is 20 mSv annually, averaged over 5 consecutive years.
(2) However, the equivalent dose to the lens of the eye for a person subject to occupational exposure must not, in a year, be greater than 50 mSv.
Limit for public exposure of the lens of the eye
(3) The equivalent dose to the lens of the eye for a person subject to public exposure must not, in a year, be greater than 15 mSv.
Limit for occupational exposure of hands and feet
(4) For occupational exposure, the annual equivalent dose limit to the hands and feet is 500 mSv.
Limits for occupational exposure and public exposure of skin
(5) The annual equivalent dose limit to the skin is:
(a) for occupational exposure—500 mSv; and
(b) for public exposure—50 mSv.
(6) The annual equivalent dose limit to the skin applies to the average dose received by any 1 cm2 of skin.
80 Dealings with controlled apparatus generating non‑ionizing radiation to comply with non‑ionizing radiation exposure limits
The holder of a source licence or a facility licence must ensure that all dealings with controlled apparatus generating non‑ionizing radiation (that are authorised by the licence) comply with the appropriate non‑ionizing radiation exposure limits.
Division 3—Practices and procedures
81 Practices and procedures to be followed by controlled persons
Controlled persons must follow the practices and procedures described in the following:
(a) the Code of Practice and Safety Guide for Radiation Protection and Radioactive Waste Management in Mining and Mineral Processing (2005) (Radiation Protection Series No. 9), published by the CEO, as existing on 8 December 2018;
(b) the Security Code of Practice;
(c) the Transport Code.
Note: The Code of Practice and Safety Guide for Radiation Protection and Radioactive Waste Management in Mining and Mineral Processing (2005) (Radiation Protection Series No. 9) could in 2021 be viewed on ARPANSA’s website (https://www.arpansa.gov.au).
Part 7—Miscellaneous
82 Simplified outline of this Part
The Act prevents State and Territory laws identified in this Part from applying to an activity of a controlled person or permitted person relating to controlled apparatus, controlled material or a controlled facility.
The Act requires powers, discretions, duties and functions to be exercised and performed in accordance with the international agreements identified in this Part.
Controlled persons affected by certain decisions of the CEO under this instrument may request the Minister to reconsider them. If dissatisfied with the Minister’s decision on reconsideration, those persons may apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for review of the Minister’s decision.
84 State and Territory laws that do not apply to activities of controlled or permitted persons
For the purposes of section 83 of the Act, the following laws of a State or Territory are prescribed:
(a) the Radiation Control Act 1990 (NSW);
(b) the Radiation Act 2005 (Vic.);
(c) the Radiation Safety Act 1999 (Qld);
(d) the Radiation Safety Act 1975 (WA);
(e) the Radiation Protection and Control Act 2021 (SA);
(f) the Radiation Protection Act 2005 (Tas.);
(g) the Radiation Protection Act 2006 (ACT);
(h) the Radiation Protection Act 2004 (NT).
85 International agreements
For the purposes of subsection 84(3) of the Act, the following international agreements, as in force for Australia at the commencement of this instrument, are prescribed:
(a) the Treaty on the Non‑Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, done at London, Moscow and Washington on 1 July 1968;
(b) the Agreement between Australia and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards in connection with the Treaty on the Non‑Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, done at Vienna on 10 July 1974;
(c) the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, done at Vienna on 3 March 1980;
(d) the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency, done at Vienna on 26 September 1986;
(e) the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident, done at Vienna on 26 September 1986;
(f) the Convention on Nuclear Safety, done at Vienna on 20 September 1994;
(g) the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, done at Vienna on 5 September 1997;
(h) the Agreement for Cooperation between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America concerning Technology for the Separation of Isotopes of Uranium by Laser Excitation, with annexes, agreed minute and exchange of notes, done at Washington on 28 October 1999;
(i) the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, done at New York on 13 April 2005.
Note 1: The Treaty on the Non‑Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is in Australian Treaty Series 1973 No. 3 ([1973] ATS 3) and could in 2018 be viewed in the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (http://www.austlii.edu.au).
Note 2: The Agreement between Australia and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards in connection with the Treaty on the Non‑Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is in Australian Treaty Series 1974 No. 16 ([1974] ATS 16) and could in 2018 be viewed in the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (http://www.austlii.edu.au).
Note 3: The Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material is in Australian Treaty Series 1987 No. 16 ([1987] ATS 16) and could in 2018 be viewed in the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (http://www.austlii.edu.au).
Note 4: The Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency is in Australian Treaty Series 1987 No. 15 ([1987] ATS 15) and could in 2018 be viewed in the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (http://www.austlii.edu.au).
Note 5: The Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident is in Australian Treaty Series 1987 No. 14 ([1987] ATS 14) and could in 2018 be viewed in the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (http://www.austlii.edu.au).
Note 6: The Convention on Nuclear Safety is in Australian Treaty Series 1997 No. 5 ([1997] ATS 5) and could in 2018 be viewed in the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (http://www.austlii.edu.au).
Note 7: The Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management is in Australian Treaty Series 2003 No. 21 ([2003] ATS 21) and could in 2018 be viewed in the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (http://www.austlii.edu.au).
Note 8: The Agreement for Cooperation between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America concerning Technology for the Separation of Isotopes of Uranium by Laser Excitation, with annexes, agreed minute and exchange of notes, is in Australian Treaty Series 2000 No. 19 ([2000] ATS 19) and could in 2018 be viewed in the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (http://www.austlii.edu.au).
Note 9: The International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism is in Australian Treaty Series 2012 No. 13 ([2012] ATS 13) and could in 2018 be viewed in the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (http://www.austlii.edu.au).
86 Review of decisions by CEO
(1) A controlled person who is affected by a decision of the CEO:
(a) to refuse to make a declaration under subsection 9(2), 13(2), 43(2) or 44(4) or (5); or
(b) to make a declaration under subsection 44(2);
may request that the Minister reconsider the CEO’s decision.
(2) The request must:
(a) be in writing; and
(b) be given to the Minister within 28 days after the decision is made.
(3) The Minister must reconsider the CEO’s decision and confirm, vary or set aside the decision.
Note: Under section 27A of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975, the Minister must give anyone whose interests are affected by the decision notice of the Minister’s decision and of the right to have the decision reviewed. In doing so, the Minister must have regard to the Code of Practice determined under section 27B of that Act.
(4) The Minister is taken to have confirmed under subsection (3) the CEO’s decision if the Minister does not give written notice of the Minister’s decision under that subsection within 60 days after receiving the request.
(5) Applications may be made to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for review of decisions of the Minister under subsection (3).
Part 8—Application, saving and transitional provisions
Division 1—Provisions for this instrument as originally made
87 Things done under the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Regulations 1999
(1) If:
(a) a thing was done for a particular purpose under the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Regulations 1999 as in force immediately before those Regulations were repealed; and
(b) the thing could be done for that purpose under this instrument;
the thing has effect for the purposes of this instrument as if it had been done for that purpose under this instrument.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), a reference in that subsection to a thing being done includes a reference to a notice, application or other instrument being given or made.
Division 2—Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Amendment Regulations 2019
88 Material to be included in applications
The amendments of section 46 by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Amendment Regulations 2019 apply in relation to applications for facility licences made on or after the commencement of that instrument.
89 Licence conditions
The amendments of section 59 by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Amendment Regulations 2019 apply in relation to licences issued before, on or after the commencement of that instrument.
Division 3—Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Amendment (2021 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2021
90 Licence fees
The amendments of Division 4 of Part 5 by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Amendment (2021 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2021 apply in relation to applications for licences made on or after the day those Regulations commence.
91 Licence conditions
Section 58, as amended by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Amendment (2021 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2021, applies in relation to:
(a) licences issued before, on or after the day those Regulations commence; and
(b) accidents that happen on or after the day those Regulations commence.
Division 4—Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Amendment (2022 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2022
92 Definitions
In this Division:
amending instrument means the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Amendment (2022 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2022.
commencement time means the commencement of the amending instrument.
93 Exempt dealings with controlled material or controlled apparatus
(1) A declaration that was in force under subsection 44(2) immediately before the commencement time has effect, after the commencement time, as if it had been made under subsection 44(2) as amended by the amending instrument.
(2) A declaration that was in force under subsection 44(4) immediately before the commencement time has effect, after the commencement time, as if it had been made under subsection 44(4) as amended by the amending instrument.
94 Fees
(1) The amendments of section 49 made by the amending instrument apply in relation to applications made after the commencement time.
(2) Section 50, as amended by the amending instrument, applies in relation to applications made after the commencement time.
(3) Despite the amendments of section 50 by the amending instrument, that section continues to apply, in relation to applications made before the commencement time, as if:
(a) those amendments had not been made; and
(b) the fee for each hour, or part of an hour, spent after the commencement time in assessing the application were $171.
95 Licence applications
The amendments of sections 53 and 54 made by the amending instrument apply in relation to applications for licences made after the commencement time.
96 Licence conditions
Preventing and minimising human error and organisational failures
(1) Section 57A, as inserted by the amending instrument, applies in relation to licences issued before, at or after the commencement time.
Preventing, controlling and minimising incidents
(2) The amendments of section 58 made by the amending instrument apply in relation to:
(a) licences issued before, at or after the commencement time; and
(b) incidents and notifiable incidents that happen after the commencement time.
Managing safety
(3) Paragraphs 60(1)(aa) and (d) and (2)(aa), as inserted by the amending instrument, apply in relation to licences granted after the commencement time.
(4) In relation to licences granted before the commencement time, those paragraphs apply from the first time after the commencement time that the holder of the licence is required under section 61 to review and update the plans and arrangements, and safety analysis reports, mentioned in section 60 in relation to the licence.
Review and disposal requirements
(5) The amendments of section 65 made by the amending instrument apply in relation to licences issued before, at or after the commencement time.
Division 5—Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Amendment (2023 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2023
97 Definitions
In this Division:
amending instrument means the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Amendment (2023 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2023.
commencement time means the commencement of the amending instrument.
98 Fees
(1) The amendments of section 49 made by the amending instrument apply in relation to applications made after the commencement time.
(2) Section 50, as amended by the amending instrument, applies in relation to applications made after the commencement time.
(3) Despite the amendment of section 50 by the amending instrument, that section continues to apply, in relation to applications made, but not finally determined, before the commencement time, as if:
(a) that amendment had not been made; and
(b) the fee for each hour, or part of an hour, spent after the commencement time in assessing the application were $176.
99 Licence conditions
(1) Sections 57B and 57C, as inserted by the amending instrument, apply in relation to licences issued before, at or after the commencement time.
(2) The amendments of section 65 made by the amending instrument apply in relation to licences issued before, at or after the commencement time.
