ARPANSA - Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) is a Federal Government agency charged under the ARPANS Act 1998 with responsibility for protecting the health and safety of people, and the environment, from the harmful effects of radiation (ionising and non-ionising). We do this by:

• Building and maintaining expertise in measurement of radiation and assessment of health impacts
• Advising the Government and others, and providing information to the public, on issues related to radiation protection and nuclear safety;
• Using our licensing powers and working with Commonwealth entities to ensure the safety of the radiation facilities and sources operated by them;
• Leading the development of standards, codes of practice, guidelines and other relevant material to support radiation protection and nuclear safety throughout Australia;
• Playing a leading role in the activities of relevant national and international organisations, representing the interests of ARPANSA and Australia;
• Offering high quality scientific services;
• Undertaking research and development in radiation protection and nuclear safety;
• Building strategic partnerships, especially with the States and relevant academic and research organisations and;
• Being honest and open in our work and accountable to the public and their elected representatives

Background

Although significant activities involving radiation sources and radioactive material are undertaken within the Commonwealth Government's jurisdiction, prior to 1998 there was no legislation which regulated Commonwealth radiation sources and practices nationally. Under previous arrangements:

• the Australian Radiation Laboratory (ARL) was responsible for providing advice to Government and the community on the health effects of radiation, and for undertaking research and providing services in this area;
• the Nuclear Safety Bureau (NSB) was responsible for regulating the HIFAR and Moata research reactors at Lucas Heights in Sydney.

In 1997, the Federal Government announced that it would combine these two organisations and establish ARPANSA, as a new regulatory body with underpinning legislation.

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (ARPANS) Act 1998

The ARPANS Bill was passed by both houses on Thursday 10th December 1998. The Bill:

• introduces, for the first time, regulatory controls in respect of all Commonwealth radiation and nuclear activities by prohibiting these entities from dealing with radioactive materials or apparatus, or any aspect of a nuclear facility, unless licensed to do so.
• establishes a system of licensing and exemptions and provides for enforcement of the legislation through the appointment of inspectors with enforcement powers.
• establishes a statutory officer, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA).
• describes the functions of the CEO.
• establishes the Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council (RHSAC) to provide expert advice to the CEO on a range of issues including emerging radiation protection and nuclear safety issues, matters of concern to the community, and the adoption of codes of practice and standards. The Council will be appointed by the Minister for Health and Family Services and comprises State/Territory radiation control officers, a community representative and other experts in radiation and nuclear safety and related fields.
• establishes two supporting committees to the RHSAC - the Nuclear Safety Committee and the Radiation Health Committee.
• operates in conjunction with the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (Licence Charges) Bill and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (Consequential Amendments) Bill.

 

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