ARPANSA - Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

This Safety Guide has been prepared to assist persons in meeting their responsibilities under the Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (2008) (the Transport Code ) in relation to the transport of radioactive material by road, rail or those waterways not covered by the Maritime legislation.

The Safety Guide complements the Transport Code and although the Guide does not have any extra mandatory requirements, it provides advice and guidance on good radiation protection practice and meeting the requirements of the Transport Code.

Download the Safety Guide in PDF

RPS No. 2.1 - Safety Guide for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (PDF 608k)
(Updated to include Errata (PDF 21k) issued 29 October 2008)

Printed Copies

Printed copies of this Safety Guide are available for purchase directly from ARPANSA at a cost of $16.50 per copy (includes GST and postage).

Order Form

Download an ORDER FORM to purchase publications in the Radiation Protection Series.

Dangerous Goods (Class 7 Radioactive Material) Declaration Form

The following is an example of a typical consignor's declaration for radioactive materials to be transported by:

• road;
• rail; or
• those waterways not covered by maritime legislation.

Sample Road/Rail/Inland Waterways Consignor's Declaration for Dangerous Goods - Class 7 Radioactive Material (PDF 125k) - updated September 2009

Stakeholders are at liberty to adapt the style and/or format of the example form for their own purposes, but are reminded that the Transport Code prescribes the information required to be included.

NOTE: Where the transport document (Consignor’s Declaration) is printed with the elements of the radioactive materials description in clearly defined, individually headed columns, the actual sequence of items from 'Proper Shipping Name' to 'Subsidiary Risk' inclusive is not critical for the purposes of the Transport Code, provided these items precede the other elements.  This Consignor's Declaration, however, may not be acceptable transport documentation for sea or air transport of dangerous goods.

Further documentation will most likely be required for air or sea transport and the appropriate authorities should be consulted if a particular consignment will involve those modalities.

For packages that will later be transported internationally by sea, the multimodal dangerous goods form is available from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

It should be noted however, that the airlines will only accept the International Air Transport Association (IATA) format of the Consignor's Declaration for air transport.  The IATA version of the form can be accessed at Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Competent Authorities

List of Australian Competent Authorities for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (PDF 47k)
(Updated Feburary 2010)

Public Consultation Documents

• Draft Safety Guide for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (2008 ) - (PDF 501k) - (May 2008)
• Summary of Submissions and Responses - (PDF 53k)

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