Quarterly Report - October to December 2025

Quarterly Report of the Chief Executive Officer of ARPANSA - January to March 2025

Letter of transmittal
 

20 March 2026
The Hon Rebecca White MP 
Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives 
Parliament House 
Canberra ACT 2600

Dear Minister

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 (the Act) requires the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) to submit to the Minister, at the end of each quarter, a report on:

• the operations during the quarter of the CEO, ARPANSA, the Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council (the Council), the Nuclear Safety Committee (the NSC) and the Radiation Health Committee (the RHC)
• details of directions given by the Minister to the CEO under section 16 of the Act
• details of directions given by the CEO under section 41 of the Act
• details of improvement notices given by inspectors under section 80A of the Act
• details of any breach of licence conditions by a licensee, of which the CEO is aware
• details of all reports received by the CEO from the Council and the NSC under Part 4, paragraphs 20(f) or 26(1)(d) of the Act
• a list of all facilities licensed under Part 5 of the Act.

I am pleased to provide you with a report, meeting the requirements of the Act, covering the period 1 October - 31 December 2025.

Please note that subsection 60(6) of the Act requires you to cause a copy of the report to be laid before each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of the day on which this report was given to you

Yours sincerely

Dr Gillian Hirth AO 
CEO of ARPANSA

The operations of the CEO and ARPANSA

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) is the Australian Government’s primary authority on radiation protection and nuclear safety. Our purpose is to protect the Australian people and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation, through understanding risks, best practice regulation, research, policy, services, partnerships and engaging with the community.

ARPANSA sits within the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing portfolio and has a single outcome, as set out in the 2025–26 Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS):

Protection of people and the environment through radiation protection and nuclear safety research, policy, advice, codes, standards, services and regulation.

The Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Program, contained within the 2025–26 PBS, describes 4 key performance measures against which ARPANSA seeks to achieve its outcome. 

These measures are: 

• Provide high quality advice to government and the community on health, safety and environmental risks from radiation
• Provide emergency preparedness and response systems for a radiological or nuclear incident. Promote patient safety in radiotherapy and diagnostic radiology
• Ensure protection of people and the environment through efficient and effective regulation 
• The report on the operations of the CEO and ARPANSA focuses on these.
  Provide high quality advice to government and the community on health, safety, and environmental risks from radiation

Enhanced Electromagnetic Energy (EME) Program

During this quarter, ARPANSA presented at the annual Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association EME symposium. Topics included EME and health, EME measurements, and public engagement and communication. The symposium was attended by representatives from academia, government, and industry. 

Launch of the Environmental Radiation Monitoring and Assessment Program (RADMAP-Aus) 

In October, ARPANSA launched a new website which brings together the full suite of ARPANSA’s environmental radiation monitoring and assessment data, including measurements of radionuclides in air, water, food and soil across Australia. This information is used to support human and environmental safety, effective regulation, emergency preparedness, education and public awareness. The site includes results of real-time gamma monitoring from 4 locations around Australia, and the data is accessible to the public. Historic data held by ARPANSA and additional gamma monitoring sites will continue to be added to the website. This work demonstrates ARPANSA’s commitment to protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation. The website is available at: www.arpansa.gov.au/understanding-radiation/radmap-aus

ARPANSA Radiation Monitoring Survey Report at Maralinga 

This quarter, ARPANSA delivered the 2025 Maralinga monitoring survey report to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and the Maralinga Land and Environmental Management Committee. The report was based on a measurement activity undertaken between May and June 2025, which aimed to determine and record any changes in radiation levels and establish if weather or other effects have exposed previously covered contamination that may potentially lead to health hazards. The survey confirmed that the dose assessments made by the Maralinga Rehabilitation Technical Advisory Committee and outlined in a 2002 report are still applicable to the former nuclear test site at Maralinga. The survey also affirmed that no significant changes to radioactivity levels were detected. Therefore, the site remains radiologically safe for the uses outlined in the report.

Provide emergency preparedness and response systems for a radiological or nuclear incident 

Emergency Preparedness 

During this quarter, ARPANSA was involved in one emergency preparedness and response workshop with the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA), and one emergency response. ARPANSA closely monitored reports around contamination of Caesium-137 in Indonesia to ensure any contamination risks were managed for Australian imports. ARPANSA established the Radiation Emergency Coordination Centre at ALERT under the Australian Radiological and Nuclear Event Plan to coordinate a Commonwealth response to this event and worked closely with the Australian Border Force to manage any risks. 

Promote patient safety in radiotherapy and diagnostic radiology 

Australian Clinical Dosimetry Service (ACDS) 

The ACDS is required to show proof of inter-laboratory dosimetry comparisons to maintain NATA 17025 accreditation. To support this, ACDS staff travelled to the United Kingdom (UK) to contribute to the benchmarking of a Cranial Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) audit against international peers, including: National Physical Laboratory (UK), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (Austria), and the Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core Houston QA Center (United States of America). This was the first international comparison of Cranial SRS audits organised by the Global Harmonisation Group to ensure global consistency of audits for clinical trials credentialling. The results will be published in a suitable peer reviewed journal. 

Medical imaging 

ARPANSA’s National Diagnostic Reference Level Service (NDRLS) received 2,935 surveys of patient dose in computed tomography (CT) scans during the quarter, bringing the cumulative total for 2025 to 5,831. The numbers of surveys received per procedure category were sufficient to infer national characteristics. Pleasingly, this is the highest level of annual submissions since the service commenced in 2011. NDRLS surveys are completed by participating imaging facilities and collect data on patient dose from ionising radiation in diagnostic imaging, particularly for CT. The diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) provide a point of comparison, which allows imaging facilities to compare their practice with that of their peers. This helps to minimise excessive radiation dose to patients from medical imaging.

Ensure protection of people and the environment through efficient and effective regulation 

Significant regulatory activities 

ARPANSA issued 2 new facility licences during the quarter for the siting of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation’s (ANSTO) new Nuclear Medicine Manufacturing Facility (NMMF), and the construction licence for the ASA’s Controlled Industrial Facility (CIF) at HMAS Stirling, Garden Island, Western Australia. See the ‘Facilities licensed’ section below for more detail. Licences previously issued by ARPANSA relating to the ASA’s CIF at HMAS Stirling were transferred to the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator (ANNPSR) when it formally came into being on 1 November 2025. ANNPSR was created by the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Act 2024 (Cth) (ANNPS Act), along with the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety (Transitional Provisions) Act 2024 (Cth) and the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulations 2025. Any sources or controlled apparatus not related to naval nuclear propulsion activities remain under the jurisdiction of ARPANSA. ARPANSA continues to work closely with ANNPSR to support the smooth transition of regulatory responsibility, as well as ongoing regulatory alignment. 

Approvals 

ARPANSA reviews and issues approvals, where appropriate, for certain controlled activities. This quarter approvals included 3 new licences, 2 amended licences, 2 licence surrenders and the use of a source beyond its recommended working life: 

• ARPANSA issued a new licence to the National Film and Sound Archive to deal with X-ray fluorescence apparatus 
• ARPANSA amended the ANSTO Nuclear Medicine (ANM) licence to extend the time period for provision of the Periodic Safety and Security Review (PSSR). The approval took account of ANSTO’s capacity to deliver multiple PSSRs, and the need to prioritise the review of an older facility
• ARPANSA accepted the surrender of the ANSTO HIFAR ‘possess or control’ licence, and the Department of Defence’s Port Wakefield linear accelerator licence. These have been superseded by new licences
• ARPANSA did not approve a change with significant implications for safety for the construction licence of ANSTO’s SyMo facility. The SyMo facility is a liquid radioactive waste treatment facility. The proposed change in the transfer methodology of liquid radioactive waste into the facility marked a significant deviation from the original design. The application failed to demonstrate that the proposed change was optimised for radiation protection. The change would also require modification of the ANSTO Nuclear Medicine Facility, which was not discussed in the application. 

Inspections 

ARPANSA conducted 10 inspections this quarter, including 6 facilities and 4 source licences. ARPANSA’s inspection program is used to monitor compliance with the Act and Regulations. The inspection report findings assist each licence holder to meet their compliance requirements and attain high safety standards by benchmarking against international best practice. 

Radioactive material import and export permits 

The import and export of radioactive material to and from Australia requires permission under Regulation 4R of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 and Regulation 9AD of the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958. Under these regulations, ARPANSA officers are authorised to issue import and export permits. 

Permits issued this quarter:

Transport of radioactive material 

ARPANSA provided 2 approvals for a Type B(U) transport package of an overseas design. These packages are used to safety transport radioactive material. In addition, ARPANSA approved 3 transport security plans.

Details of directions given by the Minister under section 16 of the Act 

No directions were given by the Minister under section 16 of the Act. 

Details of directions given by the CEO under section 41 of the Act 

No directions were given by the CEO under section 41 of the Act. 

Details of improvement notices given by inspectors under section 80A of the Act 

No improvement notices were issued under section 80A of the Act. 

Details of any breach of licence conditions by a licensee 

There were no breaches with significant safety or security implications during this quarter. 

One breach was confirmed with no significant safety or security implications. The National Museum of Australia had not reviewed the Radiation Safety Policy within 3 years, as required. This is considered an administrative breach. 

Facilities licensed under Part 5 of the ARPANS Act 

ARPANSA issued 2 facility licences this quarter, following a thorough independent review and assessment (including public consultation): 

• ARPANSA issued ANSTO a siting licence for a new NMMF at their campus in Lucas Heights, NSW. This is the first stage of the facility licensing process and allows work to commence to aid assessment and prepare a site for the new facility. ANSTO plans to manufacture nuclear medicines in the new facility – a process which currently takes place in another older facility at the site nearby
• ARPANSA granted a licence to the ASA to construct the CIF. The CIF will provide low-level waste management and maintenance services to support the Submarine Rotational Force – West program. This is the second stage of the facility licensing process. As stated above, this licence was transferred to ANNPSR on 1 November 2025.

ARPANSA implements a multi-layered evaluation and review process to ensure an independent and comprehensive licence assessment, including consideration of all public submissions, and all technical and management information submitted by the applicant (ASA). For the CIF construction licence application, 93 public submissions were received and considered. A summary of the submission themes and ARPANSA’s responses is available on the ARPANSA website at: www.arpansa.gov.au/construction-licence-approved asas-controlled-industrial-facility. 

The operations of the Council and Committees 

Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council 

The Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council (the Council) met from 26 to 27 November in Sydney. Starting with a joint session with the Radiation Health Committee, the Council heard a presentation from the Acting Deputy Director of ANNPSR on its recent establishment, and further discussed matters including:

• separate ARPANSA-supported and New South Wales-led investigations into injuries from cosmetic uses of non-ionising radiation
• the preparation of a letter of advice regarding developing a national competency framework for the use of radiation sources
• a review of the Clinical Guidelines for Radiological Emergencies
• related technical material regarding use of potassium iodide. 

Following the closure of the joint session, other notable items of discussion included: 

• recent correspondence from the ARPANSA CEO, as well as the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR)
• ongoing matters relating to sunscreen testing, minerals/waste reprocessing, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• the endorsement of letters of advice to the CEO regarding the Safe Work Australia Deemed Diseases List
• the national competency framework for the use of radiation sources. 

Minutes of previous Council meetings are available on the website at: www.arpansa.gov.au/rhsac. 

The next meeting of the Council is scheduled from 25 to 26 March 2026 in Melbourne.

Reports to the CEO from the Council under paragraph 20(f) of the Act 

Two letters of advice were produced by Council in this quarter:

• Council Advice to the CEO on a National Workforce Competency Framework for the Safe use of Radiation Sources
• Council Advice to the CEO on Safe Work Australia’s Deemed Diseases in Australia Report. 

Council statements are available on the ARPANSA website at: www.arpansa.gov.au/rhsac. 

Radiation Health Committee 

The Radiation Health Committee (the RHC) met from 25 to 26 November 2025 in Sydney and discussed items including:

• its draft workplan and key priorities for 2026
• the revision or drafting of a number of Radiation Protection Series documents, including those relating to Waste, Exemption and Clearance, Medical Safety, and X-Ray apparatuses
• the NHMRC guidelines for recreational water
• guidance around the use of potassium iodide in a radiological emergency
• the potential impacts of increased rare earth and critical mineral refining activities
• jurisdictional approaches to radiation regulation and radiological safety assessments
• Australian Radioactive Waste Agency (ARWA) activities regarding radioactive waste management 
• further items in the joint session with Council, noted above. 

Minutes of previous RHC meetings are available on the ARPANSA website at: www.arpansa.gov.au/rhc. The next meeting of the RHC is scheduled from 3 to 4 March 2026 in Hobart. 

Nuclear Safety Committee 

The Nuclear Safety Committee met on 19 November 2025 in Canberra. 

The Committee considered a range of matters, including the ASA’s CIF construction licence work and the transition of regulatory responsibility from ARPANSA to ANNPSR. It also discussed developments in national waste and decommissioning policy, and recent developments regarding licence holder performance related to legacy infrastructure issues at ANSTO. 

The minutes of the meetings are available on the ARPANSA website at: www.arpansa.gov.au/nsc. The next meeting of the NSC is scheduled from 18 to 19 March 2026 in Melbourne. 

Reports to the CEO from the NSC under paragraph 26(1)(d) of the Act. 

The NSC wrote to the CEO regarding community consultation for the CIF at HMAS Stirling, and the importance of engagement to address community concerns.