Collaborating to enhance Australia’s low-risk radioactive material guidance

Assistant director for planned and existing radiation exposures, Dr Fiona Charalambous, says ARPANSA engages with the world’s eminent radiation protection authorities to apply international best practice to the Australian context.  

‘As the Australian Government’s primary authority on radiation protection and nuclear safety, we play a key role in promoting consistent radiation protection and nuclear safety across Australia's jurisdictions,’ Dr Charalambous said. 

‘To ensure Australia’s Radiation Protection Series is adopted consistently across states and territories, we collaborate closely with our jurisdictional regulatory counterparts in developing codes, standards and guidance that reflect their expertise and input.’   

‘The webinar was the first event of its kind that ARPANSA has hosted, which was aimed at getting input from key stakeholders to ensure this guidance is fit for purpose for Australia.’ 

With around 130 attendees, including regulators and licence holders, the webinar discussed exemptions and clearances for low-risk radioactive material. 

An exemption is granted to sources or practices where the potential radiation risk is considered negligible. While a clearance is granted for decaying sources once the radiation risk is determined to be negligible. 

ARPANSA’s environmental and health services senior director, Dr Marcus Grzechnik, says the key output would be clearer guidance for licence holders. 

‘One change we’re proposing is to make it clear that solid material that no longer poses a radiation risk, can be safely repurposed for a sustainable economy,’ Dr Grzechnik said. 

‘Ultimately, we’re developing this document to guide licence holders in the best-practice and uniform approach to assessment and repurposing or disposal of low-risk radioactive material.’  

The guidance document that is informed by this engagement will be published as part of ARPANSA’s Radiation Protection Series, which is the national collection of regulatory requirements and guidance for radiation protection and nuclear safety.  

Consistent regulation of the use and production of radiation is core to the protection of Australia’s environment, workers, patients and communities.