ARPANSA has issued a siting licence for the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation’s (ANSTO) new Nuclear Medicine Manufacturing Facility (NMMF).
Throughout 2025 ARPANSA has undertaken a thorough independent review and assessment, including public consultation, of ANSTO’s licence application to site the new nuclear installation at their campus in Lucas Heights, NSW.
The approved NMMF siting licence is the first stage of the facility licencing process and allows work to commence to prepare a site for the new facility. Prior to commencing construction, ANSTO must submit a construction licence application for ARPANSA assessment.
ANSTO currently manufactures nuclear medicines (radiopharmaceuticals) at the Lucas Heights campus, and this proposed facility (NMMF) is intended to replace the existing ANSTO nuclear medicine facility.
The ARPANSA CEO will only grant a licence if there is confidence that stringent requirements have been met under the ARPANS Act and Regulations, including that international best practice in radiological protection and nuclear has been met. Applicants are also required to demonstrate that these requirements can continue to be met throughout the lifecycle of the facility.
A summary of ARPANSA’s decision is available here.
