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Import and export permits

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A permit issued by ARPANSA is required to import radioactive substances into Australia and to export high activity radioactive sources out of Australia.

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Fees

Fees apply for all import and export permit applications. Fees are indexed annually on 1 July in line with the Wage Price Index.

Fee schedule:

Type of Permit  Current Fee* New Fee
(effective 1 July 2017)
Single shipment import permit - standard $168 $171
Single shipment import permit - urgent $279 $285
12 month import permit $1945 $1989
Single shipment export permit $285 $291

* Exempt from GST

Note:

  1. A fee for processing export permits issued under the Customs (Prohibited Export) Regulations 1958 was introduced on 1 January 2017.
  2. There is no additional fee for the urgent processing of export permit applications, as the time required to correspond with another nation’s regulatory body cannot always be guaranteed.
  3. 12 month export permits are not available for the export of high activity radioactive sources.

Find out more about the export permit fees at Export permits.

Download the CEO's advice regarding increases in permit fees:
PDF icon Notification - Increase in permit fees effective 1 July 2017
File Notification - Increase in permit fees effective 1 July 2017

See Payment Methods for information about how to pay fees.

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Import of radioactive substances for non-medical use

Under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956, a permit from ARPANSA is required for the import of radioactive substances. Read the Non-medical import permits page for more details.

To apply for a non-medical import permit, complete the appropriate application form:

For further information contact the Non-Medical Import Permits Officer on (02) 9541 8340.

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Import of medical radioisotopes

A radioisotope is considered to be for medical use when it is intended to be:

  1. administered to humans or used for any therapeutic procedure or purpose in any planned exposure of humans to ionising radiation
  2. used in any in vitro medical diagnosis or test
  3. used in research which is either directly or indirectly related towards medical diagnosis or therapy in humans.

Note: Sealed and unsealed radioactive sources that are used to calibrate instruments in medical practices and pathology laboratories are also included as medical radioisotopes for permit purposes.

See Medical permits page for more information.

To apply for a medical import permit, complete the appropriate application form:

For further information contact the Medical Import Permits Officer on (03) 9433 2232.

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Export of high activity radioactive sources

Under Regulation 9AD of the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958, a permit from ARPANSA is required for the export of high activity radioactive sources and for high activity aggregations of sources in a single shipment. See the Export Permits page for more details.

To apply for an export permit complete the application form:

 

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