Regulatory guides
The following guides have been developed to assist both applicants and licence holders achieve and maintain compliance with the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 (the Act) and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Regulations 2018 (the Regulations).
On this page
- Applying for a licence
- Construction of an item important for safety
- Decommissioning of controlled facilities
- Disposal or transfer of controlled apparatus and controlled material
- Graded approach to dealing with licence holder non-compliance
- Holistic safety
- How to determine if a Class 1M and Class 2M laser product is a controlled apparatus
- How to determine whether a UV source is a controlled apparatus
- How to determine whether a RF source is a controlled apparatus
- How to seek an exemption from a licence
- Human security screening using ionising radiation
- Licence conditions
- Licence merger process
- Periodic safety and security review of facilities
- Plans and arrangements for managing safety
- Possess or control of a controlled facility, controlled apparatus or controlled material
- Radiation incident site preservation
- Regulatory assessment criteria for the design of new controlled facilities and modifications to existing facilities (historical*)
- Regulatory assessment principles (historical*)
- Reporting an accident
- Reporting compliance
- Siting of controlled facilities
- Source inventory workbook
- Surrender of a facility licence and release from regulatory control
- Transport of radioactive material
- When to seek approval to make changes important for safety under section 63
- Wipe testing of sealed sources and use beyond recommended working life
Applying for a licence
The following guides have been developed to assist Commonwealth entities or Commonwealth Contractors who wish to apply for a licence.
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Regulatory guide - Applying for a source licence (May 2020)
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Regulatory guide - Applying for a source licence (May 2020)
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Regulatory guide - Applying for a licence for a nuclear installation (May 2020)
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Regulatory guide - Applying for a licence for a nuclear installation (May 2020)
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Regulatory guide - Applying for a facility licence for a prescribed radiation facility (May 2020)
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Regulatory guide - Applying for a facility licence for a prescribed radiation facility (May 2020)
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Regulatory guide - Applying for a licence for a radioactive waste storage or disposal facility - January 2019
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Regulatory guide - Applying for a licence for a radioactive waste storage or disposal facility - January 2019
See: Radioactive Waste Disposal and Storage for further information on ARPANSA's role in licensing a radioactive waste storage or disposal facility.
Construction of an item important for safety
This guide is provided to assist facility licence holders request approval under section 66 of the Regulations for construction of an item important for safety.
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Regulatory guide - Construction of an item important for safety January 2021
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Regulatory guide - Construction of an item important for safety January 2021
Decommissioning of controlled facilities
This regulatory guide is designed to assist a controlled person when applying for a facility licence under section 32 of the Act.
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Regulatory guide - Decommissioning of controlled facilities - February 2019
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Regulatory guide - Decommissioning of controlled facilities - February 2019
Disposal or transfer of controlled apparatus and controlled material
This guide provides information on how to apply for approval to dispose of controlled apparatus or controlled material or transfer controlled apparatus or controlled material out of Commonwealth jurisdiction. Under section 65 of the Regulations prior approval from the CEO of ARPANSA is required to dispose of any controlled apparatus or controlled material or to transfer it out of Commonwealth jurisdiction. Disposal of controlled apparatus for the purpose of subsection 65(1) includes destruction.
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Regulatory guide - Transfer or disposal of sources - December 2018
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Regulatory guide - Transfer or disposal of sources - December 2018
Graded approach to dealing with licence holder non-compliance
This document has been superseded by the Compliance Manual (February 2021). See: How we regulate.
Holistic safety
This document provides guidance to support licence holders using a holistic approach to manage the safety of their operations.
see: Holistic Safety
How to determine if a Class 1M and Class 2M laser product is a controlled apparatus
This guide is provided to assist owners of Class 1M and Class 2M laser products determine if a source licence is required.
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Regulatory guide - How to determine if a class 1M and class 2 M laser product is a controlled apparatus - February 2019
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Regulatory guide - How to determine if a class 1M and class 2 M laser product is a controlled apparatus - February 2019
How to determine whether a UV source is a controlled apparatus
This guide is provided to assist controlled persons determine whether a UV source falls within the definition of a controlled apparatus under the Regulations. It is valid for both pulsed and continuous sources of ultraviolet radiation where the exposure duration is not less than 0.1 ms. It does not apply to ultraviolet lasers.
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Regulatory guide - How to determine whether a UV source is a controlled apparatus - February 2019
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Regulatory guide - How to determine whether a UV source is a controlled apparatus - February 2019
The UV Emitting Apparatus - Case Studies is a supplement to the Regulatory Guide and contains a selection of case studies of typical UV apparatus to provide a general understanding of the hazards associated with this type of apparatus and assist in determining whether it is controlled apparatus.
How to determine whether a RF source is a controlled apparatus
This guide is provided to assist controlled persons determine whether a RF source falls within the definition of a controlled apparatus under the Regulations. In particular, it clarifies conditions and terms used in section 9 of the Regulations.
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Regulatory guide - How to determine whether a RF source is a controlled apparatus - February 2019
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Regulatory guide - How to determine whether a RF source is a controlled apparatus - February 2019
How to seek an exemption from a licence
Division 1 of the Act prohibits activities in relation to controlled facilities, controlled apparatus and controlled material unless authorised by a licence, or exempted by the Regulations. Schedule 1 of the Regulations describes dealings that are exempt. Under sections 43 and 44 of the Regulations the CEO of ARPANSA may declare, on a case by case basis, a certain conduct or dealing to be exempt. This document provides guidance on how to seek such an exemption.
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Regulatory guide - How to seek an exemption from a licence - September 2020
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Regulatory guide - How to seek an exemption from a licence - September 2020
Human security screening using ionising radiation
This regulatory guide relates to human imaging for security screening purposes using ionising radiation. Activities that cause humans to be exposed to ionising radiation need to be justified and optimised. Download the guidance and find out more about the Regulatory Guide is available via the link below:
REGULATORY GUIDANCE: Human Imaging for Security Screening Purposes Using Ionising Radiation (April 2019)
Licence conditions
Licences are subject to the following:
- conditions in section 35 of the Act
- conditions in Part 5 Division 6 of the Regulations
- practices to be followed in Part 6 of the Regulations
- conditions in Schedule 2 of the licence.
Codes and standards applicable to sources
Licence holders must comply with the code and/or standard relevant to the kind of source authorised in Schedule 1 or 1B of the licence.
Codes and standards applicable to prescribed radiation facilities and and prescribed legacy sites
Licence holders must comply with the code and/or standard relevant to the kind of prescribed radiation facility authorised in Schedule 1A of the licence.
ARPANSA will notify licence holders when a code or standard is changed or updated.
Amendment of licence conditions
The CEO may write to the licence holder at any time to amend a licence, impose additional licence conditions, or remove or vary licence conditions that were previously imposed.
Licence merger process
This guidance is provided to assist licence holders who wish to merge two or more licences as a result of an organisational change.
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Regulatory guide - Licence merger process - February 2019
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Regulatory guide - Licence merger process - February 2019
Periodic safety and security review of facilities
This joint publication provides guidance for facility licence holders on the information ARPANSA and ASNO expect to be included in a periodic safety and security review (PSSR) for the ongoing operation of a facility.
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Regulatory guide - Periodic safety and security review of facilities - August 2019
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Regulatory guide - Periodic safety and security review of facilities - August 2019
Plans and arrangements for managing safety
This guide sets out the requirements that should be demonstrated in an applicant’s or licence holder’s plans and arrangements. It may also assist licence holders in their review of plans and arrangements required under section 61 of the Regulations (formerly Regulation 50).
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Regulatory Guide - Plans & arrangements for managing safety - February 2019
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Regulatory Guide - Plans & arrangements for managing safety - February 2019
Possess or control of a controlled facility, controlled apparatus or controlled material
This document describes the purpose of a Possess or Control licence and the principles that determine the scope of activities that may be undertaken by a licence holder during a period of 'possess or control'.
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Regulatory guide - Possess or control of a controlled facility, controlled apparatus or controlled material - March 2019
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Regulatory guide - Possess or control of a controlled facility, controlled apparatus or controlled material - March 2019
Radiation incident site preservation
This guide sets out the regulatory expectations for preserving a site following a radiation incident. It provides guidance for licence holders, on and off-site first responders, local authorities, and others who may have a role in the preservation of a site including those providing assistance in the event of a radiation incident.
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Regulatory Guide - Radiation Incident Site Preservation - September 2019
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Regulatory Guide - Radiation Incident Site Preservation - September 2019
Regulatory assessment criteria for the design of new controlled facilities and modifications to existing facilities (historical*)
Regulatory assessment principles (historical*)
Reporting an accident
If an accident happens, the licence holder must take all reasonably practicable steps to control the accident and to minimise the consequences, including injury to any person and impact on the environment. The licence holder must tell the CEO about the accident within 24 hours and provide a written report about the accident within 14 days.
This guide is provided to assist licence holders in their compliance with section 58 of the Regulations (formerly Regulation 46). The document defines an 'accident' for the purposes of section 58 and provides information on when and how such accidents must be reported.
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Regulatory guide - Reporting an accident - March 2019
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Regulatory guide - Reporting an accident - March 2019
See Reporting an Accident for further information.
Reporting compliance
This guide is provided to assist licence holders identify the type of information which should be included in quarterly/annual reports to ARPANSA.
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Regulatory guide - Reporting compliance - March 2019
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Regulatory guide - Reporting compliance - March 2019
Siting of controlled facilities
This document sets out the mandatory requirements for siting a controlled facility, based on legislation and International Best Practice. It also provides guidance which may assist an applicant in meeting the essential requirements.
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Regulatory guide - Siting of controlled facilities - August 2014
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Regulatory guide - Siting of controlled facilities - August 2014
Source inventory workbook
The Source Inventory Workbook (SIW) is the form approved by the CEO for licence applicants/holders to record details of all controlled material and controlled apparatus to be dealt with under an ARPANSA licence. An explanation of terms and required information is provided on the first worksheet.
Source Inventory Workbook: see Regulatory Forms
Surrender of a facility licence and release from regulatory control
This guide is provided to assist the determination of whether the CEO should accept the surrender of a facility licence following decommissioning, and release the facility from regulatory control. A licence holder seeking approval to surrender a facility licence should ensure the principles included in this guide are covered in their submission.
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Regulatory guide - Surrender of a facility licence and release from a regulatory control - February 2019
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Regulatory guide - Surrender of a facility licence and release from a regulatory control - February 2019
Transport of radioactive material
This guide is provided to assist companies or organisations seeking approval to transport radioactive material within Australia. Approval Checklists and other information on seeking approval to transport radioactive material within Australia can be found at Transport of Radioactive Material.
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Regulatory guide - Transport of radioactive material - September 2019
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Regulatory guide - Transport of radioactive material - September 2019
When to seek approval to make changes important for safety under section 63
This guide is provided to assist licence holders determine whether or not a relevant change has significant implications for safety and must therefore have the prior approval of the CEO of ARPANSA under section 63 of the Regulations.
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Regulatory Guide: When to seek approval to make changes important for safety - March 2019
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Regulatory Guide: When to seek approval to make changes important for safety - March 2019
Wipe testing of sealed sources and use beyond recommended working life
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Regulatory Guide - Wipe testing of sealed sources & use of sealed sources beyond recommended working life - March 2019
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Regulatory Guide - Wipe testing of sealed sources & use of sealed sources beyond recommended working life - March 2019
The CEO invites feedback on the usefulness of any of ARPANSA's regulatory documents. Comments may be made via email to licenceadminarpansa.gov.au or mail to:
Chief Inspector
Regulatory Services
ARPANSA
PO Box 655
MIRANDA NSW 1490
*Historical guides
These guides were key documents in many assessments for many years but are no longer in use. We now use IAEA safety standards as the primary source of international best practice for regulatory assessments. If you would like a copy of either of these guides please contact LicenceAdminarpansa.gov.au (ARPANSA Licence Admin) with an explanation for your request.