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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).

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Regulations were remade in December 2018 and the former 1999 Regulations repealed. Regulatory Guides that refer to the 1999 Regulations are being progressively updated.

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Applying for a licence

The following guides have been developed to assist Commonwealth entities or Commonwealth Contractors who wish to apply for a licence.

See: Radioactive Waste Disposal and Storage for further information on ARPANSA's role in licensing a radioactive waste storage or disposal facility.

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Construction of an item important for safety

This guide is provided to assist facility licence holders request approval under section 66 of the Regulations (formerly Regulation 54) for construction of an item important for safety.

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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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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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Graded approach to dealing with licence holder non-compliance

This document provides guidance to staff and stakeholders about ARPANSA's regulatory response to licence holder non-compliance.

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Holistic safety

This document provides guidance to support licence holders using a holistic approach to manage the safety of their operations.

see: Holistic Safety

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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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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.

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.

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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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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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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  (December 2014)

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Licence conditions

Licences are subject to the following:

  1. conditions in section 35 of the Act
  2. conditions in Part 5 Division 6 of the Regulations
  3. practices to be followed in Part 6 of the Regulations
  4. 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.

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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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Periodic safety and security review for research reactors

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) of the ongoing operation of a research reactor.

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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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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 assessment criteria for the design of new controlled facilities and modifications to existing facilities

This regulatory guide describes the criteria used in the assessment of a licence application to construct a controlled facility and in the assessment of submissions for approval to make modifications to licensed facilities. This guide supplements the Regulatory Assessment Principles for Controlled Facilities (RAPs).
Note: This document has been earmarked for revision.  However, the principles remain relevant and should continue to be used until the document is updated.

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Regulatory assessment principles for controlled facilities

This document describes the assessment principles to be applied by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) when assessing an application for a facility licence as well as approvals under licence for changes to facilities already the subject of a facility licence.
Note: this document is now provided for historical purposes only. New applications will be assessed against relevant current international best practice.

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Regulatory implications of making changes to the source inventory

This document provides guidance on how to manage changes to the source inventory in compliance with the ARPANS Act and Regulations.

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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.

See Reporting an Accident for further information.

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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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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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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

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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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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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When to seek approval to make changes important for safety 

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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Wipe testing of sealed sources and use beyond recommended working life

The CEO invites feedback on the usefulness of any of ARPANSA's regulatory documents. Comments may be made via email to licenceadminatarpansa.gov.au or mail to:

Chief Inspector
Regulatory Services
ARPANSA
PO Box 655
MIRANDA NSW 1490

 

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Not what you're looking for?

Radiation Protection Series No. 15
Radiation Protection Series No. 19
Australian National Audit Office