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HIFAR research reactor

About HIFAR

The High Flux Australian Reactor (HIFAR) was a 10 Megawatt research reactor that commenced operation in 1958. It was permanently shutdown on 30 January 2007 and the spent fuel and heavy water was subsequently removed. The CEO of ARPANSA issued a licence to ANSTO to possess and control HIFAR in September 2008.

ANSTO's facility licence application to possess or control HIFAR

On 18 May 2007, Dr John Loy, CEO of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) received an application from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) for a facility licence under the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 authorising it to possess or control the High Flux Australian Reactor (HIFAR).

HIFAR was a 10 MW research reactor that commenced operation in 1958. The reactor was permanently shut down on 30 January 2007 with the spent fuel and heavy water since being removed and stored on site. The final shutdown of the reactor was authorised under the then existing licence authorising operation.

ANSTO’s facility licence application to possess or control HIFAR was the first step in the regulatory process leading to the eventual decommissioning of the reactor. As part of the application, ANSTO proposed to measure and map the level of radioactivity in structures, systems and components of the reactor. In the longer term, it is anticipated that the organisation will apply for a licence to decommission the reactor.

On 15 September 2008 the CEO of ARPANSA issued a facility licence to ANSTO authorising it to possess or control the HIFAR facility.

Facility licence

Licence application documents

HIFAR possess or control licence application - documents provided by ANSTO

PDF icon Cover letter - Application for the facility licence possess or control - HIFAR

PDF icon OPAL reactor operating licence application

PDF icon Application for the facility licence possess or control - HIFAR

Part A - General information

PDF icon HIFAR - Possess or control licence - General Information

Part B - Plans

PDF icon HIFAR - Possess or control licence - Plans for maintaining effective control

PDF icon HIFAR - Possess or control licence - Safety management plan

PDF icon HIFAR - Possess or control licence - Radiation protection plan

PDF icon HIFAR - Possess or control licence - Radioactive waste management plan

PDF icon HIFAR - Possess or control licence - Emergency plan

PDF icon HIFAR - Possess or control licence - Environmental management plan

PDF icon HIFAR - Possess or control licence - Other plans and arrangements

Part C - Safety analysis

PDF icon HIFAR - Possess or control licence - Safety analysis for the possess or control period

Part D - Limits and conditions

PDF icon HIFAR - Possess or control licence - Cover letter - Limits and conditions for the HIFAR facility

PDF icon HIFAR - Possess or control licence - Contents

PDF icon HIFAR - Possess or control licence - Introduction

PDF icon HIFAR - Possess or control licence - Definitions

PDF icon HIFAR - Possess or control licence - Instrumentation

PDF icon HIFAR - Possess or control licence - Irradiation rigs and experimental equipment

PDF icon HIFAR - Possess or control licence - Radioactive discharges

PDF icon HIFAR - Possess or control licence - Radiological hazards

PDF icon HIFAR - Possess or control licence - Hazardous materials

Part E - activities

PDF icon HIFAR - Possess or control licence - Activities to be undertaken during the possess or control period

Documents provided by ARPANSA to ANSTO

PDF icon Acceptance letter - ANSTO HIFAR Possess or control licence - 18 May 2007

 

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Who we regulate
Australian National Audit Office
Radiation Protection Series No. 19