What is the Australian Government Radiological and Nuclear Events Plan (AUSRNEPLAN)?
We use AUSRNEPLAN to coordinate Australian Government activities in response to a radiological or nuclear incident that require a whole-of-Australian Government response. Our plan works with the Australian Government Crisis Management Framework.
The plan supports consistent transparent crisis management by identifying key coordination mechanisms and outlining how Australian Government agencies work together and with state and territory governments. It is designed to strengthen Australia’s ability to respond to rare but potentially high-impact radiological or nuclear incidents.
What types of incidents does AUSRNEPLAN cover?
AUSRNEPLAN applies to radiological or nuclear incidents, including incidents involving nuclear facilities, radioactive materials in transport or industry, malicious acts, space debris re-entry that may affect Australians or Australian interests.
These incidents may vary in scale and complexity, from localised contamination to large-scale incidents with long-term environmental or health impacts. The plan provides a framework to manage these diverse scenarios in a coordinated and proportionate way.
Who is responsible for responding to a radiological or nuclear incident?
States and territories are responsible for leading the response to incidents within their jurisdictions, including protecting people, property and the environment. They maintain their own operational plans, resources and capabilities to manage incidents at the local level.
The Australian Government supports this response by coordinating national-level capabilities and providing additional resources and expertise where required. AUSRNEPLAN outlines how this support is delivered in a structured and coordinated manner.
Does the AUSRNEPLAN replace state and territory arrangements?
No. The plan does not replace or override existing state and territory emergency arrangements or legislative responsibilities. Jurisdictions remain the lead responders for incidents within their boundaries.
Instead, AUSRNEPLAN complements these arrangements by establishing how the Australian Government coordinates its support, ensuring that national capabilities enhance rather than duplicate jurisdictional efforts
What is ARPANSA’s role under AUSRNEPLAN?
ARPANSA acts as the Australian Government Coordinating Agency which coordinates Australian Government support for radiological and nuclear incidents by providing technical expertise, maintaining situational awareness, and supporting nationally consistent decision-making and communication.
ARPANSA also supports crisis communications and works closely with states and territories to ensure that Australian Government capabilities are effectively integrated into jurisdictional responses.
How does the Australian Government coordinate its response?
The Australian Government coordinates its response through established mechanisms, with the Radiation Emergency Coordination Centre (RECC) acting as the central coordination hub. The RECC brings together technical experts and representatives from agencies such as, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), The Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO) and Defence to develop a single, authoritative understanding of the situation through monitoring, modelling and analysis, supporting decision-making across government.
When activated under the AUSRNEPLAN, the RECC integrates information from jurisdictions, national systems and international partners, ensuring response actions are aligned and proportionate. It works closely with state and territory emergency operations centres, may deploy ARPANSA Liaison Officers to support coordination, and connects with other national and international bodies, including the International Atomic Energy Agency, to maintain shared situational awareness.
What capabilities does the Australian Government provide to jurisdictions?
The Australian Government provides specialised capabilities that support jurisdictional response efforts, including technical advice, radiological modelling, laboratory analysis, and access to national coordination systems and expertise.
These capabilities are designed to complement jurisdictional resources, particularly in areas that are complex, resource-intensive, or not required on a day-to-day basis within states and territories.
Are jurisdictions expected to maintain all radiological capabilities?
No. The plan recognises that radiological and nuclear incidents are relatively rare and that maintaining all specialised capabilities at the jurisdictional level is not practical.
Instead, a federated model may be used, where jurisdictions maintain core capabilities and can access additional national resources and expertise from the Australian Government when needed.
What capabilities should jurisdictions maintain?
There is currently no defined minimum level of capabilities for radiological or nuclear emergencies. However, jurisdictions are expected to maintain all-hazard emergency management arrangements that include radiological and nuclear scenarios, commensurate with their risk profile.
The Commonwealth is responsible for exercising AUSRNEPLAN, and jurisdictions are invited to participate in national exercises and planning activities to ensure that coordination with the Australian Government is well understood and effective in practice.
Work is ongoing to better understand national capability and identify how they can best support state and territory emergency response. This reflects a broader approach of assessing capability collectively across Australia, rather than imposing uniform requirements before national needs and gaps are fully understood
How are incidents identified and escalated?
ARPANSA maintains a 24/7 Incident Response Officer who monitors for radiological and nuclear incidents and assesses potential risks. This includes information from domestic and international sources, as well as intelligence and monitoring systems.
Escalation decisions are made based on the severity, complexity, and potential impacts of the incident, with the appropriate phase activated under AUSRNEPLAN to guide the response.
How are radiological or nuclear incidents managed alongside other hazards?
Radiological and nuclear incidents are managed within an all-hazards framework, recognising that they may occur alongside other emergencies such as bushfires, floods, or industrial accidents.
This approach allows radiological and nuclear expertise to be integrated into broader emergency management arrangements, ensuring a coordinated and effective response across multiple hazards.
Where can I find further information?
For further information on AUSRNEPLAN can be directed to AUSRNEPLAN@arpansa.gov.au
