1 November 2023

The 2022-23 annual report of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) was tabled in Parliament on 18 October and is now available in the Federal Government's Transparency Portal.

The report covers the activities of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), ARPANSA and its supporting committees, as well as ARPANSA’s performance against key activities and financial objectives.

Highlights include: 

• insights into ARPANSA's provision of nuclear safety assistance to Ukraine 
• the new national primary standard for the dosimetry of ionising radiation
• our involvement in the hunt for a missing radioactive source in Western Australia
• progression of the Australian Government’s Electromagnetic Energy (EME) Program.

Looking back on the past year, ARPANSA CEO Gillian Hirth said she was proud of how the agency has responded to the demands created by Australia's rapidly evolving nuclear regulation landscape – such as the need to retain and attract suitably qualified staff.

‘The Federal Government's announcement of the optimal pathway for the acquisition of conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines under the Australia, United Kingdom and United States (AUKUS) partnership has created both challenges and new opportunities for the agency,' said Dr Hirth.

'This year's report outlines how we have ably met these challenges, while also ensuring the agency's business as usual activities successfully achieved our purpose of protecting the Australian people and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation.' 

The report also highlights some of ARPANSA’s close and productive partnerships with academic institutions, research bodies and professional associations, and how these connections have helped the agency share ideas and expertise with students, as well as expand our own research capabilities. 

'Our ongoing partnerships with tertiary institutions have been mutually beneficial, and also help to support our aim of establishing ARPANSA as an employer of choice for STEM graduates and scientific experts', said Dr Hirth. 

Read the full ARPANSA Annual Report 2022-23 on the Commonwealth Government Transparency Portal .

4 October 2023

ARPANSA is seeking nominations for 3 members of the Radiation Health Committee (RHC). The Committee advises the CEO on a range of radiation protection matters. It helps draft national policies, codes and standards on radiation protection, to promote and enable consistent regulation in Australia.

ARPANSA is seeking to appoint:

• One member to represent the interests of the general public
• Two members with relevant knowledge and expertise in radiation safety.

Applicants should possess in-depth knowledge, qualifications or industry experience in radiation protection, including:

• radiation protection or radiation health
• radiation risk management principles and frameworks, and management systems
• plant, equipment and process safety related to radiation or radioactive materials
• specialist areas such as non-ionising radiation, medical radiation, waste or transport.

The CEO of ARPANSA will also be appointing a Chairperson from the RHC’s membership to actively lead its functions.

All appointments are part-time, and nominations are open for terms of up to 3 years, commencing 1 January 2024. 

To nominate, please email the RHC Secretariat your CV detailing relevant experience for the role, as well as the position you are applying for by Friday, 20 October 2023.

If you are interested in joining, you are encouraged to learn more about the functions and current membership of the Radiation Health Committee.

Find out more about how you can nominate today. And for further information about the roles and expectations for advisory bodies, please read our guidelines.

We look forward to announcing the 2024-2026 Committee in due course.

2 October 2023

ARPANSA regulates Commonwealth entities that use or produce radiation. 

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is one of ARPANSA’s major licence holders and has submitted an application to decommission a nuclear installation, known as the High Flux Australian Reactor (HIFAR), at Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre in Lucas Heights, New South Wales.

ARPANSA CEO, Dr Gillian Hirth, intends to make a decision in relation to the licence application.

The licence application is currently open for public feedback and we are particularly interested in hearing from members of the local community in the Sutherland Shire in Greater Sydney.

Prior to making any decision, Dr Hirth will consider all input gathered as part of the consultation process.

ARPANSA will be hosting an online forum to provide an outline of the application and the review and decision-making process. This will provide information to interested people to support their engagement in the consultation process.

The online forum aims to provide information to the community about the application and the consultation process. Participants are then welcomed to make a formal submission to the consultation process.

The online forum will include presentations covering: 

• An overview of the proposed decommissioning application
• The ARPANSA regulatory assessment process for this licence application
• Information on how to make submissions to the formal consultation. 

 There will also be an opportunity for questions from attendees. 

The online forum will take place on Monday 9 October from 6pm AEDT. 

To register for this event, please contact public.submissions@arpansa.gov.au

Registrations close 12pm AEDT, Monday 9 October 2023.

For further information or to make a submission to the consultation visit: HIFAR Decommissioning Phase A licence application. Submissions close Monday 8 December 2023.

21 September 2023

ARPANSA has launched new eye monitor technology to help medical workers track photon and beta radiation doses to the lens of their eyes.

Workers can use the eye dosimeter to track their eye radiation exposure levels over time and ensure that they are within the safe limits prescribed by regulatory standards.

The new monitors have been designed to support the health and safety of workers in occupations such as interventional radiology, interventional cardiology, medical imaging, and other industries that use ionising radiation.

Personal Radiation Monitoring Service (PRMS) Assistant Director Stephen Marks believes the new equipment meets a critical gap in the radiation protection market.

‘Our eyes are particularly sensitive to radiation and can be vulnerable to damage if exposed to excessive doses,' said Mr Marks.

‘That's why we're passionate about empowering workers in the medical field to safeguard their eye health.

‘The data gained from the monitors can also be used by employers and radiation safety officers to assess the effectiveness of radiation shielding measures and implement necessary adjustments to protect workers' eyes.’

The eye monitors easily attach to a headband or radiation safety glasses. It is recommended that eye monitors are used in addition to other monitors that measure radiation exposure to the torso, such as the Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) whole body monitor.

‘Radiation is a critical tool in many medical and industrial applications, so it is important that we keep workers safe and monitor exposure to ensure they are protected from any harmful effects,’ said Mr Marks.

Find out more: PRMS eye monitors.

13 September 2023

Study finds speaking to the public helps to address radiation risk perceptions. 

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) evaluated its community engagement programs and penned a paper published in the Sax Institute’s journal Public Health Research and Practice September 2023 issue. 

It found that its health complaints register, established in 2003, was poorly utilised and did not assist in addressing community concerns when compared to its Talk to a Scientist service. 

The Talk to a Scientist program provides a unique opportunity for members of the public to speak to a scientist either over the phone or via email to address any questions or concerns they have relating to radiation.

The health complaints register received an average of 20 complaints each year and a total of 180 complaints during its operation from July 2003 – April 2022.

In comparison, the Talk to a Scientist service received around 50 times that number of enquiries per year, with a total of 6546 enquiries in the period from 2016 to 4 August 2022. 

ARPANSA’s Health Impact Assessment Assistant Director A/Prof Ken Karipidis says that the results are unsurprising. 

‘The complaints register was not an effective tool in addressing people’s concerns,’ A/Prof Karipidis said. 

‘The Talk to a Scientist service provides people with an opportunity to access information and have a conversation rather than just registering a concern or complaint. People can talk to us about anything radiation related and have their questions answered in real time.

‘We will continue to operate our Talk to a Scientist service because it’s been effective in reducing community concern and educating the public on their real radiation risks, such as exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.' 

The main author of the study, Dr Chris Brzozek, says that Talk to a Scientist’s engagement was particularly evident in 2020 when 5G concerns peaked. 

‘In 2020, our scientists responded to 441 enquiries while the health complaints register only received 3 enquiries about 5G for its entire operation. 

‘Our experience has found that having a two-way dialogue, where people can have their concerns heard and resolved by a radiation protection scientist, is more engaging and productive than lodging complaints online.

As the Australian Government’s primary authority on radiation protection, ARPANSA has an obligation to provide clear and accurate information to the public about their radiation risk.

Talk to a Scientist is available to the community via phone on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm AEST, excluding public holidays, and via email at any time.

You can read the study here: 

29 August 2023

ARPANSA is seeking nominations for 9 members of the Nuclear Safety Committee (NSC). The Committee advises the CEO on nuclear safety and the safety of controlled facilities.

Current membership is comprised of experts from experts from fields including nuclear science and engineering, safety management of high hazard industries, environmental science, regulation and law.

All appointments are part-time and nominations are now open for the triennium (2024-2026) in line with the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 (subsection 27(2)) and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Regulations 1999 (section 25).

Eight of the roles require knowledge, qualifications or industry experience in one or more of the following areas:

• safety-related areas relevant to the nuclear sector
• human and organisation factors in the nuclear sector and other areas
• plant and process safety in major hazard facilities
• other industrial or safety-related regulation or a related area.

ARPANSA is also seeking to appoint one member who will actively contribute to the NSC’s functions by representing the interests of the general public.

If you are interested in joining, you are encouraged to learn more about the functions and current membership of the Nuclear Safety Committee.

Find out more about how you can nominate today. And for further information about the roles and expectations for advisory bodies, please read our guidelines.

To nominate, please email the NSC Secretariat your CV detailing relevant experience for the role, the position and committee name by Tuesday, 19 September 2023.

We look forward to announcing the 2024-2026 Committee in due course.

24 August 2023

The Japanese Government has announced the release of treated water from the decommissioned Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean will commence today, 24 August 2023, weather conditions permitting. 

Over the past two years, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has conducted a detailed review of the safety related aspects of handling and discharge of the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) treated water, resulting in a comprehensive report released in July 2023.

The report concluded that the approach to the discharge of treated water and associated activities by TEPCO and the Japanese Government is ‘…consistent with relevant international safety standards and would have a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment.’

‘ARPANSA is fully confident in the IAEA’s findings, which are based on the work of international and independent scientific experts. The report has highlighted that no health or environmental risks will occur if the discharges are kept within strict, international limits,’ said ARPANSA CEO Dr Gillian Hirth.

‘As a Pacific nation, we are committed to ensuring that Australia’s oceans and marine life are kept safe. ARPANSA’s scientists are confident that any exposure to marine life – such as fish – will be below the screening level used to ensure protection of the environment,’ said Dr Hirth.

The IAEA’s Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said that the release process will be closely monitored and assessed by onsite IAEA staff to ensure adherence to international safety standards.

Dr Hirth also emphasised that there is no need for people in any location to take protective measures in relation to the release of the treated water, or limit intake of marine-sourced food items.

‘We want to reassure the public that there are no associated health risks to people or the environment in Japan or surrounding countries from this activity.’

23 August 2023

Recent STEM graduates are encouraged to apply to the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency’s Graduate Program with applications closing 11 September 2023.

Two selected graduates will rotate through various teams, undertaking professional development and mentoring over a 24-month period before moving to roles in the Regulatory Services Branch at our Sydney office.

ARPANSA’s Chief Regulatory Officer, Jim Scott, says nuclear safety is an exciting and rewarding career pathway.

‘Many of the graduates we’ve employed over the years have gone on to become internationally renowned experts and senior leaders,’ Mr Scott said.

‘After completing your rotation through the agency, you will contribute to ARPANSA’s strategy and provide specialist advice and assistance to Regulatory Services Branch on the safety and regulation of ionising and non-ionising radiation sources.’

As Australia’s primary authority on radiation protection, ARPANSA protects people and the environment through adopting and promoting best practice regulation, undertaking research, and by providing clear and reliable information to government and the community on radiation risk.

‘We’re hosting a webinar for prospective candidates to find out more about ARPANSA and our Graduate Program,’ said Mr Scott.

The webinar will be held on Wednesday 30 August at 2pm and potential applicants are encouraged to register online.

Student and recent graduates can learn more about ARPANSA's Graduate Program including how to apply, by visiting the APS jobs website.

ARPANSA’s Graduate Program provides access to professional development and mentoring designed to start your career as well as make a positive contribution to protection of people and the environment as part of the Agency’s scientific and regulatory activities.

3 August 2023

ARPANSA has updated Australia’s nuclear medicine diagnostic reference levels to support optimised use of radiation in medical diagnosis and treatment.

The reference levels were updated in July 2023 based on data from 120 medical imaging centres.

ARPANSA’s Medical Imaging Director, Dr Peter Thomas, says the update promotes nationally consistent radiation doses.

‘Medical imaging facilities across the country can compare their doses to the nuclear medicine diagnostic reference levels to make sure that radiation exposure is not too high or too low for a specified procedure,’ Dr Thomas said.

‘The update to these benchmarks promotes effective diagnosis of disease and injury across Australia.  

‘There are close to 500,000 nuclear medicine scans performed annually – so it’s important that these benchmarks exist to minimise harm from overexposing patients to radiation.'  

In 2022, there were 300,000 general nuclear medicine scans and a further 170,000 Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans claimed on Medicare. Supporting consistent application of nuclear medicine helps to promote patient safety and encourage continuous improvement in medical practice.

The 2023 update is the first since the national nuclear medicine diagnostic reference levels were introduced by ARPANSA in 2017. The updates to the diagnostic reference levels reflect nuclear medicine’s growth over the last six years including the addition of new PET procedures to the Medicare Benefit Schedule.

Nuclear medicine uses small amounts of radioactive materials inside the body for the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions and diseases.

‘Nuclear medicine scans can produce images that show how your organs work, whereas X-rays and CT scans produce images that look at the structure of the body,’ Dr Thomas said.

ARPANSA’s diagnostic reference levels provide valuable support to medical facilities and patients as part of our work to protect Australians from the harmful effects of radiation.

27 July 2023

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) and the Australasian College of Dermatologists have collaborated to update advice on cosmetic treatments using non-ionising radiation for consumers and treatment providers.     

Associate Professor Ken Karipidis says that there are some key takeaways for consumers of cosmetic procedures like laser hair removal and skin rejuvenation.  

‘Safe use of non-ionising cosmetic procedures is an ongoing area of research and focus for the health impact assessment team at ARPANSA,’ A/Prof Karipidis said.   

‘The update for consumers provides more information to help people determine if a treatment provider is reputable and what consumers should know before a procedure.’ 
 
‘Something we added to this advice is for consumers to make sure their provider correctly classifies the colour of their skin as most cases of burns in laser hair removal treatments are due to wrong classification of skin type.  

‘For providers we have also included further recommendations, including taking extra care with procedures near the eye and classifying skin correctly, to make sure they are keeping consumers safe.’ 

ARPANSA is supervising a PhD project with Monash University Accident Research Centre and Monash Law School to look at the injury incidence from cosmetic radiation procedures to see what, if any, regulation is needed to protect people.  

As the Australian Government’s primary radiation protection authority, ARPANSA works with peak bodies like the Australasian College of Dermatologists to communicate risk and minimise harm.   

You can view the updated advice for consumers and providers on our website.