Health, ageing & disabilityAgencyExists today
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency
ARPANSA
5 February 1999 – present
Federal regulator and research agency for radiation protection and nuclear safety, licensing Commonwealth entities that use radiation sources or operate nuclear installations and setting national radiation protection standards.
How it came into existence
Established on 5 February 1999 under the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998, merging the Australian Radiation Laboratory and the Nuclear Safety Bureau.
- Radiation protection research, standards and advice
- Radiation measurement and calibration services
- Safety oversight of ANSTO's nuclear plant
Legislation: Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998
Changes during its life
- Licensing and regulation of naval nuclear activities at HMAS Stirling
Main functions
- Licensing and regulation of Commonwealth radiation sources and nuclear installations
- Development of national radiation protection standards and codes
- Radiation health research and measurement
- Ultraviolet radiation monitoring
- Personal radiation monitoring service
- Radiological and nuclear emergency preparedness
Where it sits
In the portfolio of Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
- Type of body
- Non-corporate Commonwealth entity
- Portfolio
- Health, Disability and Ageing
- Accountable authority
- Chief Executive Officer – Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 section 14A(b)
- ABN
- 61 321 195 155
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
- List of Commonwealth entities and companies under the PGPA Act, 1 July 2026 (Department of Finance) (as Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA))
- Australian Government Organisations Register (Department of Finance, data.gov.au) (listed from 11 December 2014 to the latest release (30 June 2026))