As part of the support to Australia’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability, the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) sought a licence from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). This licence is to authorise the preparation of a site for a prescribed radiation facility (referred to as a Controlled Industrial Facility, or CIF), to be located at HMAS Stirling on Garden Island, Western Australia.
On 17 July 2024, the ARPANSA CEO publicly advised that they had issued a licence to the ASA under section 32 of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 (the Act).
The facility will be a technical and engineering industrial workshop for servicing and repair of naval nuclear propulsion components and tools. It will also receive, manage, treat, decontaminate and temporarily store low-level radioactive material generated from conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines operating from HMAS Stirling from 2027. Construction of the facility is expected to commence in 2025, and to meet Australia’s stringent licencing processes, the ASA is required to apply for a separate licence to ARPANSA to construct the facility in due course.
In designing and delivering this support facility for Australia’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines, the ASA is prioritising the highest standards of safety and security for our people, the public and the environment.
Information on the facility, ARPANSA’s public consultation process, and their response is available on the ARPANSA website: ARPANSA approves siting licence for ASA Controlled Industrial Facility | ARPANSA(Opens in a new tab/window)