Mutual recognition: radiation licensing and accreditation of CREs
The mutual recognition principle as it applies to occupations allows a person who is registered to conduct an occupation in one Australian state or territory or New Zealand to be entitled to carry out the same occupation in another state or territory. In other words, if someone is assessed to be good enough to practise a profession or occupation in one Australian jurisdiction or New Zealand, they should be able to do so anywhere in Australia.
'Registration' in this context includes the licensing, registration, approval, admission, certification (including by way of practising certificates) or any other form of authorisation required by legislation for a person to carry on an occupation.
Under the NSW Radiation Control Act 1990, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) issues licences for the use of radioactive substances, ionising radiation apparatus and prescribed non-ionising radiation apparatus and to accredit people to carry out certain prescribed activities. A person who is registered in an equivalent occupation in another state or territory or New Zealand may be entitled to apply to the EPA under the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 (Cwlth) for a licence to use radioactive substances and radiation apparatus in NSW or for an accreditation related to their occupation.
The Guideline for the Operation of the Mutual Recognition Legislation for Licensing and Accreditation under the Radiation Control Act 1990 (120KB) details the operation of the legislation in relation to licensing and accreditation under the Radiation Control Act.
Applying for a licence or accreditation under the Mutual Recognition Act
A person wishing to apply to the EPA under the Mutual Recognition Act for a licence to use radioactive substances or radiation apparatus in NSW or accreditation as a consulting radiation expert (CRE) may obtain the application form by contacting the EPA's Hazardous Materials, Chemicals and Radiation Section on (02) 9995 5000 or 131 555.
The completed application form with the statutory declaration (mutualrecogstatdec.pdf, 96KB) (required in the guideline), attached documentation and application fee should be sent to the following address:
Hazardous Materials, Chemicals and Radiation Section
NSW Environment Protection Authority
PO Box A290
Sydney South NSW 1232
Page last updated: 03 April 2013
