Changes to Radiation Control Act 1990

The Radiation Control Amendment Act 2010 was passed by NSW Parliament on 28 October 2010. The Bill will amend the Radiation Control Act 1990. The changes aim to strengthen the security of radioactive sources, to cut red tape by reforming the system of radiation registrations and improve national harmonisation of radiation protection legislation through the National Directory for Radiation Protection.

The Radiation Control Amendment Act 2010:

• implements the Council of Australian Government's (COAG) national requirements for the security of 'security enhanced radioactive sources';
• streamlines the system of radiation registrations by changing the requirement for each individual item of radiation apparatus, sealed source devices and premises where radioactive substances are kept or used into one that is organisation based;
• progresses national uniformity initiatives through the National Directory for Radiation Protection, including the regulation of radioactive ores at mines sites within the radiation safety legislative framework; and
• adopts more contemporary radiation safety practices to help to reduce the risks of cancer in the community from exposure to radiation from all sources.

Some provisions commenced on 4 November 2010 while others will commence by proclamation. Those provisions that did not commence on 4 November 2010 are either dependent on provisions being introduced by regulation or the establishment of new administrative processes/systems and will come into force once proclaimed.