Q: Can Australia prevent accidents when it is new to nuclear power?

A: Australia already has a regulatory system and nuclear expertise from safely and successfully operating a nuclear research reactor which can be readily enhanced for nuclear energy.

Currently, Australia has a federal ban on nuclear power, but it does have extensive experience regulating nuclear technology on a smaller scale. The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) runs the OPAL research reactor in Sydney, which has been in operation since 2007 (replacing an earlier reactor that ran from 1958). OPAL, a 20 MW open-pool reactor, is used for producing medical isotopes and scientific research. In over 15 years of operation, OPAL has maintained an excellent safety record under ARPANSA’s watch. ARPANSA is the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, our national nuclear regulator. Even though its power level is much lower than a normal reactor, the same safety culture applies, and the multiple layers of safety systems and comprehensive emergency plans are in place already.

Australia’s experience with OPAL and things like uranium mining and radioactive waste management has built up an industry of nuclear engineers, health physicists, and regulators who understand the importance of nuclear safety. This existing expertise could be leveraged and expanded for any future nuclear power program. Any future Australian nuclear facilities would be subject to some of the toughest oversight in the world, with ARPANSA ensuring compliance with international best practices and local requirements at every step.