This Act establishes a regulatory system for radiation sources: mandatory licences, registrations and accreditations; approved radiation protection plans; testing, inspection and certificates of compliance; record‑keeping and mining‑site monitoring; and enforcement powers including entry, seizure, suspension and penalties (see ss 11–19, 20–23, 25–33, 47A–47F, 59–66). It binds manufacturers, owners, occupiers, licensees, operators and radiation workers, vests decision‑making and discretion in the Chief Health Officer (eg s32, s48), and assigns compliance costs, monitoring duties and sanctions to those dealing with radiation to protect health and the environment (ss 3, 10).
Mechanically, the Radiation Protection Act 2004 establishes a statutory framework for regulating radiation sources in the Northern Territory. It does the following by specified provisions:
States the objects: to protect people and the environment from harmful effects of radiation (s 3). That is the Act’s declared purpose and is the explicit policy rationale within the text.
Defines core scope and vocabulary: radiation (ionising and non‑ionising) (s 5), radiation source (including radioactive material and radiation apparatus) (s 6), radiation practice and radiation place (s 4).
Makes a general duty of care mandatory for anyone who manufactures, possesses, uses, stores, transports, disposes of or otherwise deals with a radiation source to take all reasonable and practicable measures to avoid harm to health or the environment (s 11). That duty applies subject to some carve‑outs and to the detailed duties in subsequent sections (s 11(3)).
Requires licences for dealing with radiation sources (manufacture, sale, acquisition, possession, use, storage, transport, disposal or other dealing) except where the Act or regulations provide an exemption (s 12; s 10). Licences are issued by the Chief Health Officer under the application and decision processes in Pt 3 (ss 25-29).
Establishes three authority types: licences (for dealing with sources), certificates of registration (for sources and places) and certificates of accreditation (for persons authorised to carry out work on sources or issue certificates of compliance) (definitions at s 4 and provisions in Divisions of Pt 2 and Pt 3).
Creates processes for compliance checking: certificates of compliance for sources and places (ss 20-23), testing and inspection obligations (ss 21-23), and codes of practice and guidelines that can be adopted as standards (ss 54-55).
Current sections
Direct links to the current provisions in Radiation Protection Act 2004.
126
1
Short title
1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Radiation Protection Act 2004.
2 Commencement
This Act comes into operation on the date fixed by the Administrator
by notice in the Gazette.
Division 2 Objects of Act
3 Objects
The objects of this Act are to:
(a) ensure the health and safety of people by protecting them
from harmful effects of radiation; and
(b) protect the environment from harmful effects of radiation.
Division 3 Interpretation
4 Definitions
In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:
accepted representations has the meaning in section 37(2).
approved form means a form approved under section 87.
Part 1 Preliminary
Division 3 Interpretation
Radiation Protection Act 2004 2
approved radiation protection plan, for a radiation practice,
means a radiation protection plan approved by the Chief Health
Officer for the practice, and includes the plan as changed in
accordance with conditions of the licence to which the practice
relates.
authorised officer means a person holding office as an authorised
officer under an appointment under section 48(1).
authority means a licence, certificate of registration or certificate of
accreditation.
carry out, a radiation practice, means the actual performance of
the practice by a natural person.
certificate of accreditation means a certificate of accreditation
issued under section 27 authorising the holder to carry out work on
a radiation source.
certificate of compliance, for a radiation source or radiation place,
means a certificate of compliance issued under section 20 by the
holder of a certificate of accreditation authorised to issue it for the
source or place.
certificate of registration means a certificate of registration issued
under section 27 for the registration of a radiation source or place
where a radiation source is used or stored.
code of practice means a code of practice approved under
section 55.
contravene includes fail to comply with.
dose, of radiation, means the measure of radiation received by a
person or thing.
dose limit means the maximum dose of radiation a person may
receive during a particular period.
enter, a place, includes to board the place.
environment means land, air, water, organisms and ecosystems,
and includes:
(a) the well-being of humans;
(b) structures made or modified by humans;
(c) the amenity values of an area; and
Part 1 Preliminary
Division 3 Interpretation
Radiation Protection Act 2004 3
(d) economic, cultural and social conditions.
executive officer, of a body corporate, means a person who is
concerned with, or takes part in, the management of the body
corporate, (whether or not the person is a director or the person's
position is given the name of executive officer), and includes a
constituent member of a body corporate incorporated for a public
purpose by a law of the Commonwealth or a State or Territory.
false or misleading includes false or misleading because of the
omission of a statement.
guidelines means guidelines issued under section 54.
ionising radiation has the meaning in section 5(2).
licence means a licence issued under section 27 authorising the
holder to manufacture, sell, acquire, possess, use, store, transport,
dispose of or otherwise deal with a radiation source.
mining site, for Part 3A, see section 47A.
non-ionising radiation has the meaning in section 5(3).
occupier, of a place:
(a) means:
(i) the person in occupation or control of the place; or
(ii) if the place has different parts occupied or controlled by
different persons – the person in occupation or control of
the part concerned; and
(b) for Part 5 – includes a person who reasonably appears to be
an occupier of the place.
operator, for Part 3A, see section 47A.
personal radiation exposure record, for Part 3A, see
section 47A.
place includes vacant land, premises and a vehicle.
possess, for a radiation source, includes having the source under
control in any place, whether or not another person has the custody
of the source.
premises includes:
(a) a building or structure;
Part 1 Preliminary
Division 3 Interpretation
Radiation Protection Act 2004 4
(b) a part of a building or structure; and
(c) land on which a building or structure is situated.
radiation has the meaning in section 5(1).
radiation apparatus has the meaning in section 6(4).
radiation exposure information, for Part 3A, see section 47A.
radiation place means a place at which a radiation source is or is
to be used to carry out a radiation practice.
radiation practice means an activity relating to a radiation source
that may result, whether or not intentionally, in exposing a person,
animal or thing to radiation.
radiation protection measures means measures for preventing or
minimising health risks to any person arising from exposure to
radiation from the carrying out of a radiation practice.
radiation protection plan means a plan containing the information
prescribed by the Regulations for the radiation practice for which a
licensee is authorised to possess a radiation source under the
licence.
radiation source has the meaning in section 6(1) and (2).
radiation worker, for Part 3A, see section 47A.
radioactive material has the meaning in section 6(3).
reasonably believes means believes on grounds that are
reasonable in the circumstances.
reasonably suspects means suspects on grounds that are
reasonable in the circumstances.
Regulations means the Regulations made under this Act.
review notice, for a decision of the Chief Health Officer, means a
written notice stating the following:
(a) the decision;
(b) the reasons for the decision;
(c) the person given the notice may apply for a review of the
decision to the Local Court within 28 days after receipt of the
notice.
Part 1 Preliminary
Division 3 Interpretation
Radiation Protection Act 2004 5
sealed source means radioactive material that is permanently
sealed in a capsule, or closely bound and in a solid form, in a way
that the sealing of the capsule or binding of the material is strong
enough to maintain leak tightness under the conditions of use and
wear for which the source is designed and for foreseeable mishaps.
sell includes:
(a) auction, exchange or supply;
(b) keep, expose, supply or receive for sale;
(c) send or deliver for sale;
(d) dispose of by hire or lease;
(e) offer or attempt to sell; and
(f) cause or permit to be sold.
show cause notice means a notice given under section 36.
this Act includes the Regulations and codes of practice.
treated person has the meaning in section 13(1).
unsealed source means a radiation source other than a sealed
source.
use, for a radiation source, means actual use by a natural person of
radiation emitted from the source, and includes, for a radiation
source that is radioactive material, the administration to, or injection
or implantation of the material into, a person or animal.
vehicle means anything used for carrying anything or any person
by land, water or air.
work, on a radiation source, includes install, test, repair, service
and decommission the source.
5
Radiation
5 Radiation
(1) Radiation is ionising radiation or non-ionising radiation.
(2) Ionising radiation is electromagnetic or particulate radiation capable
of producing ions directly or indirectly, but does not include
electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength greater than 100
nanometres.
(3) Non-ionising radiation is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength
greater than 100 nanometres.
Part 1
Preliminary
Part 1 Preliminary
Division 4 Operation of Act
Radiation Protection Act 2004 6
6
Radiation source
6 Radiation source
(1) A radiation source is:
(a) a thing that may emit ionising radiation; or
(b) a thing prescribed by the Regulations that may emit non-
ionising radiation.
(2) A radiation source can be radioactive material or a radiation
apparatus.
(3) Radioactive material is material that:
(a) spontaneously emits ionising radiation as a consequence of
nuclear transformations; and
(b) has or exceeds the activity or activity concentration prescribed
by the Regulations.
(4) A radiation apparatus is an apparatus that:
(a) produces radiation when energised; or
(b) is, if assembled or repaired, capable of producing radiation
when energised.
Division 4 Operation of Act
7
Act binds Crown
7 Act binds Crown
This Act binds the Crown in right of the Territory and, to the extent
the legislative power of the Legislative Assembly permits, the
Crown in all its other capacities.
8
Act does not apply to certain radioactive material
8 Act does not apply to certain radioactive material
This Act does not apply to radioactive material prescribed by the
Regulations if its radioactivity does not exceed the maximum
amount prescribed for it in the Regulations.
9
Act does not apply to certain activities
9 Act does not apply to certain activities
(1) Subject to subsection (2), section 11 and Part 3A, this Act does not
apply to the following activities:
(a) a mining activity under the Environment Protection Act 2019 in
relation to uranium ores or uranium oxide (U3O 8);
Part 2 Requirements for radiation sources and related matters
Division 1 General duty relating to radiation sources
Radiation Protection Act 2004 7
(b) the possession, package, storage or transport, under the
Radioactive Ores and Concentrates (Packaging and
Transport) Act 1980, of uranium ores or uranium oxide (U3O 8).
(2) Parts 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of this Act apply in relation to the activities
mentioned in subsection (1) for the administration of section 11 and
Part 3A.
10
Exemption from application of Act
10 Exemption from application of Act
(1) The Chief Health Officer may, by notice in the Gazette, exempt a
person, radiation source or place from this Act or a provision of this
Act.
(2) The exemption must not be one that could reasonably be expected
to pose any, or a more than negligible, threat to the health or safety
of persons or threat of harm to the environment.
(3) The exemption may be given on conditions stated in the notice.
(4) A person must not contravene a condition of the exemption.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
500 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
2 500 penalty units.
Part 2 Requirements for radiation sources and related
matters
Division 1 General duty relating to radiation sources
11
Duty to ensure harm does not result from radiation source
11 Duty to ensure harm does not result from radiation source
(1) A person who manufactures, possesses, uses, stores, transports,
disposes of or otherwise deals with a radiation source must take all
measures that are reasonable and practicable to ensure the
manufacture, possession, use, storage, transport, disposal or other
dealing does not result in harm to the health or safety of persons or
the environment caused by radiation emitted from the source.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
500 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
2 500 penalty units.
Part 2 Requirements for radiation sources and related matters
Division 2 Licences for dealing with radiation sources
Subdivision 2 Duties of licensees and other persons acting under licences
Radiation Protection Act 2004 8
(2) Subsection (1) applies to the manufacture, possession, use,
storage, transport, disposal or other dealing with a radiation source
for carrying out the activities mentioned in section 9.
(3) Subsection (1) has effect subject to section 13.
Division 2 Licences for dealing with radiation sources
Subdiv 1
Requirement for licence
Subdivision 1 Requirement for licence
12
Licence for radiation source
12 Licence for radiation source
(1) A person must not manufacture, sell, acquire, possess, use, store,
transport, dispose of or otherwise deal with a radiation source other
than in accordance with a licence authorising the person to do so.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
1 000 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
5 000 penalty units.
(2) For subsection (1), a person is not in possession of radiation
material merely because the person, or an animal kept by the
person, has been injected with the material, or the material has
been administered to or implanted in the person or animal, as part
of a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure.
Subdivision 2 Duties of licensees and other persons acting
under licences
13
Duty of person carrying out diagnostic or therapeutic
13 Duty of person carrying out diagnostic or therapeutic
procedure
(1) This section applies if, under a licence, a person uses a radiation
source to carry out a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure involving
the irradiation of a person (the treated person).
(2) The person must ensure the treated person does not receive a
dose of radiation from the carrying out of the procedure in an
amount or a way that does not comply with the request for the
diagnostic procedure or prescription for the therapeutic procedure.
Maximum penalty: 1 000 penalty units.
Part 2 Requirements for radiation sources and related matters
Division 2 Licences for dealing with radiation sources
Subdiv 2
Duties of licensees and other persons acting under licences
Subdivision 2 Duties of licensees and other persons acting under licences
Radiation Protection Act 2004 9
(3) In addition, if another person involved in carrying out the procedure
(other than the treated person) receives a dose of radiation in
carrying out the procedure, the person carrying out the procedure
must ensure the dose received by the other person is not higher
than the dose limit prescribed by the Regulations.
Maximum penalty: 1 000 penalty units.
14
Duty of other persons carrying out radiation practice
14 Duty of other persons carrying out radiation practice
(1) This section applies if, under a licence, the licensee possesses a
radiation source for a radiation practice.
(2) A person who uses the radiation source in carrying out the radiation
practice must not cause another person to receive a dose that is
higher than the dose limit prescribed by the Regulations.
Maximum penalty: 1 000 penalty units.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply if the other person receives the dose
while:
(a) being a treated person; or
(b) involved in carrying out a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure
involving the irradiation of a person.
15
Duty of licensee to give notification of dangerous event
15 Duty of licensee to give notification of dangerous event
(1) This section applies if, under a licence, the licensee possesses a
radiation source for a radiation practice and any of the following
events (a dangerous event) happens:
(a) the source is, or appears to have been, lost or stolen;
(b) there is a radiation incident in relation to the source for which
there are no remediation procedures stated in the licensee's
approved radiation protection plan for the practice being
carried out with the source at the time;
(c) equipment that uses, measures or controls radiation emitted
from the source malfunctions with the result or likely result
that:
(i) there is or will be an unintended emission of the
radiation; or
(ii) a person is or will be unintentionally exposed to the
radiation.
Part 2 Requirements for radiation sources and related matters
Division 3 Registration of radiation sources and places where radiation sources are
used or stored
Radiation Protection Act 2004 10
(2) The licensee must give the Chief Health Officer notice, as required
under subsections (3) and (4), of the dangerous event unless the
licensee has a reasonable excuse.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
1 000 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
5 000 penalty units.
(3) The notice must:
(a) be given immediately, orally or in writing; and
(b) state enough particulars to identify the source and, if known,
its location.
(4) If the notice is given orally, the licensee must give the Chief Health
Officer a written notice confirming the oral notice within 7 days after
the dangerous event happens.
(5) In this section:
radiation incident means an incident adversely affecting, or likely
to adversely affect, the health or safety of any person because of
the emission of radiation.
remediation procedures, for a radiation incident, means
procedures designed to minimise the radiation hazard arising from
the incident.
Division 3 Registration of radiation sources and places where
radiation sources are used or stored
16
Registration of radiation source
16 Registration of radiation source
The owner of a radiation source must hold a certificate of
registration for the source.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
1 000 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
5 000 penalty units.
Part 2 Requirements for radiation sources and related matters
Division 4 Accreditations for radiation sources and radiation places
Radiation Protection Act 2004 11
17
Registration of place where radiation source used or stored
17 Registration of place where radiation source used or stored
The occupier of a place where a radiation source is used or stored
must hold a certificate of registration for the place.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
1 000 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
5 000 penalty units.
Division 4 Accreditations for radiation sources and radiation
places
18
Accreditation to carry out work on radiation source
18 Accreditation to carry out work on radiation source
A person must not carry out any work on a radiation source unless
the person is the holder of a certificate of accreditation authorising
the person to do so.
Maximum penalty: 1 000 penalty units.
19
Accreditation to issue certificate of compliance
19 Accreditation to issue certificate of compliance
(1) A person must not issue a certificate of compliance for a radiation
source unless the person is the holder of a certificate of
accreditation authorising the person to carry out work on the
source.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
1 000 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
5 000 penalty units.
(2) A person must not issue a certificate of compliance for a radiation
place unless the person is the holder of a certificate of accreditation
authorising the person to carry out work on the radiation source that
is or is to be used to carry out a radiation practice at the place.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
1 000 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
5 000 penalty units.
Part 2
Requirements for radiation sources and related matters
Part 2 Requirements for radiation sources and related matters
Division 5 Certificates of compliance for radiation sources and radiation places
Radiation Protection Act 2004 12
Division 5 Certificates of compliance for radiation sources
and radiation places
20
Issue of certificate of compliance
20 Issue of certificate of compliance
(1) The holder of a certificate of accreditation may issue a certificate of
compliance for:
(a) a radiation source used or to be used to carry out a radiation
practice; or
(b) a radiation place.
(2) A certificate of compliance must be in the approved form.
(3) However, the holder must not issue a certificate of compliance for a
radiation source or radiation place unless the holder is satisfied:
(a) for a radiation source that is a sealed source – the capsule
sealing it or, if it is closely bound and in a solid form, the way
in which it is bound, complies with the applicable code of
practice;
(b) for a radiation source that is an unsealed source – the doses
from the source comply with the applicable code of practice; or
(c) for a radiation place – the place complies with the applicable
code of practice.
21
Testing of radiation source
21 Testing of radiation source
(1) This section applies if, under a condition of an authority, the holder
is required to have a radiation source to which the authority relates
tested for compliance with the applicable code of practice.
(2) The holder must ensure the test is carried out at the times required
by the condition by the holder of a certificate of accreditation
authorised to carry out work on the radiation source.
22
Inspection of radiation place
22 Inspection of radiation place
(1) This section applies if, under a condition of an authority, the holder
is required to have a radiation place to which the authority relates
inspected for compliance with the applicable code of practice.
(2) The holder must ensure the inspection is carried out at the times
required by the condition by the holder of a certificate of
accreditation authorised to carry out work on the radiation source
used to carry out a radiation practice at the place.
Part 3 Licensing, registration and accreditation
Division 1 Applications for, and issue of, authorities
Radiation Protection Act 2004 13
23
Result of test or inspection to be given to Chief Health Officer
23 Result of test or inspection to be given to Chief Health Officer
Within one month after receiving the result of a test or inspection
under section 21 or 22, the holder of the authority must give the
Chief Health Officer a copy of the certificate of compliance or other
result of the test or inspection.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
20 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
100 penalty units.
Div 6
Banned radiation sources
Division 6 Banned radiation sources
24
Possession, use or supply of banned radiation source
24 Possession, use or supply of banned radiation source
A person must not possess, use or supply a radiation source that is
prescribed by the Regulations to be a banned radiation source.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
1 000 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
5 000 penalty units.
Part 3 Licensing, registration and accreditation
Division 1 Applications for, and issue of, authorities
25
Application
25 Application
(1) An application for an authority must be:
(a) made to the Chief Health Officer in the approved form;
(b) accompanied by sufficient documents and information to
enable the Chief Health Officer to decide the application,
including the documents and information stated in the
approved form; and
(c) accompanied by the fee prescribed by the Regulations.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1)(b), the application must be
accompanied by the following:
(a) for an application for a licence or certificate of registration – a
certificate of compliance for the radiation source or radiation
place to which the authority relates;
Part 3 Licensing, registration and accreditation
Division 1 Applications for, and issue of, authorities
Radiation Protection Act 2004 14
(b) for an application for a licence to possess a radiation source to
carry out a radiation practice – the proposed radiation
protection plan for the radiation practice.
26
Consideration of application
26 Consideration of application
(1) The Chief Health Officer may, by written notice, require the
applicant to give the Chief Health Officer further documents or
information within the reasonable period stated in the notice.
(2) The Chief Health Officer must consider the application having
regard to applicable guidelines.
(3) The Chief Health Officer must either grant, or refuse to grant, the
application.
(4) The Chief Health Officer may grant the application only if:
(a) the Chief Health Officer is satisfied the applicant is a suitable
person to hold the authority having regard to criteria
prescribed by the Regulations; and
(b) for an application for a licence or certificate of registration – a
certificate of compliance is provided for the radiation source or
radiation place to which the authority relates.
27
Decision on application
27 Decision on application
(1) If the Chief Health Officer grants the application, the Chief Health
Officer must immediately issue the authority applied for to the
applicant.
(2) The Chief Health Officer may issue the authority subject to the
reasonable conditions stated in it.
(3) Without limiting subsection (2), conditions may be imposed about
the following:
(a) compliance with a stated code of practice applicable to the
holder's activities under the authority;
(b) radiation monitoring to be carried out by the holder;
(c) testing the radiation source, or inspection of the radiation
place, to which the authority relates;
Part 3 Licensing, registration and accreditation
Division 2 Renewal of licences and certificates of accreditation
Radiation Protection Act 2004 15
(d) for a licence to possess a radiation source to carry out a
radiation practice:
(i) radiation protection measures to be taken by the holder
under an approved radiation protection plan applicable
to the radiation practice; or
(ii) changing the holder's approved radiation protection plan.
(4) If the Chief Health Officer refuses to grant the application or issues
the authority subject to stated conditions, the Chief Health Officer
must immediately give the applicant a review notice for the
decision.
28
Approval of radiation protection plan
28 Approval of radiation protection plan
If the Chief Health Officer issues a licence to possess a radiation
source, the Chief Health Officer is taken to have approved the
radiation protection plan identified in the licence.
29 Duration
(1) A licence remains in force for the period, not longer than 3 years,
stated in it.
(2) A certificate of registration of a radiation source or place remains in
force until:
(a) if the holder of the certificate is a natural person – the person
dies; or
(b) if the holder of the certificate is a body corporate – the body
corporate ceases to exist.
(3) A certificate of accreditation remains in force for the period, not
longer than 3 years, stated in it.
Division 2 Renewal of licences and certificates of
accreditation
30
Application
30 Application
(1) A licensee or holder of a certificate of accreditation may apply for
the renewal of the licensee's licence or holder's certificate of
accreditation.
(2) Division 1 applies (with the necessary changes) to the application
as if it were an application for a licence or certificate of
accreditation.
Part 3 Licensing, registration and accreditation
Division 3 Variation of conditions of authorities
Radiation Protection Act 2004 16
31
Authority continues until application decided
31 Authority continues until application decided
If the application is made before the authority ends, the authority
continues in force until the application is decided.
Division 3 Variation of conditions of authorities
32
Variation of conditions of authority – Chief Health Officer's
32 Variation of conditions of authority – Chief Health Officer's
initiative
(1) The Chief Health Officer may decide to vary the conditions of an
authority if the Chief Health Officer is satisfied it is necessary to
protect persons or the environment from the harmful effects of
radiation emitted from the radiation source to which the authority
relates.
(2) Before deciding to vary the conditions, the Chief Health Officer
must:
(a) give written notice to the holder of the authority:
(i) of the particulars of the proposed variation; and
(ii) that the holder may make written submissions to the
Chief Health Officer about the proposed variation within
a reasonable period of at least 21 days stated in the
notice; and
(b) have regard to written submissions made to the Chief Health
Officer by the holder before the stated day.
(3) If the Chief Health Officer varies the conditions of the authority, the
Chief Health Officer must immediately give the holder a review
notice for the decision.
(4) The variation of conditions takes effect when the review notice is
given to the holder and does not depend on the authority being
amended to record the variation or a replacement authority being
issued.
(5) The power of the Chief Health Officer under subsection (1) includes
the power to omit or substitute some or all of the conditions and the
addition of further conditions.
33
Variation of conditions of authority – application by holder
33 Variation of conditions of authority – application by holder
(1) The holder of an authority may apply to the Chief Health Officer for
the variation of conditions of the authority.
Part 3 Licensing, registration and accreditation
Division 3 Variation of conditions of authorities
Radiation Protection Act 2004 17
(2) The application must be:
(a) in the approved form;
(b) accompanied by sufficient documents and information to
enable the Chief Health Officer to decide the application,
including the documents and information stated in the
approved form; and
(c) accompanied by the fee prescribed by the Regulations.
(3) The Chief Health Officer may, by written notice, require the
applicant to give the Chief Health Officer further documents or
information within the reasonable period stated in the notice.
(4) The Chief Health Officer must consider the application having
regard to applicable guidelines.
(5) The Chief Health Officer must either grant, or refuse to grant, the
application.
(6) If the Chief Health Officer grants the application, the Chief Health
Officer must immediately give the holder notice of the decision.
(7) The variation of conditions takes effect when the notice is given to
the holder and does not depend on the authority being amended to
record the variation or a replacement authority being issued.
(8) If the Chief Health Officer refuses to grant the application, the Chief
Health Officer must immediately give the applicant a review notice
for the decision.
34
Recording variation of conditions
34 Recording variation of conditions
(1) This section applies if the holder of an authority receives a review
notice under section 32(3) or a notice under section 33(6).
(2) The holder must return the authority to the Chief Health Officer
within 14 days after receiving the notice unless the holder has a
reasonable excuse.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
20 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
100 penalty units.
Part 3 Licensing, registration and accreditation
Division 4 Suspension and cancellation of authorities
Radiation Protection Act 2004 18
(3) On receiving the authority, the Chief Health Officer must:
(a) amend the authority to give effect to the variation and return
the authority to the holder; or
(b) if the Chief Health Officer is satisfied it is not practicable to
amend the authority – issue a replacement authority
incorporating the variation and send it to the holder.
Division 4 Suspension and cancellation of authorities
35
Grounds for suspending or cancelling authority
35 Grounds for suspending or cancelling authority
Each of the following is a ground for suspending or cancelling an
authority:
(a) the holder of the authority has not complied with a condition of
the authority;
(b) the holder has been found guilty of an offence against this Act;
(c) the holder has contravened a provision of this Act, a
contravention of which is not an offence against this Act;
(d) the authority was issued or renewed because of a materially
false or misleading representation;
(e) becomes aware of information that, if it had been known by
the Chief Health Officer when the application for the authority
or its renewal was granted, the Chief Health Officer would
have refused the application;
(f) for a licence or certificate of registration – it is necessary to
protect persons or the environment from the harmful effects of
radiation emitted from the radiation source to which the
authority relates;
(g) for a licence or accreditation – the holder is not, or is no
longer, a suitable person to hold the authority.
36
Show cause notice
36 Show cause notice
(1) If the Chief Health Officer believes a ground exists to suspend or
cancel an authority, the Chief Health Officer must give the holder of
the authority written notice under this section.
(2) The notice must state the following:
(a) the action (the proposed action) the Chief Health Officer
proposes taking under this Division;
Part 3 Licensing, registration and accreditation
Division 4 Suspension and cancellation of authorities
Radiation Protection Act 2004 19
(b) the grounds for the proposed action;
(c) an outline of the facts and circumstances forming the basis for
the grounds;
(d) if the proposed action is suspension of the authority – the
proposed suspension period;
(e) an invitation to the holder to show cause within a stated period
why the proposed action should not be taken.
(3) For subsection (2)(e), the period must not be less than 28 days
after the notice is given to the holder.
37
Representations about show cause notices
37 Representations about show cause notices
(1) The holder of the authority may make written representations about
the show cause notice to the Chief Health Officer in the period
stated in the notice.
(2) The Chief Health Officer must consider all written representations
made under subsection (1) (the accepted representations).
38
Ending show cause process without further action
38 Ending show cause process without further action
If, after considering the accepted representations for the show
cause notice, the Chief Health Officer no longer believes a ground
exists to suspend or cancel the authority the Chief Health Officer:
(a) must not take any further action about the show cause notice;
and
(b) must give written notice to the holder of the authority that no
further action is to be taken about the show cause notice.
39
Suspension or cancellation
39 Suspension or cancellation
(1) This section applies if:
(a) after considering the accepted representations for the show
cause notice, the Chief Health Officer:
(i) still believes a ground exists to suspend or cancel the
authority; and
(ii) believes suspension or cancellation of the authority is
warranted; or
(b) there are no accepted representations for the show cause
notice.
Part 3 Licensing, registration and accreditation
Division 4 Suspension and cancellation of authorities
Radiation Protection Act 2004 20
(2) The Chief Health Officer may:
(a) if the proposed action stated in the show cause notice was to
suspend the authority for a stated period – suspend the
authority for not longer than the stated period; or
(b) if the proposed action stated in the show cause notice was to
cancel the authority – either cancel the authority or suspend it
for a period.
(3) The Chief Health Officer must immediately give a review notice for
the decision to the holder of the authority.
(4) The decision takes effect on:
(a) the day the review notice is given to the holder; or
(b) if a later day of effect is stated in the review notice – the later
day.
40
Return of cancelled authority to Chief Health Officer
40 Return of cancelled authority to Chief Health Officer
If the Chief Health Officer has cancelled an authority and given a
review notice for the decision to the holder of the authority, the
holder must return the authority to the Chief Health Officer within
14 days after receiving the review notice unless the holder has a
reasonable excuse.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
20 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
100 penalty units.
41
Immediate suspension of authority pending formal
41 Immediate suspension of authority pending formal
cancellation procedure
(1) This section applies if the Chief Health Officer is satisfied:
(a) a ground exists to cancel a licence or certificate of registration;
and
(b) it is necessary, to protect persons or the environment from the
harmful effects of radiation emitted from the radiation source
to which the authority relates, to immediately suspend the
authority until the formal cancellation procedure is completed.
(2) This section also applies if the Chief Health Officer is satisfied:
(a) a ground exists to cancel a certificate of accreditation; and
Part 3 Licensing, registration and accreditation
Division 5 Miscellaneous provisions
Radiation Protection Act 2004 21
(b) it is necessary, to protect persons or the environment from the
harmful effects of radiation, to immediately suspend the
authority of the holder of the certificate to carry out work on
radiation sources or to issue certificates of compliance for
radiation sources or radiation places until the formal
cancellation procedure is completed.
(3) The Chief Health Officer may immediately suspend the authority.
(4) The Chief Health Officer must immediately give a review notice for
the decision to the holder of the authority.
(5) The suspension takes effect immediately the review notice for the
decision is given to the holder.
(6) If, within 14 days after the Chief Health Officer suspends the
authority, the Chief Health Officer gives the holder a show cause
notice, the suspension lasts until the first of the following occurs:
(a) the Chief Health Officer cancels the suspension;
(b) a decision to cancel the authority takes effect;
(c) a decision is made not to cancel the authority.
(7) If a show cause notice is not given to the holder within the period
mentioned in subsection (6), the suspension lapses at the end of
the period unless the Chief Health Officer has already cancelled the
suspension.
Division 5 Miscellaneous provisions
42
Surrender of authority
42 Surrender of authority
(1) The holder of an authority may surrender the authority by written
notice given to the Chief Health Officer.
(2) The surrender takes effect on:
(a) the day the notice is given to the Chief Health Officer; or
(b) if a later day of effect is stated in the notice – the later day.
Part 3
Licensing, registration and accreditation
Part 3 Licensing, registration and accreditation
Division 5 Miscellaneous provisions
Radiation Protection Act 2004 22
(3) The holder must return the authority to the Chief Health Officer
within 14 days after the day the surrender takes effect unless the
holder has a reasonable excuse.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
20 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
100 penalty units.
43
Replacement of authority
43 Replacement of authority
(1) The holder of an authority may apply to the Chief Health Officer for
the replacement of the instrument if it has been lost, stolen or
destroyed.
(2) The Chief Health Officer must consider the application and either
grant or refuse to grant the application.
(3) If the Chief Health Officer grants the application, the Chief Health
Officer must immediately issue a replacement authority to the
applicant.
(4) If the Chief Health Officer refuses to grant the application, the Chief
Health Officer must immediately give the applicant a review notice
for the decision.
44
Failure to decide application
44 Failure to decide application
(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), if the Chief Health Officer fails to
decide an application under Division 1, 2 or 3 within 90 days after
its receipt, the failure is taken to be a decision by the Chief Health
Officer to refuse to grant the application.
(2) Subsection (3) applies if the Chief Health Officer has, by notice
given under section 26(1) or 33(3), required the applicant to give
the Chief Health Officer further documents or information within the
period stated in the notice.
(3) The Chief Health Officer is taken to have refused to grant the
application if the Chief Health Officer does not decide the
application within 90 days after the end of the period stated in the
notice.
Part 3A Monitoring and recording of personal radiation exposure on mining sites
Radiation Protection Act 2004 23
45
Contravention of condition
45 Contravention of condition
The holder of an authority must not contravene a condition of the
authority.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
1 000 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
5 000 penalty units.
46
Transfer of authority prohibited
46 Transfer of authority prohibited
An authority cannot be transferred.
47
Holder of authority to give notice of prescribed change
47 Holder of authority to give notice of prescribed change
The holder of an authority must, within 14 days after a change in
any of the particulars contained in the authority happens, give
written notice to the Chief Health Officer of the change.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
20 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
100 penalty units.
Part 3A Monitoring and recording of personal radiation
exposure on mining sites
47A
Definitions
47A Definitions
In this Part:
mining site means a mining site, as defined in section 4 of the
Environment Protection Act 2019, that is prescribed by the
Regulations.
operator, for a mining site, means a mining operator as defined in
section 4 of the Environment Protection Act 2019.
personal radiation exposure record means a record kept under
section 47C.
radiation exposure information means any of the following:
(a) information contained in a personal radiation exposure record;
(b) the results of monitoring conducted under section 47B;
Part 3A Monitoring and recording of personal radiation exposure on mining sites
Radiation Protection Act 2004 24
(c) information in relation to a person's exposure to radiation
obtained by monitoring conducted by an operator before the
commencement of this Part.
radiation worker means a worker, as defined in section 4 of the
Environment Protection Act 2019, who is in a class of workers
prescribed by the Regulations to be radiation workers.
47B
Monitoring of exposure to radiation
47B Monitoring of exposure to radiation
The operator for a mining site must conduct monitoring or testing in
relation to exposure to radiation for each radiation worker who
works on the mining site as required by the Regulations.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
200 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
1 000 penalty units.
47C
Operator to keep personal radiation exposure records for
47C Operator to keep personal radiation exposure records for
radiation workers
(1) The operator for a mining site must maintain an up-to-date personal
radiation exposure record for each radiation worker who works on
the mining site.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
100 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
500 penalty units.
(2) The personal radiation exposure record for a radiation worker must:
(a) include the information prescribed by the Regulations; and
(b) be kept in the form and manner prescribed by the Regulations.
(3) The operator must keep a personal radiation exposure record for
the period prescribed by the Regulations.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
100 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
500 penalty units.
Part 3A Monitoring and recording of personal radiation exposure on mining sites
Radiation Protection Act 2004 25
47D
Reporting
47D Reporting
(1) The operator for a mining site must give information relating to this
Part as prescribed by the Regulations to the following persons:
(a) the CEO of ARPANSA within the meaning of the Australian
Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 (Cth);
(b) the Chief Health Officer.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
100 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
500 penalty units.
(2) For subsection (1), information relating to this Part includes
radiation exposure information.
47E
Persons on mining site to facilitate compliance by operator
47E Persons on mining site to facilitate compliance by operator
A person on a mining site must comply, so far as the person is
reasonably able, with any reasonable instruction given by the
operator for the mining site for the purpose of enabling the operator
to comply with this Part.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
20 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
100 penalty units.
47F
Access to records and information for radiation workers
47F Access to records and information for radiation workers
(1) The operator for a mining site must give a person access to, or a
copy of, radiation exposure information about the person on
request.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
100 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
500 penalty units.
Part 3A
Monitoring and recording of personal radiation exposure on mining sites
Part 3A Monitoring and recording of personal radiation exposure on mining sites
Radiation Protection Act 2004 26
(2) The operator for a mining site must give information about the
operation and effect of this Part to radiation workers and other
persons as required by the Regulations.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
100 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
500 penalty units.
47G
Confidentiality
47G Confidentiality
(1) A person who has access to radiation exposure information must
not directly or indirectly disclose that information to another person.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
500 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
2 500 penalty units.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person disclosing the
information:
(a) with the consent of the person to whom the information
relates; or
(b) for the administration of this Act; or
(c) for legal proceedings arising out of the operation of this Act; or
(d) in a statistical form that does not identify any person to whom
the information relates; or
(e) in accordance with the Minister's authorisation under
subsection (3); or
(f) as otherwise authorised or required by law.
(3) The Minister may, in writing, authorise the disclosure of radiation
exposure information to a stated person for a stated purpose if,
before disclosing the information, the Minister takes reasonable
steps to protect the privacy of persons to whom the information
relates.
(4) For subsection (3), a stated person may be:
(a) a named person; or
(b) a person holding or occupying a stated office, position or
designation; or
Part 4 Administration
Division 1 Authorised officers
Radiation Protection Act 2004 27
(c) the person from time to time holding or occupying a stated
office, position or designation.
Part 4 Administration
Division 1 Authorised officers
48
Appointment
48 Appointment
(1) The Chief Health Officer may appoint an employee within the
meaning of the Public Sector Employment and Management
Act 1993 to be an authorised officer.
(2) However, an appointment under subsection (1) may be made only if
the Chief Health Officer is satisfied the employee has the necessary
expertise or experience to be an authorised officer.
49
Appointment conditions and limit on powers
49 Appointment conditions and limit on powers
(1) An authorised officer holds office on the conditions stated in the
officer's instrument of appointment.
(2) The powers of an authorised officer may be limited under the
Regulations.
50
Identity cards
50 Identity cards
(1) The Chief Health Officer must issue an identity card to each
authorised officer.
(2) The identity card must:
(a) state the officer's name;
(b) contain a recent photograph of the officer; and
(c) be signed by the officer.
(3) This section does not prevent the issue of a single identity card to a
person for this and another Act.
51
Production of identity card
51 Production of identity card
An authorised officer exercising a power or performing a function
under this Act in relation to a person must, if asked by the person,
produce the officer's identity card for the person's inspection.
Part 4 Administration
Division 2 Other matters of administration
Radiation Protection Act 2004 28
52
Return of identity card
52 Return of identity card
A person who ceases to be an authorised officer must return the
person's identity card to the Chief Health Officer within 21 days
after ceasing to be an authorised officer unless the person has a
reasonable excuse.
Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.
Division 2 Other matters of administration
53
Delegation
53 Delegation
(1) The Chief Health Officer may delegate in writing to a person any of
the Chief Health Officer's powers or functions under this Act.
(2) However, the Chief Health Officer may delegate a power or function
only to a person the Chief Health Officer is satisfied has the
appropriate qualifications or experience to exercise the power or
perform the function.
54
Guidelines
54 Guidelines
(1) The Chief Health Officer may issue guidelines under this section
about administrative matters for this Act.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), guidelines may be issued about the
following:
(a) the type of information to be included in or accompany an
application for an authority;
(b) assessing an application for an authority.
(3) Guidelines may apply, adopt or incorporate (wholly or partly and
with or without modification) a document as in force at a particular
time.
(4) The Chief Health Officer must publish notice in the Gazette of the
issue of guidelines.
(5) The notice must state where copies of issued guidelines may be
inspected during normal business hours.
(6) The Chief Health Officer must ensure copies of issued guidelines
are available for inspection, free of charge, at the place stated in
the notice.
Part 4
Administration
Part 4 Administration
Division 2 Other matters of administration
Radiation Protection Act 2004 29
55
Codes of practice
55 Codes of practice
(1) The Chief Health Officer may, by notice in the Gazette, approve an
instrument as in force at a particular time or from time to time as a
code of practice relating to any of the following:
(a) the manufacturing, selling, acquiring, possessing, using,
storing, transporting, disposing of or otherwise dealing with a
radiation source;
(b) standards of compliance for:
(i) a radiation source for carrying out a radiation practice; or
(ii) a radiation place.
(2) The notice must state where copies of the code of practice may be
inspected during normal business hours.
(3) The Chief Health Officer must ensure copies of the code of practice
are available for inspection, free of charge, at the place stated in
the notice.
(4) A contravention of a code of practice does not of itself constitute an
offence against this Act.
56
Protection from liability
56 Protection from liability
(1) This section applies to a person who is or has been:
(a) the Chief Health Officer;
(b) an authorised officer; or
(c) a person assisting an authorised officer under Part 5.
(2) The person is not civilly or criminally liable for an act done or
omitted to be done by the person in good faith in the exercise or
purported exercise of a power, or the performance or purported
performance of a function, under this Act.
(3) Subsection (2) does not affect any liability the Territory would, apart
from that subsection, have for the act or omission.
57
Confidentiality
57 Confidentiality
(1) This section applies to a person who is or has been:
(a) the Chief Health Officer;
(b) an authorised officer;
Part 5 Enforcement
Division 2 Powers of authorised officers to enter places
Radiation Protection Act 2004 30
(c) a person assisting an authorised officer under Part 5; or
(d) another person involved in the administration this Act.
(2) The person must not directly or indirectly do any of the following:
(a) make a record of, or disclose to another person, information
acquired by the person because of the person's involvement
in the administration of this Act;
(b) give another person, or permit another person to have access
to, a document given to the person for the administration of
this Act.
Maximum penalty: 500 penalty units.
(3) However, subsection (2) does not apply:
(a) to the extent it is necessary for the person to do the thing for
this Act; or
(b) if the person is authorised or required by law to do the thing.
Part 5 Enforcement
Division 1 Preliminary
58
When thing connected with offence
58 When thing connected with offence
For this Part, a thing is connected with an offence if:
(a) the offence has been committed in relation to the thing;
(b) the thing will afford evidence of the commission of the offence;
or
(c) the thing was used, is being used or is intended to be used for
the purpose of committing the offence.
Division 2 Powers of authorised officers to enter places
59
Entry of place – general
59 Entry of place – general
(1) For the administration or enforcement of this Act, an authorised
officer may enter:
(a) a place (other than residential premises) at any reasonable
time; or
Part 5 Enforcement
Division 2 Powers of authorised officers to enter places
Radiation Protection Act 2004 31
(b) any place at any time with the consent of the occupier of the
place.
(2) An authorised officer who enters a place under subsection (1) must
not remain on the place if, asked by the occupier of the place, the
officer does not produce the officer's identity card.
60
Consent to entry
60 Consent to entry
(1) An authorised officer seeking the consent of an occupier of a place
to the officer's entry into or onto the place must:
(a) show the officer's identity card to the occupier;
(b) give the occupier the reasons why entry is sought; and
(c) inform the occupier that the occupier may refuse to give
consent.
(2) If an authorised officer obtains consent from the occupier to enter
the place, the officer must ask the occupier to sign a notice of
consent in the approved form.
(3) If:
(a) it is material in proceedings for a court to be satisfied the
occupier consented to entry under this Division; and
(b) a notice of consent is not produced in evidence,
the court may presume, in the absence of evidence to the contrary,
the occupier did not give consent.
61
Entry of place – search warrant
61 Entry of place – search warrant
(1) An authorised officer may apply to a Local Court Judge, by
information on oath, for a search warrant for a place if the officer
reasonably believes an offence against this Act is about to be, is
being or has been committed in or on the place.
(2) The Local Court Judge may issue a search warrant only if satisfied
about the matters set out in the information.
(3) The warrant authorises the officer named in the warrant and any
other person assisting the officer, with force if necessary, to enter
the place and to exercise an authorised officer's powers under this
Part.
(4) The warrant must state:
(a) the purpose for which it is issued;
Part 5 Enforcement
Division 2 Powers of authorised officers to enter places
Radiation Protection Act 2004 32
(b) the nature of the offence or contravention for which the entry
is authorised;
(c) the hours during which entry to the place is authorised or state
that the entry is authorised at any time of the day or night; and
(d) the date, within 30 days after the warrant's issue, the warrant
ceases to have effect.
(5) The authorised officer executing the warrant must, if asked by the
occupier of the place or another person on the place, produce the
warrant for the person's inspection.
62
Entry of place – emergency
62 Entry of place – emergency
(1) This section applies if an authorised officer is reasonably satisfied:
(a) there is a radiation source on a place; and
(b) it is necessary to exercise powers under this Part:
(i) to avoid or minimise an imminent risk of death or serious
illness of, or serious injury to, any person from radiation
emitted from the source; or
(ii) to avoid imminent serious harm to the environment from
the source.
(2) The officer may enter the place without a warrant or the consent of
the occupier of the place.
(3) An authorised officer who enters a place under subsection (2) must
not remain on the place if, asked by the occupier of the place, the
officer does not produce the officer's identity card.
63
Additional powers for entry of vehicle
63 Additional powers for entry of vehicle
For entering a vehicle under this Division, an authorised officer may
require a person:
(a) to stop, move or not to move the vehicle; or
(b) to bring the vehicle to a stated place and remain in control of
the vehicle until the officer permits the vehicle to depart.
Part 5 Enforcement
Division 3 Powers of authorised officers on entry of places
Radiation Protection Act 2004 33
Division 3 Powers of authorised officers on entry of places
64
Powers on entry of place
64 Powers on entry of place
(1) An authorised officer who enters a place under Division 2 may do
any of the following:
(a) inspect or examine the place or anything found in or on the
place;
(b) break open and search fixtures and fittings, furniture and
furnishings or boxes, packages and other containers found in
or on the place;
(c) take measurements of, or conduct tests in relation to, the
place or anything found in or on the place;
(d) take photographs, films or audio, video or other recordings of
the place or anything found in or on the place;
(e) take and remove from the place samples for analysis of
anything found in or on the place;
(f) if the place is a vehicle – subject to section 65, seize it;
(g) subject to section 65, seize anything found in or on the place;
(h) take copies of or extracts from documents found in or on the
place;
(i) require a person in or on the place to:
(i) answer questions or provide information;
(ii) make available documents kept on the place; or
(iii) give the officer reasonable help to exercise powers
under this section;
(j) direct a person apparently in charge of a machine or other
equipment found in or on the place not to operate the machine
or other equipment:
(i) until stated repairs have been made; or
(ii) until the machine or other equipment meets stated
requirements;
Part 5 Enforcement
Division 3 Powers of authorised officers on entry of places
Radiation Protection Act 2004 34
(k) direct the occupier of the place to do the following until the
period stated in the direction or an extension of that period
(neither period exceeding 14 days) has expired:
(i) to stop using a thing found in or on the place and to
store it in a stated way;
(ii) to use a thing found in or on the place in a stated way
and in no other way;
(l) direct the occupier of the place not to remove a stated thing
found in or on the place for the period (not exceeding 14 days)
stated in the direction;
(m) destroy or render harmless, or direct the occupier of the place
to destroy or render harmless, a thing found in or on the place
that poses, or is likely to pose, a threat to the health or safety
of persons or a threat of harm to the environment.
(2) After taking a sample under subsection (1)(e) or seizing a thing
under subsection (1)(f) or (g), the officer must give a receipt for the
sample or thing to:
(a) the occupier of the place; or
(b) the person who the officer reasonably believes was in
possession of the sample or thing immediately before it was
taken or seized.
(3) A requirement or direction under subsection (1) must be given by
written notice.
(4) However, if the officer has entered the place under section 62, the
requirement or direction may be given orally but the officer must as
soon as practicable confirm the requirement or direction by written
notice given to the person.
(5) When making the requirement or giving the direction, the officer
must inform the person that it is an offence not to comply with the
requirement or direction unless the person has a reasonable
excuse.
Part 5 Enforcement
Division 3 Powers of authorised officers on entry of places
Radiation Protection Act 2004 35
(6) The person must comply with the requirement or direction unless
the person has a reasonable excuse.
Maximum penalty for an offence against subsection (6): If the
offender is a natural person – 500 penalty
units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
2 500 penalty units.
65
Seizure of things
65 Seizure of things
(1) An authorised officer may seize a thing under section 64(1)(f) or (g)
only if the officer reasonably believes the thing:
(a) is connected with an offence against this Act and the seizure
is necessary to prevent the thing from being:
(i) concealed, lost, damaged or destroyed; or
(ii) used to commit the offence;
(b) is connected with an offence against this Act and the seizure
is necessary to conduct tests for adducing evidence for a
prosecution for the offence; or
(c) poses a threat to the health or safety of persons or a threat of
harm to the environment.
(2) After seizing the thing, the officer may:
(a) take, or direct another person to take, the thing to the place
stated by the officer; or
(b) give the directions about the handling and storage of the thing
the officer considers appropriate.
(3) A person must not, without the written consent of the Chief Health
Officer:
(a) interfere with or dispose of the seized thing; or
(b) remove the seized thing from the place in or on which it was
seized or to which it was taken by or under the direction of the
officer.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
100 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
500 penalty units.
Part 5 Enforcement
Division 3 Powers of authorised officers on entry of places
Radiation Protection Act 2004 36
66
Retention of things seized
66 Retention of things seized
(1) The following provisions apply in relation to a thing seized because
it is connected with an offence against this Act:
(a) it must be held by the authorised officer for adducing evidence
for a prosecution for an offence against this Act unless the
Chief Health Officer authorises its release to its owner or the
person who had possession of it immediately before its
seizure;
(b) if a prosecution for an offence against this Act is started within
12 months after the seizure and the defendant is found guilty,
the court may order that it be forfeited to the Territory;
(c) the officer must release it to its owner or the person who had
possession of it immediately before its seizure if:
(i) a prosecution for an offence against this Act is not
started within 12 months after the seizure; or
(ii) on a prosecution being started within that period, the
defendant is not found guilty or the court does not make
an order under paragraph (b).
(2) If a radiation source is forfeited to the Territory under
subsection (1)(b), the Territory does not contravene a provision of
this Act merely because of its possession of the source.
(3) The following provisions apply in relation to a thing that is seized
because it poses a threat to the health or safety of persons or a
threat of harm to the environment:
(a) the authorised officer must take steps to destroy, bury or
otherwise render the thing harmless;
(b) once it has been rendered harmless, unless it has been
destroyed or buried, the officer must release it to its owner or
the person who had possession of it immediately before its
seizure.
67
Authorised officer may use help and force in exercising
67 Authorised officer may use help and force in exercising
powers
An authorised officer may exercise a power under this Part with the
help, and using the force, that is reasonable in the circumstances.
Part 5 Enforcement
Division 4 Other powers of authorised officers
Radiation Protection Act 2004 37
Division 4 Other powers of authorised officers
68
Power to require name and address
68 Power to require name and address
(1) This section applies if an authorised officer:
(a) finds a person committing an offence against this Act;
(b) finds a person in circumstances that lead the officer to
reasonably suspect the person has just committed an offence
against this Act; or
(c) has information that leads the officer to reasonably suspect a
person has just committed an offence against this Act.
(2) The officer may require the person to state the person's name and
address.
(3) When making the requirement, the officer must inform the person
that it is an offence not to comply with the requirement unless the
person has a reasonable excuse.
(4) The officer may require the person to give evidence of the
correctness of the person's name or address if the officer
reasonably suspects the name or address given is false.
(5) The person must comply with the officer's requirement under
subsection (2) or (4) unless the person has a reasonable excuse.
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units.
69
Power to require information from certain persons
69 Power to require information from certain persons
(1) If an authorised officer reasonably suspects:
(a) an offence against this Act has been committed; and
(b) a person may be able to give information about the offence.
(2) The officer may require the person to give information about the
suspected offence.
(3) When making the requirement, the officer must inform the person it
is an offence to fail to give the information unless the person has a
reasonable excuse.
Part 5 Enforcement
Division 5 General enforcement matters
Radiation Protection Act 2004 38
(4) The person must comply with the requirement unless the person
has a reasonable excuse.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
100 penalty units.
If the offender is a body corporate –
500 penalty units.
(5) It is a reasonable excuse for the person to fail to answer the
question if complying with the requirement might tend to incriminate
the person.
Division 5 General enforcement matters
70
False or misleading documents
70 False or misleading documents
(1) A person must not give the Chief Health Officer or an authorised
officer, a document containing information that the person knows is
false or misleading in a material particular.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
100 penalty units or imprisonment for
6 months.
If the offender is a body corporate –
500 penalty units.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who, when giving the
document:
(a) tells the Chief Health Officer or authorised officer, to the best
of the person's ability, how the document is false or
misleading; and
(b) gives the correct information to the Chief Health Officer or
authorised officer if the person has, or can reasonably obtain,
the correct information.
(3) It is enough for a complaint against a person for an offence against
subsection (1) to state the document was, without specifying which,
false or misleading to the person's knowledge.
71
False or misleading statements
71 False or misleading statements
(1) A person must not:
(a) state anything to the Chief Health Officer or an authorised
officer that the person knows is false or misleading in a
material particular; or
Part 5
Enforcement
Part 5 Enforcement
Division 5 General enforcement matters
Radiation Protection Act 2004 39
(b) omit from a statement made to the Chief Health Officer or an
authorised officer anything without which the statement is, to
the person's knowledge, misleading in a material particular.
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units or imprisonment for
6 months.
(2) It is enough for a complaint against a person for an offence against
subsection (1)(a) to state the statement was, without specifying
which, false or misleading to the person's knowledge.
72
Obstruction etc of authorised officer
72 Obstruction etc of authorised officer
(1) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, obstruct an
authorised officer in the exercise of an authorised officer's powers
under this Part.
Maximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –
100 penalty units or imprisonment for
6 months.
If the offender is a body corporate –
500 penalty units.
(2) In this section:
obstruct includes hinder and resist.
73
Impersonation of authorised officer
73 Impersonation of authorised officer
A person must not pretend to be an authorised officer.
Maximum penalty: 400 penalty units or imprisonment for
6 months.
74
Acquisition on just terms
74 Acquisition on just terms
If, but for this section, property is acquired under this Part other
than on just terms:
(a) the person from whom the property is acquired is entitled to
receive just compensation for the acquisition; and
(b) a court of competent jurisdiction may determine the amount of
the compensation or make the orders necessary to ensure the
compensation is on just terms.
Part 6 Reviews
Radiation Protection Act 2004 40
Part 6
Reviews
Part 6 Reviews
75
Application for review
75 Application for review
(1) A person who is given, or entitled to be given, a review notice for a
decision of the Chief Health Officer may apply to the Local Court for
a review of the decision.
(2) The application must:
(a) be made within 28 days after:
(i) if the person receives a review notice for the decision –
the day the person receives the notice; or
(ii) if subparagraph (i) does not apply – the day the person
becomes aware of the decision; and
(b) state fully the grounds on which it is made.
76
Review by Local Court
76 Review by Local Court
(1) On receipt of the application, the Local Court must review the
merits of the decision.
(2) The review must be by way of hearing de novo.
77
Operation and implementation of decision
77 Operation and implementation of decision
(1) The application does not affect the operation or implementation of
the decision.
(2) However, the Local Court may make an order staying or otherwise
affecting the operation or implementation of so much of the decision
as the Court considers appropriate to effectively hear and decide
the application.
(3) The order:
(a) is subject to any conditions stated in it; and
(b) has effect:
(i) for the period stated in it; or
(ii) if no period is stated in it – until the Court has decided
the application.
78 Decision on review
(1) On reviewing the decision, the Local Court must make an order:
(a) confirming the decision;
(b) varying the decision; or
(c) setting the decision aside and substituting its own decision.
(2) If the Court makes an order under subsection (1)(b) or (c), the
varied or substituted decision is, for this Act (other than this Part),
taken to be the Chief Health Officer's decision.
Part 7 Legal proceedings
Division 1 Evidentiary provisions
79
Application of Division
79 Application of Division
This Division applies to a proceeding under this Act.
80
Signatures
80 Signatures
A signature purporting to be the signature of the Chief Health
Officer or an authorised officer is evidence of the signature it
purports to be.
81
Evidentiary certificates
81 Evidentiary certificates
(1) A certificate purporting to be signed by the Chief Health Officer
stating any of the following matters is evidence of the matter:
(a) on a day a person was the Chief Health Officer or an
authorised officer;
(b) a document is an authority or notice issued or given under this
Act;
(c) on a day or during a period a person was or was not the
holder of an authority;
(d) on a day or during a period an authority:
(i) was or was not in force; or
(ii) was or was not subject to a condition;
(e) on a day an authority was suspended or cancelled;
Part 7 Legal proceedings
Division 2 Criminal liability
Radiation Protection Act 2004 42
(f) on a day a person was given a notice under this Act.
(2) In subsection (1), a reference to a person or thing is a reference to
a person or thing stated in the certificate.
Division 2 Criminal liability
82
Conduct of representatives
82 Conduct of representatives
(1) If, in a proceeding for an offence against this Act, it is necessary to
establish a person's state of mind in relation to particular conduct, it
is sufficient to show:
(a) the conduct was engaged in by a representative of the person,
within the scope of the representative's actual or apparent
authority; and
(b) the representative had that state of mind.
(2) For a proceeding for an offence against this Act, conduct engaged
in on behalf of a person by a representative within the scope of the
representative's actual or apparent authority is taken to have been
engaged in also by the person.
(3) However, a natural person is not liable to be punished by
imprisonment for an offence against this Act if the person would not
have been found guilty of the offence if subsection (1) or (2) had not
been enacted.
(4) In this section:
engaging in conduct includes failing or refusing to engage in
conduct.
representative means:
(a) of a body corporate – an executive officer, employee or agent
of the body corporate; or
(b) of a natural person – an employee or agent of the person.
state of mind of a person includes:
(a) the knowledge, intention, opinion, belief or purpose of the
person; and
(b) the person's reasons for the intention, opinion, belief or
purpose.
Part 7
Legal proceedings
Part 7 Legal proceedings
Division 3 Proceedings generally
Radiation Protection Act 2004 43
83
Liability of executive officers of body corporate
83 Liability of executive officers of body corporate
(1) If a body corporate commits an offence against this Act, each of the
executive officers of the body corporate is taken to have committed
the same offence.
(2) However, it is a defence for an executive officer to establish:
(a) the body corporate would not have been found guilty of the
offence because it would have been able to establish a
defence;
(b) the defendant did not know, and could not reasonably have
been expected to know, that the offence was to be or was
being committed; or
(c) the defendant exercised due diligence to prevent the
commission of the offence.
(3) A proceeding for an offence against this Act may be brought
against an executive officer of a body corporate whether or not a
proceeding for the offence is brought against the body corporate.
(4) A person is not liable to be punished by imprisonment for an
offence against this Act if the person would not have been found
guilty of the offence if subsection (1) had not been enacted.
Division 3 Proceedings generally
84
Time for making complaint
84 Time for making complaint
A complaint for an offence against this Act may be made within
12 months after the Agency administering this Act became aware of
the commission of the offence.
85
Additional court orders
85 Additional court orders
(1) This section applies if a court finds a person guilty of an offence
against this Act that resulted in loss of or damage to another
person's property or harm to the environment.
(2) In addition to the penalty that may otherwise be imposed for the
offence, the court may:
(a) order the person to pay to the other person the amount
decided by the court as compensation for the loss of or
damage to the other person's property or for costs reasonably
incurred by the other person in taking action to mitigate or
prevent the loss or damage; or
Part 8 Miscellaneous provisions
Radiation Protection Act 2004 44
(b) order the person to pay to the Territory the amount decided by
the court to be the reasonable costs and expenses incurred by
the Territory in taking action to remedy or mitigate the harm to
the environment or to prevent further harm to the environment.
(3) In addition, the court may make another order the court considers
necessary or convenient for the enforcement of an order under
subsection (2).
Part 8 Miscellaneous provisions
86
Register
86 Register
(1) The Chief Health Officer must keep a register of the following:
(a) authorities;
(b) exemptions given under section 10;
(c) guidelines;
(d) codes of practice.
(2) The register may be in any form, including an electronic form.
(3) The register of authorities must contain the following particulars:
(a) the name and contact details of the holder of the authority;
(b) the type of authority.
(4) The Chief Health Officer must:
(a) make the register available for inspection by members of the
public during normal business hours; and
(b) on written application by a member of the public and payment
of the fee prescribed by the Regulations – give the member of
the public a copy of an entry in or extract from the register.
87
Approved forms
87 Approved forms
The Chief Health Officer may approve forms for use under this Act.
88
Service of documents
88 Service of documents
(1) A document that is required or permitted under this Act to be given
to a person (other than a body corporate) may be given by:
(a) delivering it to the person personally;
Part 8 Miscellaneous provisions
Radiation Protection Act 2004 45
(b) sending it by prepaid post to the person's last known place of
business or residence or last known postal address;
(c) sending it by fax to the person's last known fax number;
(d) sending it by email to the person's last known email address;
or
(e) leaving it at the person's last known place of business or
residence with another person who appears to be at least
16 years old and living or employed there.
(2) A document that is required or permitted under this Act to be given
to a body corporate may be given by:
(a) delivering it to an executive officer of the body personally;
(b) sending it by prepaid post to any of the body's registered
offices;
(c) sending it by fax to the body's last known fax number;
(d) sending it by email to the body's last known email address; or
(e) leaving it at any of the body's registered offices or other places
of business with a person who appears to be at least 16 years
old and employed there.
(3) A document is taken to be given to a person on:
(a) if it is sent by prepaid post under subsection (1)(b) or (2)(b) –
the date the document would have been delivered in the
ordinary course of post;
(b) if it is sent by fax or email under subsection (1)(c) or (1)(d)
or (2)(c) or (2)(d) – the date the fax or email is sent;
(c) if it is left with a person under subsection (1)(e) or (2)(e) – the
date it is left with the person; or
(d) if the person is a body corporate and it is delivered to an
executive officer of the body under subsection (2)(a) – the
date it is delivered to the officer.
89
Regulations
89 Regulations
(1) The Administrator may make regulations under this Act.
(2) The Regulations may provide for any of the following:
(a) the disposal of radiation sources;
Part 8
Miscellaneous provisions
Part 8 Miscellaneous provisions
Radiation Protection Act 2004 46
(b) radiation protection measures;
(c) radiation monitoring required to be carried out by persons;
(d) the records to be kept and returns to be made by persons and
the inspection of the records;
(e) the application, adoption or incorporation (wholly or partly and
with or without modification) of a document as in force at a
particular time or from time to time;
(f) fees payable, and the refund (wholly or partly) of fees paid,
under this Act;
(g) the establishment of a body to advise the Chief Health Officer
on matters relating to the administration of this Act and the
business and conduct of meetings of the body, including:
(i) the times and places of meetings;
(ii) the quorum for meetings;
(iii) the presiding member at meetings; and
(iv) the disclosure of a member's interest before meetings;
(h) the designation of an offence against the Regulations as a
regulatory offence;
(i) penalties for offences against the Regulations not exceeding
100 penalty units for a natural person and 500 penalty units
for a body corporate;
(j) the payment of a prescribed amount instead of a penalty that
may otherwise be imposed for an offence against this Act, the
service of a notice for payment of the amount on a person
alleged to have committed the offence and the particulars to
be included in the notice.
(3) The Regulations may provide for the review of a decision made
under the Regulations and, for that purpose, the Regulations may
confer jurisdiction on the Local Court.
(4) The Regulations may:
(a) make different provision in relation to:
(i) different persons or matters; or
(ii) different classes of persons or matters; or
Part 9 Repeals, transitional provisions, consequential amendments and other
provisions
Division 3 Transitional provisions for repealed Radiation Safety Control Act
Radiation Protection Act 2004 47
(b) apply differently by reference to stated exceptions or factors.
90
Review of Act
90 Review of Act
The Minister must conduct a review of the operation of this Act
before the 10th anniversary of the commencement of this Act and
afterwards at intervals of not more than 10 years.
Part 9 Repeals, transitional provisions, consequential
amendments and other provisions
Div 1
Preliminary
Division 1 Preliminary
91
Definitions
91 Definitions
In this Part:
commencement date means the date on which this Act comes into
operation.
repealed Radiation Safety Control Act means the Radiation
(Safety Control) Act 1978 as in force immediately before the
commencement date.
Div 2
Repeal of Acts
Division 2 Repeal of Acts
92
Repeal of radiation safety legislation
92 Repeal of radiation safety legislation
The Acts specified in Schedule 1 are repealed.
Division 3 Transitional provisions for repealed Radiation
Safety Control Act
94
Licences
94 Licences
(1) Subsections (2) and (3) apply to a licence (the former licence):
(a) granted under section 11 of the repealed Radiation Safety
Control Act authorising the possession, manufacture,
purchase, use, sale, handling or disposal of a radioactive
substance or irradiating apparatus under that Act; and
(b) in force immediately before the commencement date.
(2) The former licence is taken to be a licence under this Act
authorising the licensee to possess, manufacture, purchase, use,
sell, handle or dispose of, as the case may be, the radiation source
Part 9 Repeals, transitional provisions, consequential amendments and other
provisions
Division 3 Transitional provisions for repealed Radiation Safety Control Act
Radiation Protection Act 2004 48
that is the radioactive substance or irradiating apparatus to which
the former licence related.
(3) The licence continues in force, subject to the same conditions that
applied to the former licence immediately before the
commencement date, until the former licence would have expired
had the repealed Radiation Safety Control Act not been repealed.
(4) Subsections (5) and (6) apply to a licence:
(a) granted under section 11 of the repealed Radiation Safety
Control Act authorising the holder of the licence to carry out
maintenance on irradiating apparatus under that Act; and
(b) in force immediately before the commencement date.
(5) The licence is taken to be a certificate of accreditation under this
Act issued to the holder authorising the holder to carry out work on
the radiation source that is the irradiating apparatus to which the
licence related.
(6) The certificate continues in force, subject to the same conditions
that applied to the licence immediately before the commencement
date, until the licence would have expired had the repealed
Radiation Safety Control Act not been repealed.
95
Pending licence applications
95 Pending licence applications
(1) Subsection (2) applies if, immediately before the commencement
date, the Chief Health Officer had not decided an application for or
renewal of a licence under the repealed Radiation Safety Control
Act, authorising the possession, manufacture, purchase, use, sale,
handling or disposal of a radioactive substance or irradiating
apparatus.
(2) The application is taken to be an application for or renewal of a
licence under this Act for carrying out the activity in relation to the
radiation source that is the radioactive substance or irradiating
apparatus.
(3) Subsection (4) applies if, immediately before the commencement
date, the Chief Health Officer had not decided an application for or
renewal of a licence under the repealed Radiation Safety Control
Act authorising the carrying out of maintenance on irradiating
apparatus under that Act.
(4) The application is taken to be an application for or renewal of a
certificate of accreditation under this Act for carrying out work on
the radiation source that is the irradiating apparatus.
Part 9 Repeals, transitional provisions, consequential amendments and other
provisions
Div 3
Transitional provisions for repealed Radiation Safety Control Act
Division 3 Transitional provisions for repealed Radiation Safety Control Act
Radiation Protection Act 2004 49
96
Approvals for disposal of radioactive substance
96 Approvals for disposal of radioactive substance
(1) This section applies to an approval:
(a) granted under section 22 of the repealed Radiation Safety
Control Act authorising the disposal or abandonment of a
radioactive substance under that Act; and
(b) in force immediately before the commencement date.
(2) The approval is taken to be a licence under this Act authorising the
licensee to dispose of the radiation source that is the radioactive
substance to which the approval related.
(3) The licence continues in force, subject to the same conditions that
applied to the approval immediately before the commencement
date, until 6 months after the commencement date.
97
Registered irradiating apparatus
97 Registered irradiating apparatus
(1) This section applies to a certificate of registration (the former
certificate):
(a) issued under section 31 of the repealed Radiation Safety
Control Act for an irradiating apparatus under that Act; and
(b) in force immediately before the commencement date.
(2) The former certificate is taken to be a certificate of registration
issued under this Act to the owner of the radiation source that is the
irradiating apparatus to which the former certificate related.
(3) The certificate continues in force subject to the same conditions
that applied to the former certificate immediately before the
commencement date.
98
Pending applications for registration
98 Pending applications for registration
(1) This section applies if, immediately before the commencement
date, the Chief Health Officer had not decided an application for a
certificate of registration under the repealed Radiation Safety
Control Act for an irradiating apparatus under that Act.
(2) The application is taken to be an application for a certificate of
registration under this Act for the radiation source that is the
irradiating apparatus.
Part 9 Repeals, transitional provisions, consequential amendments and other
provisions
Division 4 Provisions relating to Diagnostic Radiographers
Radiation Protection Act 2004 50
99
Approved stores
99 Approved stores
(1) This section applies to an approval of a place as a store for a
radioactive substance:
(a) granted under section 53 of the repealed Radiation Safety
Control Act; and
(b) in force immediately before the commencement date.
(2) The approval is taken to be a licence under this Act authorising the
owner of the place to store at the place the radiation source that is
the radioactive substance to which the approval related.
(3) The licence continues in force, subject to the same conditions that
applied to the approval immediately before the commencement
date, until 6 months after the commencement date.
Div 4
Provisions relating to Diagnostic Radiographers
Division 4 Provisions relating to Diagnostic Radiographers
100
Registration certificate taken to be licence
100 Registration certificate taken to be licence
(1) This section applies to a person who:
(a) is registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National
Law (other than as a student) to practise as a diagnostic
radiographer in the diagnostic radiographer division of the
medical radiation practice profession; and
(b) uses a radiation apparatus under that Law for practising
radiography.
(2) The person's certificate of registration issued under section 124 of
the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law is taken to be a
licence under this Act authorising the person to use the radiation
source that is the radiation apparatus for practising radiography.
(3) The licence has effect subject to the conditions applying to the
certificate of registration that relates to using the radiation source
for practising radiography.
(4) However, subsections (2) and (3) do not apply to the person during
a period in which the person's certificate of registration is
suspended under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law.
101
Regulations
101 Regulations
(1) The regulations may provide for a matter arising from this Division.
Part 9
Repeals, transitional provisions, consequential amendments and other
Part 9 Repeals, transitional provisions, consequential amendments and other
provisions
Division 5 Consequential amendment
Radiation Protection Act 2004 51
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the regulations may provide for
matters relevant to the application of this Act to a person who is
taken to hold a licence as provided in section 100.
Div 5
Consequential amendment
Division 5 Consequential amendment
103 Amendment of Dangerous Goods Act 1998
Section 4 of the Dangerous Goods Act 1998 is amended by
omitting subsection (1)(a) and substituting the following:
(a) radiation material within the meaning of the Radiation
Protection Act 2004; or
ENDNOTES
Radiation Protection Act 2004 53
ENDNOTES
1 KEY
Key to abbreviations
amd = amended od = order
app = appendix om = omitted
bl = by-law pt = Part
ch = Chapter r = regulation/rule
cl = clause rem = remainder
div = Division renum = renumbered
exp = expires/expired rep = repealed
f = forms s = section
Gaz = Gazette sch = Schedule
hdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision
ins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation
lt = long title sub = substituted
nc = not commenced
2
LIST OF LEGISLATION
2 LIST OF LEGISLATION
Radiation Protection Act 2004 (Act No. 23, 2004)
Assent date 28 April 2004
Commenced 5 October 2009 (Gaz S53, 5 October 2009)
Statute Law Revision Act 2005 (Act No. 44, 2005)
Assent date 14 December 2005
Commenced s 33: 1 March 2001; rem: 14 December 2005
Radiation Protection and Radiographers Amendment Act 2009 (Act No. 21, 2009)
Assent date 25 June 2009
Commenced pts 1 and 2: 25 June 2009; pt 3: 5 October 2009;
rem: 5 October 2010; (s 2(2) and (3), s 2 Radiation Protection
Act 2004 and Gaz S53, 5 October 2009)
Amending Legislation
Health Practitioner (National Uniform Legislation) Implementation Act 2010 (Act
No. 18, 2010)
Assent date 20 May 2010
Commenced 1 July 2010
Public and Environmental Health Act 2011 (Act No. 7, 2011)
Assent date 16 March 2011
Commenced 1 July 2011 (Gaz S28, 3 June 2011)
Penalties Amendment (Children and Families, Health and Primary Industry, Fisheries
and Resources) Act 2011 (Act No. 28, 2011)
Assent date 31 August 2011
Commenced 21 September 2011 (Gaz G38, 21 September 2011, p 4)
Radiation Protection Amendment Act 2012 (Act No. 14, 2012)
Assent date 27 April 2012
Commenced 2 July 2012 (Gaz G23, 6 June 2012, p 2)
ENDNOTES
Radiation Protection Act 2004 54
Health Practitioner (National Uniform Legislation) Implementation Act 2012 (Act No. 17,
2012)
Assent date 22 May 2012
Commenced 1 July 2012 (s 2)
Local Court (Related Amendments) Act 2016 (Act No. 8, 2016)
Assent date 6 April 2016
Commenced 1 May 2016 (s 2, s 2 Local Court (Repeals and Related
Amendments) Act 2016 (Act No. 9, 2016) and Gaz S34,
29
April 2016)
29 April 2016)
Environment Protection Legislation Amendment Act 2023 (Act No. 34, 2023)
Assent date 6 December 2023
Commenced pt 1, pt 3, div 1, ss 207 and 219 and pt 5: 7 December 2023
(s 2(1)); pt 3, div 2: 1 March 2024 (s 2(2), s 2 Environment
Protection Legislation Amendment (Chain of Responsibility)
Act 2022 (Act No. 32, 2022) and (Gaz G4, 15 February 2024,
p 1); pt 4: 1 July 2024 (Gaz G4, 15 February 2024, p 2);
rem: 1 March 2024 (Gaz G4, 15 February 2024, p 2)
3
GENERAL AMENDMENTS
3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS
General amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table
of amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation
Amendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22, 2018) to: ss 1, 9, 47A, 48, 91 and 103.
4
LIST OF AMENDMENTS
4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS
s 4 amd No. 7, 2011, s 140; No. 14, 2012, s 4
s 6 amd No. 44, 2005, s 35
s 9 amd No. 14, 2012, s 5; No. 34, 2023, s 223
ss10 – 19 amd No. 28, 2011, s 4
ss 23 – 24 amd No. 28, 2011, s 4
s 34 amd No. 28, 2011, s 4
s 40 amd No. 28, 2011, s 4
s 42 amd No. 28, 2011, s 4
s 45 amd No. 28, 2011, s 4
s 47 amd No. 28, 2011, s 4
pt 3A hdg ins No. 14, 2012, s 6
s 47A ins No. 14, 2012, s 6
amd No. 34, 2023, s 224
ss 47B – 47F ins No. 14, 2012, s 6
s 52 amd No. 28, 2011, s 4
s 57 amd No. 28, 2011, s 4
s 61 amd No. 8, 2016, s 45
ss 64 – 65 amd No. 28, 2011, s 4
ss 68 – 73 amd No. 28, 2011, s 4
s 89 amd No. 21, 2009, s 4
pt 9 hdg amd No. 21, 2009, s 5
s 91 amd No. 21, 2009, s 6
s 93 rep No. 21, 2009, s 7
pt 9
div 4 hdg amd No. 21, 2009, s 8
sub No. 17, 2012, s 54
ENDNOTES
Radiation Protection Act 2004 55
s 100 amd No. 21, 2009, s 9
sub No. 17, 2012, s 54
s 101 rep No. 21, 2009, s 10
ins No. 17, 2012, s 54
s 102 amd No. 21, 2009, s 11
rep No. 17, 2012, s 54
s 103 amd No. 21, 2009, s 12
sch 2 rep No. 21, 2009, s 13
Source text: opening excerpt
Sourced from NT Legislation (legislation.nt.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
1 Radiation Protection Act 2004
NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
RADIATION PROTECTION ACT 2004
As in force at 1 July 2024
Table of provisions
Part 1 Preliminary
Division 1 Introduction
1 Short title ......................................................................................... 1
2 Commencement .............................................................................. 1
Division 2 Objects of Act
3 Objects ............................................................................................ 1
Division 3 Interpretation
4 Definitions ........................................................................................ 1
5 Radiation ......................................................................................... 5
6 Radiation source.............................................................................. 6
Division 4 Operation of Act
7 Act binds Crown .............................................................................. 6
8 Act does not apply to certain radioactive material ........................... 6
9 Act does not apply to certain activities ............................................. 6
10 Exemption from application of Act ................................................... 7
Part 2 Requirements for radiation sources and
related matters
Division 1 General duty relating to radiation sources
11 Duty to ensure harm does not result from radiation source ............. 7
Division 2 Licences for dealing with radiation sources
Subdivision 1 Requirement for licence
12 Licence for radiation source............................................................. 8
Subdivision 2 Duties of licensees and other persons acting
under licences
13 Duty of person carrying out diagnostic or therapeutic
procedure ........................................................................................ 8
Radiation Protection Act 2004 ii
14 Duty of other persons carrying out radiation practice ...................... 9
15 Duty of licensee to give notification of dangerous event .................. 9
Division 3 Registration of radiation sources and places
where radiation sources are used or stored
16 Registration of radiation source ..................................................... 10
17 Registration of place where radiation source used or stored ......... 11
Division 4 Accreditations for radiation sources and
radiation places
18 Accreditation to carry out work on radiation source ....................... 11
19 Accreditation to issue certificate of compliance ............................. 11
Division 5 Certificates of compliance for radiation
sources and radiation places
20 Issue of certificate of compliance................................................... 12
21 Testing of radiation source ............................................................ 12
22 Inspection of radiation place .......................................................... 12
23 Result of test or inspection to be given to Chief Health Officer ...... 13
Division 6 Banned radiation sources
24 Possession, use or supply of banned radiation source.................. 13
Part 3 Licensing, registration and accreditation
Division 1 Applications for, and issue of, authorities
25 Application ..................................................................................... 13
26 Consideration of application .......................................................... 14
27 Decision on application .................................................................. 14
28 Approval of radiation protection plan ............................................. 15
29 Duration ......................................................................................... 15
Division 2 Renewal of licences and certificates of
accreditation
30 Application ..................................................................................... 15
31 Authority continues until application decided ................................. 16
Division 3 Variation of conditions of authorities
32 Variation of conditions of authority – Chief Health Officer's
initiative.......................................................................................... 16
33 Variation of conditions of authority – application by holder ............ 16
34 Recording variation of conditions................................................... 17
Provides enforcement powers and remedies: authorised officers with entry, inspection, seizure and direction powers (ss 48, 59-67); offences and penalties for contraventions (multiple sections, see ss 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16-17, 24, and many others); immediate suspension and show‑cause/cancellation procedures (ss 35-41); and criminal and civil enquiry and court processes (Pts 6-7).
Adds a narrowly focused mining regime (Part 3A, ss 47A-47G) obliging prescribed mining operators to monitor radiation exposure of prescribed classes of workers, keep personal radiation exposure records, report exposure information to ARPANSA and the Chief Health Officer, allow worker access to their own exposure records, and impose confidentiality controls on exposure information.
Preserves administrative tools and subordinate law: the Chief Health Officer may issue guidelines and approve codes of practice (ss 54-55), the Administrator may make regulations covering detailed technical matters (s 89), and the register of authorities and related instruments must be kept and made available (s 86).
Contains transitional and consequential provisions which folded older Territory radiation law into the Act and mapped pre‑existing licences and approvals into the new authority categories (Pt 9, including ss 94-99), and makes an express link to medical practitioner registration for diagnostic radiographers (s 100).
The Act therefore replaces and modernises the Territory’s radiation safety control regime into a licensing, registration and accreditation model with administrative discretion resting in the Chief Health Officer, backed by specified enforcement powers. The declared rationale in s 3 is health and environmental protection. That stated objective is achieved in the statute by detailed duties, licensing gatekeeping, inspection and certification mechanisms, reporting and record obligations, and civil/criminal penalties. The statute leaves technical limits and many operational details (dose limits, monitoring regimes, classes of radiation workers, banned sources, fee amounts, time periods and other precise obligations) to the Regulations and to codes/guidelines that the Chief Health Officer may adopt (ss 27(3), 54, 55, 89). The Act also creates administrative levers , suspension, variation and cancellation of authorities (ss 32-41) , which are the primary compliance instruments beyond criminal penalties.
Main concepts
The Act’s regulatory architecture depends on a set of defined concepts. The text prescribes their legal meanings and how they fit together.
Radiation (s 5): Radiation is either ionising or non‑ionising. Ionising radiation is electromagnetic or particulate radiation capable of producing ions directly or indirectly, excluding electromagnetic radiation with wavelength greater than 100 nanometres (s 5(2)). Non‑ionising radiation is electromagnetic radiation with wavelength greater than 100 nm (s 5(3)). The Act therefore draws the line for "ionising" by wavelength rather than source type; further technical thresholds are to be set in Regulations when necessary (s 89).
Radiation source (s 6): A radiation source is anything that may emit ionising radiation (s 6(1)(a)) or anything prescribed in Regulations that may emit non‑ionising radiation (s 6(1)(b)). A radiation source can be either radioactive material or radiation apparatus (s 6(2)). Radioactive material is defined by spontaneous emission and by activity/activity concentration thresholds that the Regulations prescribe (s 6(3)). A radiation apparatus is an apparatus that produces radiation when energised or that would produce radiation if assembled or repaired and energised (s 6(4)).
Sealed and unsealed sources (s 4 definitions): The Act distinguishes sealed sources (radioactive material permanently sealed in a capsule or closely bound solid form with leak‑tightness) and unsealed sources (everything else). This matters for certificates of compliance and testing obligations (s 20(3)).
Radiation practice, radiation place, radiation worker (s 4 and Pt 3A): A radiation practice is any activity relating to a radiation source that may result in exposing persons, animals or things to radiation. A radiation place is a place at which a radiation source is or is to be used to carry out a radiation practice. Part 3A defines radiation workers for the mining context and prescribes monitoring and record duties for operators (ss 47A-47C).
Authority, licence, registration and accreditation (s 4; Pt 3): "Authority" is an umbrella term for the three instrument types: licence (authorising dealing with sources), certificate of registration (for sources and places), and certificate of accreditation (authorising work on sources or to issue certificates of compliance). Licences are the central control on possession/use/dealing (s 12); accreditation is the person‑based authorisation to work on sources or issue compliance certificates (ss 18-19); registration is an ownership/occupier obligation (ss 16-17).
Dose and dose limit (s 4): "Dose" is the measure of radiation received by a person or thing; "dose limit" is the maximum dose a person may receive in a period. The Act leaves the detailed numeric limits and monitoring protocols to the Regulations and applicable codes of practice (s 89; s 27(3)(c)).
Radiation protection plan and certificate of compliance (ss 20, 25-28): A radiation protection plan is a plan prescribed by Regulations and must be approved by the Chief Health Officer for a radiation practice; licences to possess a source for a radiation practice are linked to approved radiation protection plans (s 25(2)(b); s 28). Certificates of compliance are issued by accredited persons certifying that a source or place meets the applicable code of practice (s 20).
Authorised officer and Chief Health Officer (ss 48-49): Enforcement powers are exercised by authorised officers appointed by the Chief Health Officer; appointments are limited to public sector employees with necessary expertise (s 48). The Chief Health Officer holds broad administrative powers (issuing authorities, varying conditions, approving codes and plans, giving exemptions) and may delegate some powers (ss 25-33, 54-55, 53).
The Act therefore combines conceptually: substance (what is a source), activities (what is a practice/place), authorisations (licences, registrations, accreditations), technical standards (codes/regulations), duties (general duty and specific duties for procedures and holders), and enforcement/administration (authorised officers, CHO powers, reviews). Many technical specifications (dose limits, classes of radiation workers, monitoring frequency) are expressly reserved for Regulations or codes (ss 27(3), 54-55, 89), making the Act a framework statute whose operational detail will flow from subordinate instruments.
Who it affects
The Act establishes who bears obligations, who decides, and who can be subject to enforcement measures.
Primary persons and entities with obligations
Licensees: A person who manufactures, sells, acquires, possesses, uses, stores, transports, disposes of or otherwise deals with a radiation source must do so under the licence system (s 12). Licensees have statutory duties including the general duty to prevent harm (s 11) and specific duties such as notifying dangerous events (s 15) and complying with licence conditions (s 45).
Owners and occupiers: The owner of a radiation source must hold a certificate of registration for the source (s 16). The occupier of a place where a radiation source is used or stored must hold a certificate of registration for that place (s 17).
Accredited persons: A person who carries out work on radiation sources (install, test, repair, service, decommission) must hold a certificate of accreditation (s 18). Holders of accreditation may issue certificates of compliance (s 19-20).
Operators on mining sites: Part 3A (ss 47A-47G) applies to prescribed mining sites and obliges the operator (defined by the Environment Protection Act 2019, as adopted) to monitor exposure for prescribed classes of workers, keep personal radiation exposure records, report exposure information to ARPANSA and the Chief Health Officer, and provide access to records to radiation workers (ss 47B-47F).
Radiation workers and other persons on site: Radiation workers (as prescribed) are the subject of monitoring and record‑keeping (s 47A-47C). Persons on mining sites must comply with reasonable instructions enabling the operator to comply with Part 3A (s 47E).
Medical practitioners and diagnostic radiographers: The Act recognises the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law for diagnostic radiographers: a person registered to practise as a diagnostic radiographer and using radiation apparatus under that Law is taken to hold a licence under this Act for that radiation apparatus (s 100). That statutory cross‑recognition integrates professional registration with licensing, but it is conditional on the national registration being current and not suspended (s 100(4)).
Crown and public sector: The Act binds the Crown in right of the Territory and, to the extent permitted, in other capacities (s 7). The Chief Health Officer and authorised officers are administrative actors with enforcement powers (ss 48-51).
Decision‑makers and enforcement actors
Chief Health Officer: Central administrative decision maker: issues, varies, suspends and cancels authorities, approves radiation protection plans and codes of practice, issues exemptions (ss 10, 25-33, 35-41, 54-55). The CHO also issues guidelines and keeps the register (ss 54, 86).
Authorised officers: Appointed employees with defined powers to enter, inspect, seize, direct and require information (ss 48, 59-69). Appointment is limited to persons with necessary expertise (s 48(2)) and powers may be limited under the Regulations (s 49(2)).
Local Court: Acts as the merits reviewer for administrative decisions (Pt 6, ss 75-78) and conducts criminal and civil proceedings under Pt 7; it also issues search warrants for enforcement entries (s 61).
Indirectly affected parties
Suppliers and distributors: The Act regulates selling, supplying and keeping radiation sources (s 12 and definition of "sell" at s 4). Supply of banned sources is prohibited (s 24), and certain radioactive materials may be removed from the Act’s scope by Regulations (s 8).
Workers and members of the public: Subject to dose limits and general duty guarantees (ss 11, 13-14), they are the beneficiaries of protections. They also acquire rights including access to their personal exposure information (s 47F).
Corporate executives: Executive officers of bodies corporate can be taken to have committed offences of the corporate body (s 83), with defences available (s 83(2)). Representatives’ conduct may be attributed to entities (s 82).
Who pays and who decides
Financial and administrative burdens fall primarily on licensees, owners, occupiers and operators (fees for applications, meeting testing and inspection cycles, obtaining certificates of accreditation, maintaining plans and records). The Regulations may prescribe fees and monitoring regimes (s 89).
The Chief Health Officer holds centralised decision rights and discretion to impose conditions, vary or suspend authorities, accept or refuse applications, approve codes and issue exemptions (ss 25-33, 35-41, 10, 55). That concentrates administrative choice in a statutory office.
The Act therefore touches commercial operators, health practitioners, mining operators and workers, regulatory administrators and the courts. It explicitly integrates some professional regulation (diagnostic radiographers) and creates specified obligations focused on both individual behaviour (radiation practice) and institutional controls (licensing, registration, accreditation, and inspection).
Key duties and rights
The Act sets out detailed duties for persons dealing with radiation sources and also enumerates rights and procedural protections for affected parties. The duties and associated rights are both substantive and procedural.
Primary duties
General duty to prevent harm: Every person who manufactures, possesses, uses, stores, transports, disposes of or otherwise deals with a radiation source must take all measures that are reasonable and practicable to ensure those activities do not result in harm to health, safety or the environment from radiation emitted from the source (s 11). The duty explicitly covers activities within the scope of s 9 (mining exclusions context) and is subject to the special duty in s 13 (diagnostic/therapeutic procedures) (s 11(2)-(3)).
Licensing duty: Persons must not deal with radiation sources except in accordance with a licence authorising those activities (s 12(1)). Specific exemptions apply (s 10) and there is a carve‑out that a person is not in possession for the purposes of s 12(1) merely because they have been administered radioactive material as part of a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure (s 12(2)).
Duties tied to clinical procedures: Where a licence authorises a person to use a radiation source for a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure, the practitioner must ensure the treated person receives no dose outside the request or prescription (s 13(2)), and that others involved do not receive a dose higher than the Regulations’ dose limit (s 13(3)).
User duty in radiation practices: A person using a licensed radiation source in a radiation practice must not cause another person to receive a dose exceeding the Regulations’ dose limit (s 14). There are exceptions for a treated person and for those involved in diagnostics/therapy (s 14(3)).
Notification of dangerous events: Licensees must immediately notify the Chief Health Officer of dangerous events (lost/stolen sources, radiation incidents without remediation procedures in the plan, uncontrolled equipment malfunctions) orally and confirm in writing within seven days unless they have a reasonable excuse (s 15(2)-(4)). Failure attracts penalties (s 15(2)).
Registration and accreditation obligations: Owners of radiation sources must hold certificates of registration (s 16); occupiers of places using/storing sources must hold registration for the place (s 17); persons performing work on sources must hold accreditation (s 18); persons issuing certificates of compliance must be accredited (s 19).
Testing and compliance certification: Holders must ensure tests and inspections are carried out by accredited persons as required by authority conditions and must provide results and certificates of compliance to the Chief Health Officer within one month (ss 21-23).
Mining site monitoring and records: Operators must monitor exposure of radiation workers as prescribed, keep up‑to‑date personal radiation exposure records with specified content and retention periods, report exposure information to ARPANSA and the Chief Health Officer and facilitate worker access to their own records (ss 47B-47F). Persons on mining sites must assist operators to comply (s 47E).
Confidentiality obligations: Persons involved in administration must not disclose information acquired in the administration of the Act (s 57). Part 3A contains a separate confidentiality section for radiation exposure information with penalties (s 47G).
Rights and procedural protections
Procedural fairness on variation/cancellation: Before varying conditions on the CHO’s initiative, the Chief Health Officer must give notice of proposed variations, allow at least 21 days for written submissions, and consider those submissions (s 32(2)). For suspension/cancellation, a show cause notice with at least 28 days to respond is required (ss 36-37). The holder may make written representations (s 37).
Review rights: A person given a review notice can apply to the Local Court for a merits review within 28 days (s 75). The Court conducts a de novo review (s 76). The CHO must issue review notices when refusing or imposing conditions (s 27(4)).
Continuity of authority while renewal pending: If renewal applications are lodged before expiry, the authority continues until application decision (s 31). However, if the CHO fails to decide within 90 days, the failure is taken as refusal in most cases (s 44).
Access to register and records: The Chief Health Officer must keep a register of authorities, exemptions, guidelines and codes of practice and make it available for public inspection; copies or extracts can be supplied on written application and payment of a fee prescribed by regulation (s 86).
Access to personal exposure information: Radiation workers can access or obtain copies of their radiation exposure information on request (s 47F).
Rights to information during enforcement interactions: Authorised officers must produce identity cards on request and must show those seeking consent the reasons for entry and advise of the right to refuse (s 50-51; s 60).
Rights are often limited by the Act’s administrative architecture: the CHO carries discretion to impose conditions and to immediately suspend authorities where necessary to protect health or the environment (s 41). Some statutory protections are time‑bound and subject to regulatory detail, for example where dose limits, classes of radiation worker and monitoring frequencies are left to Regulations and codes (s 89; s 54-55).
Penalties and enforcement
The Act sets out a mix of civil, regulatory and criminal consequences and provides a suite of enforcement powers for authorised officers and the Chief Health Officer. Penalties are expressed in "penalty units" and differ by offence and by whether the offender is a natural person or a corporation.
Offences and maximum penalties (examples grounded in the text)
General duty breach (s 11): Failure to take all reasonable and practicable measures to prevent harm carries maximum penalties of 500 penalty units for a natural person and 2 500 penalty units for a body corporate.
Unlicensed dealing with sources (s 12): A person who deals with a radiation source other than in accordance with a licence faces up to 1 000 penalty units for a natural person and 5 000 for a body corporate.
Duties in diagnostic/therapeutic procedures and radiation practices (ss 13-14): Contraventions carry penalties of 1 000 penalty units (per section) for natural persons (corporate penalties are not separately stated in those sections but other sections show higher corporate penalties for comparable contraventions).
Registration and accreditation failures (ss 16-19): Failing to hold required certificates exposes natural persons to 1 000 penalty units and bodies corporate to 5 000 (ss 16-19).
Banned sources (s 24): Possession, use or supply of a banned radiation source carries up to 1 000 penalty units for a person and 5 000 for a corporation.
Mining site duties (Part 3A): Monitoring obligations (s 47B) have maximum penalties of 200 penalty units for a natural person and 1 000 for a corporation. Record‑keeping (s 47C) carries 100/500 penalty units depending on offence and subsection. Reporting (s 47D) draws 100/500 penalty units for failure.
Confidentiality breaches: Part 4 confidentiality (s 57(2)) carries a maximum of 500 penalty units. Part 3A confidentiality for radiation exposure information (s 47G(1)) carries 500 units for a natural person and 2 500 for a body corporate.
Obstruction and false statements: Obstructing an authorised officer (s 72) carries up to 100 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months for natural persons and 500 units for bodies corporate; making false or misleading documents or statements (ss 70-71) attracts 100 penalty units or 6 months’ imprisonment for natural persons and 500 units for corporations.
Enforcement powers and operational mechanics
Authorised officers: Appointed under s 48(1) and issued identity cards (s 50), authorised officers may enter places (s 59), seek consented entry (s 60), apply for search warrants (s 61), or enter in emergencies without a warrant (s 62). They may direct, inspect, take samples, seize items and require information (ss 64-69).
Powers on entry: On lawful entry, an authorised officer may inspect, break open and search fixtures and containers, take measurements and samples, photograph, take copies, require documents and direct that equipment not be operated, or direct short‑term storage or non‑removal of things (s 64). Directions must be in writing unless in emergency entry where oral directions may be issued but must be confirmed in writing as soon as practicable (s 64(3)-(4)).
Seizure and retention: Seizure is permissible where the officer reasonably believes the thing is connected with an offence or poses a threat to health or the environment (s 65). Seized items may be retained, tested and used as evidence; items connected with a prosecution can be held for 12 months pending proceedings and may be forfeited upon conviction (s 66).
Immediate administrative suspension: The CHO may immediately suspend an authority where necessary to protect people or the environment pending the formal cancellation process (s 41). The suspension takes immediate effect on notice and triggers show‑cause processes if the CHO acts within specified timeframes (s 41(3)-(6)).
Civil orders and remedies: Courts have express powers to order compensation and require payment for reasonable costs incurred in remediation where an offence caused loss, damage or environmental harm (s 85). The Act also preserves acquisition on just terms where property is taken under enforcement powers (s 74).
Attribution of liability: Representatives’ conduct and executives’ liability are expressly addressed: acts of representatives within actual/apparent authority can establish state of mind and attribute conduct to the principal (s 82), and executive officers of corporations are prima facie taken to have committed offences of the corporation subject to defences (s 83).
Procedural protections, review and timing
Show cause and response periods: A show cause notice must specify proposed action, grounds and an outline of facts and give the holder at least 28 days to respond (ss 36-37). For CHO‑initiated variations, at least 21 days is required for written submissions (s 32(2)(a)(ii)).
Review rights: Review by the Local Court is available by application within 28 days of a review notice (s 75). The Court hears the matter de novo (s 76) but the application does not automatically stay operation of the decision unless the court orders it (s 77).
Time limits for prosecutions: Complaints for offences must be made within 12 months of the Agency becoming aware of the commission (s 84).
Taken together, the Act couples significant administrative discretion (CHO conditions, suspension powers, approvals and codes) with strong enforcement powers for authorised officers and a suite of criminal/regulatory penalties aimed at deterrence and remediation. Many of the technical enforcement triggers and thresholds (dose limits, classes of worker, specific banned sources) are left to Regulations and codes, which determines where the practical enforcement boundaries will fall.
How it interacts with other laws
The Act is written to operate alongside Territory, Commonwealth and sectoral laws; it makes explicit cross‑references and carve‑outs that affect regulatory scope and implementation.
Statutory carve‑outs and interface provisions
Mining activities: The Act explicitly does not apply to a mining activity under the Environment Protection Act 2019 in relation to uranium ores or uranium oxide (U3O8), and to possession/packaging/storage/transport under the Radioactive Ores and Concentrates (Packaging and Transport) Act 1980 (s 9(1)). However, the Act retains Parts 4-8 for administering the general duty in s 11 and Part 3A in relation to mining activities (s 9(2)). This creates a partial overlap: mining activities are excluded from many parts but are still subject to duties and enforcement for general duty and the specialised mining monitoring regime.
Health Practitioner Regulation: The Act treats diagnostic radiographers registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law as holding a licence for radiation apparatus used in professional practice, subject to conditions of their national registration (s 100). Suspensions under the National Law remove the s 100 licence effect during suspension (s 100(4)). That integrates professional registration with licensing obligations and can alter a person’s radiation authority status by reference to their national registration.
Federal reporting and ARPANSA: Part 3A requires operators to report prescribed radiation exposure information to the CEO of ARPANSA under the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 (Cth) as well as to the Chief Health Officer (s 47D(1)). That creates an operational bridge between Territory monitoring and federal nuclear safety/regulatory reporting.
Dangerous Goods Act: The Act amends the Dangerous Goods Act 1998 by substituting radiation material within the meaning of this Act into the Dangerous Goods Act’s definitional regime (s 103). That ensures regulatory alignment for transport, storage and handling as dangerous goods under Territory law.
Repeal and transition: The Act repealed and replaced earlier Territory radiation legislation (Schedule 1; Pt 9), and contains transitional provisions to continue pre‑existing licences, registrations and approvals as authorities under the new regime (ss 94-99). The transitional scheme maps old licences to equivalent new authorities, often preserving conditions and durations for specified interim periods (ss 94(2)-(3); 96(2)-(3); 99(2)-(3)).
Regulations, codes and guidelines: The Act routinely delegates technical detail to subordinate instruments. The Administrator may make Regulations on disposal, radiation protection measures, monitoring, records and returns, fees, designation of regulatory offences and penalties (s 89). The Chief Health Officer may issue guidelines on administrative matters (s 54) and approve codes of practice which can be adopted as standards for sources and places (s 55). Codes of practice are not themselves criminal offences (s 55(4)), but licence conditions may require compliance with a stated code (s 27(3)(a)), which then ground enforcement.
Administrative and evidentiary interactions
Evidence and court procedure: Pt 7 contains provisions on evidentiary certificates, signatures and the ability to rely on certificates purporting to be signed by the Chief Health Officer, which streamlines enforcement proceedings (s 81). Local Court jurisdiction is engaged under Pt 6 (review) and Pt 7 (procedural matters), and s 61 allows authorised officers to seek search warrants from the Local Court.
Compensation and environmental remediation orders: Courts may order convicted offenders to pay compensation to private parties and the Territory for costs incurred in remediation or mitigation of environmental harm (s 85). That provides a civil overlay to criminal enforcement and aligns environmental liability with penalty regimes.
Implications of the Act’s cross‑references
The Act deliberately leaves many technical matters to Regulation and codes, meaning that the practical implementation often depends on the content of those instruments and their interaction with federal regimes (e.g. ARPANSA reporting) and other Territory Acts such as the Environment Protection Act 2019.
For operators in sectors regulated under other Acts (notably mining), the Act’s exclusionary wording in s 9 reduces duplication but preserves targeted duties (s 11 and Pt 3A). The effect is selective coordination rather than full subordination of the mining regulatory field to the CHO.
Professional practice is integrated with national health practitioner registration for diagnostic radiographers (s 100), which means disciplinary action or suspension at national level will affect radiation licensing status in the Territory without separate CHO action.
All cross‑references and interfaces are set out in the Act text (notably ss 9, 47A‑47G, 100 and 103), with the Regulations (s 89) and the Chief Health Officer’s codes/guidelines (ss 54-55) acting as the principal operational links between the statute and other regulatory frameworks.
Amendment history
The Act as presented includes an endnotes section that catalogues legislative and formal amendments. The Act has been subject to multiple amendments since assent, and the endnotes record dates and amending legislation. The instrument has evolved through both policy and formal updates; the source provides the following amendment milestones and formal notes:
Key enactments and commencement dates (from the endnotes)
Radiation Protection Act 2004 (Act No. 23, 2004): Assent 28 April 2004, commenced 5 October 2009 (Gaz S53, 5 October 2009) , this records the Act’s original enactment and operative commencement (Endnotes 2).
Radiation Protection and Radiographers Amendment Act 2009 (Act No. 21, 2009): Assent 25 June 2009; parts commenced 5 October 2009, and some repeals/other provisions on 5 October 2010 (Endnotes 2).
Health Practitioner (National Uniform Legislation) Implementation Act 2010 (Act No. 18, 2010): Assent 20 May 2010; commenced 1 July 2010 , relevant to integration with national registration regimes (Endnotes 2).
Public and Environmental Health Act 2011 (Act No. 7, 2011): Assent 16 March 2011; commenced 1 July 2011 (Endnotes 2).
Penalties Amendment (Children and Families, Health and Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources) Act 2011 (Act No. 28, 2011): Assent 31 August 2011; commenced 21 September 2011 , multiple sections were amended by this Act (Endnotes 2 and 4).
Radiation Protection Amendment Act 2012 (Act No. 14, 2012): Assent 27 April 2012; commenced 2 July 2012 , inserted Part 3A on mining monitoring and related provisions (Endnotes 2 and 4).
Health Practitioner (National Uniform Legislation) Implementation Act 2012 (Act No. 17, 2012): Assent 22 May 2012; commenced 1 July 2012 (Endnotes 2).
Local Court (Related Amendments) Act 2016 (Act No. 8, 2016): Assent 6 April 2016; commenced 1 May 2016 , amended s 61 (search warrant provisions) (Endnotes 2 and 4).
Environment Protection Legislation Amendment Act 2023 (Act No. 34, 2023): Assent 6 December 2023; commenced in parts between 7 December 2023 and 1 July 2024. The endnotes indicate specific commencement timings for parts affecting s 9 and Part 3A (Endnotes 2 and 4).
Other formal amendments
The endnotes note general formal amendments made by the Interpretation Legislation Amendment Act 2018 (Endnotes 3).
The List of Amendments (Endnotes 4) identifies particular sections amended by specific Acts, for example: s 4 amended by No. 7, 2011 and No. 14, 2012; s 6 amended by No. 44, 2005; numerous sections amended by the Penalties Amendment Act 2011 (No. 28, 2011); insertion of Part 3A in 2012.
Transitional arrangements
Pt 9 contains transitional provisions that map pre‑existing licences, certificates and approvals under the repealed Radiation (Safety Control) Act 1978 into the new authority categories under this Act (ss 94-99). Transitional licences and approvals generally continue under equivalent authorities for specified durations, with conditions preserved (ss 94(2)-(6); 96(2)-(3); 99(2)-(3)).
Practical reading of the amendment history in the source
The Act has been refined to address operational integration with national health practitioner regimes, to add a tailored mining worker monitoring regime (Part 3A), to update enforcement processes and Local Court interaction, and to harmonise definitions with dangerous goods regulation. The endnotes identify which statutory instruments effected each change and when those changes commenced. The Act as printed includes these amendments as in force at 1 July 2024 (cover page).
For any compliance or advisory work, practitioners should consult the consolidated text (as supplied) and the specific amending Acts and commencement instruments listed in the endnotes to identify transitional obligations, changed definitions, or procedural updates that affect particular authorities, especially for mining operators and health practitioners.
Litigation history
The Act text supplied does not name or summarise any judicial decisions. The statute contains its own internal procedural architecture for administrative review and court proceedings, which is the route for any litigation arising under the Act. The source provides the statutory litigation channels and evidentiary rules; it does not catalogue case law. The relevant statutory processes and evidentiary mechanisms are:
Administrative review and court jurisdiction
Merit review by Local Court: A person given a review notice (for CHO decisions refusing, imposing conditions, varying, suspending or cancelling authorities) may apply to the Local Court for review within 28 days (s 75). The Local Court carries out a de novo merits review (s 76) and may stay or affect operation of the decision to the extent necessary to hear and decide the application (s 77).
Judicial consequence and enforcement actions: The Act contemplates criminal prosecutions for offences and civil orders in addition to penalties: courts may order compensation to third parties and payment to the Territory for remediation costs where an offence resulted in loss, damage, or environmental harm (s 85). Time limits for complaints are set at 12 months after the Agency becomes aware (s 84).
Evidentiary facilitation: The Chief Health Officer may sign evidentiary certificates that operate as evidence in proceedings (s 81), and signatures purporting to be that of the CHO or authorised officers are admissible (s 80), streamlining proof of administrative acts.
What the Act does not provide in terms of litigation history
The statute does not include reported decisions, examples of prosecutorial thresholds, or precedent on how courts have interpreted the Act’s duties, exceptions or enforcement powers. It therefore provides no internal litigation history and no named cases to cite.
Any analysis of litigation trends, enforcement rates, or judicial interpretation would require external sources such as court reports, prosecutorial records or agency enforcement summaries that are not contained in the Act text itself.
Implication for practitioners
Because the Act gives the Local Court a central role in reviewing CHO decisions and sets out evidentiary certificates and presumptions to be used in court (ss 75-78; ss 80-81), contested administrative actions are likely to be resolved through Local Court merits review. The Act establishes the statutory mechanics for litigation but not the outcomes; practitioners must therefore source case law and agency enforcement records outside the Act when advising on likely judicial outcomes or interpreting ambiguous provisions.
Gotchas
The Act contains several technical and procedural features that are easy to miss in practice and that have concrete compliance or operational consequences. These "gotchas" derive from explicit text and the Act’s structure.
Authority cannot be transferred (s 46)
An authority is personal to the holder and cannot be transferred. Organisations contemplating asset sales that include radiation sources must plan for regulatory transfer by applying for new authorities rather than relying on assignment. The Act does not provide a transfer mechanism, only surrender (s 42) and re‑application (s 25).
Failure to decide treated as refusal after 90 days (s 44)
If the Chief Health Officer fails to decide an application under Divisions 1-3 within 90 days, the failure is taken as refusal unless CHO has requested additional information under s 26(1) and that request is still open; timing of requests for further information can therefore be pivotal. Applicants should monitor decision timelines and respond promptly to CHO information requests to avoid constructive refusals.
Immediate suspension with limited procedural delay (s 41)
The CHO may immediately suspend a licence, registration or accreditation where the CHO is satisfied it is necessary to protect persons or the environment. The suspension takes immediate effect on notice (s 41(3)-(5)). The CHO must serve a show cause notice within 14 days for the suspension to be preserved; otherwise it lapses (s 41(6)-(7)). This gives the CHO a rapid administrative lever that can materially disrupt operations pending the formal cancellation process.
Codes of practice are not criminal offences but can be licence conditions (s 55(4); s 27(3)(a))
Contravening a code of practice does not, by itself, constitute an offence (s 55(4)). However, licence conditions can require compliance with a stated code (s 27(3)(a)); breach of a licence condition is an offence (s 45) and a ground for suspension/cancellation (s 35(a)). Practitioners must therefore be careful: compliance is practically mandatory if the code is imposed as a condition.
Notification timing for dangerous events (s 15)
Licensees must give immediate oral notice and, if oral notice is given, a written confirmation within seven days (s 15(3)-(4)). The Act frames "immediate" for oral notice; proving timeliness and content of notification is therefore operationally important. Failure is penalised (s 15(2)).
Register access and fees (s 86)
The register must be available for inspection free of charge (s 86(4)(a)), but copies/extracts are conditional on written application and a fee prescribed by Regulation (s 86(4)(b)). Public access mechanisms may be limited in practice by the fee schedule in Regulations.
Confidentiality is strict (s 57; s 47G)
Administrative personnel and others involved in the Act’s administration face up to 500 penalty units for improper disclosure under s 57(2). Part 3A creates a more onerous confidentiality provision for radiation exposure information with penalties up to 2 500 units for bodies corporate (s 47G(1)). Only specified exceptions apply, including consent, administration of the Act, legal proceedings, aggregated statistics, Ministerial authorisation or other legal requirements (s 47G(2)-(3)). Practical compliance requires strict data handling and authorised disclosure processes.
Seized items retained for 12 months pending prosecution (s 66)
Where a seized item is connected with an offence, an authorised officer must hold it for use as evidence unless the CHO authorises release. If a prosecution is commenced within 12 months and the defendant is convicted, the court may order forfeiture (s 66(1)(a)-(b)). This can materially affect business continuity where equipment is seized as evidence.
Diagnostic radiographers and cross‑jurisdictional suspension (s 100)
A diagnostic radiographer’s certificate of registration under the National Law is taken to be a licence under this Act for using radiation apparatus (s 100(2)). When the national registration is suspended the radiation licence effect ceases for the same period (s 100(4)). Practitioners must coordinate disciplinary/regulatory status across systems.
Mining monitoring regime is additive and prescriptive (Part 3A)
Part 3A imposes monitoring, record‑keeping, reporting and confidentiality requirements on operators at prescribed mining sites (s 47A-47G). Many details are to be set by Regulation (ss 47B(1), 47C(2)-(3)), creating potential compliance traps if operators rely on older practice or inconsistent record systems.
Variation notice and authority return obligations (s 32-34)
If the CHO varies licence conditions, the variation takes immediate effect when the review notice is given (s 32(4)). Holders must return the authority within 14 days for amendment recording unless they have a reasonable excuse (s 34(2)). Failure to return carries penalties (s 34(2)) and may complicate proof of current authority conditions.
False and misleading documentation has low tolerance (ss 70-71)
It is an offence to give documents or make statements to the CHO or authorised officer known to be false or misleading, punishable by fines and potentially imprisonment (s 70-71). There is a narrow statutory protection where the person corrects the document and provides correct information if available (s 70(2)).
Regulatory detail rests with Regulations and codes (s 89; s 55)
Dose limits, classes of radiation workers, monitoring frequency, banned sources, fee levels, and other operational details are reserved to Regulations and codes of practice. This means compliance requires monitoring subordinate instruments, and changes to those instruments can alter compliance obligations without amendment to the Act itself.
Practitioners and compliance officers should map these features to organisational processes, permissions, asset sales and data governance systems. The Act’s combination of administrative discretion, significant penalty units, and delegated technical detail creates a need for proactive regulatory tracking and clear internal allocation of responsibility.
How to comply
Compliance under the Act requires both legal authorisations and operational controls; the statute sets out specific actions, timings and records to manage. The following steps reflect the Act’s requirements and procedural structure, citing the relevant provisions.
Identify whether the item/activity is a regulated radiation source or practice
Determine if the device, material or activity falls within the Act’s definitions of radiation, radiation source, radioactive material or radiation apparatus (ss 5-6). For non‑ionising emitters, check whether the Regulations prescribe the device as a radiation source (s 6(1)(b)). If uncertain, treat the item as a regulated source until clarified by the CHO or Regulations.
Secure the appropriate authority before dealing with the source
Apply for a licence if you will manufacture, sell, acquire, possess, use, store, transport, dispose of or otherwise deal with a radiation source (s 12). Applications must be made in the approved form, accompanied by the documents and fees prescribed and, for licences to possess for a radiation practice, a proposed radiation protection plan (s 25(1)-(2)(b)). For owners and occupiers, obtain the relevant certificate of registration (ss 16-17). Ensure employees who will carry out work on sources hold certificates of accreditation (s 18).
Prepare and obtain an approved radiation protection plan where required
For a licence to possess a source for a radiation practice, include a radiation protection plan containing prescribed information (s 25(2)(b); definition in s 4). The CHO’s issuing of the licence is taken to approve the plan identified (s 28). Plan content and remediation procedures for incidents should be concrete and aligned with applicable codes of practice (s 27(3)(d)).
Meet testing, inspection and certification obligations
If licence conditions require testing or inspection, ensure tests/inspections are performed at the times required by accredited holders and that a certificate of compliance (approved form) or test report is provided to the Chief Health Officer within one month (ss 21-23; s 20(2)). For sealed sources ensure capsule integrity meets codes; for unsealed sources ensure doses meet codes (s 20(3)).
Implement dose control, monitoring and record‑keeping
Comply with dose limits and monitoring obligations as prescribed by Regulations and licence conditions (ss 13-14; s 27(3)(b)). For mining sites, implement monitoring for prescribed radiation workers, maintain up‑to‑date personal radiation exposure records in the prescribed form and retention period, and enable access to a worker’s own records (Part 3A, ss 47B-47F). Make sure records include the particulars the Regulations prescribe (s 47C(2)) and retain them for the prescribed period (s 47C(3)).
Establish incident reporting and remediation procedures
Put in place immediate oral notification procedures to the Chief Health Officer for dangerous events and ensure written confirmation within seven days when an oral notice is given, unless there is a reasonable excuse (s 15(3)-(4)). Maintain remediation procedures in the radiation protection plan for anticipated radiation incidents (s 15(1)(b)).
Ensure accreditation and competence for personnel
Ensure persons performing work on sources hold certificates of accreditation and are authorised to issue certificates of compliance where required (ss 18-19). The CHO can require evidence that applicants and holders are suitable persons (s 26(4)(a)).
Track licence conditions, variations and renewals
Monitor licence and accreditation expiry dates and apply for renewal in time (s 30). If an application for renewal is made before expiry, authorities continue until the decision (s 31). If the CHO proposes variations, use the specified submission windows to make written representations (s 32). If the CHO issues a show cause notice regarding suspension/cancellation, prepare written representations within the minimum 28‑day period (ss 36-37).
Prepare for authorised officer inspections and enforcement
Maintain documents on site, training for staff on cooperation with authorised officers, and ensure identity card requests and entries are handled per ss 50-61. Have procedures to produce certificates of compliance and test results and to provide reasonable help and information to authorised officers (s 64(1)(i)). Preserve chain of custody and inventory processes to handle potential seizure (s 65).
Data governance and confidentiality
Set up strict controls for handling radiation exposure information and other administrative information as s 47G and s 57 impose strong confidentiality obligations with only specified exceptions. Implement consent procedures, Ministerial authorisation channels, and protocols for legal disclosures under the specified exceptions (s 47G(2)-(3); s 57(3)).
Corporate governance and executive responsibility
Allocate clear executive accountability and ensure executive officers understand potential attribution of liability (ss 82-83). Implement due diligence controls and record‑keeping to support defences if corporate breaches occur (s 83(2)).
Align professional and cross‑jurisdictional requirements
For diagnostic radiographers, ensure alignment with national registration obligations because s 100 takes the national registration certificate as a licence under this Act. Suspension at national level will remove the Act’s licence effect (s 100(4)). Coordinate disciplinary response and reporting with national boards where relevant.
Monitor Regulations, codes and guidelines
Many technical obligations (dose limits, classes of workers, monitoring frequencies, banned sources, fees and penalties for regulatory offences) are set in Regulations or by codes of practice and guidelines (ss 54-55, 89). Maintain a compliance programme that monitors subordinate instrument updates, and register entries (s 86). Subscribe to notices in the Gazette for guidelines and codes (s 54(4); s 55(2)).
Use procedural safeguards
If subject to CHO action, use the show cause and review processes: respond to show cause notices within the statutory time frames (ss 36-37), insist on review notices when CHO refuses or conditions an authority (s 27(4)) and if required, apply to the Local Court for de novo review within 28 days (s 75). Recognise that decisions take immediate effect unless the Local Court orders otherwise (s 77).
Operational checklist
Identify radiation sources and classify them under the Act (ss 5-6).
Secure licences, registrations and accreditations before carrying out regulated activities (ss 12, 16-19).
Draft, approve and implement a radiation protection plan and remediation procedures (ss 25-28, 15).
Nominate and maintain accredited persons for testing and certification (ss 18-23).
Institute monitoring and record systems, especially for mining operators (Part 3A).
Train staff in authorised officer interactions, incident reporting, confidentiality and record access (ss 50-51; ss 15, 47F-47G).
Maintain a calendar for renewals, return of amended authorities, and regulatory updates (ss 30-34; s 89; s 86).
Following these steps, cross‑referenced to the statutory provisions, provides a practical compliance path. Because many operational thresholds are left to subordinate instruments, compliance programmes must treat the Regulations, codes and CHO guidelines as first‑order requirements and track amendments to them closely (ss 54-55; s 89).
Act does not apply to certain radioactive material
Radiation Protection Act 2004 iii
Division 4 Suspension and cancellation of authorities
35 Grounds for suspending or cancelling authority............................. 18
36 Show cause notice ........................................................................ 18
37 Representations about show cause notices .................................. 19
38 Ending show cause process without further action ........................ 19
39 Suspension or cancellation ............................................................ 19
40 Return of cancelled authority to Chief Health Officer ..................... 20
41 Immediate suspension of authority pending formal cancellation
procedure ...................................................................................... 20
Division 5 Miscellaneous provisions
42 Surrender of authority .................................................................... 21
43 Replacement of authority ............................................................... 22
44 Failure to decide application .......................................................... 22
45 Contravention of condition ............................................................. 23
46 Transfer of authority prohibited ...................................................... 23
47 Holder of authority to give notice of prescribed change ................. 23
Part 3A Monitoring and recording of personal
radiation exposure on mining sites
47A Definitions ...................................................................................... 23
47B Monitoring of exposure to radiation ............................................... 24
47C Operator to keep personal radiation exposure records for
radiation workers ........................................................................... 24
47D Reporting ....................................................................................... 25
47E Persons on mining site to facilitate compliance by operator .......... 25
47F Access to records and information for radiation workers ............... 25
47G Confidentiality ................................................................................ 26
Part 4 Administration
Division 1 Authorised officers
48 Appointment .................................................................................. 27
49 Appointment conditions and limit on powers.................................. 27
50 Identity cards ................................................................................. 27
51 Production of identity card ............................................................. 27
52 Return of identity card ................................................................... 28
Division 2 Other matters of administration
53 Delegation ..................................................................................... 28
54 Guidelines...................................................................................... 28
55 Codes of practice........................................................................... 29
56 Protection from liability .................................................................. 29
57 Confidentiality ................................................................................ 29
Radiation Protection Act 2004 iv
Part 5 Enforcement
Division 1 Preliminary
58 When thing connected with offence ............................................... 30
Division 2 Powers of authorised officers to enter places
59 Entry of place – general ................................................................. 30
60 Consent to entry ............................................................................ 31
61 Entry of place – search warrant ..................................................... 31
62 Entry of place – emergency ........................................................... 32
63 Additional powers for entry of vehicle ............................................ 32
Division 3 Powers of authorised officers on entry of
places
64 Powers on entry of place ............................................................... 33
65 Seizure of things ............................................................................ 35
66 Retention of things seized ............................................................. 36
67 Authorised officer may use help and force in exercising
powers ........................................................................................... 36
Division 4 Other powers of authorised officers
68 Power to require name and address.............................................. 37
69 Power to require information from certain persons ........................ 37
Division 5 General enforcement matters
70 False or misleading documents ..................................................... 38
71 False or misleading statements ..................................................... 38
72 Obstruction etc of authorised officer .............................................. 39
73 Impersonation of authorised officer ............................................... 39
74 Acquisition on just terms ................................................................ 39
Part 6 Reviews
75 Application for review .................................................................... 40
76 Review by Local Court ................................................................... 40
77 Operation and implementation of decision .................................... 40
78 Decision on review ........................................................................ 41
Part 7 Legal proceedings
Division 1 Evidentiary provisions
79 Application of Division ................................................................... 41
80 Signatures ..................................................................................... 41
Radiation Protection Act 2004 v
81 Evidentiary certificates ................................................................... 41
Division 2 Criminal liability
82 Conduct of representatives ............................................................ 42
83 Liability of executive officers of body corporate ............................. 43
Division 3 Proceedings generally
84 Time for making complaint............................................................. 43
85 Additional court orders ................................................................... 43
Part 8 Miscellaneous provisions
86 Register ......................................................................................... 44
87 Approved forms ............................................................................. 44
88 Service of documents .................................................................... 44
89 Regulations.................................................................................... 45
90 Review of Act................................................................................. 47
Part 9 Repeals, transitional provisions,
consequential amendments and other
provisions
Division 1 Preliminary
91 Definitions ...................................................................................... 47
Division 2 Repeal of Acts
92 Repeal of radiation safety legislation ............................................. 47
Division 3 Transitional provisions for repealed Radiation
Safety Control Act
94 Licences ........................................................................................ 47
95 Pending licence applications ......................................................... 48
96 Approvals for disposal of radioactive substance ............................ 49
97 Registered irradiating apparatus.................................................... 49
98 Pending applications for registration.............................................. 49
99 Approved stores ............................................................................ 50
Division 4 Provisions relating to Diagnostic
Radiographers
100 Registration certificate taken to be licence .................................... 50
101 Regulations.................................................................................... 50
RADIATION PROTECTION ACT 2004
An Act about the protection of people and the environment from harmful
radiation, and for related purposes
Part 1 Preliminary
Division 1 Introduction
1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Radiation Protection Act 2004.
2 Commencement
This Act comes into operation on the date fixed by the Administrator
by notice in the Gazette.
Division 2 Objects of Act
3 Objects
The objects of this Act are to:
(a) ensure the health and safety of people by protecting them
from harmful effects of radiation; and
(b) protect the environment from harmful effects of radiation.
Division 3 Interpretation
4 Definitions
In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:
accepted representations has the meaning in section 37(2).
approved form means a form approved under section 87.
Part 1 Preliminary
Division 3 Interpretation
Radiation Protection Act 2004 2
approved radiation protection plan, for a radiation practice,
means a radiation protection plan approved by the Chief Health
Officer for the practice, and includes the plan as changed in
accordance with conditions of the licence to which the practice
relates.
authorised officer means a person holding office as an authorised
officer under an appointment under section 48(1).
authority means a licence, certificate of registration or certificate of
accreditation.
carry out, a radiation practice, means the actual performance of
the practice by a natural person.
certificate of accreditation means a certificate of accreditation
issued under section 27 authorising the holder to carry out work on
a radiation source.
certificate of compliance, for a radiation source or radiation place,
means a certificate of compliance issued under section 20 by the
holder of a certificate of accreditation authorised to issue it for the
source or place.
certificate of registration means a certificate of registration issued
under section 27 for the registration of a radiation source or place
where a radiation source is used or stored.
code of practice means a code of practice approved under
section 55.
contravene includes fail to comply with.
dose, of radiation, means the measure of radiation received by a
person or thing.
dose limit means the maximum dose of radiation a person may
receive during a particular period.
enter, a place, includes to board the place.
environment means land, air, water, organisms and ecosystems,
and includes:
(a) the well-being of humans;
(b) structures made or modified by humans;
(c) the amenity values of an area; and
Part 1 Preliminary
Division 3 Interpretation
Radiation Protection Act 2004 3
(d) economic, cultural and social conditions.
executive officer, of a body corporate, means a person who is
concerned with, or takes part in, the management of the body
corporate, (whether or not the person is a director or the person's
position is given the name of executive officer), and includes a
constituent member of a body corporate incorporated for a public
purpose by a law of the Commonwealth or a State or Territory.
false or misleading includes false or misleading because of the
omission of a statement.
guidelines means guidelines issued under section 54.
ionising radiation has th
This is an opening excerpt, not the complete document.