This Act establishes a licensing, registration and accreditation regime for radiation sources and places, requires duty‑holders to take all reasonable measures to prevent radiation harm, sets dose limits and mandatory incident notification, and gives the Director of Public Health strong powers to grant, condition, amend, suspend or cancel authorities and to enforce compliance (objects and duties: ss3, 8–12; authorities: ss13–26; enforcement: Pt 6). It applies to any person or business dealing with radiation sources or occupiers of places; holders bear compliance costs, fees, penalties and potential liability, and the Crown may recover cleanup costs (ss39, 68).
This Act lays out the licensing, registration, accreditation, inspection and enforcement framework for activities involving radiation sources in Tasmania. Mechanically, it:
Defines radiation (ionising and non-ionising) and radiation sources (radioactive material and radiation apparatus) and related terms that drive regulatory scope (ss 5-6, s 4 definitions).
Creates a regime of authorities: licences to deal with radiation sources (s 22), certificates of registration for places where radiation sources are used or stored (s 14, s 22(2)), and certificates of accreditation to allow persons to test or to issue certificates of compliance (s 4 definition, ss 15-16, 23).
Requires an authority to carry out almost any dealing with a radiation source (use, manufacture, sell, acquire, possess, store, transport, install, service, repair, dispose of or otherwise deal with a source) (s 13). Occupiers where a source is usually used or stored must hold a certificate of registration (s 14).
Requires radiation management planning as part of licence applications to possess a radiation source for carrying out a radiation practice (s 20(1)(b)(ii), definition of “approved radiation management plan” in s 4, approval mechanism s 24).
Sets safety duties and dose limits duties: a general duty to take all reasonable and practicable measures to ensure activities do not cause radiation harm to people or environment (s 8); specific duties for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures not to exceed prescribed dose limits (s 9); general prohibition on causing exposures that exceed prescribed dose limits (s 10); and an occupational radon-222 limit duty (s 11).
Requires certificates of compliance based on testing or accreditation before licences or registrations can be issued; specifies testing and issue processes and information duties (ss 15-18).
Current sections
Direct links to the current provisions in Radiation Protection Act 2005.
(a) ensure the health and safety of people by protecting them from the harmful effects of radiation; and
(b) protect the environment from the harmful effects of radiation.
4
Interpretation
4 Interpretation
In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears –
amend includes –
(a) omit matter; and
(b) insert or add matter; and
(c) omit matter and substitute other matter;
approved form means a form that –
(a) is approved by the Director of Public Health; or
(b) contains information approved by the Director of Public Health;
approved radiation management plan, for a radiation practice, means –
(a) a proposed radiation management plan that –
(i) accompanies an application for a licence to possess a radiation source to carry out the radiation practice under section 20(1)(b)(ii) ; and
(ii) is taken to have been approved by the Director of Public Health for the radiation practice under section 24 ; or
(b) that plan as amended or substituted from time to time under section 24 ;
authorised officer means a person appointed as an authorised officer, or a person authorised to perform the functions and exercise the powers of an authorised officer, under section 53 ;
authority means a licence, certificate of registration or certificate of accreditation;
carry out, in relation to a radiation practice, means the actual performance of the radiation practice by a natural person;
certificate of accreditation means a certificate of accreditation issued under section 22 that authorises the issue of certificates of compliance;
certificate of compliance, in relation to a radiation source or radiation place, means a certificate of compliance issued under section 17 for the radiation source or radiation place;
certificate of registration means a certificate of registration that is issued under section 22 for the registration of a place where a radiation source is, or is to be, used or stored;
code of practice means the whole or any part of any code of practice, standard, rule, specification or guidelines approved under section 57 ;
Council means the Radiation Advisory Council established under section 46 ;
dose, in relation to 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 from all radiation practices;
enter, in relation to a place, includes to board the place;
environment includes –
(a) animals and organisms; and
(b) ecosystems and their constituent parts; and
(c) all natural and physical resources; and
(d) the qualities and characteristics of locations, places and areas, however large or small, that contribute to their biological diversity and integrity, intrinsic or attributed scientific value or interest, amenity, harmony and sense of community; and
(e) the social, economic, aesthetic and cultural conditions that affect, or are affected by, things mentioned in paragraphs (a) , (b) , (c) and (d) ;
executive officer, in relation to a body corporate, means a person who is concerned with, or takes part in, the management of the body corporate, whether or not –
(a) the person is a director of the body corporate; or
(b) the person's position is given the name of executive officer; or
(c) the person is 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 or information;
ionising radiation has the meaning given by section 5(2) ;
licence means a licence issued under section 22 authorising the holder to use, manufacture, sell, acquire, possess, store, transport, install, service, repair, dispose of or otherwise deal with a radiation source;
non-ionising radiation has the meaning given by section 5(3) ;
occupier, in relation to a place, means –
(a) the person in occupation or control of the place; or
(b) if the place has different parts occupied or controlled by different persons, the person in occupation or control of the part concerned;
place includes vacant land, premises and a vehicle;
radiation apparatus has the meaning given by section 6(4) ;
radiation place means a place at which a radiation source is, or is to be, stored or used to carry out a radiation practice;
radiation practice means any activity, including storage, relating to a radiation source that may result, whether or not intentionally, in exposing a person, the environment or a thing to radiation;
radiation protection measures means measures for preventing or minimising the risks of harm to any person or the environment arising from exposure to radiation from the carrying out of a radiation practice;
radiation source has the meaning given by section 6(1) and (2) ;
radioactive material has the meaning given by section 6(3) ;
regulations means regulations made under this Act;
review notice, in relation to a decision of the Director of Public Health, means a written notice stating the following:
(a) the decision;
(b) that the person given the notice may request, in writing, the Director of Public Health to provide him or her with a statement of the reasons for the decision;
(a) radioactive material that is permanently sealed in a capsule; or
(b) radioactive material that is in a solid form and that is bound closely –
in such a way that the sealing of the capsule or binding of the material is strong enough to prevent leakage of radioactive material under the conditions of use and wear for which the capsule or binding is designed and for foreseeable mishaps;
show cause notice means a notice given under section 32 ;
statutory authority means an incorporated or unincorporated body which is established, constituted or continued by or under an Act of Tasmania, another State, a Territory or the Commonwealth or under the royal prerogative, being a body which, or of which the governing authority, wholly or partly comprises a person or person appointed by a Governor, the Governor-General, a Minister in the government of Tasmania, another State, a Territory or the Commonwealth or another statutory authority;
this Act includes the regulations and codes of practice;
treated person means a person in respect of whom a radiation source is used to carry out a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure involving the irradiation of that person;
use, in relation to a radiation source, includes –
(a) use radiation emitted from the radiation source; and
(b) if the radiation source is radioactive material, administer to, or inject or implant the material into, a person, animal, plant or thing; and
(c) cause the radiation source to emit radiation;
vehicle means anything used for transporting any thing or person by land, water or air.
5
Meaning of "radiation"
5 Meaning of "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, other than electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength equal to or greater than 100 nanometres.
(3) Non-ionising radiation is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength equal to or greater than 100 nanometres.
6
Meaning of "radiation source"
6 Meaning of "radiation source"
(1) A radiation source is a thing that emits or may emit radiation.
(2) A radiation source can be radioactive material or a radiation apparatus.
(3) Radioactive material is material that spontaneously emits ionising radiation as a consequence of nuclear transformations.
(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.
7
Act binds Crown
7 Act binds Crown
This Act binds the Crown in right of Tasmania and, so far as the legislative power of Parliament permits, in all its other capacities.
Part 2
Duties relating to Radiation Sources and Dose Limits
Part 2 Duties relating to Radiation Sources and Dose Limits
8
Duty to ensure harm does not result from radiation source
8 Duty to ensure harm does not result from radiation source
A person who uses, manufactures, possesses, sells, acquires, stores, transports, installs, services, repairs, disposes of or otherwise deals with a radiation source must take all reasonable and practicable measures to ensure that undertaking that activity does not result in harm to the health or safety of persons or to the environment caused by radiation emitted from the radiation source.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 000 penalty units.
9
Diagnostic or therapeutic procedures
9 Diagnostic or therapeutic procedures
If a person uses a radiation source to carry out a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure involving the irradiation of a treated person, that person must ensure –
(a) that any person involved in carrying out the procedure (including that person) does not receive a dose of radiation that would result in the person receiving during a particular period doses of radiation that, when added together, are higher than the prescribed dose limit for that period; and
(b) that 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 the prescription for the therapeutic procedure.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 1 000 penalty units.
10
Causing radiation exposure
10 Causing radiation exposure
(1) A person who uses, manufactures, sells, acquires, possesses, stores, transports, installs, services, repairs, disposes of or otherwise deals with a radiation source must not cause himself or herself or another person to receive a dose of radiation that would result in himself or herself or the other person receiving during a particular period doses of radiation that, when added together, are higher than the prescribed dose limit for that period.
(a) in relation to a workplace that is premises, a person who is in charge of the day-to-day operation of the industry or business which;
(i) is carried on at those premises; or
(ii) involves visiting those premises; or
(b) in relation to a workplace that is a cave or place other than premises, the person who is in charge of the day-to-day operation of the industry or business which –
(i) is carried on at that cave or place; or
(ii) involves visiting that cave or business;
workplace means any premises, cave or other place –
(a) where a person is employed or engaged in an industry or business or which a person visits as part of their employment or engagement in an industry or business; and
(b) in which the person may be exposed to radiation from radon-222.
(2) A person-in-charge of a workplace must ensure that a person working in or visiting that workplace as part of their employment or engagement in an industry or business does not receive during a particular period doses of radon-222 that, when added together, are higher than the prescribed dose limit for that period.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 1 000 penalty units.
12
Notification of dangerous event
12 Notification of dangerous event
(1) In this section –
dangerous event means one or more of the following events:
(a) a radiation source is, or appears to have been, lost or stolen;
(b) there is a radiation incident in relation to a radiation source for which there is no approved radiation management plan for the radiation practice being carried out with the source at the time or, if there is such an approved radiation management plan, that plan does not include a remediation procedure;
(c) equipment that uses, measures or controls radiation emitted from a radiation 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;
radiation incident means an incident adversely affecting, or likely to adversely affect, the environment or the health or safety of any person because of the emission of radiation;
remediation procedure, for a radiation incident, means a procedure designed to minimise the radiation hazard arising from the incident.
(2) Immediately following the occurrence of a dangerous event, the person possessing the radiation source must give the Director of Public Health an oral or written notice of that event that contains sufficient particulars to identify the radiation source and, if known, the location of the radiation source.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 500 penalty units.
(3) If the notice under subsection (2) is given orally, the person who gave the notice must give the Director of Public Health a written notice confirming the oral notice within 7 days after the occurrence of the dangerous event.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 500 penalty units.
Part 3
Requirements for Radiation Sources and Radiation Places
Part 3 Requirements for Radiation Sources and Radiation Places
Division 1
Requirement to hold licence for radiation source
Division 1 Requirement to hold licence for radiation source
13
Dealings with radiation source prohibited without licence
13 Dealings with radiation source prohibited without licence
(1) A person must not use, manufacture, sell, acquire, possess, store, transport, install, service, repair, dispose of or otherwise deal with a radiation source other than in accordance with a licence.
Requirement to register place where radiation source used or stored
Division 2 Requirement to register place where radiation source used or stored
14
Requirement for certificate of registration for place where radiation source used or stored
14 Requirement for certificate of registration for place where radiation source used or stored
The occupier of a place where a radiation source is usually or primarily used or stored must hold a certificate of registration for the place.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 5 000 penalty units.
Division 3
Requirement to be accredited to test radiation source, &c.
Division 3 Requirement to be accredited to test radiation source, &c.
15
Accreditation to test radiation source
15 Accreditation to test radiation source
A person must not test a radiation source for the purpose of determining whether a certificate of compliance can be issued unless the person is the holder of a certificate of accreditation authorising the person to do so.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 1 000 penalty units.
16
Accreditation to issue certificate of compliance
16 Accreditation to issue certificate of compliance
(1) A person must not issue a certificate of compliance for a radiation source of a particular class unless –
(a) the person –
(i) is the holder of a certificate of accreditation authorising the person to test radiation sources of that particular class; and
(iii) issues the certificate of compliance for the source as an adjunct to its manufacture; or
(c) the person –
(i) is authorised by a licence to sell the source; and
(ii) on evidence from testing or calculations, is satisfied of the matters set out in section 17(1)(a) or (b) ; and
(iii) is satisfied that the source has not been used otherwise than for the purpose of testing it.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 1 000 penalty units.
(2) A person must not issue a certificate of compliance for a radiation place of a particular class unless the person –
(a) is the holder of a certificate of accreditation authorising the person to issue certificates of compliance in relation to radiation places of that particular class; and
(b) is satisfied of the matters set out in section 17(2) .
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 1 000 penalty units.
Division 4
Testing, inspections and certificates of compliance for radiation sources and radiation places
Division 4 Testing, inspections and certificates of compliance for radiation sources and radiation places
17
Issue of certificate of compliance
17 Issue of certificate of compliance
(1) The holder of a certificate of accreditation or a person authorised by a licence to manufacture or sell a radiation source is to be satisfied of the following matters before issuing a certificate of compliance for a radiation source used, or to be used, to carry out a radiation practice:
(a) in the case of a sealed source, that –
(i) the capsule sealing the source, or the way in which the solid-form source is bound, complies with all applicable codes of practice and any prescribed specifications; and
(ii) any container or equipment which allows the source to be used also complies with all applicable codes of practice and any prescribed specifications;
(b) in the case of a radiation apparatus, that the apparatus complies with all applicable codes of practice and any prescribed specifications.
(2) The holder of a certificate of accreditation is to be satisfied that a radiation place complies with all applicable codes of practice and any prescribed specifications before issuing a certificate of compliance for that place.
(3) A certificate of compliance is to be in an approved form.
18
Result of test or inspection to be given to Director of Public Health
18 Result of test or inspection to be given to Director of Public Health
Within 30 days after receiving the result of a test or inspection required under the conditions of an authority, the holder of the authority must give the Director of Public Health a copy of the certificate of compliance or other result of the test or inspection.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 100 penalty units.
Division 5
Banned radiation sources
Division 5 Banned radiation sources
19
Certain dealings with banned radiation source prohibited
19 Certain dealings with banned radiation source prohibited
(1) A person must not use, manufacture, sell, acquire, possess, store, transport, install, service, repair, dispose of or otherwise deal with a radiation source that is prescribed by the regulations to be a banned radiation source.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 000 penalty units.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the disposal of a banned radiation source in accordance with this Act or to the possession of a banned radiation source for the purpose of such disposal.
Part 4
Licensing, Registration and Accreditation
Part 4 Licensing, Registration and Accreditation
20
Application
20 Application
(1) An application for an authority is to be –
(a) made to the Director of Public Health in the approved form; and
(b) accompanied by the following documents:
(i) for an application for a licence to use a radiation source, a current certificate of compliance for the radiation source to which the authority is to relate unless the Director of Public Health has previously sighted the certificate;
(ii) for an application for a licence to possess a radiation source to carry out a radiation practice, the proposed radiation management plan for the radiation practice;
(iii) for an application for a certificate of registration, a current certificate of compliance for the radiation place to which the authority is to relate unless the Director of Public Health has previously sighted the certificate of compliance; and
(c) accompanied by the documents and information stated in the approved form; and
(d) accompanied by any prescribed fee.
(2) The application must also satisfy the Director of Public Health that the applicant and each person referred to in section 21(2)(b) and (c) know and accept that the Director of Public Health may obtain a report from the Commissioner of Police or a government department, statutory authority or agency referred to in section 21(3)(c) .
(3) The Director of Public Health, by written notice, may require the applicant to give to the Director of Public Health further documents or information within the period specified in the notice.
(4) The Director of Public Health, by written notice, may require the applicant and any person referred to in section 21(2)(c) to take an examination, or otherwise satisfy the Director of Public Health of his or her knowledge and skills, within the period and as specified in the notice.
21
Determination of application
21 Determination of application
(1) The Director of Public Health may grant or refuse to grant an application for an authority.
(2) The Director of Public Health may grant the application only if –
(a) the Director of Public Health is satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold the authority having regard to any prescribed criteria; and
(b) in the case of an application by a body corporate or a partnership, the Director of Public Health is satisfied that each director or other person concerned with the management of the body corporate or each partner in the partnership is a fit and proper person having regard to any prescribed criteria; and
(c) the Director of Public Health is satisfied that each person specified in the application as likely to be dealing with a radiation source is a fit and proper person to be dealing with the radiation source having regard to any prescribed criteria; and
(d) in the case of an application for a licence to use a radiation source, a current certificate of compliance is provided for the radiation source to which the authority is to relate or has been sighted previously by the Director of Public Health; and
(e) in the case of an application for a licence to possess a radiation source to carry out a radiation practice, the Director of Public Health is satisfied that the proposed radiation management plan for the radiation practice contains the prescribed information and complies with the prescribed requirements; and
(f) in the case of an application for a certificate of registration, a current certificate of compliance is provided for the radiation place to which the authority is to relate or has been sighted previously by the Director of Public Health; and
(g) the Director of Public Health is satisfied of any prescribed matter; and
(h) the Director of Public Health is satisfied that, after having regard to any other matter he or she considers relevant, it is proper to grant the application.
(3) Before determining an application for an authority, the Director of Public Health may –
(a) request advice from the Council on the application; and
(b) request a report on any matter concerning the application from the Commissioner of Police; and
(c) request a report on any matter concerning the application from –
(i) any government department, statutory authority or other agency of Tasmania, another State, a Territory or the Commonwealth; and
(ii) any prescribed person; and
(d) require the applicant, by written notice, to allow an authorised officer to inspect –
(i) any premises where the radiation source is to be used, manufactured, sold, acquired, stored, installed, serviced, repaired, disposed of or otherwise dealt with; and
(ii) any vehicle in which the radiation source is to be transported; and
(iii) any equipment or other thing in or on those premises or vehicle.
(4) For the purposes of requesting advice or a report under subsection (3) , the Director of Public Health may provide the Council, Commissioner of Police or department, organisation or statutory authority with –
(a) the names of the applicant and any person specified in subsection (2)(b) ; and
(b) any information and documentation relating to the application.
(5) In determining an application for an authority, the Director of Public Health is to –
(a) consider any advice given by the Council in response to a request under subsection (3)(a) ; and
(b) consider any report provided by the Commissioner of Police under subsection (6) ; and
(c) consider any report provided in response to a request under subsection (3)(c) ; and
(d) have regard to applicable guidelines issued under section 56 .
(6) On receipt of a request under subsection (3)(b) , the Commissioner of Police must inquire into and report to the Director of Public Health on any matters concerning the application specified in the request.
(7) If the Director of Public Health refuses to grant an application, he or she is to give the applicant a review notice in relation to that decision as soon as practicable.
22
Issue of authority
22 Issue of authority
(1) If the Director of Public Health grants an application for an authority, he or she is to issue the authority to the applicant.
(2) The Director of Public Health may issue the authority subject to any conditions specified in it.
(3) Without limiting subsection (2) , conditions may be imposed in respect of the following matters:
(a) compliance with a code of practice applicable to the activities of the holder of the authority under the authority;
(b) radiation monitoring to be carried out by the holder of the authority;
(c) testing of the radiation source, or inspection of the radiation place, to which the authority relates;
(d) for an authority that is a licence to possess a radiation source, radiation protection measures to be taken by the holder of the authority under the approved radiation management plan.
(4) If the Director of Public Health issues an authority subject to conditions, he or she is to give the applicant a review notice in relation to the decision as soon as practicable.
(5) An authority takes effect on the day it is issued or a later day specified in it.
23
Activities authorised by authority
23 Activities authorised by authority
(1) A licence to use, manufacture, sell, acquire, possess, store, transport, install, service, repair, dispose of or otherwise deal with a radiation source authorises the holder to perform that activity as specified, and subject to any conditions specified, in the licence.
(2) A certificate of registration for a place authorises the use of that place for the purposes of using or storing in that place the radiation source, or radiation sources of a class, specified in the certificate subject to any conditions specified in the certificate.
(3) A certificate of accreditation authorises the holder –
(a) to issue certificates of compliance for radiation sources, or radiation places, of a class specified in the certificate subject to any conditions specified in the certificate; and
(b) to do all things necessary for the purposes of determining whether or not a certificate of compliance should be issued in respect of such a radiation source or radiation place, including the use, storage and transport of that source or a source that is in that place.
(4) [Section 23 Subsection (4) inserted by No. 16 of 2013, s. 8, Applied:20 Jun 2013] The holder of an authority must not publicly represent, whether by an advertisement, public notice or other means, and whether expressly or by implication, that the authority constitutes an endorsement, by or on behalf of the Crown or any of its agencies, as to the efficacy, quality or standard of any service provided, or any activity carried on, under the authority.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 50 penalty units.
24
Approval of radiation management plan
24 Approval of radiation management plan
(1) If the Director of Public Health issues a licence to possess a radiation source, the Director of Public Health is taken to have approved the radiation management plan that accompanied the application for the licence.
(2) The holder of a licence to possess a radiation source may apply to the Director of Public Health to amend or substitute the approved radiation management plan.
(3) An application must be –
(a) in the approved form; and
(b) accompanied by the documents and information stated in the approved form; and
(c) accompanied by any prescribed fee.
(4) The Director of Public Health, by written notice, may require the applicant to give the Director of Public Health further documents or information within the period stated in the notice.
(5) The Director of Public Health must –
(a) grant the application; or
(b) grant part of the application and refuse to grant the remainder of the application; or
(c) refuse to grant the application.
(6) The Director of Public Health may only grant the application or part of the application if he or she is satisfied that the radiation management plan if amended or substituted as proposed by the application or part of the application would contain the information, and comply with the requirements, prescribed for the purposes of section 21(2)(e) .
(7) If the Director of Public Health grants an application or part of an application –
(a) the Director of Public Health is to give the applicant notice of the decision as soon as practicable; and
(b) the Director of Public Health is to amend or substitute the approved radiation management plan as proposed in the application or part of the application; and
(c) if appropriate amend the licence held by the application to reflect that amendment or substitution.
(8) The amendment or substitution takes effect when the notice referred to in subsection (7)(a) is given to the applicant.
(9) If the Director of Public Health refuses to grant the application or part of the application, the Director of Public Health is to give the applicant a review notice in relation to the decision as soon as practicable.
(10) The power of the Director of Public Health to amend an approved radiation management plan and licence under subsection (7) includes the power to insert matter, omit matter and omit matter and substitute other matter.
25
Duration
25 Duration
(1) A licence remains in force for the period, not exceeding 2 years, specified in it.
(2) A certificate of registration remains in force until the radiation source used or stored at the radiation place is no longer housed at that place.
(3) A certificate of accreditation remains in force for the period, not exceeding 3 years, specified in it.
26
Renewal of licence or certificate of accreditation
26 Renewal of licence or certificate of accreditation
(1) A holder of a licence or certificate of accreditation may apply for the renewal of the licence or certificate of accreditation.
(2) Division 1 applies, with all necessary modifications and adaptations, to an application for the renewal of a licence or certificate of accreditation.
27
Licence or certificate of accreditation continues until application for renewal decided
27 Licence or certificate of accreditation continues until application for renewal decided
If an application for the renewal of a licence or certificate of accreditation is made before the term of the licence or certificate ends, the licence or certificate continues in force until the application is determined.
28
Amendment of authority on initiative of Director of Public Health
28 Amendment of authority on initiative of Director of Public Health
(1) The Director of Public Health may amend an authority, including the conditions specified in the authority, if he or she is satisfied that it is necessary to do so to protect persons or the environment from the harmful effects of radiation emitted from the radiation source to which the authority relates.
(2) Before amending an authority, the Director of Public Health is to –
(a) give to the holder of the authority written notice stating –
(i) the particulars of the proposed amendment; and
(ii) that the holder may make written submissions to the Director of Public Health about the proposed amendment within the period of not less than 21 days stated in the notice; and
(b) have regard to written submissions made to the Director of Public Health by the holder within that period.
(3) If the Director of Public Health amends an authority, the Director of Public Health is to give the holder of the authority, as soon as practicable, a review notice in relation to the determination.
(4) An amendment of an authority takes effect when the review notice is given to the holder.
(5) The power of the Director of Public Health to amend an authority under subsection (1) includes the power to –
(a) insert matter, omit matter and omit matter and substitute other matter; and
(b) omit or substitute some or all of the conditions, add further conditions, impose conditions where the authority was not previously subject to any conditions and insert matter in, omit matter from and substitute matter in conditions specified in the authority.
29
Amendment of authority on application by holder
29 Amendment of authority on application by holder
(1) The holder of an authority may apply to the Director of Public Health for the amendment of the authority, including the conditions specified in the authority.
(2) The application must be –
(a) in the approved form; and
(b) accompanied by the documents and information stated in the approved form; and
(c) accompanied by any prescribed fee.
(3) The Director of Public Health, by written notice, may require the applicant to give the Director of Public Health further documents or information within the period stated in the notice.
(4) The Director of Public Health must –
(a) grant the application; or
(b) grant part of the application and refuse to grant the remainder of the application; or
(7) If the Director of Public Health grants the application or part of the application –
(a) the Director of Public Health is to give the holder notice of the decision as soon as practicable; and
(b) the Director of Public Health is to amend the authority as proposed in the application or the part of the application.
(8) The amendment of the authority takes effect when the notice referred to in subsection (7)(a) is given to the holder.
(9) If the Director of Public Health refuses to grant the application or part of an application, the Director of Public Health is to give the applicant a review notice in relation to the decision as soon as practicable.
(10) The power of the Director of Public Health to amend an authority under subsection (7)(b) includes the power to –
(a) insert matter, omit matter and omit matter and substitute other matter; and
(b) omit or substitute some or all of the conditions, add further conditions, impose conditions where the authority was not previously subject to any conditions and insert matter in, omit matter from and substitute matter in conditions specified in the authority.
30
Recording amendment of authority
30 Recording amendment of authority
(1) If the holder of an authority receives a review notice under section 28(3) or a notice under section 29(7) , the holder must return the authority or that portion of the authority, as specified in that notice, to the Director of Public Health within 14 days after receiving the notice unless the holder has a reasonable excuse.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
(2) On receiving the authority or portion of the authority, the Director of Public Health is to amend the authority or the portion to give effect to the amendment of the authority and return the authority or portion to the holder of the authority.
(3) An amendment of an authority may be done by –
(a) amending the authority or a portion of the authority; or
(b) endorsing the amendment on the authority or a portion of the authority; or
(c) issuing a replacement authority, or replacement portion of the authority, that incorporates the amendment.
31
Grounds for suspending or cancelling authority
31 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 or other legislation relating to radiation;
(c) the holder has contravened a provision of this Act, being a provision 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) the Director of Public Health becomes aware of information that, if it had been known by the Director of Public Health when the application for the authority or its renewal was granted, the Director of Public Health would have refused the application;
(f) if the authority is a licence or certificate of registration, the Director of Public Health considers it necessary to suspend or cancel the licence or certificate to protect persons or the environment from the harmful effects of radiation emitted from the radiation source to which the authority relates;
(g) if the authority is a licence or a certificate of accreditation, the Director of Public Health considers that the holder is not, or is no longer, a fit and proper person to hold the authority.
32
Show cause notice
32 Show cause notice
(1) If the Director of Public Health believes a ground exists to suspend or cancel an authority, the Director of Public Health must give the holder of the authority written notice stating the following:
(a) the action that the Director of Public Health proposes taking under this Division;
(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 period specified in the notice, why the proposed action should not be taken.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(e) , the period specified in the notice must not be less than 28 days commencing on the day the notice is given to the holder of the authority.
33
Representations about show cause notices
33 Representations about show cause notices
If the holder of an authority receives a show cause notice, the holder may make written representations to the Director of Public Health in the period specified in that notice showing cause why the authority should not be suspended or cancelled.
34
Ending show cause process without further action
34 Ending show cause process without further action
If, after considering all representations made under section 33 , the Director of Public Health no longer believes a ground exists to suspend or cancel the authority, the Director of Public Health –
(a) may not suspend or cancel the authority; and
(b) is to give written notice to the holder of the authority stating that the authority will not be suspended or cancelled.
35
Suspension or cancellation
35 Suspension or cancellation
(1) If, after considering any representations made under section 33 , the Director of Public Health believes that a ground exists to suspend or cancel the authority and that a suspension or cancellation of the authority is warranted, the Director of Public Health may –
(a) if the proposed action stated in the show cause notice was to suspend the authority for a period specified in that notice, 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.
(2) The Director of Public Health must give a review notice in relation to the decision to suspend or cancel the authority to the holder of the authority as soon as practicable.
(3) The decision to suspend or cancel an authority takes effect –
(a) on the day the review notice is given to the holder; or
(b) if a later day is specified in the review notice, on the later day.
36
Return of suspended or cancelled authority
36 Return of suspended or cancelled authority
If the Director of Public Health has suspended or cancelled an authority and has given a review notice in relation to the decision to the holder of the authority, the holder must return the authority to the Director of Public Health within 14 days after receiving the review notice unless the holder has a reasonable excuse.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
37
Immediate suspension of authority in urgent circumstances
37 Immediate suspension of authority in urgent circumstances
(1) In this section, urgent circumstances exist if a ground exists to suspend or cancel a licence, certificate of registration or certificate of accreditation and it is necessary, to protect persons or the environment from the harmful effects of radiation, to immediately suspend the authority until the suspension or cancellation procedure under sections 32 , 33 , 34 and 35 is completed.
(2) If the Director of Public Health is satisfied that urgent circumstances exist in respect of an authority, he or she may immediately suspend the authority.
(3) The Director of Public Health is to give a review notice in relation to the decision to immediately suspend an authority under subsection (2) to the holder of the authority.
(4) A suspension under subsection (2) takes effect when the review notice in relation to the decision is given to the holder.
(5) If the Director of Public Health gives the holder a show cause notice within 14 days after the Director of Public Health suspends an authority under subsection (2) , the suspension remains in force until the first of the following occurs:
(a) the Director of Public Health cancels the suspension;
(b) a decision under section 35 to cancel or suspend the authority takes effect;
(c) a decision under section 35 is made not to cancel or suspend the authority.
(6) If a show cause notice is not given to the holder of the authority within the period mentioned in subsection (5) , the suspension lapses at the end of that period unless the Director of Public Health has already cancelled the suspension.
38
Prohibition on abandoning radiation source
38 Prohibition on abandoning radiation source
A person must not abandon a radiation source.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 5 000 penalty units.
39
Procedure if radiation source abandoned
39 Procedure if radiation source abandoned
(1) If the Director of Public Health is of the opinion that a radiation source has been abandoned –
(a) an authorised officer may seize the radiation source; or
(b) the Director of Public Health, if a person agrees to it, may direct the person to dispose of the radiation source.
(2) After seizing a radiation source under subsection (1)(a) , an authorised officer may do any one or more of the following:
(a) keep possession of the source for such time as is necessary for the institution and final determination of legal proceedings relating to the abandonment;
(b) destroy the source;
(c) otherwise render the source harmless and dispose of it;
(d) dispose of the source.
(3) If a person is directed under subsection (1)(b) to dispose of the radiation source, that person –
(a) may dispose of it in a manner approved by the Director of Public Health or may render it harmless and then dispose of it; and
(b) is taken to hold a licence in respect of the radiation source authorising the person to take the action specified in paragraph (a) and to possess, store and transport the radiation source for the purposes of taking that action.
(4) The reasonable costs and expenses of a person taking action under subsection (3) are to be paid out of money provided by Parliament for the purpose.
(5) The person who abandoned the radiation source is liable for –
(a) the reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Crown in seizing the radiation source under subsection (1)(a) and taking any action under subsection (2) ; and
(b) the reimbursement of the Crown for any amount paid to a person under subsection (4) .
(6) The Director of Public Health may recover the costs and expenses or the amount of the reimbursement specified in subsection (5) in a court of competent jurisdiction as a debt due to the Crown.
(7) In determining the costs and expenses incurred by the Crown in the taking of action under subsection (2) , or by a person taking action under subsection (3) , any proceeds earned from the disposal of the radiation source are to be taken into account.
40
Surrender of authority
40 Surrender of authority
(1) The holder of an authority may surrender the authority by written notice given to the Director of Public Health.
(2) The surrender takes effect –
(a) on the day the notice is given to the Director of Public Health; or
(b) if a later day is specified in the notice, on the later day.
(3) The holder must return the authority to the Director of Public Health within 14 days after the day the surrender takes effect unless the holder has a reasonable excuse.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
41
Replacement of authority
41 Replacement of authority
(1) The holder of an authority is to apply to the Director of Public Health for a replacement of the authority if it has been lost, stolen or destroyed.
(2) The Director of Public Health may issue a replacement authority, marked as such, on payment of any prescribed fee.
42
Failure to decide application
42 Failure to decide application
The Director of Public Health is taken to have decided to refuse to grant an application under Division 1 , 2 or 3 of this Part if he or she has failed to determine the application –
(a) within 90 days after its receipt; or
(b) in a case where the Director of Public Health has given the applicant notice requiring the provision of further documents or information in the period specified in the notice –
(i) within 90 days after receiving the further documents or information; or
(ii) if the further documents or information is not provided within the period specified in that notice, within 90 days after the end of that period.
43
Contravention of condition
43 Contravention of condition
The holder of an authority must not contravene a condition of the authority.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 500 penalty units.
44
Transfer of authority prohibited
44 Transfer of authority prohibited
An authority may not be transferred.
45
Holder of authority to give notice of prescribed change
45 Holder of authority to give notice of prescribed change
Within 14 days after a prescribed change in circumstances happens for an authority, the holder of the authority must give written notice to the Director of Public Health of the change.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
Part 5
Administration
Part 5 Administration
46
Establishment of Radiation Advisory Council
46 Establishment of Radiation Advisory Council
The Radiation Advisory Council is established.
47
Constitution of Council
47 Constitution of Council
(1) The Council consists of not more than 9 persons appointed by the Minister.
(2) The Council may appoint a member of the Council as its chairperson.
(3) Schedule 1 has effect in respect of the membership of the Council.
(4) Schedule 2 has effect in respect of meetings of the Council.
48
Function of Council
48 Function of Council
The Council's function is to advise the Director of Public Health and the Minister on –
(a) radiation protection and nuclear safety matters; and
(b) matters relating to the administration of this Act, including –
(i) applications for authorities referred to it by the Director of Public Health; and
(ii) the issue of guidelines under section 56 ; and
(iii) codes of practice.
49
Powers of Council
49 Powers of Council
The Council has power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done in connection with the performance of its function.
50
Acting members of Council
50 Acting members of Council
(1) For the purposes of this section, a member of the Council is absent if he or she –
(a) is absent from duty; or
(b) is otherwise unable to perform the functions of the office of member.
(2) The Minister may appoint a person to act as a member of the Council during all absences, or a particular absence, of a member of the Council.
(3) The appointment of a person to act as a member of the Council during the absence of the chairperson is not an appointment to act in the position of chairperson.
(4) While a person appointed to act as a member of the Council is so acting as a member that person is taken to be a member of the Council.
51
General functions and powers of Director of Public Health
51 General functions and powers of Director of Public Health
(1) The functions of the Director of Public Health are as follows:
(a) to ensure that the provisions of this Act are complied with;
(b) to advise the Minister on any changes to this Act that may be necessary or appropriate;
(c) to carry out any other function for the purposes of this Act as the Minister determines.
(2) The Director of Public Health has power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done in connection with the performance of his or her functions under this Act.
(3) The Minister may give the Director of Public Health directions in respect of any power or function of the Director of Public Health under this Act and the Director of Public Health is to comply with those directions.
52
Delegation by Director of Public Health
52 Delegation by Director of Public Health
The Director of Public Health may delegate to any person, class of persons or State Service Agency any of his or her functions or powers under this Act, other than this power of delegation.
53
Appointment of authorised officers
53 Appointment of authorised officers
(1) The Director of Public Health may appoint a State Service officer or State Service employee employed in the Department to be an authorised officer for the purposes of this Act, and that officer or employee may hold that office in conjunction with State Service employment.
(2) The Director of Public Health, with the consent of a Head of a State Service Agency other than the Department, may appoint a State Service officer or State Service employee employed in that Agency to be an authorised officer for the purposes of this Act, and that officer or employee may hold that office in conjunction with State Service employment.
(3) The Director of Public Health may authorise a person who is not a State Service officer or State Service employee to perform the functions and exercise the powers of an authorised officer for the purposes of this Act.
54
Certificates of authorisation
54 Certificates of authorisation
(1) The Director of Public Health is to provide each authorised officer with a certificate of authorisation.
(2) The certificate of authorisation may limit the powers and functions that an authorised officer may exercise and perform under this Act.
(3) An authorised officer, when exercising a power or performing a function under this Act, is to produce his or her certificate of authorisation if requested to do so by any person.
55
Issuing certificates of compliance
55 Issuing certificates of compliance
(1) A certificate of authorisation under section 54 may authorise the authorised officer to issue certificates of compliance for radiation sources, or radiation places, of the class specified in the authorisation.
(2) An authorised officer who holds an authorisation that authorises him or her to issue certificates of compliance for radiation sources, or radiation places, of the class specified in the authorisation is taken to hold a certificate of accreditation –
(a) in respect of that class of radiation source or radiation place; and
(b) which is subject to the condition that the authorised officer may only issue a certificate of compliance for a particular radiation source or radiation place if the Director of Public Health has given the authorised officer a further written authority to issue such a certificate for that source or place.
(3) The Director of Public Health may give a further written authority to an authorised officer to issue a certificate of compliance in relation to a particular radiation source or radiation place if satisfied –
(a) that there is no person holding a certificate of accreditation authorising him or her to issue such a certificate of compliance; or
(b) that –
(i) special circumstances exist; and
(ii) although there is a person holding a certificate of accreditation authorising the issue of such a certificate of compliance, there would be a significant delay in the issue of the certificate; and
(iii) the delay in issuing the certificate would cause undue hardship to any person or would pose a risk of harm to the health and safety of people or to the environment.
(4) The Director of Public Health may charge a fee, determined by the Director of Public Health, for the issue of a certificate of compliance by an authorised officer.
56
Guidelines
56 Guidelines
(1) The Director of Public Health may issue guidelines in respect of administrative matters for this Act.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1) , guidelines may be issued in respect of the following matters:
(a) the type of information to be included in or to accompany an application for an authority;
(b) the assessing of an application for an authority.
(3) The guidelines may authorise any matter to be from time to time determined, applied or regulated by any person specified in the guidelines.
(4) The guidelines may adopt, apply or incorporate, either wholly or in part and with or without modification, and either specifically or by reference, any document, whether the document is published or issued before or after the guidelines take effect.
(5) The Director of Public Health may amend or revoke any guidelines.
(6) The Director of Public Health is to notify, by public notice –
(a) the issue, amendment or revocation of any guidelines; and
(b) the subject matter of the guidelines; and
(c) the place where copies of issued guidelines may be obtained.
(8) The Acts Interpretation Act 1931 applies to the interpretation of the guidelines as if the guidelines were by-laws.
57
Codes of practice
57 Codes of practice
(1) The Director of Public Health, by public notice, may approve as a code of practice the whole or part of any code of practice, standard, rule, specification or guidelines, with or without modification, that is issued, prescribed, made or published by any person that relates to any of the following matters:
(a) the use, manufacture, sale, acquisition, possession, storage, transport, installation, servicing, repairing or disposal of, or other 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 public notice must state where copies of the code of practice, standard, rule, specification or guidelines may be inspected during normal business hours.
(3) The Director of Public Health is to ensure copies of the code of practice, standard, rule, specification or guidelines are available for inspection, free of charge, at the place stated in the notice during normal business hours.
(4) A contravention of a code of practice, standard, rule or specification does not of itself constitute an offence against this Act.
The Crown, the Director of Public Health, an authorised officer, a member of the Council or another person engaged in the administration of this Act does not incur any liability in respect of any act done or omitted in good faith in the performance or exercise, or the purported performance or exercise, of any function or power or in the administration or execution, or purported administration or execution, of this Act.
59
Confidentiality
59 Confidentiality
(1) In this section –
information includes a document;
person involved in the administration of this Act means –
(a) the Director of Public Health; or
(b) an authorised officer; or
(c) a person assisting an authorised officer under Part 6 ; or
(d) a member of the Council; or
(e) another person involved in the administration this Act.
(2) A person involved in the administration of this Act must not directly or indirectly disclose any information acquired because of that involvement in the administration of this Act if –
(a) the disclosure of the information would be likely to damage the commercial activities, or adversely affect the intellectual property rights, of the person to whom the information relates; or
(b) the information is about a person's health and identifies, or is likely to allow another person to identify, that person.
(a) to the disclosure of information by a person involved in the administration of this Act in, or for the purposes of, the performance of his or her functions under this Act; or
(b) if the person involved in the administration of this Act is authorised or required by law to disclose the information; or
(c) if the person to whom the information relates consents in writing to the disclosure; or
(d) if the disclosure is made to the person to whom the information relates; or
(e) if the information is otherwise publicly available; or
(f) if the information is disclosed to a person who is responsible under the laws of another jurisdiction for the licensing or other authorisation of a radiation source, a dealing with a radiation source, a place where a radiation source is used or stored, the testing of a radiation source or the issue of a certificate that has substantially the same effect as a certificate of compliance; or
(g) if the information is disclosed to a prescribed person, or a person of a prescribed class, for a prescribed purpose.
Part 6
Enforcement
Part 6 Enforcement
60
Interpretation
60 Interpretation
In this Part –
occupier, in relation to a place, includes a person who reasonably appears to be an occupier of the place.
61
When thing connected with an offence
61 When thing connected with an offence
For the purposes of this Part, a thing is connected with an offence if –
(a) the offence has been committed in relation to the thing; or
(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.
62
Powers of authorised officers
62 Powers of authorised officers
(1) For the purposes of this Act, an authorised officer, at any reasonable time, may do any one or more of the following:
(a) alone, or with such police officers or other persons as the authorised officer considers necessary, enter and inspect any place that the authorised officer reasonably believes is used in connection with the manufacture, possession, sale, acquisition, use, storage, transport, service, repair or disposal of, or other dealing with, a radiation source;
(b) alone, or with such police officers or other persons as the authorised officer considers necessary, enter and inspect any place in which the authorised officer reasonably believes that there are any records or documents that relate to the manufacture, possession, use, sale, acquisition, storage, transport, installation, servicing, repair or disposal of, or other dealing with, a radiation source.
(2) In any place lawfully entered, an authorised officer may do any one or more of the following:
(a) inspect or examine that place or anything found in or on that place;
(b) take measurements of, or conduct tests in relation to, that place or anything found in or on that place;
(c) take photographs, films or audio, video or other recordings of that place or anything found in or on that place;
(d) take and remove from that place samples for analysis of anything found in or on that place;
(e) subject to section 66 , seize any thing found in or on that place;
(f) if that place is a vehicle –
(i) subject to section 66 , seize the vehicle; and
(ii) stop, move or not move the vehicle; and
(iii) bring the vehicle to a place and remain in control of the vehicle until the authorised officer permits the vehicle to depart;
(g) take copies of or extracts from documents found in or on that place;
(h) require a person in or on that place to –
(i) answer questions or provide information; or
(ii) make available documents kept in or on that place; or
(iii) give the authorised officer reasonable assistance in the exercise of his or her powers under this section;
(i) direct a person apparently in charge of any equipment found in or on that place not to operate the equipment –
(i) until the repairs specified in the direction have been made; or
(ii) until the equipment meets the requirements specified in the direction;
(j) direct the occupier of that place to do the following until the period specified 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 that place and to store it in the manner specified in the direction;
(ii) to use a thing found in or on that place in the way specified in the direction and in no other way;
(k) direct the occupier of that place not to remove a thing found in or on that place for the period, not exceeding 14 days, specified in the direction;
(l) destroy or render harmless, or direct the occupier of that place to destroy or render harmless, a thing found in or on that place that poses, or is likely to pose, a threat of harm to the health or safety of persons or to the environment;
(m) generally make such investigations and inquiries as may be necessary to ascertain whether an offence under this Act is being or has been committed.
(3) After taking a sample under subsection (2)(d) or seizing a thing or vehicle under subsection (2)(e) or (f) , the authorised officer is to give a receipt for the sample, thing or vehicle to –
(a) the occupier of the place from which the sample, thing or vehicle was taken or seized; or
(b) the person who the authorised officer reasonably believes was in possession of the sample, thing or vehicle immediately before it was taken or seized.
(4) If an authorised officer makes or gives a requirement or direction under subsection (2) orally, the authorised officer, as soon as practicable, is to confirm the requirement or direction by written notice given to the person.
(5) When making a requirement or giving a direction under subsection (2) , the authorised officer is to inform the person that it is an offence not to comply with the requirement or direction unless the person has a reasonable excuse.
(6) A person, unless he or she has a reasonable excuse, must comply with a requirement or direction made or given to him or her under subsection (2) regardless of whether or not the authorised officer has complied with subsection (4) .
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 500 penalty units.
(7) This section does not authorise entry into any part of premises that is being used solely for residential purposes except –
(a) with the consent of the occupier of the premises; or
(b) under the authority of a warrant.
(8) A person is not excused from a requirement under this section to provide information or answer questions, or to produce any record, document or thing, on the ground that the information, answer, record, document or thing might incriminate the person or make the person liable to a penalty.
(9) Any information or answer furnished, or record, document or thing produced, by a natural person in compliance with a requirement under this section to provide information or answer questions, or to produce a record, document or thing, is not admissible in evidence against the person in criminal proceedings other than for an offence against subsection (6) or section 71 or 72 .
63
Warrant to enter place
63 Warrant to enter place
(1) An authorised officer may apply to a justice of the peace, by information on oath, for a warrant in respect of a place if the authorised officer reasonably believes that an offence against this Act is about to be, is being or has been committed in or on the place.
(2) The magistrate may issue a warrant if satisfied about the matters set out in the information.
(3) A warrant authorises the authorised officer named in the warrant and any other person assisting the authorised officer, using such force as is reasonable –
(a) to enter, remain in and inspect the place specified in the warrant; and
(b) to exercise any powers the authorised officer may exercise in or on, or in respect of, any place lawfully entered under this Part.
(4) The warrant must state –
(a) the purpose for which it is issued; and
(b) the nature of the offence or contravention for which the entry is authorised; and
(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 28 days after the warrant's issue, on which the warrant ceases to have effect.
(5) An authorised officer executing the warrant must produce the warrant for inspection if asked by the occupier of the place or another person in or on the place.
64
Emergency powers
64 Emergency powers
(1) Despite any other provision of this Act, an authorised officer, without a warrant or the consent of the occupier of a place, may enter the place, including a residence, with such other persons as the authorised officer considers appropriate and using such force as is reasonable in the circumstances if the Director of Public Health reasonably suspects that –
(a) there is a radiation source in or 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 or minimise an imminent risk of serious harm to the environment from the source.
(2) An authorised officer or person assisting an authorised officer who enters a place under subsection (1) may –
(a) enter, remain in and inspect the place; and
(b) exercise any powers he or she may exercise in or on, or in respect of, any place lawfully entered under this Part.
65
Power to search person
65 Power to search person
(1) In this section, a reference to a search of a person includes a reference to a search of the clothes of the person and any article in the possession of the person but does not include a reference to a strip search of the person.
(2) If an authorised officer reasonably believes that a person has in his or her possession a radiation source, the officer may search that person without warrant and with such assistance as the officer considers appropriate.
(3) For the purposes of conducting a search under subsection (2) , the authorised officer may do one or more of the following:
(a) detain the person;
(b) require the person to accompany the officer to a place which the officer considers appropriate for conducting the search;
(c) use such assistants and force as the officer considers appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of so detaining the person or so requiring the person to accompany the officer.
(4) On conducting a search under this section, the authorised officer may seize a radiation source found in the possession of the person.
66
Seizure of things
66 Seizure of things
(1) An authorised officer may seize a thing or vehicle under this Part only if the authorised officer reasonably believes that the thing or vehicle –
(a) is connected with an offence against this Act and the seizure is necessary to prevent the thing or vehicle from being –
(i) concealed, lost, damaged or destroyed; or
(ii) used to commit the offence; or
(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 of harm to the health or safety of persons or to the environment.
(2) After seizing a thing or vehicle under this Part, an authorised officer may –
(a) take, or direct another person to take, the thing or vehicle to the place stated by the authorised officer; or
(b) give such directions about the handling and storage of the thing or vehicle as the authorised officer considers appropriate.
(3) Without the written consent of the Director of Public Health, a person must not –
(a) interfere with or dispose of a thing or vehicle seized under this Part; or
(b) remove a thing or vehicle seized under this Part from the place in or on which it was seized or to which it was taken by or under the direction of the authorised officer.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 500 penalty units.
67
Retention of thing seized
67 Retention of thing seized
(1) If a thing or vehicle is seized under this Part because it is connected with an offence against this Act –
(a) the thing or vehicle is to be held by the authorised officer for adducing evidence for a prosecution for an offence against this Act unless the Director of Public Health authorises its release to its owner or the person who had possession of it immediately before its seizure; and
(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 –
(i) the thing or vehicle be forfeited to the Crown; or
(ii) the defendant pay to the Crown an amount equal to the market value of the thing or vehicle when seized, being the value decided by the court; and
(c) the authorised officer is to release the thing or vehicle 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 thing or vehicle is seized under this Part because it poses a threat of harm to the health or safety of persons or to the environment –
(a) the authorised officer is to destroy it, otherwise render it harmless or dispose of it in accordance with the regulations; and
(b) if it has been rendered harmless otherwise than by destroying it, the authorised officer is to release it to its owner or the person who had possession of it immediately before its seizure.
68
Recovery of costs
68 Recovery of costs
(1) If an authorised officer under this Part destroys, renders harmless or disposes of a thing or vehicle, the owner or the person who had possession of the thing or vehicle immediately before it was seized, destroyed, rendered harmless or disposed of by the authorised officer, as the case requires, is liable for the costs and expenses reasonably incurred as a result of an authorised officer taking that action.
(2) The Director of Public Health may recover the costs and expenses specified in subsection (1) in a court of competent jurisdiction as a debt due to the Crown.
(3) The Crown is not liable in respect of any costs and expenses incurred by a person in complying with a direction given under this Part.
(4) If the Director of Public Health receives any proceeds as a consequence of disposing of a thing or vehicle as referred to in subsection (1) , those proceeds less the costs and expenses reasonably incurred in disposing of that thing or vehicle are to be paid to the owner or the person who had possession of that thing or vehicle immediately before it was seized or disposed of by the authorised officer, as the Director of Public Health determines appropriate.
69
Power to require name and address
69 Power to require name and address
(1) An authorised officer may require a person to state his or her name and address if the authorised officer –
(a) finds the person committing an offence against this Act; or
(b) finds the person in circumstances that lead the authorised officer to reasonably suspect that the person has just committed an offence against this Act; or
(c) has information that leads the authorised officer to reasonably suspect that the person has just committed an offence against this Act.
(2) When making the requirement under subsection (1) , the authorised officer must inform the person that it is an offence not to comply with the requirement.
(3) The authorised officer may require the person to provide evidence of the correctness of his or her name or address if the authorised officer reasonably suspects the name or address given is false.
(4) A person must comply with the requirement of an authorised officer made under subsection (1) or (3) .
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
70
Power to require information from certain persons
70 Power to require information from certain persons
(1) If an authorised officer reasonably suspects that –
(a) an offence against this Act has been committed; and
(b) a person may be able to give information about the offence –
the authorised officer may require the person to give information about the suspected offence.
(2) When making the requirement, the authorised officer must inform the person that it is an offence to fail to give the information unless the person has a reasonable excuse.
(3) The person must comply with the requirement unless the person has a reasonable excuse.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 500 penalty units.
(4) Without limiting what constitutes a reasonable excuse for the person to fail to comply with the requirement, it is a reasonable excuse if complying with the requirement might incriminate the person.
(1) The Director of Public Health or an authorised officer may issue and serve an infringement notice on a person if he or she reasonably believes that the person has committed an infringement offence.
(2) An infringement notice may not be served on an individual who has not attained the age of 18 years.
(a) may prescribe, for infringement offences, the penalties payable under infringement notices; and
(b) may prescribe different penalties for bodies corporate and individuals.
(5) In this section –
infringement offence means an offence against this Act or the regulations that is prescribed by the regulations to be an infringement offence.
71
False or misleading documents
71 False or misleading documents
(1) A person must not give the Director of Public Health or an authorised officer a document containing information that the person knows is false or misleading in a material particular.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 500 penalty units.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who, when giving the document to the Director of Public Health or authorised officer –
(a) tells the Director of Public Health 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 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 that the document is, to the person's knowledge, false or misleading in a material particular without specifying whether the document is false or whether it is misleading.
72
False or misleading statements
72 False or misleading statements
(1) A person must not –
(a) state anything to the Director of Public Health or an authorised officer that the person knows is false or misleading in a material particular; or
(b) omit from a statement made to the Director of Public Health or an authorised officer anything without which the statement is, to the person's knowledge, misleading in a material particular.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 500 penalty units.
(2) It is enough for a complaint against a person for an offence against subsection (1)(a) to state that the statement is, to the person's knowledge, false or misleading without specifying whether the statement is false or whether it is misleading.
73
Offences relating to authorised officer
73 Offences relating to authorised officer
(1) A person must not, without reasonable excuse –
(a) impede, obstruct or assault, or attempt to impede, obstruct or assault an authorised officer who is exercising any power under this Act or a person assisting that officer; or
(b) use threatening, abusive or insulting language to such an officer or assistant; or
(c) prevent, or attempt to prevent, a person from answering questions, giving information or providing documents to such an officer or assistant; or
[Section 74 Amended by No. 7 of 2025, s. 217, Applied:01 Jul 2025] A person who is given, or entitled to be given, a review notice in relation to a decision of the Director of Public Health may apply to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal for a review of the decision.
Part 8
Legal Proceedings
Part 8 Legal Proceedings
75
Signatures
75 Signatures
For the purposes of this Act, a signature purporting to be the signature of the Director of Public Health or an authorised officer is evidence of the signature it purports to be.
76
Evidentiary certificates
76 Evidentiary certificates
(1) In this section –
specified means specified in the certificate referred to in subsection (2) .
(2) A certificate purporting to be signed by the Director of Public Health stating any of the following matters is evidence of the matter:
(a) that a specified person was the Director of Public Health or an authorised officer on a specified day;
(b) that a specified document is an authority or notice issued or given under this Act;
(c) that on a specified day or during a specified period a specified person was or was not the holder of an authority;
(d) that on a specified day or during a specified period an authority –
(i) was or was not in force; or
(ii) was or was not subject to a condition;
(e) that on a specified day an authority was suspended or cancelled;
(f) that on a specified day a specified person was given a notice under this Act.
77
Conduct of representatives
77 Conduct of representatives
(1) In this section –
engaging in conduct includes failing or refusing to engage in conduct;
representative means –
(a) in the case of a body corporate, an executive officer, employee or agent of the body corporate; or
(b) in the case of a partnership, a partner, employee or agent of the partnership; or
(c) in the case 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.
(2) If in a proceeding for an offence against this Act it is necessary to establish the state of mind of a person in relation to particular conduct, it is sufficient to show that –
(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.
(3) 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.
78
Liability of executive officers of body corporate
78 Liability of executive officers of body corporate
(1) If a body corporate commits an offence against this Act, each person concerned in the management of the body corporate is taken to have also committed the offence and may be convicted of the offence unless the person shows –
(a) that the body corporate would not have been found guilty of the offence because it would have been able to establish a defence; or
(b) that the person could not reasonably be expected to have known, and did not know, that the act or omission constituting the offence would take place; or
(c) that the person used all due diligence to prevent that act or omission by the body corporate.
(2) A person referred to in subsection (1) may be convicted of an offence against this Act whether or not the body corporate is charged with or convicted of the offence.
(3) If a person concerned in the management of the body corporate (in this subsection called the "offending person") commits an offence against this Act in the course of the activities of the body corporate, each other person concerned in the management of the body corporate is taken to have also committed the offence and may be convicted of the offence unless that other person shows –
(a) that the offending person would not have been found guilty of the offence because he or she would have been able to establish a defence; or
(b) that the other person could not reasonably be expected to have known, and did not know, that the act or omission constituting the offence would take place; or
(c) the other person used all due diligence to prevent that act or omission by the offending person.
79
Liability of partners in partnership
79 Liability of partners in partnership
(1) If a partnership holding an authority commits an offence against this Act, each partner in the partnership is taken to have also committed the offence and may be convicted of the offence unless the partner shows –
(a) that the partnership would not have been found guilty of the offence because it would have been able to establish a defence; or
(b) that the partner could not reasonably be expected to have known, and did not know, that the act or omission constituting the offence would take place; or
(c) that the partner used all due diligence to prevent that act or omission by the partnership.
(2) A partner referred to in subsection (1) may be convicted of an offence against this Act whether or not the partnership is charged with or convicted of the offence.
(3) If a person who is a partner in a partnership (in this subsection called the "offending partner") commits an offence against this Act in the course of the activities of the partnership, each other partner in the partnership is taken to have also committed the offence and may be convicted of the offence unless that other partner shows –
(a) that the offending partner would not have been found guilty of the offence because he or she would have been able to establish a defence; or
(b) that the other partner could not reasonably be expected to have known, and did not know, that the act or omission constituting the offence would take place; or
(c) that the other partner used all due diligence to prevent that act or omission by the offending partner.
80
Time for making complaint
80 Time for making complaint
A complaint for an offence against this Act may be made within 12 months after the Director of Public Health became aware of the commission of the offence.
81
Additional court orders
81 Additional court orders
(1) In this section –
prescribed offence means an offence against this Act that results in –
(a) the loss of, or damage to, another person's property or income; or
(b) harm to the health or safety of persons or to the environment.
(2) In addition to the penalty that may otherwise be imposed for a prescribed offence, the court may –
(a) order the person found guilty of the offence to pay to another person the amount determined by the court as compensation for one or more of the following:
(i) the loss of, or damage to, the other person's property or income;
(ii) costs reasonably incurred by the other person in taking action to mitigate or prevent such loss or damage;
(iii) costs reasonably incurred by the other person in taking action to prevent harm to his or her health or safety or the health or safety of persons supported financially by him or her; or
(b) order the person found guilty of the offence to pay to the Crown the amount determined by the court to be the reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Crown in taking action to remedy or mitigate the harm to the health or safety of persons or to the environment or to prevent further harm to the health or safety of persons or to the environment.
(3) In addition, the court may make any other order the court considers necessary or convenient for the enforcement of an order under subsection (2) .
Part 9
Miscellaneous Provisions
Part 9 Miscellaneous Provisions
82
Register
82 Register
(1) The Director of Public Health is to keep a register of authorities.
(2) The register may be in any form, including an electronic form.
(3) The register is to contain the information prescribed by the regulations.
(4) The Director of Public Health must not –
(a) make available for inspection by any person any entry in the register that does not relate to that person; or
(b) otherwise publish the register or any part of it.
(5) Subsection (4) does not apply to the inspection or publication of –
(a) the register; or
(b) an entry in the register; or
(c) any part of the register –
by or to a prescribed person or a person of a prescribed class.
83
Annual report
83 Annual report
(1) As soon as practicable after the end of each financial year and not later than 1 November, the Director of Public Health is to give the Minister a written report on the operation of this Act during that financial year.
(2) The report is to contain –
(a) any information required by the Minister; and
(b) any other information the Director of Public Health considers appropriate.
(3) The Minister is to table a copy of the report in each House of Parliament.
84
Service of documents
84 Service of documents
(1) A document that is required or permitted under this Act to be given to a person is effectively given if –
(a) in the case of a natural person, it is –
(i) given to the person; or
(ii) left at, or sent by post to, the person's postal or residential address or place or address of business or employment last known to the giver of the document; or
(iii) faxed to the person's fax number; or
(iv) emailed to the person's email address; and
(b) in the case of any other person, it is –
(i) left at, or sent by post to, the person's principal or registered office or principal place of business; or
(ii) faxed to the person's fax number; or
(iii) emailed to the person's email address.
(2) A document is taken to be given to a person –
(a) if it is given to the person, on the day it is so given; or
(c) if it is sent by post under subsection (1)(a)(ii) or subsection (1)(b)(i) , on the day the document would have been delivered in the ordinary course of post; or
(1) The regulations may exempt from the operation of this Act, or a provision of this Act or the regulations, any of the following or a class of any of the following:
(a) a person;
(b) a radiation source;
(c) a radioactive material or an amount of radioactive material;
(d) a radiation apparatus;
(e) an activity or dealing with a radiation source;
(a) it could not reasonably be expected to pose any threat of harm, or more than a negligible threat of harm, to the health or safety of persons or to the environment; or
(b) if paragraph (a) does not apply, preserving the relevant legislative controls over the person or matter to be exempted could not reasonably be expected to achieve any worthwhile net public benefit in terms of reducing the associated threats of harm to the health or safety of persons or to the environment.
(3) The exemption may be given on conditions stated in the regulation.
(4) A person must not contravene a condition of the exemption.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 50 penalty units.
86
Regulations
86 Regulations
(1) The Governor may make regulations for the purposes of this Act.
(2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1) , the regulations may be made in relation to one or more of the following:
(a) the disposal of radiation sources;
(b) radiation protection measures;
(c) radiation monitoring required to be carried out by persons;
(d) the safety and security of radiation sources;
(e) the use, manufacture, sale, acquisition, possession, storage, transport, installation, service, repair or disposal of, or other dealing with, a radiation source, or a radiation source of a prescribed class;
(f) all matters relating to certificates of compliance including, in particular, their term and renewal;
(g) all matters relating to the protection from the harmful effects of radiation of persons working in an industry or business where they are exposed to radiation that occurs naturally in the environment;
(h) the records to be kept and returns to be made by persons and the inspection of the records;
(i) the fees payable, the waiver (wholly or partly) of fees payable and the refund (wholly or partly) of fees paid under this Act.
(6) The regulations may authorise any matter to be from time to time determined, applied or regulated by the Director of Public Health or another person specified in the regulations.
(7) The regulations may adopt, either wholly or in part and with or without modification, and either specifically or by reference, any document, whether the document is published or issued before or after the commencement of this Act.
87
Transitional and savings provisions
87 Transitional and savings provisions
(1) The transitional and savings provisions relating to initial members of the Council and initial authorised officers set out in Schedule 3 have effect.
(2) The transitional and savings provisions set out in Schedule 4 have effect.
A member is appointed for such period, not exceeding 3 years, as is specified in the member's instrument of appointment and may be reappointed.
3. Holding other office
The holder of an office who is required by the terms of his or her employment to devote the whole of his or her time to the duties of that office is not disqualified from –
(a) holding that office and also the office of a member; or
(b) accepting any remuneration payable to a member.
(1) The State Service Act 2000 does not apply in relation to a member in his or her capacity as a member.
(2) A person may hold the office of a member in conjunction with State Service employment.
5. Remuneration and conditions of appointment
(1) A member is entitled to be paid such remuneration and allowances as the Minister determines.
(2) A member who is a State Service employee or State Service officer is not entitled to remuneration or allowances under this clause except with the approval of the Minister administering the State Service Act 2000 .
(3) A member holds office on such conditions in relation to matters not provided for by this Act as are specified in the member's instrument of appointment.
6. Vacation of office
(1) A member vacates office if he or she –
(a) dies; or
(b) resigns by written notice given to the Director of Public Health; or
(2) The Minister may remove a member from office if the member –
(a) is absent from 3 consecutive meetings of the Council without its permission; or
(b) becomes bankrupt, applies to take the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors, compounds with the member's creditors or makes an assignment of the member's remuneration or estate for their benefit; or
(c) is convicted, in Tasmania or elsewhere, of a crime or an offence punishable by imprisonment for 12 months or longer or a fine of 300 penalty units or more; or
(d) is convicted of an offence under this Act; or
(e) fails to disclose a pecuniary interest as required under clause 8 of Schedule 2 ; or
(f) has had an authority under this Act suspended or cancelled.
(3) The Minister may remove a member from office if satisfied that the member is unable to perform adequately or competently the duties of office.
(4) A member must not be removed from office otherwise than in accordance with this clause.
7. Validation of proceedings, &c.
(1) An act or proceeding of the Council or of a person acting under any direction of the Council is not invalidated by reason only that at the time when the act or proceeding was done, taken or commenced there was a vacancy in the office of a member.
(2) All acts and proceedings of the Council or of a person acting under a direction of the Council are, despite the subsequent discovery of a defect in the appointment of a member or that any other person was disqualified from acting as, or incapable of being, a member, as valid as if the member had been duly appointed and was qualified to act as, or capable of being, a member, and as if the Council had been fully constituted.
8. Presumptions
In any proceeding involving the Council, unless evidence is given to the contrary, proof is not required of –
(a) the constitution of the Council; or
(b) the appointment of any member.
SCHEDULE 2 - Meetings of Counc
SCHEDULE 2 - Meetings of Council
SCHEDULE 2 - Meetings of Counc SCHEDULE 2 - Meetings of Council
(1) The chairperson, after giving each member reasonable notice of a meeting –
(a) may convene a meeting at any time; and
(b) must convene a meeting when requested to do so by 2 or more other members.
(2) If the chairperson is absent from duty or otherwise unable to perform the duties of the office, a meeting may be convened, after reasonable notice of the meeting has been given, by –
(a) two or more other members; or
(b) a person authorised by the Council to do so.
(3) For the purposes of subclauses (1) and (2) , what constitutes reasonable notice is to be determined by the Council.
3. Presiding at meetings
(1) The chairperson of the Council is to preside at all meetings of the Council at which he or she is present.
(2) If the chairperson is not present at a meeting of the Council, a member elected by the members present at the meeting is to preside.
4. Quorum and voting at meetings
(1) Five members constitute a quorum at a meeting of the Council.
(2) A meeting of the Council at which a quorum is present is competent to transact any business of the Council.
(3) At a meeting of the Council –
(a) the member presiding has a deliberative vote only; and
(b) a question is decided by a majority of votes of the members present and voting; and
(c) if there is an equality of votes of the members present and voting, the matter stands adjourned until the next meeting.
(4) At a meeting of the Council where, under clause 8 , members are excluded from being present and taking part in the consideration and decision of the Council in relation to a matter, a quorum for the purposes of considering and making a decision in relation to that matter is constituted by the number of members specified as constituting a quorum in subclause (1) less the number of members so excluded.
5. Conduct of meetings
(1) Subject to this Act, the Council may regulate the calling of, and the conduct of business at, its meetings as it considers appropriate.
(2) The Council may permit members to participate in a particular meeting or all meetings by –
(a) telephone; or
(b) video conference; or
(c) any other means of communication approved by the Council.
(3) A member who participates in a meeting under a permission granted under subclause (2) is taken to be present at the meeting.
(4) Without limiting subclause (1) , the Council may allow a person to attend a meeting for the purpose of advising or informing it on any matter.
6. Resolutions without meetings
(1) If all members appointed sign a document containing a statement that they are in favour of a resolution in the terms set out in the document, a resolution in those terms is taken to have been passed at a meeting of the Council held on the day on which the document is signed or, if the members do not sign it on the same day, on the day on which the last of the members signs the document.
(2) If a resolution is taken to have been passed under subclause (1) , each member is to be –
(a) advised immediately of the matter; and
(b) given a copy of the terms of the resolution.
(3) For the purposes of subclause (1) , 2 or more separate documents containing a statement in identical terms, each of which is signed by one or more members, is taken to constitute one document.
7. Minutes
The Council is to keep accurate minutes of its meetings.
8. Disclosure of interests
(1) If a member has a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in a matter being considered, or about to be considered, by the Council, the member must, as soon as practicable after the relevant facts come to the member's knowledge, disclose the nature of the interest to the Council.
(1) Each person who was a member of the previous Council immediately before the commencement day, including the chairperson of the previous Council –
(a) becomes a member of the Council; and
(b) is taken to have been appointed under section 47(1) –
(i) on the same conditions as his or her appointment as a member of the previous Council; and
(ii) for a term ending when his or her appointment as a member would have ended had not the repealed Act been repealed, unless that term is otherwise ended under and in accordance with this Act.
(2) The person who was the chairperson of the previous Council immediately before the commencement day becomes the chairperson of the Council and is taken to have been appointed as chairperson of the Council under section 47(2) .
(3) Each person who, immediately before the commencement day, held an appointment as a deputy of a member of the previous Council, including the chairperson of the previous Council, is taken to have been appointed under section 50 to act as a member of the Council on the same terms and conditions as his or her appointment as a deputy of a member of the previous Council.
3. Initial authorised officers
A person who was an authorized officer under the repealed Act immediately before the commencement day is taken to have been appointed as an authorised officer under section 53(1) or (2) or authorised to perform the functions and exercise the powers of an authorised officer under section 53(3) , as the case requires –
(a) on the same conditions as his or her appointment or authorization under the repealed Act; and
(b) for a term ending when his or her appointment or authorization under the repealed Act would have ended had not the repealed Act been repealed, unless that term is otherwise ended under and in accordance with this Act.
SCHEDULE 4 - General Transitio
SCHEDULE 4 - General Transitional and Savings Provisions
SCHEDULE 4 - General Transitio SCHEDULE 4 - General Transitional and Savings Provisions
An application for, or for the renewal of, a licence under the repealed Act in relation to a radioactive material or electronic product, within the meaning of the repealed Act, is taken to be an application for, or for the renewal of, a licence under this Act in relation to a radiation source comprised of that radioactive material or electronic product.
3. Existing licences
(1) A licence under the repealed Act that authorises the use, possession, sale, supply, purchase or storage of a radioactive material or electronic product, within the meaning of the repealed Act, is taken to be a licence under this Act authorising the carrying out of that activity in relation to a radiation source comprised of that radioactive material or electronic product.
(2) Except as provided by or under any other provision of this Act, a licence referred to in subclause (1) that is taken to be a licence under this Act continues in force until 31 August 2006 on the same conditions.
(3) The holder of a licence referred to in subclause (1) must pay any difference between the annual licence fee already paid by the holder in respect of that licence and the annual licence fee payable under this Act for the year commencing on the commencement day in respect of a licence to carry on the activities specified in the licence held.
(4) The holder of a licence required to pay an amount under subclause (3) must pay that amount within 30 days after the commencement day or, if the Director of Public Health allows the holder to do so, by a later day determined by the Director of Public Health by notice provided to the holder.
(5) If the holder of a licence referred to in subclause (1) fails to pay an amount as required by subclause (3) by the day the holder is required to do so under subclause (4) , the licence is cancelled.
4. Quality assurance assessments
(1) In this clause –
quality assurance assessment means a quality assurance assessment that –
(a) was issued –
(i) in respect of a radiation source that is a radioactive material or electronic product, within the meaning of the repealed Act; and
(ii) by an authorized officer under the repealed Act; and
(iii) within 4 years before the commencement day; and
(b) had effect immediately before the commencement day.
(2) For the purposes of section 20(1)(b)(i) and section 21(2)(d) , a quality assurance assessment in respect of a radiation source is taken to be a certificate of compliance in respect of that source and is valid until the end of the relevant following period that commences on the day on which the assessment was issued:
(a) if the source is an ionising radiation apparatus used for medical diagnosis, other than a mammography unit, bone densitometry unit or ionising radiation apparatus used for dentistry, the period of 2 years;
(b) if the source is a mammography unit, the period of one year;
(c) if the source is a bone densitometry unit, the period of 4 years;
(d) if the source is an ionising radiation apparatus used for dentistry, the period of 4 years;
(e) if the source is an ionising radiation apparatus used for medical therapy, the period of 2 years;
(f) if the source is an ionising radiation apparatus used for a purpose, other than medical diagnosis, medical therapy or industrial radiography, the period of 4 years;
(g) if the source is an ionising radiation apparatus used for industrial radiography, the period of 2 years;
(h) if the source is a sealed source, the period of one year;
(i) if the source is a non-ionising radiation apparatus, the period of 4 years;
(j) in the case of any other source that is prescribed in the regulations, the prescribed period.
5. Approved stores
(1) This clause applies to an approval of storage accommodation for the storage of radioactive material or an electronic product –
(b) in force immediately before the commencement day.
(2) The approval is taken to be a certificate of registration under this Act authorising the occupier of the place to which the approval relates to store at the place the radiation source that is the radioactive material or electronic product to which the approval relates.
(3) Except as otherwise provided by or under this Act, the certificate of registration is subject to the same conditions that applied to the approval immediately before the commencement day.
6. References to repealed Act
In an Act or document, a reference to the repealed Act or a provision of that Act is to be taken to be a reference to this Act or the corresponding provision of this Act if the context requires it.
7. Previous Council
(1) The previous Council is abolished.
(2) As soon as practicable after the commencement day, the Council is to report to the Minister on the proceedings of the previous Council during the period commencing on 1 July 2005 and ending on the day before the commencement day.
(3) The Minister is to lay a copy of the report referred to in subclause (2) before each House of Parliament within a reasonable time after receiving it.
| Radiation Control Regulations 1994 (No. 237 of 1994) |
| Radiation Control Amendment Regulations 1999 (No. 171 of 1999) |
| Radiation Control Amendment Regulations 2002 (No. 105 of 2002) |
Source text: opening excerpt
Sourced from Tasmanian Legislation Online (legislation.tas.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
Part 1 Preliminary
Part 1 Preliminary
1 Short title
1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Radiation Protection Act 2005 .
2 Commencement
2 Commencement
This Act commences on a day to be proclaimed.
3 Objects of Act
3 Objects of Act
The objects of this Act are to –
(a) ensure the health and safety of people by protecting them from the harmful effects of radiation; and
(b) protect the environment from the harmful effects of radiation.
4 Interpretation
4 Interpretation
In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears –
amend includes –
(a) omit matter; and
(b) insert or add matter; and
(c) omit matter and substitute other matter;
approved form means a form that –
(a) is approved by the Director of Public Health; or
(b) contains information approved by the Director of Public Health;
approved radiation management plan, for a radiation practice, means –
(a) a proposed radiation management plan that –
(i) accompanies an application for a licence to possess a radiation source to carry out the radiation practice under section 20(1)(b)(ii) ; and
(ii) is taken to have been approved by the Director of Public Health for the radiation practice under section 24 ; or
Establishes administrative architecture: Director of Public Health has broad decision powers and discretion over granting, conditioning, amending, suspending and cancelling authorities (Part 4 generally; ss 20-31); a Radiation Advisory Council is created to advise the Director and Minister (ss 46-49); authorised officers are appointed to exercise inspection, testing and enforcement powers (ss 53-55, Part 6).
Confers inspection, seizure, retention, emergency entry and search powers on authorised officers and sets procedures for warrants and urgent action (ss 62-66, 63, 64, 65, 66-67).
Provides enforcement tools: penalties expressed in penalty units for offences and contraventions (multiple provisions, e.g. ss 8-13, 19, 38, 43, 59(2), 62(6)); infringement notices (s 70A); court orders for compensation and costs in certain prescribed offences (s 81).
Enables codes of practice and guidelines to set technical standards and administrative procedures (ss 56-57), and confers broad regulatory powers to the Governor for detailed rules (s 86).
Allows exemptions by regulation where public risk is negligible or net public benefit is not obtained (s 85), and contains transitional provisions tied to the repeal of prior radiation laws (Schedules 3-4, ss 87-91).
The Act centralises decision-making authority primarily in the Director of Public Health with supporting advisory input from the Radiation Advisory Council (ss 21(3)(a), 51). It sets out who must pay for non-compliance in several contexts (owners liable for Crown costs when abandoning sources, s 39(5); owners liable for costs when authorised officers destroy or dispose of things, s 68(1)). It also prescribes time-critical operational duties (notification of dangerous events immediately and confirmation in writing within 7 days, s 12; giving test results within 30 days, s 18; return of amended authority within 14 days, s 30). Review rights to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal are provided for decisions that attract review notices (s 74; definition of review notice in s 4, as amended).
The official objects are safety of people and environmental protection from harmful radiation (s 3). The Act converts those policy objects into a regime of permissions (authorities), conditions, duties and inspection powers with penalties and cost-recovery mechanisms designed to deter non-compliance and to allow immediate action where safety is at risk (see Parts 2-6).
Main concepts
The Act revolves around a small set of legal and technical concepts that determine regulatory reach and operational obligations.
Radiation and radiation source (ss 5-6). Radiation splits into ionising and non‑ionising categories (s 5). A “radiation source” is anything that emits or may emit radiation; that includes radioactive material (spontaneously emitting ionising radiation) and radiation apparatus (any apparatus that produces radiation when energised or that will if assembled or repaired) (s 6). These definitions fix the universe of regulated objects and practices. The Act’s definitions are exhaustive for the Act’s purposes and are the touchstone for whether various activities fall under authority requirements (s 13).
Radiation practice, radiation place and radiation management plan (s 4 definitions, s 24). A “radiation practice” is any activity, including storage, that may result (intentionally or not) in exposing persons, the environment or things to radiation. A “radiation place” is a place at which a radiation source is or will be used or stored. An “approved radiation management plan” is the plan taken to be approved where it accompanies an application for a licence to possess a source and is taken to be approved on issue (s 24(1)), or is that plan as amended under s 24(2-10). The management plan is the operational control document linked to licensing and conditions (s 20(1)(b)(ii), s 22(3)(d)).
Authorities and certificates (ss 4, 13, 14, 22). Authority is an umbrella term for licences, certificates of registration and certificates of accreditation. Licences authorise dealings with radiation sources, certificates of registration authorise use or storage at places, and certificates of accreditation authorise testing and the issue of certificates of compliance (s 23). Certificates of compliance are the technical confirmations used as preconditions in licensing and registration (s 17, s 20).
Dose limits and duties (ss 8-11). The Act imposes a general all-practices duty to take “all reasonable and practicable measures” to avoid radiation harm (s 8). Specific duties address medical procedures (s 9) and exposures caused by dealings (s 10). Occupational exposure to radon-222 is separately regulated (s 11). The Act refers to “prescribed dose limit[s]”,these are set by regulation rather than within the Act (see s 9, s 10, s 11). The phrase “reasonable and practicable measures” anchors compliance to a risk‑management standard rather than strict liability in many contexts (s 8).
Testing, accreditation and certificates of compliance (ss 15-18). Only accredited persons may test sources for certificate of compliance purposes (s 15). Issuers of certificates of compliance must satisfy themselves about sealing, equipment and code compliance before issuing (s 17). Certificate holders must supply the Director of Public Health with test results within 30 days (s 18). The Act therefore delegates technical assurance to accredited entities but requires administrative oversight via submission to the Director.
Powers and enforcement (Parts 5-6). The Director of Public Health is the administrative decision‑maker (ss 51-52). The Radiation Advisory Council advises on technical matters (ss 46-49). Authorised officers exercise inspection, seizure, emergency entry, search, requirement, detention and sampling powers (ss 53, 62-67). The Act provides for show‑cause procedures before suspension or cancellation (ss 32-35), urgent immediate suspension (s 37), and criminal and civil sanctions including fines in penalty units and court orders for compensation and Crown cost recovery (ss 8, 13, 19, 38, 43, 68, 81).
Delegation, guidelines and codes (ss 52, 56-57). The Director can delegate many functions but not the power to delegate itself (s 52). Administrative guidelines (s 56) and codes of practice (s 57) are instruments used to set technical and administrative standards; these are not statutory rules in the formal subordinate‑legislation sense but are publicly noticed and made available (ss 56(6), 57(2)-(3)).
Regulatory instruments and scope (s 86). The Governor may make regulations covering disposal, protection measures, monitoring, safety and security, fees, records and many other matters; regulations may adopt documents by reference and authorise decisions by the Director or other persons (s 86(1)-(7)). This delegates significant technical rule‑making to subordinate instruments.
These core concepts allocate responsibilities: holders of licences, occupiers of places, accredited testers, certificate issuers and the Director/authorised officers each have specified roles. The Act couples administrative approvals (licences, registrations) to technical verification (certificates of compliance and accredited testing) and empowers inspection and enforcement with immediate-acting powers when risk of harm exists (ss 62, 64, 66).
Who it affects
The Act creates duties and obligations across identifiable groups. State actors, regulated entities and third parties each have defined roles.
Holders of, applicants for and those who operate under authorities. Any natural or legal person who uses, manufactures, sells, acquires, possesses, stores, transports, installs, services, repairs, disposes of or otherwise deals with a radiation source must do so under a licence where required (s 13). Occupiers of places where sources are usually or primarily used or stored must hold a certificate of registration (s 14). Holders of certificates of accreditation are the only persons who may test sources for certificate-of-compliance purposes (s 15). Holders of licences and accreditation bear continuing obligations to comply with conditions, to provide test results and to keep the Director informed of prescribed changes (ss 22(3), 18, 45).
Medical practitioners and facilities carrying out diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. The Act imposes specific duties on persons using radiation sources in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures to ensure doses do not exceed prescribed limits and that treated persons receive doses consistent with requests/prescriptions (s 9). This affects hospitals, clinics and practitioners using ionising apparatus for diagnosis and therapy.
Employers and persons-in-charge of workplaces exposed to natural radiation (radon-222). Persons in charge of workplaces where workers may be exposed to radon-222 must ensure prescribed dose limits are not exceeded (s 11). That imposes monitoring and control responsibilities on employers in industries and workplaces where radon exposure is a risk.
Suppliers, manufacturers and sellers of radiation sources and apparatus. The Act covers manufacturing, selling and supply activities and requires certificates of compliance before licenses are granted and may impose conditions related to manufacturing and sale (ss 13, 16-17, 22(3)(c)). A person authorised by a licence to sell sources must be satisfied on testing before issuing a certificate of compliance (s 16(1)(c)).
Accredited testing bodies and their personnel. Certificates of accreditation authorise persons to test and issue certificates of compliance; only accredited bodies or authorised officers may perform these statutory testing tasks (ss 15-16, 55). This establishes a market for accreditation services and defines professional obligations relating to technical verification (s 17).
The Crown and executive agency staff. The Act binds the Crown (s 7). The Director of Public Health (an office under the Public Health Act 1997, s 4 definition) and authorised officers are central executors of the regime (ss 51-55). The Minister appoints members to the Radiation Advisory Council, so government officials and agencies are directly involved in decision-making and oversight (ss 46-51).
Members of the public, workers and the environment. The Act’s objects (s 3) and duties (e.g. s 8) are framed to protect public health and the environment; enforcement powers (Part 6) permit immediate measures when sources or activities pose a threat. Persons potentially affected include treated patients (s 9), workers (s 11), and the broader community and ecological receptors referenced in the Act’s definition of “environment” (s 4).
Persons with abandoned sources. Those abandoning a source face liability for Crown costs and potential seizure and disposal measures (ss 38-39). The person who abandons a source is specifically made liable for costs incurred by the Crown (s 39(5)).
Who pays: The Act allocates direct costs to regulated persons in several ways. Licence applicants pay prescribed fees (s 20(1)(d)); holders may be required to cover costs when an authorised officer destroys or disposes of a thing or vehicle (s 68(1)); persons who abandon sources are liable for Crown costs (s 39(5)); fees may be charged for issuing certificates of compliance by authorised officers (s 55(4)); and regulations may prescribe fees, waivers or refunds (s 86(2)(i)). The Crown pays reasonable costs for disposal when it authorises a third party to act under s 39(4), but can recover those amounts (s 39(4)-(6)).
Who decides: The Director of Public Health is the primary decision-maker on grant, conditions, amendment, suspension, cancellation and approval of management plans (ss 20-31, 24, 51). The Radiation Advisory Council provides advice and may be consulted (ss 21(3)(a), 48). The Minister appoints Council members and may give directions to the Director (ss 47, 51(3)). Authorised officers exercise powers granted to them under delegation (ss 53-55, 62).
Behaviour changes expected: regulated parties must secure appropriate authorities, prepare and maintain approved radiation management plans, submit certificates of compliance and testing results, implement radiation protection measures consistent with codes of practice and manage immediate notification and remediation of dangerous events (ss 8, 20, 24, 17-18, 12). Employers must monitor and control workplace radon exposure (s 11). Accredited testing providers must meet the accreditation criteria and issue certificates only after satisfying code and specification compliance (ss 15-17). Occupiers must ensure certificates of registration are held for places where sources are usually used or stored (s 14).
Key duties and rights
The Act sets out duties (statutory obligations) and rights (administrative and procedural entitlements), specifying how regulated parties must act and what procedural protections they have.
Key duties
Duty to prevent harm: Anyone who deals with a radiation source must take all reasonable and practicable measures to ensure that activity does not harm people or the environment from radiation emissions (s 8). This is a broad risk-management obligation tied to practicability and reasonableness rather than absolute results.
Dose-control duties: Persons conducting diagnostic or therapeutic irradiation must ensure that staff do not receive doses exceeding the prescribed dose limits and that treated persons receive doses in amounts and ways consistent with the request or prescription (s 9). Section 10 prohibits causing exposures that would result in exceeding prescribed dose limits. The prescribed dose limits themselves are set by regulation rather than in the Act.
Occupational radon duty: The person-in-charge of a workplace where radon-222 exposure may occur must ensure workers or visitors do not receive doses above the prescribed dose limit for the period (s 11).
Licensing and registration duties: Persons must not deal with radiation sources other than under a licence (s 13). Occupiers of places where radiation sources are usually or primarily used or stored must hold a certificate of registration for that place (s 14).
Testing and certification duties: Only accredited persons may test for purposes of certificates of compliance (s 15). A person must not issue a certificate of compliance unless accredited and satisfied of compliance matters listed in s 17 (s 16). Holders of authorities must provide test results to the Director within 30 days (s 18).
Notification duty: Persons possessing a source must immediately notify the Director of Public Health of a “dangerous event” (lost or stolen sources, incidents lacking approved remediation, or certain equipment malfunctions) and confirm in writing within 7 days if the initial notice was oral (s 12(2)-(3)).
Operational directions and cooperation: Authorised officers may direct occupiers to stop using or to store items, to use items in specified ways, or to refrain from removing things for up to 14 days (s 62(2)(j)-(k)). Persons must comply with requirements to answer questions, produce documents and provide reasonable assistance (s 62(2)(h)), unless they have a reasonable excuse (s 62(6)).
Return of authority on amendment/surrender: Holders must return authorities when directed to allow amendment recording (s 30) and must return surrendered authorities (s 40(3)). Failure to return attracts a penalty (s 30(1), s 36 penalty).
Key rights and procedural protections
Application and decision process: Applicants must apply in the approved form with prescribed documents and fees (s 20). The Director may request further documents or require examinations of applicants or specified persons (s 20(3)-(4)). The Director may consult the Council and request police or departmental reports before deciding (s 21(3)(a)-(c)). The Director must consider Council advice and reports and have regard to applicable guidelines (s 21(5)). These provisions embed administrative assessment and information‑gathering steps prior to decisions.
Conditions and reasons: The Director may impose conditions on authorities (s 22(2)-(3)). When the Director issues an authority subject to conditions or refuses an application, the applicant must be given a review notice as soon as practicable (s 22(4), s 21(7)). The review notice (s 4 definition) advises the person they may request reasons and may apply for review to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal within 28 days (s 4 review notice; s 74 application to the Tribunal).
Show cause, representations and review: Before suspending or cancelling an authority the Director must give a show cause notice specifying proposed action and grounds and allow not less than 28 days to show cause (ss 32-33). The Director must consider representations (s 33) and may decide not to act (s 34) or to suspend or cancel after representations (s 35). Immediate suspension in urgent circumstances is permitted but must be followed by a review notice and an opportunity to supply show cause within set timeframes (s 37).
Evidentiary provisions and legal process protections: The Act contains evidentiary certificates and signature presumptions for administrative purposes (ss 75-76). It includes limits on admissibility of self-incriminating answers provided to authorised officers (s 62(9)) and specifies time limits for bringing complaints (s 80).
Confidentiality protections: Persons involved in administering the Act must not disclose information that would likely damage commercial activities or identify someone’s health information, with specified exceptions (s 59(2)-(3)). This creates a duty of confidentiality with criminal penalties (s 59(2) penalty).
Delegation and assistance: The Director may delegate functions (s 52). Authorised officers may be appointed from State Service employees or others authorised (s 53). The Director may provide authorisations to authorised officers to issue certificates of compliance under specific conditions (s 55).
Rights to challenge: Decisions that attract a review notice permit application to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (s 74); the Act requires the giving of a review notice on refusals, conditional grants, amendments, suspensions and cancellations (s 21(7), s 22(4), s 24(9), s 28(3), s 35(2)). Where the Director fails to decide an application within statutory timeframes the application is taken to be refused (s 42), which triggers procedural review entitlements.
Penalties and enforcement
The Act sets a structure of penalties, administrative enforcement, immediate action, seizure, cost recovery and civil remedies. Enforcement layers are criminal fines, infringement notices, administrative suspensions and cancellations, seizure and disposal, and court-ordered compensation or Crown cost recovery.
Criminal and administrative penalties
Offences with penalty-unit fines are spread through the Act. Examples include:
Failure to take reasonable and practicable measures to avoid harm from radiation (s 8): fine up to 10,000 penalty units.
Dealing with a radiation source without a licence (s 13): fine up to 5,000 penalty units.
Failure to ensure diagnostic/therapeutic doses do not exceed limits (s 9): fine up to 1,000 penalty units.
Causing someone to receive doses leading to prescribed limits being exceeded (s 10): fine up to 1,000 penalty units.
Contravention of a condition of an authority (s 43): fine up to 500 penalty units.
Dealing with a banned radiation source (s 19): fine up to 10,000 penalty units.
Abandoning a radiation source (s 38): fine up to 5,000 penalty units.
False or misleading statements or documents to the Director or authorised officer (ss 71-72): fines up to 500 penalty units each.
Breach of confidentiality where disclosure would damage commercial activities or identify health information (s 59(2)): fine up to 500 penalty units.
Regulations may create infringement offences and prescribe monetary penalties and differential treatment for bodies corporate and individuals (s 70A(4)).
Authorised officer enforcement powers (Part 6)
Inspection and entry: Authorised officers may enter and inspect places reasonably believed to be connected with radiation activities at any reasonable time (s 62(1)). Entry to parts used solely for residential purposes requires consent or a warrant (s 62(7)); emergency powers allow entry to residences in urgent circumstances where imminent risk exists (s 64(1)).
Sampling, testing, photography and documentary production: Officers may take samples, measurements, photographs, recordings and take copies or extracts from documents (s 62(2)(b)-(d), (g)).
Directions and temporary restrictions: Authorised officers may direct equipment not to be operated until repaired, direct occupiers to stop using a thing or store it as specified or to refrain from removing things for up to 14 days (s 62(2)(i)-(k)).
Seizure and seizure limits: Officers may seize items or vehicles if the authorised officer reasonably believes they are connected to an offence or pose a threat, or seizure is necessary to preserve evidence (s 66(1)). Seized items must be receipted and retained for evidentiary needs, with specified release, forfeiture, or disposal outcomes (ss 62(3), 67). Seizure and interference with seized items are criminalised unless Director consent is obtained (s 66(3)).
Search and detention of persons: Officers may search persons (excluding strip searches), detain them and require transfer to another place for search when they reasonably suspect the person has a radiation source (s 65). Radiation sources found during such searches may be seized (s 65(4)).
Warrants and emergency entry: Officers may seek warrants from justices (s 63). In specified urgent circumstances, officers may enter without warrant to prevent imminent risk to health, life or the environment (s 64).
Administrative enforcement and remedial actions
Suspension and cancellation: The Director may suspend or cancel authorities on specific grounds (s 31) but must follow show cause and representation procedures (ss 32-35). Immediate suspension is possible in urgent circumstances, subject to follow-up processes (s 37).
Return, surrender and replacement of authorities: Holders must return authorities on amendment (s 30) or surrender (s 40); failure attracts relatively small fines (s 30(1), s 36 penalty).
Cost recovery: The Crown may recover reasonable costs where it or an authorised officer disposes of, renders harmless, or destroys things (s 68). A person who abandons a radiation source is liable for reasonable costs incurred by the Crown in seizure and disposal and must reimburse the Crown for amounts it pays to third parties acting to dispose (s 39(5)-(6)). The Director may recover such amounts in a court as a debt (ss 39(6), 68(2)).
Civil remedies and court orders
Courts may order compensation and payments for prescribed offences: In addition to penalties, for “prescribed offences” that cause loss, damage or harm, courts may order compensation to affected persons for loss, mitigation costs and health protection costs; and may order payment to the Crown for remediation costs (s 81(2)). The court may make any other order necessary or convenient for enforcement of such orders (s 81(3)).
Enforcement thresholds and procedural constraints
Reasonable belief and proportionality: Many enforcement powers require an authorised officer to have reasonable belief about connection to an offence or the existence of imminent risk (ss 62(1), 63(1), 64(1), 66(1)). Seizure requires that seizure is necessary to prevent concealment or to obtain evidence or because the item poses a threat (s 66(1)). These thresholds constrain the exercise of coercive powers to specified circumstances.
Protections for self-incrimination: Information or answers provided to authorised officers are not admissible in criminal proceedings against the person, except for offences under certain provisions (s 62(9)). The Act also recognises reasonable excuse where compliance might incriminate the person (s 70(4)).
Time limits and administrative review: Decisions that attract review notices can be challenged to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (s 74). The Act requires review notices be given for refusals, conditional grants and enforcement decisions, which triggers procedural review rights (s 21(7), s 22(4), s 24(9), s 28(3), s 35(2)).
Recording and reporting obligations (compliance drivers)
Test results and certificates: Holders must supply certificate of compliance or test results to the Director within 30 days of receiving them (s 18). Failure attracts a small fine (s 18 penalty).
Notification of dangerous events: Immediate notification and written confirmation obligations for dangerous events are penalised (s 12(2)-(3)).
Registers and confidentiality: The Director keeps a register of authorities (s 82) with limits on publication (s 82(4)), and annual reporting to the Minister is required (s 83).
Together these criminal, administrative, and civil measures create a multi‑layered enforcement regime intended to deter non-compliance, permit immediate protective action, and provide remedies for damage and remediation costs. The Act places significant responsibilities on the Director and authorised officers to exercise discretion in a safety-critical field, with procedural checks in the form of show cause, review notices and Tribunal review rights.
How it interacts with other laws
The Act is designed to operate within Tasmania’s existing legal and administrative landscape and contains multiple cross‑references and points of legal interaction.
Public Health Act 1997 (Director of Public Health). The Act defines “Director of Public Health” by reference to the person appointed under section 6 of the Public Health Act 1997 (s 4 definition). This connects radiation regulatory decision‑making to the pre‑existing public health office. The Director’s functions and powers under this Act are therefore exercised by the public health officeholder established under the Public Health Act (s 51, s 4).
Rules Publication Act 1953 and Subordinate Legislation Act 1992. The Act explicitly excludes guidelines and codes of practice from being “statutory rule[s]” under the Rules Publication Act 1953 and prevents their declaration as subordinate legislation under the Subordinate Legislation Act 1992 (ss 56(7), 57(5)(a)-(b)). This means codes and guidelines are administratively binding insofar as they are conditions of authorities, but they do not go through the full parliamentary oversight and tabling procedures that apply to formal subordinate legislation.
Acts Interpretation Act 1931. The Act provides that the Acts Interpretation Act 1931 applies to the interpretation of the administrative guidelines as if they were by‑laws (s 56(8)). This imports standard rules of statutory construction and application for those instruments.
Monetary Penalties Enforcement Act 2005. Infringement notices must conform with s 14 of the Monetary Penalties Enforcement Act 2005 (s 70A(3)(a)). This ties the operation of infringement notices and their enforcement to the jurisdictional framework established by the monetary penalties legislation.
Administrative Arrangements Act 1990. Until an administrative arrangements order is made, the Act is administered by the Minister for Health and Human Services and the Department of Health and Human Services (s 88). Where an order under the Administrative Arrangements Act is later made, administration may shift consistent with that Act.
Interaction with police and other agencies. When determining authorities, the Director may request reports from the Commissioner of Police and other government departments, statutory authorities or agencies (s 21(3)(b)-(c)). This formalises inter-agency information sharing for fit-and-proper-person assessments.
Transitional connection to repealed Radiation Control Act 1977 and its regulations. The Act repeals the Radiation Control Act 1977 (Schedule 6, s 90) and rescinds Radiation Control Regulations 1994 and subsequent amendments (Schedule 7, s 91). Transitional and savings provisions preserve existing licences, approved stores, quality assurance assessments and pending applications under specified conditions (Schedules 3-4; ss 87(1)-(2)). These transitional provisions ensure continuity as the new Act replaces prior regulatory instruments.
Court and tribunal jurisdiction. Decisions giving rise to a “review notice” may be brought to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal for review (s 74; review notice definition in s 4 as amended by No. 7 of 2025, s 216). This embeds administrative review rights consistent with the State’s tribunal review structure.
Compatibility with criminal evidentiary rules. The Act contains its own evidentiary certificates and signature presumptions (ss 75-76) which interact with general rules of evidence in prosecutions. It also provides limited protection for compelled information in prosecutions (s 62(9)).
Regulatory delegation and adoption of external standards. The regulations and codes of practice may adopt external documents, standards or guidelines by reference (ss 56(4), 57(1), 86(7)). This creates an avenue for harmonisation with industry standards or national/international technical documents, but does so as non-statutory codes or regulatory adoption depending on the instrument chosen.
Fee and penalty frameworks. The Act leaves fees, infringement penalties and fee waiver/refund mechanisms to the regulations (s 86(2)(i), s 70A(4)). Those subordinate instruments will therefore be the practical drivers of economic compliance costs and enforcement economics.
Overall, the Act operates as a sector‑specific public health and safety statute that sits across administrative, criminal and regulatory instruments. It ties into existing public health offices, tribunal review mechanisms, monetary penalty enforcement arrangements and allows inter-agency cooperation with police and other government bodies. At the same time, it deliberately keeps codes and guidelines outside formal subordinate legislation, permitting administrative flexibility but reducing parliamentary oversight of those technical instruments.
Amendment history
The text contains internal amendment annotations. The Act has been subject to amendments that are recorded in the instrument itself. The following amendments are visible in the provided text:
No. 16 of 2013 , multiple amendments applied 20 June 2013. The Act’s text records several amendments by No. 16 of 2013 in different sections:
Section 4 amended (definitions) , multiple subparagraph insertions and changes (s 4 Amended by No. 16 of 2013, s. 4).
Section 10 subsection (2) omitted by No. 16 of 2013, s. 5.
Section 13 subsection (2) omitted by No. 16 of 2013, s. 6.
Section 21 subsection (4) amended by No. 16 of 2013, s. 7.
Section 23 subsection (4) inserted by No. 16 of 2013, s. 8.
Section 29 subsection (5) substituted by No. 16 of 2013, s. 9 and subsection (6) amended by No. 16 of 2013, s. 9.
Section 70A inserted by No. 16 of 2013, s. 10.
Section 85 subsection (2) substituted by No. 16 of 2013, s. 11.
Section 86 subsection (5) amended by No. 16 of 2013, s. 12.
These annotations indicate a substantial package of amendments in 2013 that changed definitions, procedural and enforcement provisions, introduced infringement notices (s 70A), and adjusted exemption criteria (s 85).
No. 4 of 2011 , amendment applied 1 June 2011: Section 86 subsection (5) was amended (note in text: s 86(5) amended by No. 4 of 2011, s. 47).
No. 7 of 2025 , amendments applied 1 July 2025:
Section 4 review notice provision altered to state that the person may apply for review to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal within 28 days (s 4 amended by No. 7 of 2025, s. 216).
Section 74 amended by No. 7 of 2025, s. 217 (s 74 now specifically references application to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal).
Section 86 subsection (3) amended by No. 7 of 2025, s. 218 regarding regulations providing for review and conferring jurisdiction on the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Schedule amendments and transitional arrangements: The Act repealed the Radiation Control Act 1977 (Schedule 6) and rescinded certain regulations (Schedule 7). Schedules 3 and 4 contain detailed transitional and savings provisions to carry existing licences, approvals, quality assessments and authorised officers forward into the new regime.
Repeal and rescission: The Act’s Schedule 6 expressly repeals the Radiation Control Act 1977 (s 90). Schedule 7 lists rescinded radiation control regulations (s 91), reflecting a re‑structuring of the statutory framework at commencement.
Commencement: The Act’s commencement is by proclamation (s 2) which allowed phasing and transitional treatment; transitional Schedules 3 and 4 set out how existing licences and approvals are treated from commencement.
The amendment notes in the Act indicate changes to administrative and enforcement mechanisms over time, including the creation of infringement notices (2013) and a clarified route for tribunal review (2025). The schedules and transitional provisions reflect a deliberate migration from the prior Radiation Control Act 1977 regime to the 2005 Act as amended.
The Act itself does not include a consolidated list of every historical amendment beyond the inline annotations; users should consult the consolidated statute and the Tasmanian legislation register for a complete chronological amendment record, including any subordinate legislation made under s 86 and any updates to penalty unit values set elsewhere.
Litigation history
The Act as provided contains no recorded judicial decisions, cases or litigation extracts. It does not name or cite any judicial authority in the text. The legislation itself establishes rights of review to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (s 74) and provides for criminal prosecutions and civil remedies in courts (Part 8, s 81), but the Act does not record litigation outcomes.
For practitioners seeking litigation history or judicial interpretation of particular provisions (for example, the meaning of “reasonable and practicable measures” in s 8, thresholds for “urgent circumstances” in s 37, or the limits on seizure in s 66), there is no case law in the Act to reference. Users should therefore search Tasmanian Supreme Court, Magistrates Court, and Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal decisions and related appellate authorities for judicial construction and application of the Act’s provisions.
Additionally, because the Act authorises issuing infringement notices (s 70A) and gives investigatory powers to authorised officers, enforcement practice (including administrative decisions leading to Tribunal reviews) may produce an administrative law record relevant to interpretations of procedural fairness, reasonableness of decisions, and the reserved powers of the Director. None of that material is contained in the statutory text provided.
Where judicial or tribunal interpretation is required for compliance advice or litigation strategy, consult the consolidated legal database or Tasmanian court and tribunal records to obtain reported decisions that apply or interpret sections of this Act.
Gotchas
This section highlights traps, operational friction points and practical pitfalls that the Act creates, grounded in its text.
Broad “dealings” prohibition (s 13). The Act prohibits almost any dealing with a radiation source unless it is in accordance with a licence. “Deal” is broad (s 4 definitions under “sell” and “possess”) and includes offering, permitting and attempting to sell, or causing acts. Organisations and staff who may handle apparatus (including maintenance, transport, storage or temporary custody) risk breaching s 13 if they lack an appropriate authority. Practical consequence: entities must assess whether an activity is a “dealing” and secure licence/registration prior to engaging.
Occupier obligation to register places where a source is “usually or primarily used or stored” (s 14). Occupiers may not appreciate that a place used intermittently by visiting personnel but “usually” or “primarily” for radiation activities requires a certificate of registration. Failure to hold a registration attracts large penalties (up to 5,000 penalty units, s 14). Operatives leasing parts of premises or using multi‑user spaces should check registration coverage.
Certificates of compliance as gating documents (ss 17-18, s 20(1)(b)(i)/(iii)). Applications for licences to use or for registration must generally be accompanied by a current certificate of compliance unless the Director has already sighted it (s 20(1)(b)(i), (iii)). Only accredited testers may issue certificates of compliance (s 15-16). Practical effect: supply chain timing matters , delays in accreditation or testing can stall licence issuance. Also authorised officers can issue certificates of compliance only under tightly constrained circumstances and potentially charge a fee (s 55(3)-(4)).
Immediate notification obligations for “dangerous events” (s 12). The Act requires immediate oral or written notice to the Director when a radiation source is lost/stolen, or where incidents lack approved remediation procedures or involve malfunctions that lead to unintended emissions or exposures (s 12(1)-(2)). A subsequent written confirmation is required within 7 days for oral notices (s 12(3)). Penalties apply for non‑compliance (s 12(2) and (3)). “Immediate” is operationally demanding and requires clear internal reporting chains and escalation pathways.
Management plan approval is taken on issue of a licence to possess (s 24(1)), and the Director can amend approved radiation management plans on initiative (s 28). A licence to possess is taken to include an approved management plan submitted with the application (s 24(1)). However, the Director may subsequently amend the authority (s 28), and that amendment takes effect on giving the review notice (s 28(4)), potentially changing operational requirements rapidly. Holders must therefore monitor Director communications and be ready to adapt operations and documentation.
Return of authority on amendment (s 30) and surrender rules (s 40). When given a review notice, holders must return authorities within 14 days unless they have a reasonable excuse (s 30(1), s 40(3)), with fines for non-compliance. This operational step is easy to overlook when authorities are used across multiple sites or staff.
Emergency powers allow entry without warrant into residences (s 64(1)). While s 62(7) protects residential parts from entry without consent or warrant normally, emergency powers in s 64 permit warrantless entry where the Director reasonably suspects imminent risk to life, serious illness or environmental harm. This is an operational and reputational risk for entities with residential exposures or sources kept in mixed‑use premises.
Seizure thresholds and constraints (s 66). Seizure of things or vehicles requires the authorised officer to reasonably believe connection to an offence or threat and necessity for evidence preservation or to prevent harm (s 66(1)). Nonetheless, seized property may be held for up to 12 months for prosecution (s 67(1)(b)), and courts may forfeit items or order market-value payments. Businesses should document chain of custody and be prepared for protracted retention and potential costs.
Confidentiality and limited disclosure exceptions (s 59). Persons involved in administration are prohibited from disclosing information likely to damage commercial activities or identify health information (s 59(2)). Exceptions include disclosure necessary for administration or to persons responsible for licensing in other jurisdictions (s 59(3)(a), (f)). Businesses must understand what information will be treated confidentially and when disclosure to other agencies is lawful.
Exemptions limited and conditional (s 85). Regulations may exempt persons, sources, activities or levels only where the exemption would not pose more than a negligible threat to health or environment or where preserving legislative controls would not reasonably achieve net public benefit (s 85(2)). This raises the bar for seeking regulatory exemptions and makes administrative relief a narrow possibility.
Director’s broad discretion and delegated functions (ss 21, 22, 28, 52). The Director has broad grounds and discretion to grant/refuse, set conditions, amend authorities on initiative for protection of persons/environment and to delegate functions (s 52). While this allows flexible responsiveness, it places regulated parties in a compliance regime driven by administrative discretion, requiring careful documentation to support “fit and proper” assessments (s 21(2)(a)-(c)) and to respond to amendments.
Time limits and deemed refusals (s 42). If the Director fails to decide an application within 90 days (subject to suspension for requests for further info), the application is taken to be refused (s 42). Applicants need to track statutory timeframes, and consider relying on the deemed refusal process to trigger Tribunal review or to force administrative movement.
Infringement notices not available for under-18s (s 70A(2)). The Director or authorised officer may issue infringement notices for prescribed offences but not to minors; enforcement against minors will therefore follow other channels.
Codes of practice are not statutory rules (ss 56(7), 57(5)). Codes are approved by public notice but are not statutory rules under the Rules Publication Act or Subordinate Legislation Act. They can be imposed as conditions of authorities (s 22(3)(a)) but lack the full judicial scrutiny and parliamentary tabling associated with subordinate legislation. Practitioners should ensure compliance even if such codes have a different legal status.
Mitigation approach: entities should establish internal compliance systems that cover licensing/registration tracking, tested accreditations, certified management plans, immediate event reporting, record-keeping for tests and equipment, staff training on authorised officer interactions, and insurance/financial planning for potential cost recovery exposures. Procedural fairness steps (timely submissions to show-cause notices, seeking reasons and Tribunal review) must be monitored, since many enforcement actions are subject to administrative processes that require timely engagement.
How to comply
This section sets out concrete, source-grounded compliance steps for entities dealing with radiation sources under the Act. The prescriptions map to statutory duties and administrative prerequisites in Parts 2-6.
Map activities and classify radiation sources
Identify every device, material or practice that emits or may emit radiation as defined in ss 5-6. Determine whether the source is radioactive material (s 6(3)) or radiation apparatus (s 6(4)). This determines licensing, accreditation and certificate-of-compliance obligations (s 13, s 15-17).
Classify places where sources are “usually or primarily used or stored” to know if a certificate of registration is required (s 14).
Secure and maintain appropriate authorities before dealing
Apply for licences, certificates of registration or accreditation using the approved forms and attaching required documents and fees (s 20(1)(a)-(d)). For licences to possess a source to carry out a radiation practice, include the proposed radiation management plan (s 20(1)(b)(ii)).
Cooperate with any Director requests for further documents or examinations (s 20(3)-(4)); the Director may require applicants and persons specified in an application to satisfy knowledge and skills tests (s 20(4)).
Ensure persons likely to deal with a source are specified in applications and that the Director is satisfied they are “fit and proper” (s 21(2)(c)).
Prepare an approved radiation management plan
Draft a radiation management plan that meets any prescribed information and requirements and submit it with licence applications (s 20(1)(b)(ii), s 21(2)(e), s 24(3)).
If the licence is issued, the radiation management plan accompanying the licence is taken to be approved (s 24(1)). If operational circumstances change, apply to amend or substitute the approved plan using approved forms and fees (s 24(2)-(4), (6)).
Use accredited testers and obtain certificates of compliance
Engage holders of certificates of accreditation to perform testing needed for certificates of compliance (s 15). If you manufacture or sell under licence, follow the rules for certificate-of-compliance issuance and retention of evidence of testing (s 16).
Ensure the tester or issuer is satisfied of matters in s 17 (sealed-source sealing, container and equipment compliance, apparatus conformity with codes and prescribed specifications) before a certificate of compliance is issued.
Provide copies of certificates of compliance or test results to the Director within 30 days of receipt (s 18).
Implement radiation protection measures and dose controls
Adopt measures sufficient to satisfy the s 8 duty: take all reasonable and practicable measures to avoid harm to people and the environment from radiation.
For diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, ensure staff exposures do not exceed prescribed dose limits and that patient treatments conform to requests/prescriptions (s 9). For occupational radon-222 risks, monitor and control to ensure exposures do not exceed prescribed limits (s 11).
Follow relevant codes of practice approved by the Director and any conditions attached to authorities (s 22(3)(a), s 57).
Maintain records, reporting and notification systems
Keep records and returns required by regulations and maintain documented radiation management plans, certificates of compliance, maintenance and testing logs (s 86(2)(h) delegates record obligations to regulations).
Establish immediate internal reporting for dangerous events to ensure oral or written notification to the Director “immediately” and follow it with written confirmation within 7 days if initial notice was oral (s 12(2)-(3)). Dangerous events include loss or theft, incidents lacking remediation procedures, or certain equipment malfunctions (s 12(1)).
Prepare for inspections and authorised officer interactions
Ensure authorised officers can enter and inspect relevant premises; authorised officers may inspect places, vehicles and documents at reasonable times (s 62(1)-(2)). Maintain copies of authorities and certificates readily available.
Train staff on the duty to produce documents, answer questions and provide reasonable assistance to authorised officers (s 62(2)(h)). Understand the limited protections for compelled disclosures (s 62(9)).
Implement change-control and notification of prescribed changes
Notify the Director within 14 days of any prescribed change in circumstances for an authority (s 45). Monitor for conditional modifications or Director-initiated amendments (s 28) and be prepared to make written submissions during show cause periods (s 32).
Manage authorities actively
Track expiration and apply for renewal in time (licences up to 2 years, certificates of accreditation up to 3 years, s 25(1), (3); renewal procedure s 26). Applications made before expiry keep the authority in force until decided (s 27).
When receiving show cause notices or review notices, provide timely written representations and be ready to seek reasons and Tribunal review where review notices permit (s 32-35, s 4 review notice, s 74).
Financial planning for fees and potential cost recovery
Budget for prescribed fees accompanying applications (s 20(1)(d), s 24(3)). Be aware the Director may charge fees for certificates of compliance issued by authorised officers (s 55(4)). Regulations may specify fees, waivers and refunds (s 86(2)(i)).
Recognise exposure to liability for Crown costs in abandonment or disposal scenarios (ss 39(5)-(6), 68(1)-(2)). If discarding or rendering harmless, document actions and preserve receipts and records.
Ensure confidentiality and manage disclosures
Understand confidentiality duties on persons involved in administration (s 59). Plan for lawful data sharing where necessary (e.g., cross‑jurisdictional licensing authorities under s 59(3)(f)) and obtain consents when appropriate (s 59(3)(c)).
Use codes, guidelines and regulatory instruments
Identify and apply codes of practice and guidelines approved by the Director (ss 56-57). Although codes are not formal subordinate legislation, they can be imposed as licence conditions and are thus practically binding (s 22(3)(a)).
Prepare for emergencies and urgent suspension
Include procedures to respond to urgent authorised officer actions, immediate suspension of authorities (s 37), and emergency entry (s 64). Maintain contact lines to the Director and authorised officers, and internal chains of command for immediate remediation.
Legal and administrative review readiness
If an application is refused or an authority is amended, ensure prompt invocation of review processes: request reasons, lodge Tribunal applications within 28 days where review notice permits (s 4 review notice, s 74). Track the Director’s statutory time limits (deemed refusal after 90 days, s 42) and consider litigation or Tribunal processes as needed.
Accreditation and competence assurance
Ensure that persons likely to be dealing with radiation sources are demonstrably competent and included in licence applications (s 21(2)(c)). Be ready to satisfy Director requests for knowledge/skills assessments (s 20(4)).
Practical compliance checklist (minimum)
Inventory of sources and classification.
Up-to-date authorities and certificates of compliance on file.
Approved radiation management plans for licensed possession.
Accredited testers engaged and test results filed; certificates lodged with Director within 30 days (s 18).
Written procedures for immediate notification of dangerous events (s 12).
Staff training for authorised officer interactions and emergency response.
Record-keeping system meeting regulatory standards and responding to inspections.
Budget lines for fees, testing, accreditation and potential remediation cost exposure.
Internal calendar for licence and accreditation renewals (s 25-27).
Legal counsel or compliance adviser familiar with Tribunal review and show‑cause processes.
Following these steps aligns practical operations with the statutory duties and reduces the risk of enforcement action, immediate suspension, or substantial penalties set out across the Act.
(b) that plan as amended or substituted from time to time under section 24 ;
authorised officer means a person appointed as an authorised officer, or a person authorised to perform the functions and exercise the powers of an authorised officer, under section 53 ;
authority means a licence, certificate of registration or certificate of accreditation;
carry out, in relation to a radiation practice, means the actual performance of the radiation practice by a natural person;
certificate of accreditation means a certificate of accreditation issued under section 22 that authorises the issue of certificates of compliance;
certificate of compliance, in relation to a radiation source or radiation place, means a certificate of compliance issued under section 17 for the radiation source or radiation place;
certificate of registration means a certificate of registration that is issued under section 22 for the registration of a place where a radiation source is, or is to be, used or stored;
code of practice means the whole or any part of any code of practice, standard, rule, specification or guidelines approved under section 57 ;
Council means the Radiation Advisory Council established under section 46 ;
Director of Public Health means the person appointed as Director of Public Health under section 6 of thePublic Health Act 1997 ;
[Section 4 Amended by No. 16 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:20 Jun 2013]
[Section 4 Amended by No. 16 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:20 Jun 2013]dispose of includes bury, disperse, hire out or lease, transfer ownership of and transfer possession of;
dose, in relation to 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 from all radiation practices;
enter, in relation to a place, includes to board the place;
environment includes –
(a) animals and organisms; and
(b) ecosystems and their constituent parts; and
(c) all natural and physical resources; and
(d) the qualities and characteristics of locations, places and areas, however large or small, that contribute to their biological diversity and integrity, intrinsic or attributed scientific value or interest, amenity, harmony and sense of community; and
(e) the social, economic, aesthetic and cultural conditions that affect, or are affected by, things mentioned in paragraphs (a) , (b) , (c) and (d) ;
executive officer, in relation to a body corporate, means a person who is concerned with, or takes part in, the management of the body corporate, whether or not –
(a) the person is a director of the body corporate; or
(b) the person's position is given the name of executive officer; or
(c) the person is 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 or information;
ionising radiation has the meaning given by section 5(2) ;
licence means a licence issued under section 22 authorising the holder to use, manufacture, sell, acquire, possess, store, transport, install, service, repair, dispose of or otherwise deal with a radiation source;
non-ionising radiation has the meaning given by section 5(3) ;
occupier, in relation to a place, means –
(a) the person in occupation or control of the place; or
(b) if the place has different parts occupied or controlled by different persons, the person in occupation or control of the part concerned;
place includes vacant land, premises and a vehicle;
[Section 4 Amended by No. 16 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:20 Jun 2013]
[Section 4 Amended by No. 16 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:20 Jun 2013]possess, in relation to a radiation source, means being in control of the radiation source, whether or not another person has the physical custody of the radiation source;
premises includes –
(a) a building or structure; and
(b) land on which a building or structure is situated; and
(c) a part of any such building, structure or land;
public notice means a notice published in the Gazette and a daily newspaper circulating generally in Tasmania;
radiation has the meaning given by section 5(1) ;
radiation apparatus has the meaning given by section 6(4) ;
radiation place means a place at which a radiation source is, or is to be, stored or used to carry out a radiation practice;
radiation practice means any activity, including storage, relating to a radiation source that may result, whether or not intentionally, in exposing a person, the environment or a thing to radiation;
radiation protection measures means measures for preventing or minimising the risks of harm to any person or the environment arising from exposure to radiation from the carrying out of a radiation practice;
radiation source has the meaning given by section 6(1) and (2) ;
radioactive material has the meaning given by section 6(3) ;
regulations means regulations made under this Act;
review notice, in relation to a decision of the Director of Public Health, means a written notice stating the following:
(a) the decision;
(b) that the person given the notice may request, in writing, the Director of Public Health to provide him or her with a statement of the reasons for the decision;
(c) [Section 4 Amended by No. 7 of 2025, s. 216, Applied:01 Jul 2025] that the person given the notice may apply for a review of the decision to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal within 28 days after receipt of the notice;
sealed source means –
(a) radioactive material that is permanently sealed in a capsule; or
(b) radioactive material that is in a solid form and that is bound closely –
in such a way that the sealing of the capsule or binding of the material is strong enough to prevent leakage of radioactive material under the conditions of use and wear for which the capsule or binding is designed and for foreseeable mishaps;
sell includes –
(a) auction, exchange or supply; and
(b) keep, expose, supply or receive for sale; and
(c) send or deliver for sale; and
(d) [Section 4 Amended by No. 16 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:20 Jun 2013]
(e) cause or permit the doing of an act mentioned in paragraph (a) , (b) , (c) or (d) ; and
(f) offer or attempt to do an act mentioned in paragraph (a) , (b) , (c) or (d) ; and
(g) offer or attempt to sell; and
(h) cause or permit to be sold;
show cause notice means a notice given under section 32 ;
statutory authority means an incorporated or unincorporated body which is established, constituted or continued by or under an Act of Tasmania, another State, a Territory or the Commonwealth or under the royal prerogative, being a body which, or of which the governing authority, wholly or partly comprises a person or person appointed by a Governor, the Governor-General, a Minister in the government of Tasmania, another State, a Territory or the Commonwealth or another statutory authority;
this Act includes the regulations and codes of practice;
treated person means a person in respect of whom a radiation source is used to carry out a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure involving the irradiation of that person;
use, in relation to a radiation source, includes –
(a) use radiation emitted from the radiation source; and
(b) if the radiation source is radioactive material, administer to, or inject or implant the material into, a person, animal, plant or thing; and
(c) cause the radiation source to emit radiation;
vehicle means anything used for transporting any thing or person by land, water or air.
5 Meaning of "radiation"
5 Meaning of "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, other than electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength equal to or greater than 100 nanometres.
(3) Non-ionising radiation is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength equal to or greater than 100 nanometres.
6 Meaning of "radiation source"
6 Meaning of "radiation source"
(1) A radiation source is a thing that emits or may emit radiation.
(2) A radiation source can be radioactive material or a radiation apparatus.
(3) Radioactive material is material that spontaneously emits ionising radiation as a consequence of nuclear transformations.
(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.
7 Act binds Crown
7 Act binds Crown
This Act binds the Crown in right of Tasmania and, so far as the legislative power of Parliament permits, in all its other capacities.
Part 2 Duties relating to Radiation Sources and Dose Limits
Part 2 Duties relating to Radiation Sources and Dose Limits
8 Duty to ensure harm does not result from radiation source
8 Duty to ensure harm does not result from radiation source
A person who uses, manufactures, possesses, sells, acquires, stores, transports, installs, services, repairs, disposes of or otherwise deals with a radiation source must take all reasonable and practicable measures to ensure that undertaking that activity does not result in harm to the health or safety of persons or to the environment caused by radiation emitted from the radiation source.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 000 penalty units.
9 Diagnostic or therapeutic procedures
9 Diagnostic or therapeutic procedures
If a person uses a radiation source to carry out a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure involving the irradiation of a treated person, that person must ensure –
(a) that any person involved in carrying out the procedure (including that person) does not receive a dose of radiation that would result in the person receiving during a particular period doses of radiation that, when added together, are higher than the prescribed dose limit for that period; and
(b) that 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 the prescription for the therapeutic procedure.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 1 000 penalty units.
10 Causing radiation exposure
10 Causing radiation exposure
(1) A person who uses, manufactures, sells, acquires, possesses, stores, transports, installs, services, repairs, disposes of or otherwise deals with a radiation source must not cause himself or herself or another person to receive a dose of radiation that would result in himself or herself or the other person receiving during a particular period doses of radiation that, when added together, are higher than the prescribed dose limit for that period.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 1 000 penalty units.
(2) [Section 10 Subsection (2) omitted by No. 16 of 2013, s. 5, Applied:20 Jun 2013] . . . . . . . .
11 Occupational exposure to radon-222
11 Occupational exposure to radon-222
(1) In this section –
person-in-charge of a workplace means –
(a) in relation to a workplace that is premises, a person who is in charge of the day-to-day operation of the industry or business which;
(i) is carried on at those premises; or
(ii) involves visiting those premises; or
(b) in relation to a workplace that is a cave or place other than premises, the person who is in charge of the day-to-day operation of the industry or business which –
(i) is carried on at that cave or place; or
(ii) involves visiting that cave or business;
workplace means any premises, cave or other place –
(a) where a person is employed or engaged in an industry or business or which a person visits as part of their employment or engagement in an industry or business; and
(b) in which the person may be exposed to radiation from radon-222.
(2) A person-in-charge of a workplace must ensure that a person working in or visiting that workplace as part of their employment or engagement in an industry or business does not receive during a particular period doses of radon-222 that, when added toget
This is an opening excerpt, not the complete document.