Australia has two nuclear regulatory agencies: ASNO and
ARPANSAthe Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear
Safety Agency.

ASNO is responsible for nuclear safeguards and physical
protection: ensuring that nuclear
materials and nuclear itemsfacilities, equipment, technology and
nuclear-related materialsare appropriately regulated and accounted for. An important part of this responsibility is
ensuring that Australias treaty commitments are met, particularly that nuclear
activities are conducted for exclusively peaceful purposes.

ASNOs responsibilities cover nuclear materialsuranium,
thorium and plutoniumnot radioactive materials as such. ASNOs legislationapplies to all persons or organisations in Australian jurisdiction
having relevant materials, items or technology. Principally this applies to
ANSTO, as Australias only nuclear
operator, but also covers a diverse range of other entities including the
uranium mines and associated transport and storage operations, private sector
laboratories, educational institutions, and patent attorneys. ASNOs activities are based on a number of
constitutional heads of power, especially external affairs (meeting treaty
requirements).

ARPANSA is charged with
responsibility for protecting the health and safety of people, and the
environment, from the harmful effects of radiation (ionizing and non-ionizing).
ARPANSAs
responsibilities include:

• Promoting
  uniformity of radiation protection and nuclear safety policy and practices
  across jurisdictions of the Commonwealth, the States and the Territories;
• Providing
  advice to Government and the community on radiation protection;
• Providing
  advice to Government and the community on nuclear safetyreactors and visits by
  nuclear powered warships;
• Undertaking
  research and providing services in relation to radiation protection, nuclear
  safety and medical exposures to radiation;
• Regulating
  radiation protection and nuclear safety aspects of all Commonwealth entities
  involved in radiation or nuclear activities or dealings; and
• Approval of imports of radioactive material.