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ARPANSA – Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) is the Australian Government’s primary authority on radiation protection and nuclear safety.

ARPANSA deals with both ionising and non-ionising radiation. Common sources of ionising radiation include X-rays, CT scans and naturally occurring radioactive materials. Common sources of non-ionising radiation include the sun, mobile phones, base stations and power lines.

Vision and mission

  • protect the public, workers and the environment from radiation exposure
  • ensure radiological and nuclear safety and security and emergency preparedness
  • promote the effective use of ionising radiation in medicine
  • ensure effective and proportionate regulation and enforcement activities.

How ARPANSA can help

ARPANSA regulates Commonwealth entities using radiation with the objective of protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation.

They undertake research, provide services, and promote national uniformity and the implementation of international best practice across all jurisdictions.

ARPANSA does this by:

  • Expertise - ARPANSA builds and maintains expertise in measurement of radiation and assessment of health impacts, including the assessment of risks and responses to radiation emergencies.

  • Advice - they provide high quality advice to the government and the community on issues related to exposure and effects of radiation, radiation protection and nuclear safety.

  • Regulation - they use licensing powers and work with Commonwealth entities to ensure the safety of radiation facilities, using a risk-informed regulatory approach.

  • Best Practice - they lead the development of codes, standards, guides and advice to support radiation protection and nuclear safety throughout Australia, and play a prominent role in relevant international organisations.

  • Services - ARPANSA offers high quality services for the purpose of protection against the harmful effects of radiation.

  • Research - they undertake research and development, and build strategic partnerships with relevant national and international academic and research organisations.

Information / help lines

  • Call 1800 022 333 Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm AEST, or email: info@arpansa.gov.au

Programs, apps and tools

Recommended links

This information was originally published on healthdirect - Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.

Last reviewed: July 2020

Information from this partner

Found 4 results

Sun protection | ARPANSA

Advice on reducing health effects associated with ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure from the sun.

Read more on ARPANSA – Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency website

What parents should know about CT scans for children | ARPANSA

A CT scan is an X-ray imaging technique that is used on people of all ages, including children. CT scans are vitally important for quickly investigating serious health problems inside the body, for example, bleeding inside the skull after a fracture. CT scans provide more information than a plain X-ray image.

Read more on ARPANSA – Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency website

Labelling sun protective clothing | ARPANSA

The UPF Certification Trade Mark is an Australian government trademark that is used to label sun protective clothing.

Read more on ARPANSA – Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency website

How to reduce exposure from mobile phones and other wireless devices | ARPANSA

There is no established scientific evidence that the use of mobile phones causes any health effects. However the possibility of a small risk cannot be ruled out. There are things one can do to substantially reduce exposure.

Read more on ARPANSA – Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency website

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This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.

Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, this publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, altered, adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect Australia.