Australian Submarine Agency Construction Licence Application - Controlled Industrial Facility

Overview

Notice of intention to make a decision on a facility licence application

The CEO of ARPANSA hereby gives notice of her intention to make a decision under section 32 of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 (the Act) regarding the following application for a facility licence:

Application number: A01075

Applicant name: Australian Submarine Agency (ASA)
Name of facility: Controlled Industrial Facility
Type of facility: Prescribed Radiation Facility
Proposed location: HMAS Stirling, at Garden Island, Rockingham WA
Application type: Authorisation to construct a controlled facility.

Purpose of the facility

To provide low level radiological waste management and maintenance support to the Submarine Rotational Force-West (SRF-West) program. Note that the proposed facility will not be permitted to accept or manage intermediate level radiological waste, high level radiological waste or spent nuclear fuel.

A siting licence for this facility was issued by ARPANSA in July 2024 where ARPANSA also undertook public consultation.

This application is for the construction of the same facility in line with ARPANSA’s staged licensing approach.

ARPANSA'S licensing process

ARPANSA's CEO Dr Gillian Hirth, AO explains ARPANSA's independent licensing and regulation process, in the video below, or you can read our fact sheet. 

How to make a submission

The CEO of ARPANSA invites written comments from individuals, organisations and groups regarding the radiological safety of the proposed facility on people and the environment.

Comments can be submitted via the ‘Have your say’ link below. The CEO will take all relevant submissions into account before making a decision about whether or not to grant ASA a facility licence to construct the Controlled Industrial Facility.

Submissions must be received by 11:59 pm, Thursday 17 July 2025.

Please ensure to only make a single submission of the survey as multiple responses from individuals may not be considered.

Information about the ASA licence application is available in the documents linked below:

Construction Licence Application 

ARPANSA licence submission overview

Technical Overview

Safety Analysis Report

Safety Management

Emergency Management

Environmental Protection

Radiation Protection

Radioactive Waste Management

Decommissioning

Effective Control Arrangements

Please also view our FAQ for more information on the scope of the submission and guidance on how to make a submission.

If you are unable to participate online, you can mail your submission to The CEO of ARPANSA, PO Box 655, MIRANDA NSW 1490. Please note, unless a mailed submission is clearly marked as ‘confidential’ it (or part of it) may be published on ARPANSA’s website and submissions received after the deadline may not be considered.

Why your views matter

ARPANSA is responsible for issuing and administering licences for radiation sources and facilities owned and operated by Commonwealth entities. All licence applications are subject to requirements relating to the protection of people and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation. As part of this process, we are seeking your feedback, to ensure opinions from local communities, workers, experts and the general public are considered in the decision making process.

Submissions received are reviewed along with application material to inform the CEO’s decision in relation to this licence application. Information about the decision and outcomes of this process will be published once available.