Radiation Protection and Control Regulations 2022

Consultation has concluded

Radiation apparatus

Radiation provides significant benefits to Australians, through its use in medicine, mining, science and industry.

The EPA enables the use of radiation, while ensuring people and the environment are adequately protected. Our objectives are to facilitate the benefits of safe and justified uses of radiation, with social and intergenerational equity, while controlling radiation sources against misuse that may harm people or the environment.

The EPA authorises, regulates, monitors and advises on radiation use in South Australia, to achieve these objectives.

A new Radiation Protection and Control Act 2021 (RPC Act), which was assented to on 11 February 2021, will come into operation on or before 11 February 2023. Before the new Act can commence, new regulations are required to support its implementation. In addition, the Act will also be supported by new codes of compliance and a new fee structure for authorisations issued under the Act.

The new legislation is more streamlined and efficient – it has been reduced from 3 sets of regulations containing 218 regulations and 11 schedules down to a single set of regulations containing 138 regulations and 8 schedules.

This is a significant opportunity to reform the way in which we manage and regulate radiation safety in South Australia. The EPA is engaging with radiation businesses, their employees, licensees, professional bodies, industry organisations and the public, to ensure all practical and viable policy options are considered, including opportunities for innovation.

The engagement process will also identify the costs and benefit impacts to affected parties of the changes proposed, and to inform and support planning for implementation of the RPC Act.

The draft documents that form the basis of the engagement process are regulations and codes of compliance. These can be downloaded from this site and should be read in conjunction with the new RPC Act. Feedback can be provided by uploading submissions to this site (see below) or by sending an email.


Radiation provides significant benefits to Australians, through its use in medicine, mining, science and industry.

The EPA enables the use of radiation, while ensuring people and the environment are adequately protected. Our objectives are to facilitate the benefits of safe and justified uses of radiation, with social and intergenerational equity, while controlling radiation sources against misuse that may harm people or the environment.

The EPA authorises, regulates, monitors and advises on radiation use in South Australia, to achieve these objectives.

A new Radiation Protection and Control Act 2021 (RPC Act), which was assented to on 11 February 2021, will come into operation on or before 11 February 2023. Before the new Act can commence, new regulations are required to support its implementation. In addition, the Act will also be supported by new codes of compliance and a new fee structure for authorisations issued under the Act.

The new legislation is more streamlined and efficient – it has been reduced from 3 sets of regulations containing 218 regulations and 11 schedules down to a single set of regulations containing 138 regulations and 8 schedules.

This is a significant opportunity to reform the way in which we manage and regulate radiation safety in South Australia. The EPA is engaging with radiation businesses, their employees, licensees, professional bodies, industry organisations and the public, to ensure all practical and viable policy options are considered, including opportunities for innovation.

The engagement process will also identify the costs and benefit impacts to affected parties of the changes proposed, and to inform and support planning for implementation of the RPC Act.

The draft documents that form the basis of the engagement process are regulations and codes of compliance. These can be downloaded from this site and should be read in conjunction with the new RPC Act. Feedback can be provided by uploading submissions to this site (see below) or by sending an email.


  • Online submission form

    9 responses

    You are invited to:

    1. Review the draft documents and provide us with your feedback including about specific implications for you, your business, or your sector. Feedback can be provided to us by email or by clicking the link below. 
    2. Register for one of the online information sessions if you would like to hear more from us and speak with us in person.

    Alternatively, you also provide feedback via our survey forms on this page.

    Comments and submissions are due by no later than 26 July 2022.

    Consultation has concluded

  • Feedback on obligations, roles, and responsibilities

    1 response

    The purpose of the new regulations is to support implementation of the RPC Act, and to provide clarity and certainty on its application. The role of regulations is to formally state the obligations, roles, and responsibilities of the authorised party (licensee).

    The following will be included in the new regulations:

    • Definitions of what constitutes a radiation facility, radioactive material, and security enhanced radioactive source for purposes of regulation. 
    • Exclusion of classes of operations, persons, material, circumstances, substances, apparatus, premises, and sources from the requirement to hold a licence
    • Requirements for determining applications for authorisation
    • Requirements for radiation management plans
    • Standards, practices, and procedures to be complied with 
    • Requirements for medical examination of exposed persons
    • Requirements for monitoring, record-keeping, and incident notification
    • Requirements for identity checks and security background checks
    • Responsibilities of employers and other responsible persons
    • Fees and penalties.


    Please let us know if you have any feedback by answering the survey (skip any questions that do not apply to you).

    Consultation has concluded

  • Feedback on codes, standards and guidelines

    1 response

    The EPA has also developed additional codes to provide further clarity for and maintain consistency in the implementation of the regulatory requirements. 

    In line with the principle of national uniformity, the regulations call up the codes and standards listed in Schedule 3 of the National Directory for Radiation Protection. Where there are gaps in national standards, the EPA prepared the following new codes: 

    1. Borehole logging – Apparatus  
    2. Dental – Apparatus
    3. Facility design – Diagnostic
    4. Medical radiation therapy – Apparatus  
    5. Labelling and signage – Apparatus  
    6. Radiation management plans 

    One of the new codes covers the preparation of radiation management plans. This is an important area in which radiation management licence-holders can take responsibility and demonstrate a strong safety culture. 

    The EPA support the production of guidance documents by professional bodies wishing to support their members in the discharge of their responsibilities regarding radiation safety. 

    Please let us know if you have any feedback by answering the survey (skip any questions that do not apply to you).

    Consultation has concluded

  • Responses to issues raised

    1 response
    Consultation has concluded