Education and research practices

Overview

The use of radiation for education and research purposes encompasses a wide range of different sources including X-ray apparatus, sealed radiation sources and unsealed radiation sources.

A radiation management licence is a mandatory requirement for any company seeking to possess radiation sources for education and research purposes. Multiple radiation sources can be authorised on a single management licence but a separate authorisation on the licence is required for each unit. In addition to authorising possession of the radiation source, the radiation management licence may also authorise other practices such as disposal or storage.

Applicants seeking a management licence for an education and research practice must meet certain prerequisites prior to being issued with a management licence.

Prerequisites: what information do I include with my application?

The following documentation must be included with your application (electronic files can be attached with your application).

1. Establishment of identity and authorisation

A radiation Management Licence can only be issued to a legal entity. In most cases the legal entity will be a registered company or a person.

If you are applying for a management licence under a company name you must provide:

• A current Company Extract issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). The extract must display the ACN number and the name of the director(s) of the company. A registration of a business or ABN is not accepted as evidence of a legal entity.
• If you are not a director of the company, then you must provide a Letter of Authority signed by a director of the company. The director must be listed on the ASIC company extract. A template for the Letter of Authority can be found on the Sample letter of authorisation page. The Letter of Authority will authorise you to do the following on behalf of the company:
  • Apply for a new management licence
  • Apply to vary an existing management licence
  • Submit a notification of acquisition and/or disposal
  • Discuss matters relating to the radiation management licence with the department.

If you are applying for a management licence under a person’s name:

Proof of Identity (Drivers licence or passport showing current physical address) of the person applying to be the licence holder.

• If you are applying on behalf of another person, then you must provide a Letter of Authority from that person. A template for the Letter of Authority can be found on the Sample letter of authorisation page. The letter must be signed by the person that is proposed to be the licence holder. The Letter of Authority will authorise you to do the following on behalf of the proposed licence holder:
  • Apply for a new management licence
  • Apply to vary an existing management licence
  • Submit a notification of acquisition and/or disposal
  • Discuss matters relating to the radiation management licence with the department.

2.A Radiation Management Plan

From 6 September 2021 a Radiation Management Plan (RMP) must be submitted when applying for the following:

• New radiation Management Licence
• Variation to an existing radiation Management Licence
• Transfer of an existing radiation Management Licence to another legal entity.

Please read the Radiation Management Plans page for details on the minimum requirements for RMPs.

If personal radiation dosimeters are required as a condition of your licence you will need to include the following in your RMP:

(a)the name of the dosimetry service provider (DSP) that you will use and,
(b)the centre number assigned to you by the provider.

3.Additional requirements

There may be additional prerequisites depending on the radiation sources you wish to possess including the following:

• Personal radiation dosimetry service details
• Shielding assessment
• Security of high consequence sealed sources.

Please contact the department via email prior to applying for the licence so we can discuss any specific prerequisites that apply to your application.

Conditions of licence

General and practice specific conditions of licence are mandatory requirements that apply to radiation management licence holders. It is important as a management licence holder that you understand and comply with all the conditions of licence that apply to your licence. Failure to comply with a condition of licence is an indictable offence under the Radiation Act 2005.

General Conditions of licence

Two general conditions apply to all radiation management licence. The general conditions relate to the reporting of incidents and the acquisition and disposal of radiation sources. For more information on the general conditions, see the General conditions - notifications and incident reports page.

Practice specific conditions of licence relating to research and education

Compliance with additional practice specific conditions may apply depending on the radiation sources you intend to possess. Applicants must be familiar with these specific conditions. Please contact the department via email prior to applying for the licence so that we can discuss any specific conditions that will apply to your licence.

Licence durations, licence fees, assessment process and timeframes

See the General information about management licences in Victoria page.

Is a use licence required to use radiation sources for education and research purposes?

In addition to a management licence, some individuals need a use licence. The requirement for a use licence will depend on the type of radiation source being used. The use of a radiation source without the required use licence is an offence under the Radiation Act 2005.

Please contact the department for further information regarding the use licence requirements.

Apply for a management licence or apply to vary an existing licence

All of the department's forms for applications are on-line forms. The form is completed online and automatically emailed to the department upon submission. Please remember to check what mandatory documents must be included with your application.

Complete the online form: Application for a new management licence

Complete the online form: Application to vary a management licence