Fixed radiation gauge

Overview

Fixed radiation gauges are used to measure product characteristics in mining, oil and gas, manufacturing and other industries. They contain either a sealed radiation source or an X-ray source.

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

Applicants seeking a management licence for a practice involving a fixed radiation gauge must meet certain prerequisites prior to the licence being issued.

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.

In addition to the minimum RMP requirements, you need to include the following information in your RMP:

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

Please note a fixed gauge may contain a sealed radioactive source that is classified as a high consequence sealed source. There are additional prerequisites in these circumstances.

Further information on the security of high consequence sealed sources can be found on the Security of high consequence sealed sources page.

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. Further information on the general conditions can be found on the General conditions - notifications and incident reports page.

Practice specific conditions of licence relating to fixed radiation gauges

Compliance with the Code of the Practice and Safety Guide for the Safe Use of Fixed Radiation Gauges (2007) is a practice specific condition that applies to radiation management licences authorising the possession of fixed radiation gauges. Applicants must be familiar with its requirements.

Licence durations, licence fees, assessment process and timeframes

See the General information about management licences in Victoria page.

Is a use licence required for fixed radiation gauges?

Individuals using fixed radiation gauges are not currently required to hold a use licence. An exemption from the requirement to hold a use licence has been made in the case of sealed source fixed radiation gauges used for the determination of product characteristics (such as thickness and density). The exemption is also applied to X-ray radiation gauges.

For further information, see exemptions from 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