Portable nuclear moisture/density gauge

Overview

Portable density/moisture gauges are typically used to measure soil characteristics during road construction. They normally contain one or two sealed radiation sources.

A radiation management licence is a mandatory requirement for any company seeking to possess a portable density/moisture gauges. 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 portable density/moisture gauge, the radiation management licence may also authorise other practices such as disposal or storage.

Applicants seeking a management licence for a practice involving portable density/moisture gauges 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. See a template for the Letter of Authority. 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. 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. Radiation Management Plan

A Radiation Management Plan (RMP) is now a mandatory prerequisite that must be submitted when applying for the following:

• A new radiation Management Licence
• A variation to an existing radiation Management Licence
• A transfer of an existing radiation Management Licence to another legal entity

Please read the Radiation Management Plan 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:

1. The name of the dosimetry service provider (DSP) that you will use and your assigned centre number.
2. Any additional RMP requirements listed in the Code of the Practice for Portable Density/Moisture Gauges Containing Radioactive Sources (2004).
3. The procedures in place that ensure compliance with Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (2019).
4. A brief description of the method for achieving compliance with the requirements specified within the document titled Security of PDMGs During Transport.

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

Three 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. See the General conditions page for further information.

Practice specific conditions of licence relating to portable density moisture gauge

Compliance with the following documents is a practice specific condition that applies to all radiation management licences authorising portable density/moisture gauges and applicants must be familiar with their requirements:

• Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (2014)
• Code of the Practice for Portable Density/Moisture Gauges Containing Radioactive Sources (2004)
• Secure transport of Portable Density Moisture Gauges

Licence durations, licence fees, assessment process and timeframes

See the General information about management licences in Victoria page.

Do I need a use licence for a portable density/moisture gauge?

Any individual wishing to use a portable density/moisture gauge must hold a valid use licence.

The use of a radiation source without the required use licence is an offence under the Radiation Act 2005.

To apply for a use licence please visit the use licence section.

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