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Key messages
- Anyone selling a radiation source must have a management licence with authorisation to sell.
- A customer buying a radiation source must provide evidence that they either have a management licence or have an exemption.
- Radiation sources must meet relevant standards and/or be approved for use in Australia.
Overview
A radiation management licence is a mandatory requirement for any company seeking to sell radiation sources. Specific authorisations on the licence are required for different types of radiation sources (e.g. sealed sources, X-ray apparatus etc). The licence must authorise the specific type of radiation source that you intend to sell. The licence can include multiple authorisations, but a separate authorisation is required for each type of radiation source. In addition to authorising the sale of radiation sources, the licence may authorise other practices such as possession, disposal, transport or storage.
Applicants seeking a management licence for the sale of radiation sources 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 at 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 at 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 6th September 2021, a Radiation Management Plan (RMP) 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:
- The name of the dosimetry service provider (DSP) that you will use and the centre number assigned to you by the DSP. Personal dosimetry is required if radioactive material or sealed radiation sources are handled as part of the sale, transport or storage activities.
- A detailed description of all types of radiation sources that you are seeking authority to sell.
- The procedures in place that ensure compliance with Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material where applicable.
- Reference to the approved radiation source security plan and transport security plan where applicable.
- If radioactive material will be stored for the purpose of sale, details of the radionuclide, physical form and maximum activity that will be stored
3. Shielding assessment - Storage of radioactive material
If you are applying for a licence involving the storage for the purpose of sale of radioactive material, you must submit a shielding assessment report with your application. A shielding assessment determines the minimum amount of shielding that is required in the walls, doors, floor and ceiling of the radiation storage room used to ensure that no person receives a radiation dose in excess of the relevant radiation protection limits specified in the Radiation Regulations 2017. The assessment report must include the following:
- Floor plan showing the storage room in which the radiation source will be installed and the surrounding areas.
- Occupancy factors and purpose of surrounding areas.
- Methodology/references used in the assessment.
- Shielding required for the operator
- Radiation apparatus workloads used in the assessment
- The location of any related equipment e.g. controls, protective screens, warning lights.
4. Source security plan and transport security plan
Specific security requirements apply to the sale of high consequence sealed source. If you intend to sell high consequence sealed source an approved source security plan must be submitted with 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. Further information can be found on the general conditions – notifications and incident reports page.
Practice specific conditions of licence relating to sale of radiation sources
Compliance with the Sale of radiation sources - Management licence holder's obligations, is a condition of management licences authorising the sale of radiation sources and applicants must be familiar with its requirements.
This document outlines the licence holder's obligations relevant to the sale of radiation sources, including X-ray apparatus, radioactive material (other than sealed sources), Radiopharmaceuticals, sealed source apparatus, molybdenum-99/technetium-99.
Licence durations, licence fees, assessment process and timeframes
See the General information about management licences in Victoria page.
Do you need a use licence to sell radiation sources?
A use licence is not required to sell radiation sources. However additional authorisations for practices such as possession, storage, transport and disposal may be required depending on the activities you intend to conduct. These additional practices may require individuals to hold a use licence.
If a person intends to use a radiation source then they must apply for a use licence enabling the use of a specific type of radiation source for a specific purpose. Some radiation sources are exempt from the requirement to hold a use licence. The use of a radiation source without the required use licence is an offence under
the Radiation Act 2005. For further information on use licence requirements and to apply for a radiation 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.
Reviewed 09 May 2023