On 1 November 2025, the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator was formally established.
The Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator is responsible for licensing certain activities related to Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines, and for monitoring and enforcing those licences.
As part of the new regulatory framework under the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Act 2024, regulated activities can only occur within a designated zone, or in relation to an Australian nuclear-powered submarine.
Two designated zones were established in the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Act 2024. These are the Stirling designated zone located at HMAS Stirling at Garden Island in Western Australia and the Osborne designated zone located at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia.
Designated zones represent administrative areas that establish the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator's regulatory boundaries.
Public access to designated zones
A designated zone is a regulatory boundary and does not represent an exclusion zone for the public.
The introduction of the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulations designated zone does not change existing public access arrangements in and around HMAS Stirling and Cockburn Sound.
For decades, when Naval platforms have berthed at HMAS Stirling or moved around Cockburn Sound, the Navy has restricted access to some areas for safety and security reasons. The Navy will continue to consider and put in place arrangements to address these issues.
The purpose of designated zones
Designated zones are regulatory boundaries for the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator, and assist in clarifying regulatory jurisdictions where these interact between Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency and state and territory radiation safety regulators.
This provides for continuity of regulatory oversight for effective control over facility or material activities within a designated zone.
Determining the location of designated zones
The designated zones have been identified based on their suitability for the development and sustainment of Australian nuclear-powered submarines and related activities.
Stirling and Osborne were identified in the legislation that established the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator and the legislation was consulted prior to being enacted. Consultation with the public, including First Nations people, will occur ahead of any new designated zone being declared.
The Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator’s responsibility is to provide assurance to the Australian community that regulated activities related to naval nuclear propulsion (NNP) are conducted in a manner that maintains the safety and health of the surrounding environment and the public.
Frequently asked questions related to designated zones:
Q. Will I still be able to access my favourite fishing spot which is now located within a designated zone?
A. The designated zones are a regulatory boundary. They provide clarity on the jurisdiction of the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator. The declaration of a designated zone itself has no impact on currently accessed or permitted recreational activities.
As is currently the case, there may be times and certain locations where public access is not permitted. For example, if there is a submarine docked alongside a pier, the surrounding waters may not be accessible for fishing or recreation during the time the submarine is alongside for safety and security reasons.
Q. Were communities consulted in relation to the selection of designated zones?
A. Stirling and Osborne were identified in the legislation that establishes the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator and the legislation was consulted prior to being enacted.
Consultation with the public, including First Nations people, will occur ahead of any new designated zone being declared.
Q. Will the next designated zone be at Henderson and will there be consultation?
In October 2024, the Government announced its intention that nuclear-powered submarine sustainment activity will occur at Henderson in WA.
For any regulated activities to occur for Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines, appropriate licences are required to be issued by the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator. A facility or material activity licence cannot be issued for a regulated activity that is outside a designated zone, therefore a designated zone will be required to be prescribed before a licence for these activities can be approved.
Before a designated zone can be prescribed in Regulations, the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Act 2024 requires that public consultation is to occur on the proposed new area.
