Stirling

Licence Transition

Prior to the introduction of the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator (ANNPSR), the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) undertook a thorough independent review and assessment, including public consultation, of the Australian Submarine Agency’s (ASA) licence application to construct the Controlled Industrial Facility (CIF), on Garden Island, Rockingham, WA. 

On 20th October 2025, ARPANSA publicly announced it had approved the licence application and issued a licence for this second stage of the licencing process – to construct the facility. 

The CIF will be constructed at the existing HMAS Stirling Navy Base, on Garden Island, Rockingham, WA and provide low-level waste management and maintenance services to support the Submarine Rotational Force – West program that commences in 2027.

For the CIF construction licence application, 93 public submissions were received and considered by ARPANSA. A summary of the submission themes and responses and access to more information about the ARPANSA assessment of the public submissions and the licence application are available here: Construction licence approved for ASA’s Controlled Industrial Facility | ARPANSA

Under the ANNPSR regulatory framework, wherever possible, regulated activities within a designated zone will be grouped under a single licence to maintain the continuity and integrity of safety control within that zone.

The Naval Nuclear Propulsion activity in ARPANSA licences are intended to be combined into a single licence shortly after 1 November 2025.

ASA’s application for the next phase of the facility activity will be submitted directly to ANNPSR. ANNPSR will continue to work with ARPANSA to support the smooth transition of regulatory responsibility.