What we regulate

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We regulate activities related to naval nuclear propulsion.

These activities include Submarine Rotational Force - West in Western Australia and the construction of SSN AUKUS Submarines in South Australia.

There are three types of regulated activities that can occur in a designated zone or Australian submarine, as specified in the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Act 2024:

Facility activities

  • Preparing a site for a Naval Nuclear Propulsion facility
  • Constructing a Naval Nuclear Propulsion facility
  • Possessing or controlling a Naval Nuclear Propulsion facility
  • Operating a Naval Nuclear Propulsion facility
  • Decommissioning a Naval Nuclear Propulsion facility
  • Disposing of an Naval Nuclear Propulsion facility.

Material activities

  • Possessing or controlling Naval Nuclear Propulsion material or equipment
  • Using Naval Nuclear Propulsion material
  • Using or operating Naval Nuclear Propulsion equipment or plant
  • Maintaining, storing or disposing of Naval Nuclear Propulsion material, equipment or plant.

Submarine activities

  • Constructing an Australian nuclear-powered submarine
  • Possessing or controlling an Australian nuclear-powered submarine
  • Operating an Australian nuclear-powered submarine
  • Maintaining an Australian nuclear-powered submarine
  • Decommissioning an Australian nuclear-powered submarine
  • Disposing of an Australian nuclear-powered submarine.