Licensing process
We are responsible for issuing licences related to nuclear powered submarine activities.
Before submitting a licence application, the Licence Applicant is encouraged to engage with the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator to discuss the future application and align with safety expectations from the outset.
To begin the licensing process, Licence Applicants must complete the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Licence Application Form in full.
Use the Application Checklist as a guide to completing the Application Form.
Provide all required information and supporting documents as outlined in the Application Checklist.
- Speak to our Licensing team to obtain the Application Form and Application Checklist.
The application must demonstrate alignment with:
To submit a licence application, email your completed Application Form to licensing@annpsr.gov.au.
Once received, a public notification of receiving the licence application will be made on the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator website.
Once a licence application is submitted, the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator will begin a comprehensive assessment process to determine whether a licence can be issued.
What to expect during the assessment
The Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator may:
- Conduct a document audit to verify that all required information and supporting documentation have been provided
- Request additional information to clarify or expand on aspects of the application.
The assessment process is guided by the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Act 2024, Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulations 2025, and international best practices in nuclear safety, particularly those relevant to naval nuclear propulsion.
The Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator may determine that additional information is required before a licence can be issued.
The Regulator may request further documentation, clarification, or revisions to the licence application to address gaps in safety planning, operational maturity, or compliance with previously issued licence conditions.
Once the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator has completed its assessment and determined that all regulatory requirements have been met, an Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Licence will be issued.
The Licence Holder is now subject to:
- General and specific licence conditions, tailored to their specific activity and operational phase
- Nuclear safety duties, which must be upheld throughout the lifecycle of the licensed activity.
It is essential that Licence Holders understand and integrate the conditions into their operations to maintain compliance and uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety.
Licence Conditions
Licence conditions are stipulated within the Act and Regulations.
Additional conditions are applied on a case-by-case basis and are tailored to the nature and scope of the proposed activity.
For example:
- A Licence authorising site preparation activity may require foundational safety planning and environmental assessments.
- A Licence authorising operating a facility may require detailed radiological safety protocols, personnel training, and emergency planning.
These conditions are not only regulatory requirements - they are essential tools for ensuring that nuclear safety is embedded in every phase of the activity.
If a licence application is refused issue, a Licence Applicant has the right to request a review of the decision.
This process ensures transparency, fairness and the opportunity for further engagement between the Regulator and the Licence Applicant.
Review options
Internal Review - The Licence Applicant may request an internal review of the decision by submitting a formal request to the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator.
External Review - If the Licence Applicant is not satisfied with the outcome of the internal review, they may pursue an external review through the appropriate Administrative Review Tribunal.
