The Albanese Government is taking an important step as part of Australia's acquisition of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
Today, public consultation has opened on the regulatory framework that will underpin Australia's Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator.
This is another milestone occurring under the AUKUS partnership, a core pillar of the Albanese Government's national security policy, creating more than 20,000 direct jobs over the next 30 years.
This consultation allows for the development of a framework that will ensure the highest standards of nuclear safety and radiological protection are applied across the nuclear-powered submarine program.
The consultation period will run from 2 July to 30 July 2025, with key stakeholders and the Australian public invited to provide input.
The draft regulations focus on licensing the facility and material activities necessary to support work associated with the current stage of Australia's nuclear-powered submarine program. Regulations for submarine-specific activities will be developed at a later stage.
The new Regulator and supporting regulations will build upon Australia's strong nuclear stewardship credentials, while drawing on the experience of our AUKUS partners to deliver international best practice in nuclear safety.
The Regulator will operate within a national regulatory system that supports the safety of people, the public and the environment, and will be established on 1 November 2025.
That system includes Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), the Commonwealth's existing radiation protection and nuclear safety regulator, and the Australian Safeguards and Non-proliferation Office (ASNO), who regulate nuclear safeguards and nuclear security, as well as the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), Comcare, the Defence Seaworthiness Regulator, and appropriate state and territory government regulatory organisations who have broader safety and environmental protection roles.
Information about how to view the regulations and submit feedback is available at https://defence.gov.au/annpsr-consultation.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:
"The Albanese Government is committed to the highest standards of nuclear safety and stewardship, as we continue to progress the AUKUS pathway at pace.
"This important period of public consultation will help inform the first Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulations.
"These regulations are an important part of our approach to building a fit-for-purpose legislative and regulatory framework for Australia's future conventionally armed, nuclear‑powered submarines."
