Australian nuclear security ranked best in the world

Australia has the best nuclear materials security practices in the world according to the Nuclear Materials Security Index - a report released by the Nuclear Threat Initiative.

The Nuclear Threat Initiative is a non-profit organisation that works to improve global security and fulfilment of the goals of non-proliferation treaties.

The report ranked Australia as number one out of 32 countries including the UK, US and Japan.

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), located in south west Sydney, is the home of much of Australia’s nuclear expertise and its only nuclear reactor.

ANSTO’s General Manager Security and Safeguards, Paul Jones, welcomed the report.

“As custodian of Australia’s only nuclear reactor, ANSTO leads the world in the safe, peaceful use of nuclear research,” he said.

“The work we do here is incredibly important - including producing more than 10,000 doses of nuclear medicine a week and undertaking complex climate change and minerals research.

“That said, our absolute priority is to do this work safely - and this report is independent endorsement of the security and safeguards we have in place.

"We work closely with the Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office, the regulator with responsibility for the security of all nuclear materials in Australia.

“I’m particularly pleased with the 100/100 ranking that Australia received for the security control measures in place, which are continuously reviewed and updated.

“While the vast majority of the material ANSTO works with is low enriched uranium, we have the best possible security and safety measures in place for all nuclear material we manage,” said Jones.

The Nuclear Materials Security Index provides a ranking according to five key factors:

• Quantities and sites including transportation and the amount of materials
• Security control measures including physical and personnel measures
• Global norms including transparency, international legal and voluntary commitments
• Domestic commitments and capacity including independent regulatory oversight, legislative protections and safeguards
• Societal factors including political stability and corruption prevention measures.

Further information

• View information on the safety of ANSTO’s nuclear reactor.
• The Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office website: www.dfat.gov.au/asno
• View/download a copy of the Nuclear Threat Initiative’s Nuclear Materials Security Index,