Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation

History

ANSTO was established in April 1987 to replace the former Australian Atomic Energy Commission (AAEC), which was founded in 1952.

Purpose

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Act 1987 (Cth) prescribes its general purpose.

Mission statement

• To support the development and implementation of government policies and initiatives in nuclear and related areas, domestically and internationally
• To operate nuclear science and technology based facilities, for the benefit of industry and the Australian and international research community
• To undertake research that will advance the application of nuclear science and technology
• To apply nuclear science, techniques, and expertise to address Australia 's environmental challenges and increase the competitiveness of Australian industry
• To manufacture and advance the use of radiopharmaceuticals which will improve the health of Australians

Governance

ANSTO is governed by a board, chaired by Michael Quigley from 20 June 2024 until 19 June 2028. , Shaun Jenkinson is CEO of the organisation. He joined the ANSTO Health team in 2010, becoming Group Executive Nuclear Business, before being appointed CEO.

Facilities and instruments

ANSTO operates five research facilities:

1. OPAL research reactor
2. Centre for Accelerator Science
3. Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering
4. Cyclotron facility
5. Australian Synchrotron

Major research instruments include:

• The ANTARES particle accelerator
• High-resolution neutron powder diffractometer, ECHIDNA
• High-intensity neutron powder diffractometer, WOMBAT
• Strain scanner, KOWARI
• Neutron reflectometer, PLATYPUS

ANSTO also manufactures radiopharmaceuticals and performs commercial work such as silicon doping by nuclear transmutation.

Nuclear reactors

ANSTO has two nuclear research reactors onsite: The High Flux Australian Reactor, or HIFAR, in operation from 1958 to 2007, and the Open-pool Australian lightwater reactor (OPAL) designed by the Argentine company INVAP. HIFAR was permanently shut down on 30 January 2007. The OPAL reactor came online in November 2006 and the facility was officially opened on 20 April 2007.

A third, smaller unit, being a 100 kW thermal Argonaut-class reactor named MOATA, was in operation between 1961 and 1995, before being decommissioned in 2009. The reactor was initially commissioned to train Australian nuclear scientists in the operation of HIFAR, but its envelope was later widened to include neutron imaging and activation analysis, soil analysis, and radioisotopic medical research.

Spent fuel from the reactors is transported to Port Kembla, then shipped to France for reprocessing.

In 2017, ANSTO announced the creation of a NiMo-SiC alloy for use in molten salt reactors.

Rare-earth processing facility

Australia's first rare-earth processing facility is under construction by ANSTO in Sydney, due for completion in 2026. The facility will process rare earths found in clay, and will be used by rare-earth companies from across Australia, with Australian Rare Earths's proposed Koppamurra mining project first to use it.

References

References

1. (20 June 2024). "Mr Michael Quigley".
2. "Mr Shaun Jenkinson".
3. "Echidna – ANSTO". Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.
4. "Wombat – ANSTO". Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.
5. "Kowari – ANSTO". Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.
6. "Platypus – ANSTO". Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.
7. (29 July 2018). "Radioactive nuclear 'boomerang waste' moved out of Australia". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
8. (December 2025). "News | ANSTO}} {{dead".
9. Bradbrook, Sam. (12 December 2025). "Australian rare earth processing plant to be ready for use in 2026".