Although Australia does not have a commercial nuclear programme, it is an important player on the nuclear stage, as a major supplier of uranium.

There are 2 research reactors at the New South Wales headquarters of the Australian National Science Organisation (ANSTO), at the Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre in Sydney. These are the 10 Mw High Flux Australian Reactor (HIFAR), operational since 1958 and expected to reach the end of its operational life around 2005, and the 100 Kw MOATA, which ceased operation in May 1995.

An EIS for a replacement reactor for HIFAR was approved in 1999, and a construction licence was issued by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) in April 2002. The reactor is to be built by INVAP from Argentina. There had been concern at the discovery of unexpected faulting beneath the proposed reactor site, but subsequent investigations have ruled out any risk of major ground movement. An operation licence was issued by ARPANSA on 14th July 2006.

L/ILW
A near-surface disposal site for LLW is currently operational, at the Mt. Walton East Intractable Waste Disposal Facility, but this only accepts waste originating in Western Australia.

Efforts have been underway to site a national near-surface L/ILW repository since 1991, involving a nationwide survey of potentially suitable areas. The Billa Kalina Area of northern South Australia, including part of the Woomera Protected Zone and Rocket Launch Area was identified as the preferred area in 1998 and a number of potential sites were investigated, despite intense opposition to the project by the South Australian government and local people.

3 sites were short-listed in August 2000, and an EIS for the repository submitted in late 2002, following public consultation in the area. This was approved on 9th May 2003, and on the same day the sponsoring ministry, the Department of Science, Environment and Training (DEST), announced that one of the sites, Site 40a, had been chosen as the repository location.

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