Atomic Energy Act 1953

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Legislation au C1953A00031 In force Act

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Atomic Energy Act 1953

No. 31, 1953

Compilation No. 9

Compilation date: 30 November 2022

Includes amendments up to: Act No. 63, 2022

Registered: 8 December 2022

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Atomic Energy Act 1953 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 30 November 2022 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Self‑repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

Contents

Part I—Preliminary

1 Short title

2 Commencement

5 Interpretation

6 Act binds the Crown

7 Extension to external Territories

34 Exercise of powers

34A Application of the Criminal Code

Part II—Title to and information concerning prescribed substances

35 Title of Crown to prescribed substances in Territories of the Commonwealth

36 Notification of discovery of prescribed substance

37 Power to obtain information

Part III—The Ranger Project

Division 1—Authority to carry on mining etc.

41 Authority to mine prescribed substances on behalf of, or in association with, the Commonwealth

41B Assignment of interests in authorities under section 41

41C Further authority under section 41 in respect of Ranger Project Area

Division 2—Authority to carry on rehabilitation etc.

41CA Authority to carry on rehabilitation etc.

41CB Application for rehabilitation authority

41CC Powers under rehabilitation authority

41CD Rehabilitation authority may impose conditions, restrictions and requirements

41CE Rehabilitation authority must impose rehabilitation requirements

41CF Termination of previous Part III authorities

41CG Assignment of interests in rehabilitation authority

Division 3—Close‑out of Part III authorities

41CH When rehabilitation requirements are taken to be satisfied in relation to an area of land

41CI When authority is no longer in force in relation to…

Overview

The Atomic Energy Act 1953 was enacted to address the regulation and control of atomic energy within Australia, particularly focusing on the ownership, discovery, and use of prescribed substances such as uranium and thorium. This Act was passed by the Australian Parliament and it vested ownership of certain nuclear materials in the Commonwealth, while also establishing a framework for reporting discoveries of such substances, obtaining information related to them, and authorising operations related to their mining and rehabilitation. The Act sought to ensure that the development and use of atomic energy were conducted in a controlled and regulated manner, with specific provisions for the management of the Ranger Project Area in the Northern Territory.

Scope and Application

The Atomic Energy Act 1953 (Cth) applies to persons or entities engaged in mining or rehabilitation activities related to atomic energy substances within the Ranger Project Area in the Northern Territory, Australia. The Act grants the Minister the authority to issue mining and rehabilitation permits to individuals or joint ventures for the extraction, processing, and rehabilitation of atomic energy substances, subject to specified conditions and restrictions. These permits can be varied or revoked based on compliance and other factors, and must adhere to agreements with relevant land councils. The Act also includes provisions for the vesting of substances in the Commonwealth, reporting requirements, and compensation for acquisitions and damages. Its jurisdiction is limited to the Ranger Project Area, and it does not apply to actions covered by other Commonwealth agreements. The Act is subject to amendment through subordinate legislation and may be excluded or limited by concurrent state and territory laws.

Key Provisions

  • The Atomic Energy Act 1953, as amended, regulates the use of atomic energy within Australia, particularly focusing on the mining and rehabilitation of prescribed substances, such as uranium, in the Ranger Project Area in the Northern Territory. The Act allows the Minister to confer authorities for mining and rehabilitation operations on specified persons or entities, subject to certain conditions and requirements. These authorities must be exercised in accordance with agreements with relevant Land Councils and must comply with Commonwealth obligations under specific agreements. The Act also imposes obligations on authorised persons, such as compliance with the conditions of their authority, and failure to comply can result in penalties. Offences related to breaches of conditions or unauthorised entry on land carry specific penalties, and the Commonwealth is liable for compensation in certain cases, such as the acquisition of property without just terms. The Act's provisions are designed to ensure that atomic energy activities are conducted safely, responsibly, and in compliance with legal and environmental standards.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Environmental Law
Property Law
Instrument
Act
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Commencement Provisions
Offence Provisions
Regulatory Standards
Reporting & Disclosure Obligations
Compliance Obligations
Rehabilitation Requirements

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.