ANSTO
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is Australia's national nuclear research and development agency, established in 1987 to replace the Australian Atomic Energy Commission. It is a statutory body under the Australian Government, operating under the Department of Indust
Key Stats
100/100
ANSTO
Country: Australia Fleet Size: 1 reactor(s) in platform database Total Tracked Capacity: —
Overview
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is Australia's national nuclear research and development agency, established in 1987 to replace the Australian Atomic Energy Commission. It is a statutory body under the Australian Government, operating under the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, with a focus on civilian nuclear science and technology applications. ANSTO plays a critical role in Australia's nuclear industry by managing the country's only nuclear research reactors, producing radioisotopes for medical and industrial use, and conducting research in areas such as environmental science and materials engineering. Globally, ANSTO is recognized for its contributions to nuclear medicine and its operation of the OPAL (Open Pool Australian Lightwater) reactor, a key facility for research and isotope production.
Recent Developments
In the past 12-24 months, ANSTO has continued to advance its nuclear medicine capabilities, with ongoing production of molybdenum-99 at the OPAL reactor to meet domestic and international demand for medical isotopes. Additionally, ANSTO has been involved in collaborative research projects, including partnerships with international organizations to address nuclear waste management and environmental monitoring, as highlighted in their 2022-2023 annual reports. The organization also received government funding commitments in 2023 to support infrastructure upgrades at its Lucas Heights facility, ensuring the long-term sustainability of its research operations.
Reactor Fleet (Platform Database)
| Reactor | Country | Type | Capacity (MWe) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIFAR (High-flux Australian Reactor) | Australia | Heavy water | — | SHUTDOWN_PERMANENT |
Sources
- Official Website — Official organization website
- IAEA Reactor Database — IAEA Power Reactor Information System
- World Nuclear Association — WNA nuclear industry reference
Enriched by Grok · Second Atomic Age Nuclear Wiki · 2026-05-10
Sources (1)
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