The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is a statutory body of the Australian Government that is responsible for nuclear research and the production of radioisotopes for nuclear medicine. It operates a number of advanced research instruments, including the OPAL reactor and ANTARES particle accelerator. ANSTO's headquarters and main research facilities are on the southern outskirts of Sydney in Lucas Heights, Sutherland Shire.
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History
ANSTO was established in April 1987 to replace the former Australian Atomic Energy Commission, 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.
As of December 2025, 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:
OPAL research reactor
Centre for Accelerator Science
Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering
Cyclotron facility
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.