Industrial radiography Possession Licence

The possession of radiation sources is regulated under the Radiation Safety Act 1999 to minimise the risks associated with radiation.

Industrial radiography sources include:

  • laser and ionising radiation equipment
  • sealed radioactive substances.
Know which form you need?

This page contains the following Industrial radiography Possession Licence application form:

Who needs this licence?

You will need a Possession Licence if you seek have the overall ownership and control of an industrial radiography source. This licence is needed before a radiation practice can be carried out, including acquiring or using a radiation source.

You can apply for a Possession Licence as a corporation or as an individual.

Industrial radiography businesses commonly possess radiation sources for purposes, which include:

  • industrial radiography
  • measurement of density of timber structures
  • pipeline radiography
  • tracking and control of pipeline crawler X-ray equipment
  • inspection of objects
  • inspection of pipes or vessels

Industrial radiography businesses will need:

  • Business licences—a person needs to hold a Possession Licence for the radiation source to take overall ownership and control of it
  • Radiation source approvals—each time before radiation equipment can be purchased or otherwise obtained, the Possession Licensee will need to apply for an Approval to Acquire the radiation source. This is to ensure proper safety measures are in place and to ensure all radiation sources are accounted for.
  • Individual licences—a person who performs industrial radiography needs to hold a Use Licence that allows them to use the radiation equipment for the radiography purpose.

Responsibilities of a Possession Licensee

As part of your responsibilities as the Possession Licensee you need to:

  • Have an approved Radiation Safety and Protection Plan (Plan) that describes what the radiation practice is, the associated risks, how risks will be managed and how safety measures will continue to remain effective. The plan needs to be readily available for all staff.
  • Apply for an Approval to Acquire every time you seek to purchase or otherwise obtain new radiation equipment or substances.
  • Appoint a Radiation Safety Officer for the radiation practice.
  • Use the services of an Equipment and Premises Compliance Tester to assess radiation equipment and premises for compliance with safety standards (at required intervals).
  • Specify which licensees can use the radiation source (or transport radioactive substances where applicable).

Additional responsibilities for security enhanced sources:

  • Have an approved Security Plan for security enhanced radioactive substances and a nominated person to oversee the operation of the plan (if applicable).
  • Have an approved Transport Security Plan for security enhanced radioactive substances and a nominated person to oversee the operation of the plan (if applicable).

You are required to comply with Radiation Safety Act 1999.

Relevant radiation protection codes and documents:

Manage industrial radiography premises

As a Possession Licensee, you will need to ensure that the premises where radiation sources are used or stored are compliant with the relevant safety standards. These standards set out the minimum radiation facility safety requirements as part of the health and safety requirements of the Radiation Safety Act 1999.

Compliance assessment of radiation sources and premises

Use the services of an Accredited Person (Equipment and Premises Compliance Tester) to assess if your radiation sources and premises are compliant with the relevant safety standards. Reassessment needs to occur periodically to verify continued compliance with the safety standards as per the legislation and your Plan.

You can search the public register for a list of individuals who are able to assess if your radiation source and premises comply with the relevant safety standard.

Apply for an industrial radiography Possession Licence

Application for a licence to possess a radiation source (PDF 924 kB)

Use this form if you seek to have the overall ownership and control of an industrial radiography source.

You can apply for a licence to possess radiation equipment for industrial radiography purposes as a corporation or an individual.

Your application needs to include:

You will also need to attach a Security Plan if you apply for a licence to possess a security-enhanced source. Contact Radiation Health for more guidance on the application process if you seek this licence.

Licence duration

A Possession Licence can be for 1, 2 or 3 years.

Renewal applications can be made 60 days before your licence expires. You will be sent a reminder and renewal application form before your licence expires.

Fees

You will need to pay a licence fee. If you do not hold a current licence you will also need to pay an application fee.

If you currently possess a radiation source, you will need to apply and pay an additional fee for each source. This is particularly relevant if you are a licence holder from another jurisdiction moving your radiation sources into Queensland. You will need to formally acquire your sources via Queensland's legislated processes.

See Schedule of fees to determine the fee you will need to pay. Your form will only be considered a complete application once payment has been made.

Last updated: 21 November 2023