On 18^th September 2026, the Australian Government initiated a public consultation aimed at updating the national Australian Radioactive Waste Management Framework.

The process is to be overseen by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and the Australian Radioactive Waste Agency (ARWA). The submission period is due to close on 13^th November 2026.

Drivers for the revision include the creation of ARWA, the AUKUS defense agreement and the abandonment of previously shortlisted national waste facility sites such as Kimba in South Australia which attracted concerted community opposition as well as legal challenges from Indigenous traditional owners.

In relation to the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine agreement, Australia is committed to managing and disposing of all radioactive waste generated by the submarines domestically.

Hence AUKUS necessitates the storage of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) which demands long-term security and costly, specialised below-ground storage facilities.

The recent AUKUS public inquiry report highlighted the lack of a designated domestic disposal site or a proven permanent repository model for AUKUS-generated HLW.

The report also emphasised that the projected cost of the AUKUS agreement, initially estimated at $368 billion, carries substantial unbudgeted financial and environmental burdens tied to nuclear waste burial and stewardship.

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources expects to release the final updated framework in early 2027.

How to have your say

Notes

Nick Deane, Submission to the Australian Radioactive Waste Management Framework Consultation, Nov 6, 2026.

AUKUS Public Inquiry Report – The Commissioners’ Report of the AUKUS Public Inquiry is now available:

• Read the report
• Download fast facts
• Watch the launch.