Australian Safeguards & Non-Proliferation Office
50 years
of safeguarding Australia’s nuclear activities

Our vision is to

enhance Australia’s domestic and international security.

 

We do this through:

Icon of map of Australia Upholding Australia’s international non-proliferation commitments through robust domestic regulation.
Icon of map of Australia Supporting regional non-proliferation implementation.
Icon of map of Australia Shaping and strengthening the global non-proliferation and disarmament verification mechanisms.

Celebrating 50 Years of ASNO

A message from Dr Geoffrey Shaw - Director General

Return to main ASNO website for more detailed information on our responsibilities, policies and activities, plus access to our permit-holder forms.

DFAT ASNO website

50 years of commitment to non-proliferation
1974 – 2024
ASNO’s value and sense of purpose is driven from its core role of as an Australian regulator who’s legislation is driven by Australia’s international treaty obligations aimed at making the world more secure. Scroll the timeline below to explore our history.
1953
15 April 1953

Atomic Energy Act establishes the Australian Atomic Energy Commission.

1956
22 June 1956

Agreement for Cooperation between the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Government of the United States of America concerning the Civil Uses of Atomic Energy is the first nuclear cooperation agreement that was signed by Australia.

1957
29 July 1957

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is established. Australia has been deeply involved with the agency since its inception. The first IAEA Inspector-General (equivalent to Deputy Director-General IAEA) was an Australian, Allan McKnight, working as Inspector-General IAEA from 1964-68.

Allan McKnight
1958
26 June 1958

Australia's first research reactor, HIFAR, goes critical.

1958 - Australia’s first research reactor, HIFAR goes critical
1966
15 December 1966

Australia’s first International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards agreement covering the HIFAR reactor enters into force.

1970
27 February 1970

Australia signs the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

1970-Australia signs the Non-Proliferation Treaty
1973
23 January 1973

Australia ratifies the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

1974
10 July 1974

Australian Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA) with the IAEA for the application of safeguards enters into force. 

The Australian Safeguards Office (ASO) is established to implement the CSA.

ASO Logo from 1974
1977
24 May 1977

Australia's uranium export policy is introduced to ensure that Australian uranium exports remain exclusively for peaceful use. This is managed under Australia’s bilateral nuclear cooperation agreements.

1979
1979

ASO Officer is appointed to the Standing Advisory Group on Safeguards Implementation (SAGSI), a position we have continued to this day. SAGSI provides advice directly to Director-General IAEA.

1980
1980

The Australian Safeguards Support Program is established with the IAEA. This program, managed by the Australian Safeguards Office, was one of the first IAEA support programs.

1984
22 February 1984

Australia signs the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material.

1986
9 to 27 June 1986

The first Australian and IAEA co-hosted regional nuclear safeguards training course. Participants included: Indonesia, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, China, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

11 December 1986

The South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Rarotonga) enters into force. 

1986-South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty
1987
31 March 1987

Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 is enacted. This provides the legislative basis for the Australian Safeguards Office functions. Establishes the position of Director of Safeguards as an independent statutory officer.

13 September 1987

Frank Betts is appointed first Director of Safeguards by Governor-General Ninian Stephen.

22 September 1987

Australia ratifies the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material.

1988
May 1998

ASO becomes part of the new Primary Industries and Energy portfolio.

1989
29 May 1989

John Carlson is appointed Director of Safeguards by Governor-General Bill Hayden.

1989-John Carlson appointed as Director of Safeguards
1990
February 1990

Australian Safeguards Office relocates from Sydney to Canberra.

1993
1993

The "Program 93+2" to strengthen safeguards is initiated by the IAEA and its Member States. The ASO leads Australia's efforts both in negotiating and testing technologies and is instrumental in culminating the Additional Protocol.

13 January 1993

Chemical Weapons Convention signed by Australia.

1993-Chemical Weapons Convention signed by Australia
1994
6 May 1994

Australia ratifies the Chemical Weapons Convention.

June 1994

The Australian Safeguards Office is transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

1994-Australia ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention
1995
July 1995

Establishment of the Chemical Weapons Convention Office within the Australian Safeguards Office.

1996
7 September 1996

Australia signs the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. 

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Office is established within the Australian Safeguards Office.

Australia signs the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

 

1997
29 April 1997

Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force for Australia, ASNO is responsible for national implementation.

12 December 1997

Australia is the first country to sign and bring into force an International Atomic Energy Agency Additional Protocol agreement that strengthens safeguards.

1998
31 August 1998

Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO) is established, combining the Australian Safeguards Office, Chemical Weapons Convention Office and Australian Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Office. 

John Carlson appointed Director General ASNO by Governor-General William Deane.

December 1998

The first complementary access inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency is held in Australia. This was closely followed by the first such IAEA inspection at a uranium mine.

The first ever complimentary access inspection by the IAEA is held in Australia
2000
June 2000

Australia is the first state to obtain the International Atomic Energy Agency’s highest level Broader Conclusion for safeguards compliance which declares that ‘all nuclear material remain in peaceful activities’– a status we have retained every year since. 

2003
12 December 2003

Australia passes the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Legislation Amendment Act 2003 formalising the Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office.

2006
12 August 2006

Australia's current research reactor, OPAL, begins operation at Lucas Heights.

2006-Open-pool Australian lightwater reactor begins operation
2007
30 January 2007

Permanent shut down of HIFAR.

2008
17 July 2008

Australia ratifies the Amended Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material.

2009
April 2009

The Asia-Pacific Safeguards Network (APSN) is established. ASNO was the first chair of APSN.

2009-Establishment of Asia-Pacific Safeguards Network
2010
29 November 2010

Robert Floyd is appointed Director General ASNO by Governor-General Quentin Bryce.

Robert Floyd
2012
January 2012

Australia ranks #1 in the first release of the Nuclear Security Index, published by the Nuclear Threat Initiative.

ASNO joins the International Atomic Energy Agency’s newly established Nuclear Security Guidance Committee to oversee production and updating of nuclear security guidance documents for member states. ASNO continues to be a major contributor to this work.

2014
2014

Australia, via ASNO, joins the International Partnership for Nuclear Disarmament Verification (IPNDV) and has been an active contributor since its inception in 2014.

2015-Australia joins International Partnership for Nuclear Disarmament Verification
2016
8 May 2016

The Amended Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material enters into force.

2016-Amendment to Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material
2018
19 November 2018

Australia completes installation of all of Australia’s CTBT International Monitoring Station facilities. These stations are instrumental in detecting North Korea’s nuclear weapons testing progress.

2018-Australia completes installation of Australia’s CTBT International Monitoring Station facilities
2021
21 September 2021

Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States announce AUKUS Pillar 1. This was a decision that supported Australia in acquiring conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

9 December 2021

Dr Geoffrey Shaw appointed Director General ASNO by Governor-General David Hurley.

Dr Geoffry Shaw is appointed as the new Director General of ASNO
2023
March 2023

AUKUS announces the optimal pathway for Australia's acquisition of a conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarine capability.

May 2023

ASNO is leading negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency on safeguards arrangements under Australia's CSA for Australia's nuclear-powered submarine program.

7 July 2023

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons announces 100% of chemical weapons stockpiles declared by possessor states have been destroyed under the organisation's verification.

2023-100% of chemical weapons stockpiles declared by possessor states have been destroyed
2024
15 June 2024

ASNO launches Verify, a program focusing on strengthening International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards and building Australian capabilities to support Australia's acquisition of nuclear powered submarines.

10 July 2024

Celebrating 50 years of safeguarding Australia's nuclear activities! 

ASNO continues to work with regional partners on non-proliferation treaty implementation.