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Australia’s Open Pool Australian Lightwater (OPAL) reactor is a state-of-the-art 20 megawatt multi-purpose reactor that uses low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel to achieve a range of  activities to benefit human health, enable research to support a more sustainable environment and provide innovative solutions for industry.

Frequently asked questions about ANSTO for the community.

ANSTO's OPAL reactor is one of the world's most advanced and reliable research reactors today. To ensure we can continue operating OPAL safely and reliably and maximise utilisation, ANSTO must regularly carry out maintenance and upgrades.

The OPAL research reactor's design and integrated safety features mean it is extremely safe; a fact confirmed by independent analysis.

This week marks 20 years since ANSTO’s OPAL multi-purpose reactor first achieved criticality - a defining moment for Australian nuclear science and the beginning of two decades of discoveries, medical advances and industrial innovation delivered from ANSTO’s Lucas Heights campus.

ANSTO’s OPAL multi-purpose research reactor at Lucas Heights has officially returned to power and recommenced operations, following a months-long planned shutdown to carry out essential maintenance and upgrades.

ANSTO is an experienced provider of Teacher Professional Development for Australian and International teachers and our courses cover a wide range of topics. Hear from expert speakers, receive new education resources, and develop lessons for your own class.

Australia has one multi-purpose nuclear reactor, the Open Pool Light Water Reactor (OPAL) and it is not used to generate ‘nuclear power’.

Discover the amazing world of nuclear science from your classroom. Join us for Meet an Expert, Nuclear Science Inquiry Skills, Junior Science, and Online Depth Study sessions for Chemistry, Physics and Investigating Science.

This National Science Week, we're acknowledging the 2026 theme, “Seeds of Science: Nurturing knowledge for all” by celebrating the ideas, facilities and people that help scientific knowledge flourish with a series of activities.

INVAP, the Argentinian advanced nuclear technology company, who designed and constructed the Open Pool Lightwater Reactor (OPAL) for ANSTO to replace the HIFAR reactor is celebrating 50 years of operations with the visit of a group of INVAP executives to ANSTO to celebrate their achievements and discuss future collaborations.

See details of previously published customer updates from our Health products team. 

In April 15, 1953, Australia entered the nuclear science arena, when the Atomic Energy Act came into effect. The Australian Atomic Energy Commission (AAEC) followed and in 1987 the AAEC evolved into the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) as it’s known today.

ANSTO recently re-started the OPAL Reactor after a six-month shutdown for essential maintenance and the installation of an upgraded facility.