ANSTO

03/09/2026

For over two decades, the OPAL multi-purpose reactor has supported the safe and secure production of more than 10 million doses of nuclear medicine used in the diagnosis and treatment of a range of medical conditions and diseases.

At OPAL, crucial radioisotopes are produced, then processed at ANSTO’s manufacturing facilities. Each week, these medicines are delivered to more than 250 hospitals and medical clinics across the country.

In this video, our nuclear medicine supply chain manager explains how it is estimated every Australian is likely to benefit from nuclear medicine and on average will require at least two nuclear medicine procedures in their lifetime.

02/09/2026

🐨 Welcome home, Gumnut! 🌿

After being rescued from a nearby road following a close call with vehicles, Gumnut was safely released into bushland around ANSTO today.

With koalas moving more frequently during breeding season, Gumnut’s story is a timely reminder to slow down and keep watch on roads near bushland, particularly around dawn and dusk.

Protecting koalas takes a community. ANSTO is proud to work alongside WIRES, Sutherland Shire Council and NSW Government Environment and Heritage to support koala conservation, habitat connectivity and the safe movement of wildlife through our local area.

You can help by reducing your speed, keeping pets secure and reporting sightings through the NSW Government’s I Spy Koala app via the link in our comments.

Here’s to safer journeys for Gumnut and the other koalas sharing our neighbourhood. 💚

31/08/2026

26/08/2026

Bringing science to students across Australia!

The NBN Future Ready Roadshow will visit 20 locations during the remainder of 2026, giving children in rural and regional communities access to ANSTO’s engaging science education resources, wherever they live.

Students will explore the OPAL multipurpose reactor through ANSTO’s immersive VR experience, handle real element samples, and discover the periodic table using augmented reality.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to partner with NBN Co. to spark curiosity and bring world-class science experiences to young learners in regional Australia.

25/08/2026

As OPAL, Australia’s only operating multi-purpose reactor, celebrates twenty years of operations, another milestone has been achieved.

Over 900 tonnes of Neutron Transmutation Doped (NTD) silicon, a critical material enabling greener technologies, have been irradiated at OPAL.

In fact, ANSTO is now the world’s largest irradiator of silicon, a highly specialised material used in high-performance semiconductors, the ‘control centres’ of modern energy systems.

See how NTD silicon is supporting cleaner technologies, decarbonisation and net zero goals.

21/08/2026

School holiday bookings are now open!

Join us at ANSTO these spring school holidays for hands-on STEM workshops and guided science tours designed to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.

Perfect for curious kids and teens who love to learn, create, and explore.

⚠️ Places are limited, so book early to avoid missing out!

Check-out Workshops and tours available through the link in the comments.

19/08/2026

That's a Wrap on Deaf Youth Science Camp 2026!

Over four incredible days, 18 Deaf and hard-of-hearing young people from across Australia came together at ANSTO's Deaf Youth Science Camp (DYSC) for an immersive STEM adventure filled with discovery, learning, and inspiration.

Hosted by Deaf Youth Australia and ANSTO, and supported by National Science Week, the camp combined hands-on science activities, exciting excursions, and opportunities to learn from Deaf and hard-of-hearing STEM professionals.

Participants explored dinosaur fossils, toured the OPAL research reactor, launched rockets, learnt about the science of fire and flood emergencies, visited the University of Wollongong Science Centre and the Museum of Illusions, and took part in workshops focused on personal wellbeing and leadership.

The camp concluded with an inspiring community Q&A panel featuring Deaf professionals who shared their career journeys, challenges, and achievements, showing participants the many pathways available in STEM.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this year's camp such a memorable experience. We hope every participant leaves with new knowledge, new friendships, and the confidence to pursue their passions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

18/08/2026

Before computer-aided design, the future was drawn by hand.

Photographed by Max Dupain circa 1960s during the Australian Atomic Energy Commission era, this image captures a drafting office at Lucas Heights in Sydney.

Across rows of angled drawing boards, detailed plans were created one line at a time. Nearby filing cabinets held the blueprints and drawings used to turn scientific ideas into working facilities.

The tools have changed dramatically since then, but the expertise behind them continues at ANSTO today, supporting the specialised nuclear science facilities and capabilities that deliver benefits for Australia.

Every facility begins as an idea. Here, those ideas were taking shape on paper.

18/08/2026

As part of our Science Week celebrations, we’re excited to reveal the winners of ANSTO’s 2026 Think Science! Competition in the secondary school categories.

Thank you to all the students and teachers who contributed to this year’s competition. The secondary school categories showcased an impressive range of scientific thinking, creativity and curiosity, with 75 amazing video entries submitted by 23 secondary schools across Australia and featuring almost 250 student scientists. With so many thoughtful investigations to consider, it was a formidable task for our judges to select this year’s winners.

The winning Year 7-8 entries are:

1st place- Wood Density vs Flash Point by Marcus, Christian and Ka**ke Acharige (Sadew) from Narooma High School NSW

2nd place – Does conflicting information affect time of human cognitive processing ability? by Tanner, Jaren, Lincoln and Jack from Grace Lutheran College Qld

3rd place – Bottle Rocket Height and Volume of Water by Jake, Riley, Leroy and Sidney from Narooma High School NSW

The winning Year 9-10 entries are:

1st place- Making Invisible Environmental Damage Visible by Lily and Eleanor from St Andrew’s Cathedral School NSW

2nd place – The Effect of Music Tempo on Visuospatial Working Memory by Ryan, Ethan and Vincent from Knox Grammar School NSW

3rd place – The Photoelectric Effect by Seara, Jason and Ethan from John Monash Science School VIC

Check out the winning videos on our website through the link in the comments.

17/08/2026

In celebration of Science Week, we are thrilled to announce the winners of ANSTO’s Think Science! Competition 2026 in the primary school categories.

Thank you to all the students and teachers involved in this years’ competition. What a wonderful showcase of young scientific talent! This year, 154 amazing video entries were submitted by 32 primary schools across Australia, featuring almost 500 student scientists. With so many creative and thoughtful investigations, it was very challenging for our judges to select this year’s winners.

The winning Years 3-4 entries are:

1st place- Bumps, Blades and Breezes by Cyrus, Hunter and Frankie from Loftus Public School NSW

2nd place – Algae Bloom - Can we stop algae growing by changing the amount of light it is exposed to? by Hudson and Howard from Sunrise Christian School Fullarton SA

3rd place – Which rising agent creates the most height in a baked cake? by Evie and Eden from Essex Heights Primary School VIC

The winning Years 5-6 entries are:

1st place- Cool the School: A Surface Material and Heat Investigation by Ayaan, Eusoph and Imran from Iqra College SA

2nd place – Think Science 2026 Experiment: The Impact of Salt Water on Plant Growth by Archibald and Raphael from Oxford Falls Grammar School NSW

3rd place – Coin Battery - How does the number of cells connected in series affect the voltage produced by a battery? by Joseph, Joel and Julliene from Sunrise Christian School Fullarton SA

Check out all the winning videos on our website through the link in the comments.