Work has started on the first stage of decommissioning HIFAR, Australia's first nuclear reactor, which shut down in 2007 after nearly 50 years in operation.

With a new poll showing that the majority of West Australians support lifting the state's ban on uranium mining, Australia's national mining association is calling on the state's Labor Party to let voters know if it would consider overturning the ban if it retains power in the upcoming general election.

The Australian opposition says newly released economic analysis shows its plan for a balanced energy mix that includes nuclear will be cheaper, cleaner, and more consistent than the renewables-only approach favoured by the current government.

The draft of the annual GenCost report which has been opened for public comment says nuclear technology has no unique cost advantage over other energy technologies despite the long operational life of nuclear plants.

Australia's only nuclear reactor - the OPAL multi-purpose research reactor - has officially returned to power and recommenced operations, following a months-long planned shutdown to carry out essential maintenance and upgrades including a complex operation to replace the unit's cold neutron source (CNS).

Energy Resources of Australia Limited says it is disappointed with the Northern Territory Government's decision not to renew the mineral lease for the Jabiluka high-grade uranium deposit. Any decision about the future use of the site now rests with the Federal Government, in consultation with key stakeholders.

A new report from the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering says the lowest-risk option would be to wait until a mature market for the technology has emerged in the 2040s before introducing small modular reactors into Australia's low-carbon energy mix. But Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton says the first Australian units could be in operation before the end of the 2030s.

Boss Energy is set to make its first delivery of uranium since restarting the project in South Australia after a decade under care-and-maintenance.

Leaders of the Australian opposition have confirmed that a future Australian Federal Coalition Government would introduce nuclear energy in the country, and announced seven locations where plants could be built.