Australia has a rich and long history in the nuclear science and technology sector. Nuclear medicine involves the use of radioactive substances and molecular imaging equipment to diagnose and treat diseases and is an ever-growing field around the globe. In fact, it is estimated that one in two Australians will require a nuclear medicine procedure during their lifetime. Progress by Australian scientists during the 21st century in radioisotope production, radiochemistry methodology, and radiotracer development for applications in nuclear medicine is reviewed. These developments will allow facile access to the next generation of nuclear medicines for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

澳大利亚在核科学技术领域拥有悠久的历史。核医学涉及使用放射性物质和分子成像设备来诊断和治疗疾病，并且它在全球范围内正在不断发展。实际上，据估计，每两个澳大利亚人中就有一个在其一生中需要进行核医学程序。回顾了21世纪澳大利亚科学家在放射性同位素生产，放射化学方法学和放射性示踪剂在核医学中的应用方面的进展。这些发展将使人们可以方便地获得用于诊断和治疗目的的下一代核医学。