THE Rudd Government has ruled out accepting nuclear waste from other countries following reports Cabinet will review Australia's involvement in an international nuclear forum.

A Cabinet paper is being prepared for Resources Minister Martin Ferguson and Industry Minister Kim Carr on Australia's ongoing role in the US-led Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP), it has been reported.

The former Howard government signed Australia up to the GNEP in September last year. It also started pursuing membership of the 13-member Generation IV International Forum (GIF).

Both forums aim to expand the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, including enhanced safeguards and advanced technologies.

Environment groups say continuing involvement could lead to a nuclear waste dump being established in Australia.

"Given the Labor Government is now considering participation in these international nuclear forums it can only mean that both a nuclear enrichment industry and a longer-term nuclear waste dump are still on the table for Australia,'' Wilderness Society executive director Alec Marr said.

But a spokesman for Mr Ferguson said such claims were wide of the mark.

"The Government categorically rules out accepting any waste from any other country and categorically rules out any enrichment program in Australia,'' the spokesman said.

But asked if Australia was planning to keep participating in the GNEP he said: "I'm not sure."

A spokeswoman for Mr Carr said the industry minister would not comment on matters "before Cabinet''.

Australia has continued to participate in GNEP meetings since Labor won power in last November's election.

Mr Marr said it was "astounding'' the Rudd Government had refused to distance itself from Mr Howard's nuclear legacy, given the ALP was so critical of the forums when in opposition.

In September, Labor said the Howard government's plan to join GNEP could force Australia to establish uranium enrichment plants and accept the world's nuclear waste.

"The prime minister (John Howard) should be focused on lining up a global climate change solution at APEC, instead of turning Australia into a global radioactive dump,'' then opposition environment spokesman Peter Garrett said.