The ship, which came into service in 2021, was refused permission to sail beneath the Tasman Bridge to reach its refueling station, which means it has to travel 674 km away by sea to Burnie.
Australia's Antarctic Division is working with the Tasmanian government on long-term Hobart-based refuelling options.
Australia's half-billion dollar icebreaker is based in Hobart, but will need to sail to the other end of Tasmania to refuel, due to its not being allowed under a bridge in its home port.
The AAD said the division had received advice from TasPorts that the RSV Nuyina was not allowed under the Tasman Bridge to refuel at Selfs Point in Hobart.
RSVNuyina will be refueling in Burnie for the upcoming summer season. The failure comes despite conditional permission being granted by TasPorts in February 2022 for the vessel to transit the Tasman Bridge, following extensive and diligent risk assessments.
Tasmanian Harbour Master Michael Wall said last week that the final decision, made in recent weeks after repeated testing, required to confirm that conditional approval, showed the risk to the bridge was too great.
Even though the vessel was perfectly designed as an icebreaker, it came with a high degree of side-slip presenting challenges in this context.
However, Wall said, during dynamic turns as would be required upon returning south after refuelling at Selfs point, the Nuyina's high drift angle combined with the narrow confines of the Tasman Bridge aperture put the vessel outside the minimum limits for safe transit through the bridge.
He added that the safety of the bridge was crucial with TasPorts unprepared to risk a repeat of the SS Lake Illawarra crash of 1975, which resulted in a bridge collapse and the loss of 12 lives.
And to engage that only a matter of four or five or maybe six times per year would be a highly risky manoeuvre, and not something we're prepared to do. At the situation, Mr. Wall said, this was a permanent decision.
The AAD said it was working with the Tasmanian Government to develop long-term Hobart-based refuelling options, which it said would add an additional four days each time it is required and that shipping had been adjusted to accommodate this Another hit to AAD bottom line.
Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said that the news is another embarrassment for the embattled icebreaker, which has faced repeated challenges since its commissioning.
Refuelling the RSV Nuyina hundreds of kilometres away from the port originally earmarked to service the vessel will not only have environmental repercussions but presumably will also mean financial cost-savings will have to be found elsewhere in the AAD's operating budget, Whish-Wilson said.
In July, it was revealed that the AAD would have to find $25 million in savings from its annual budget.
The Senate will investigate the Antarctic Division's funding in the future, a senate inquiry will be held later this year.
Mr Whish-Wilson, who was part of the push for the inquiry, said this news risked undermining our Antarctic Division's reputation and raised questions over our competence in meeting Australia's critical obligations under the Antarctic Treaty.
The ship, renowned as a Disneyland for scientists, experienced engine trouble before first arriving in Hobart in October 2021.
The maiden voyage was also delayed due to an issue with its alarm and monitor system.
Most recently, the aircraft spent extended time undergoing repairs in Singapore, only returning to Hobart in April.