Fact sheet 129 – British nuclear tests at Maralinga

Between 1952 and 1963 the British government, with the agreement and support of Australia, carried out nuclear tests at three sites in Australia – the Monte Bello Islands off the coast of Western Australian and at Emu Field and Maralinga in South Australia. An official history of the tests (JL Symonds, A History of British Atomic Tests in Australia, AGPS, Canberra) was published by the Department of Resources and Energy in 1985.

Maralinga was developed as the permanent proving ground site, following a request of the British in 1954 and, after its completion in 1956, was the location of all trials conducted in Australia. It was developed as a joint facility with a shared funding arrangement. Following the two major trials (Operation Buffalo in 1956 and Operation Antler in 1957), a number of minor trials, assessment tests and experimental programs (dating from 1959) were held at the range until 1963. Maralinga was officially closed following a clean-up operation (Operation Brumby) in 1967.

Records relating to Maralinga

Information about Maralinga is located in records created by a number of Commonwealth agencies. This information covers matters such as personnel who served in the area, security arrangements for the site, and technical and survey information (including meteorological reports).
Canberra
SeriesIdentification cards of employees at the Maralinga atomic test site1955–67A6242 
SeriesMaralinga Meteorological Journal1955–65AP879/10 
Sydney
SeriesOriginal plans (negatives), (Defence and Weapons Research)1940–61D1421 
SeriesCorrespondence files (Peace Officer Guard, Parafield)1942–56D2569 
SeriesIndex and reference cards to surveys1942–78D4461 
SeriesCorrespondence files (Long Range Weapon Establishment, Salisbury)1947–ongoingD174 
SeriesMaralinga policy and administrative records1947–83D4996 
SeriesMaralinga reports, alphabetical series1949–60D1767 
SeriesDrawings and maps relating to the Maralinga area1951–69D2118 
SeriesCatalogue of drawings and maps relating to the Maralinga area1954–83D2117 
SeriesMaralinga Project Drawing Register1954–55D4669 
SeriesCopies of drawings and maps relating to the Maralinga area submitted to the Royal Commission1955–69D4776 
SeriesComputation books of Maralinga surveys1957–78D5275 
Photographic records, Sydney
SeriesAerial photographs1955–69D4632 
SeriesAerial photographs1955–69D4633 
SeriesMaralinga photographs1956D1826 
Melbourne
SeriesMiscellaneous records relating mainly to atomic and long range weapons testing1929–69M3881 
Photographic records, Adelaide
SeriesPhotographs, films, drawings & glass negatives – Maralinga area1953–61D1768 

The Royal Commission into British Nuclear Tests in Australia

In response to growing concerns about the safety standards observed during the conduct of the nuclear trials, especially with regard to measures taken to protect people from the exposure to ionising radiation, and the disposal of radioactive substances and toxic materials, the Australian government established a Royal Commission in 1984 to inquire into these aspects of the tests. The Royal Commission into British Nuclear Tests in Australia during the 1950s and 1960s (CA 3993) gave considerable attention to the tests conducted in the Maralinga area. Many of the records of the Royal Commission are publicly available and may be examined in the Archives' Canberra reading room. The table below lists most significant records.
Collection references
SeriesTranscripts of proceedings1984–85A6448 
SeriesStatements received from United Kingdom witnesses1985A6449 
SeriesStatements received from Australian witnesses1984–85A6450 
SeriesAtomic Weapons Research Establishment Reports; 'Z' series1984–85A6454 
SeriesExhibits tendered before the Commission1984–85A6455 
SeriesOriginal agency records transferred to the Commission; 'R' series1984–85A6456 
SeriesPhotographs relating to atomic tests1985A6457 
SeriesMaps of atomic test sites1985A6458 
SeriesFinal report1985A6460 
SeriesComputer printout – list of exhibits1985A6470 
SeriesComputer printout – alphabetical index to witnesses1984–85A6471 
SeriesComputer printout – numerical list of items, 'R' series1984–85A6472 
SeriesComputer printout – numerical list of photographs1985A6479 
SeriesComputer printout – numerical list of maps1985A6480 
SeriesComputer printout – chronological list of newspaper articles of relevance to the Commission1985A6482 
SeriesComputer printout – keyword index to transcripts1984–85A6483 
SeriesResearch team bibliography1984–85A6584 

Item lists for the series included above are available in the Canberra reading room. Use these to identify individual items that you wish to read.

Records relating to Aboriginal peoples of the Maralinga area

The Archives' guide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in Commonwealth Records: A Guide to Records in the Australian Archives, ACT Regional Office (compiled by Ros Fraser, AGPS, Canberra, 1993, 478pp) includes references to records within the series listed above which relate specifically to the Aboriginal peoples of the Maralinga area and the effects of the testing on their lives. Check the term 'Maralinga' in the guide index to identify individual items.

For more information

You can obtain more information about the record series listed above (and the items within the series) from RecordSearch, the Archives database. Follow the links in the series lists to go directly to information on that series. You can also use RecordSearch to find out about the agencies that created the records and to locate more records on your subject. You might also explore PhotoSearch to find out if there are photos pertaining to your subject.

RecordSearch and PhotoSearch are available online or in all Archives reading rooms. Reference staff are available in the reading rooms to help you, or email ref@naa.gov.au.

Comments or other feedback can be sent to archives@naa.gov.au

updated August 2001