As from 1 July 1972, the Commonwealth X-ray and Radium
Laboratory (CA 2467) was known as the Commonwealth Radiation
Laboratory, a name considered more appropriate to its existing
functions. The laboratory offers advisory services in the physical
aspects of medical radiology including radiotherapy, and the physical
and chemical aspects of nuclear medicine. It also maintains standards
for the precise measurement of ionising radiations, and of radio-
active substances; procures and distributes all radiopharmaceuticals
used in Australia for diagnostic investigations and treatment of
patients; maintains a surveillance of levels of radioactivity in the
Australian environment and provides a consultative service on the
protection of people against ionising radiations, laser radiation and
microwave radiation.  
The central procurement function for the purchase and distribution of
radio-pharmaceuticals will cease on 31 December 1977.
 
The agencies activities include a film badge service which issues
film badges to people working with ionising radiation to permit
assessment of the doses of radiation received by them in their work.
The agency also produces radon from radium, gives advice on the
planning of X-ray departments particularly for hospitals in the
Australian Territories, acts as the agent for the C.S.I.R.O. under
the Weights and Measures (National Standards) Act to maintain
national standards for the measurements of X-rays and of radio
nuclides, and in December 1973 the Fall-Out Studies Unit
[Environmental Radiation Service] was
transferred from the Department of Science to the Department of
Health and was integrated with the laboratory.
 
In 1973, the Commonwealth Radiation Laboratory became known as the
Australian Radiation Laboratory.
 
Correspondence was addressed to 36 Lonsdale St Melbourne, but the
laboratories occupied a total of seven buildings - four in Lonsdale
St and buildings in Spring St, the Melbourne University, and at
Maribyrnong. In 1978 the laboratory moved to Yallambie.
 
In February 1999, the Australian Radiation Laboratory merged with the
Nuclear Safety Bureau in Sydney and became known as the Australian
Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.
 
Sources:
Director-General of Health, Annual Report for the Year 1971-1972,
p.90-92.
Director General of Health, Annual Report for Year 1973-1974, p. 86-
90.
Historical agency address
36 Lonsdale Street,
Melbourne

Previous agency unregistered

1973: Fall-Out Studies
Unit, Department of Science

Primary description

Agency links