Non-liability Health Care Treatment for Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests in Australia
On this page:
Non-Liability Health Care Treatment
Who is Eligible?
How do you apply?
Where do you lodge the registration form?
Where can you find out more?
Commemorative Medallion
Who is Eligible?
How do you apply?
Where do you lodge the registration form?
Where can you find out more?
More information:
Frequently asked questions
Mortality & Cancer Incidence Study
Media Release: additional health support
Clarke Recommendations
The Government has undertaken to revisit recommendations of the Clarke Review of Veterans' Entitlements that were not acted upon by the Howard Government. The Clarke Review made a recommendation that the service of Australian participants in the British Nuclear Tests in Australia be declared 'non-warlike hazardous' service under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986. The Government has called for submissions from the general public on the recommendations being revisited. Submissions close on 1 December 2008. More information can be found here.
The study of Mortality and Cancer Incidence in Australian participants in British nuclear tests in Australia has been finalised and the then Government’s response was released in June 2006.
In response to the study, the Government provides non-liability health care treatment for all cancers, irrespective of causation, for all Australian Military personnel, Australian Public Service employees and third party civilian contractors who participated in the British Nuclear Test Programs in Australia.
Legislation governing this treatment received assent on 30 November 2006, and the Department is now receiving claims. An amendment to extend eligibility to police who patrolled the Maralinga area after the tests (up until 30 June 1988) received assent on 12 June 2008.
The Government also released a Medallion commemorating Australian participation in the British Nuclear Tests in Australia. The Medallion was minted in time for the 50th anniversary of the end of the major tests in October 2007 and recognises the service of those Australians who participated in or provided support to the Program.
Non-Liability Health Care Treatment
Who is Eligible?
British nuclear tests in Australia were conducted at Emu Field and Maralinga in South Australia, and at the Monte Bello Islands off the West Australian coast from 1952 to 1957. Eligibility for non-liability health care treatment has been extended to those persons who were working, or were a visitor, in at least one of these testing areas while tests were conducted or were present in a test area within a 2 year period after the relevant explosion. Those who participated in the minor nuclear test trials conducted between 1953 and 1963 are also eligible.
Eligibility has also now been extended to Commonwealth Police and Australian Federal Police who patrolled the Maralinga nuclear test area up to 30 June 1988. Police who believe they may be eligible are encouraged to lodge a claim before 12 January 2009, as eligible claims lodged within this period will attract reimbursement of cancer treatment costs back to the original date of effect of the legislation on 19 June 2006.
View the Definition of an Australian Participant in the British Nuclear Test Program for the Purposes of Non-liability Health Care Treatment for All Malignant Cancers.
How do you apply?
If you were present at any of the British Nuclear Test sites in Australia please contact the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (from anywhere in Australia) on 1800 044 029 to request a registration form and get details of how to apply.
Alternatively, if you believe that you meet the eligibility criteria of an Australian participant in the British Nuclear Test program in Australia and you are able to provide supporting documentation, please fill out the claim form.
Where do you lodge the registration form?
Your registration form must be lodged at the Canberra Office of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs in Australia at the address shown on page one of the form.
Where can you find out more?
For more information on non-liability health care treatment, please call the Canberra Office of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (from anywhere in Australia) on 1800 044 029
Commemorative Medallion
Who is Eligible?
Any Australian, whether Military personnel, police or civilians who participated in or provided support to the British Nuclear Test Program in Australia can make a claim for the Medallion.
How do you apply?
If you participated in or provided support to the British Nuclear Test Program in Australia, you can lodge a claim for the Medallion by filling out the claim form.
If you wish to obtain a hard copy of the form or would like any further information about the Medallion, please contact the Department of Veterans’ Affairs in Canberra from anywhere in Australia on free call number 1800 044 029.
Where do you lodge the registration form?
Your registration form must be lodged at the Canberra Office of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs in Australia at the address shown on page one of the form.
Where can you find out more?
For more information on the commemorative Medallion, please call the Canberra Office of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (from anywhere in Australia) on 1800 044 029.