In 1935 it was decided to extend the activities of the Commonwealth Radium Laboratory (CA 2466) to include the investigation of the physical problems of radiation therapy generally and it was re-named the Commonwealth X-Ray and Radium Laboratory. The Laboratory
continued to be situated by agreement with the University of Melbourne within the University grounds and was maintained, controlled and staffed by the Department of Health.
 
Its functions were to produce radon for use in treatment of cancer, to construct and repair radium apparatus, to carry out research into problems of treatment and protection, to determine the quality of X_rays, to measure dosages of radiation delivered to the patient, and to investigate physical problems in connexion with the
utilization of X-rays and radium in the treatment of disease. It undertook widespread distribution of radon to hospitals from about 1938, and of the increasing range of radio pharmaceuticals from about 1948. A film badge service to monitor radiation dosages of staff working with ionising radiations was established in the early 1950's. From 1965 the Laboratory has acted 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 radionuclides.
 
The first Director of the Laboratory was Dr C.E. Eddy. He was succeeded in the mid 1950s by Mr D.J. Stevens.
 
As from 1 July 1972, the Commonwealth X-ray and Radium Laboratory was known as the Commonwealth Radiation Laboratory (CA 2468), a name considered more appropriate to its existing functions.
 
Sources:
Commonwealth Year Book, No. 39, p. 286-287
Director-General of Health, Annual Report for Year 1971-1972, p. 90 (Commonwealth Parliamentary Papers, No. 164 of 1972)
 

Historical agency address
  1935-c 1956: Melbourne University 
c 1957-c 1960: Surrey Place, Melbourne 
c 1960-c 1972: 30 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne