In 1949 a Research and Development Branch was formed within the Department of Supply, and as a result of the re-organization of the defence scientific services, the functions of the Defence Research Laboratories were redefined in 1953 and the agency was re-named the Defence Standards Laboratories. The annual report of the laboratories for 1953 described the new function as: "The broad function of the the establishment is the application of scientific knowledge and research within the fields of chemistry, physics, metallurgy and engineering to the problems arising in design, development, manufacture, inspection, storage and use of defence material. In particular, consultative service is given to the Department of Defence Production and the three Armed Services, as well as to other government departments and to manufacturers engaged on defence work.
 
More specifically, the functions are as follows.
 
(a) to provide a scientific advisory service to those concerned with development, adoption, manufacture, inspection, procurement, storage and use of defence material. This includes-
 
(i) the making of investigations necessary for the formulation and improvement of standards, manufacturing practices, and testing methods.
 
(ii) the provision of standardization and calibration services and selected testing services, particularly those calling for special laboratory facilities, and the advising of inspection authorities on the use of other laboratories for testing work.
 
Note.- Advisory and standardizing work and tests are performed for agencies not concerned with defence when such work calls for the special facilities or resources of the establishment and is otherwise appropriate.
 
(b) To do research so that the establishment is continuously in position-
(i) to fulfil its scientific advisory function in the most
effective manner;
 
(ii) to advise and assist the defence services on the development of new and improved materials, methods, and equipment of known or potential interest".
 
[The non-defence work outlined in the note to (a) above has resulted from the laboratories having facilities and staff expertise which are not always available elsewhere. As examples of this type of work the agency was involved in the investigations of the structural collapse of the King St. bridge in Melbourne, and conducts research into standards of petroleum fuel and lubricants throughout Australia.]
 
A.E Dawkins was chief superintendent of the laboratories, 1953-1957. He was succeeded by F.A. Fox, who in turn was succeeded by A.R. Edwards in 1970.
 
On 1 July 1974 a joint statement by the Ministers for Defence and for Manufacturing Industry announced that control of research and development activities within the Department of Manufacturing Industry was transferred to the Department of Defence. The Department of Manufacturing Industry was to continue to provide administrative support to the establishments, and it apparently did so until early 1975.
 
In September 1974 the name of the Defence Standards Laboratories was changed to the Materials Research Laboratories. (CA 2557).
 
References:
Commonwealth of Australia Gazettes, No. 49, 5 Sept. 1957, p.2655, No 44, 4 June 1970, p.3663.
 
Sydney Morning Herald, 2 July 1974, p.12
 
The Canberra Times, 25th Sept. 1974, p.15
 

Historical agency address
Cordite Avenue, Maribyrnong, Victoria