In 1946 a new section of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) (CA 486) (the predecessor of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) was established to meet the need for a more fundamental study of atmospheric processes than was undertaken by the Bureau of Meteorology.  Charles Henry Brian Priestley came from England to become the Officer-in-charge of the new Meteorological Physics Research Section (CA 3390) and to prepare a program of research.

The Section was established in Melbourne to be close to institutions with wide meteorological interests.

Initial plans for a wide range of research were restricted by the refusal of the Bureau of Meteorology to allow the transfer of some of their staff to the Section.  Consequently, the section initially concentrated on turbulence and micrometeorology with four scientists - Bill Swinbank, Len Deacon, Reg Taylor and Bob James.

In 1948, the section moved from Flinders Lane to Highett where disused internment huts were used for accommodation.  In 1954, they moved to Aspendale, utilising part of the old training racetrack.  An experimental site was set up at Edithvale Road, Edithvale, Victoria.

On 19 May 1949 the Commonwealth CSIR (CA 486) was abolished. It was replaced by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) (CA 641). The Section became the Meteorological Physics Research Section CSIRO.

The Section was accorded Divisional status on 19 August 1954 to become the Division of Meteorological Physics. The Division was re-named the Division of Atmospheric Physics in July 1971.

The Division is primarily concerned with the physical and chemical atmospheric processes that underlie and control the weather and climate, and are responsible for monitoring the distribution of airborne material, including gases - particularly those substances affecting our environment. Research is also conducted into aspects of the oceans that affect the atmosphere. Methods of investigation used include field work, laboratory and numerical models, and analyses of globally derived data. It has an extensive network of monitoring stations around the continent and is concerned with the development of numerical and laboratory models that simulate atmospheric behaviour and application of these models to improving the accuracy and time-scale of weather predictions.

The Division also has a group of officers located at the Commonwealth Meteorology Research Centre at 380 Russell Street, Melbourne. The Centre is operated jointly by the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology and the Division.

C.H.B. Priestley was Officer-in-Charge, Meteorological Physics Research Section from 1946 to 1954, Chief, Division of Meteorological Physics from 1954 to 1971 and Chief, Division of Atmospheric Physics, from 1971 to 1973. From 1973 Gilbert Brian Tucker has been Chief of the Division.

Sources:
 
. Telephone Directories, 1947, 1948, 1954
 
. Directory To CSIRO, 1982 p.29
 
. 'CSIRO 25th Annual Report, 1972-73', Commonwealth Parliamentary
  Paper No. 219 of 1973 p.60

. CSIRO Index (CSIX Database) 1991
 

1949-1954: Graham Road, Highett, Vic
1954-    : Station Street, Aspendale, Vic