The Australian Wool Testing Authority [I] was established under the Australian Wool Testing Authority Act, 1957 on 12 September 1957.

The functions of the Authority were -

(a) to carry out tests of wool and wool products being or intended to
    be, the subject of trade and commerce with other countries or
    among the States, including tests for the purpose of ascertaining
    the conditioned weight of wool and wool products, by agreement
    with persons desiring those tests;

(b) for the purpose of (a), to establish, maintain and operate
    facilities in Australia for carrying out tests of wool and wool
    products;

(c) as incidental to the efficient and economical performance of the 
    foregoing functions, to carry out tests of wool and wool products
    other than wool and wool products referred to in (a); and

(d) to issue certificates in respect of tests carried out by the
    Authority.

The Authority is to consist of seven members to be appointed
by the Governor-General. They were:

(1) a person nominated by the Australian Council of Wool Buyers; 
(2) a person nominated by the National Council of Wool Selling
    Brokers of Australia;
(3) a person nominated by the Wool Scourers, Carbonizers and
    Fellmongers' Federation of Australia;
(4) a person nominated by the Australian Wool Bureau;
(5) a person nominated by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial 
    Research Organisation;
(6) an officer of the Department of Primary Industry; and -
(7) one other person.

The initial membership of the Authority was:-
W.H. Lempriere, J.S. Gale, R.W. Duncan, T.G. Carter and F.G. Lennox, (representing the organisations, ie 1-5 of above), A.E. Wallace and I.F. McLaren (representing the Commonwealth Government). These members were appointed for a period of 3 years from 1 December 1957
(Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No. 65 of 5 December 1957, p.3816). 

The Authority was abolished by the Wool Industry Act 1962 and a new Australian Wool Testing Authority [II] (CA 2089) was created by this Act. However, the Australian Wool Testing Authority [I] was to continue for the purpose of preparing and furnishing the report for 1962-1963. This was presented on 18 March 1964. The Australian Wool Board [II] (CA 865) which was established by the above Act was to provide clerical and other assistance for the purpose of preparing the report. All rights, property and assets of the Australian Wool Testing Authority [I] were vested in the Australian Wool Board [II] (CA 865) from 1 July 1963.
Historical agency address
351 Royal Parade, Parkville, Vic
Legislation administered
Creation: Commonwealth of Australia Acts, No. 38 of 1957, Australian Wool Testing Authority Act 1957 
Abolition: Commonwealth of Australia Acts, No. 99 of 1962, Wool Industry Act 1962