This agency was created on 3 April 1978 as a result of the
reorganisation of the Defence Science and Technology
Organisation (DSTO) in South Australia. The previous agency, the Weapons Research Establishment, Salisbury,South Australia (CA3039) was structured with four scientific wings and these wings became separate laboratories, namely: Electronics Laboratory, Weapons Systems Research Laboratory, Advanced Engineering Laboratory and Trials Resources Laboratory. These were serviced by an Administrative Group.
 
These laboratories and the Administrative Group were termed
collectively the `Defence Research Centre'.  As the laboratories were to report directly to the Central Office of the Defence
Science and Technology in Canberra, the South Australian based position of Director, Weapons Research Establishment was no longer required.
 
Administrative responsibility for the Woomera Ranges passed from the Defence Research Centre to a new organisation called the
Defence Support Centre, Woomera (CA 3077) at the same time. Control of the use of the Woomera Ranges however, remained with Defence Research Centre,specifically with the Trials Resources Laboratory.
  
On 7 May 1982, the Department of Defence[III] lost the functions of defence -industry development, naval dockyards (except fleet-based activities at Garden Island) and the research and development laboratories of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation to the new Department of Defence Support (CA 3254). These changes were made as a result of the recommendation in the interim report of the Defence Review Committee.
 
On 11 March 1983, the Department of Defence Support lost the functions relating to the research and development laboratories of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation back to the Department of Defence [III], CA 46. The changes were reflected in the Administrative Arrangements of 11 March 1983, notified in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No.S 46.
 
In about July 1987, this agency became known as the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Salisbury,South Australia as a result of impending reorganisation to its structures.
 

Historical agency address
Salisbury SA

Superior agency unregistered

03 Apr 1978-c Jul 1987: Chief Defence Scientist, Defence Science and
                        Technology