The move comes after it was confirmed that depleted uranium was blasted into the air during the trials.

Twelve British atomic bombs were detonated on Australian territory - three on the Monte Bello islands off Western Australia, and nine at Maralinga, South Australia - between 1952 and 1957.

Earlier this month, the British Ministry of Defence confirmed two dozen Australian, British and New Zealand soldiers tested protective clothing by crawling, marching or driving through a fall-out zone three days after a nuclear test at Maralinga in 1956.

Federal Veterans' Affairs Minister Bruce Scott said that a Royal Commission Inquiry 14 years ago had determined that depleted uranium was used in the Maralinga tests but the government of the time did not act on the information.

Depleted uranium is a slightly radioactive heavy metal which is used in shells and can pierce the armour of a tank. There is concern that dust from the uranium can cause cancer.

Scott said the government will next month release a list detailing all Australians involved in the tests, with the numbers expected to be in the thousands.

It will be followed by a health study of all participants, including the causes of death of those who have since died, he said. Those affected will be eligible for compensation under military or safety rules, Scott said.