The Nuclear Weapons Tests Commemorative Medal was commissioned between the Australian and British Nuclear Veterans Associations providing  recognition to veterans who served in nuclear test site locations and supporting bases in Australia and the Pacific between 1952 and 1967.

The major nuclear tests in Australia were conducted at Emu Field and Maralinga in South Australia and at the Monte Bello Islands off the West Australian coast from 1952 to 1957. Minor tests were conducted at Emu Field in 1953, and at Maralinga until 1963. There were no atomic tests carried out in the Monte Bello Islands after 1956.

Commonwealth Police, Australian Federal Police and Australian Protective Service Officers who patrolled the Maralinga nuclear test area up to 30 June 1988 are also eligible.

Anyone who was in a nuclear test area at a relevant time is eligible, regardless of whether their presence in a nuclear test area was associated with the nuclear tests. This includes pastoralists and Indigenous people among others.