This paper describes the brief history of forensic activation analysis in Australia, together with a description of techniques and equipment employed. Forensic activation analysis began in 1967 and since that time, many cases have been handled; these include arsenic determinations in hair, glass, metal, hair and drug comparions together with gunshot residue determinations from the hands of suspects. The paper discusses irradiation facilities and equipment available for providing an activation analysis to police forces throughout Australia and the types of analyses carried out, and the reception of these analyses in Australian Law Courts.