It was disbanded in 1949 as a result of political attacks in a climate of Cold War hysteria.
[1] The association comprised a federal council as well as divisions in each of Australia's six states.
[3] The association was also concerned with the transfer of scientific workers from wartime to peacetime projects once hostilities ceased, and encouraged debate on the social responsibility of science.
The AAWS was suspected by ASIO of communist ties, resulting in at least one of its members (Sprigg) being placed under surveillance.
[4] The federal council's records are held by the Australian National University archives.