The given article deals with the peculiarities of peaceful use of atomic energy in the Commonwealth of Australia and the Federal Republic of Germany in 1991– 2011. The author substantiates the urgency of the chosen topic, explains the reasons for selection of the states as objects of research. Various sides of the problem are scrutinized, such as uranium mining in Australia, the role of nuclear power in Germany, functioning of the research reactors and scientific developments in this field in both states. The participation of both countries in the international agreements and initiatives in the sphere of peaceful application of atomic technologies is examined, as well as Australian and German legislation in the nuclear field, activities of the corresponding agencies at the national level. The application of comparative analysis method helps define similarities and differences between the countries in this regard. The paper is based on documents and scholarly literature in the Russian language, sources and publications in foreign languages; it reflects standpoints of experts from Russia and abroad.