A class action is being launched against the Federal Government by a group of Australian veterans of British atomic tests in the 1950s and 1960s.

They are seeking compensation for ill health as a result of exposure to the tests at Maralinga in South Australia's far west.

Their action follows a court ruling in Britain which has allowed veterans there to sue the British Government.

Ric Johnstone from the Australian Nuclear Veterans Association says many veterans have already died, but they are determined to press on with the court case.

"We could be long gone by the time it comes to a conclusion, but we're concerned mostly about our offspring and some of those will still be around in 40 or 50 years to come, we hope," he said.

"And if they have any problems related to the exposure of their parents, then that should be covered by the Federal Government.

"Of the seven of us who started the Association, I'm the only one still living and most of the people I worked with at Maralinga and who lived at camp 43 have died of radiation-related cancer and/or other radiogenic diseases, which the Government does not recognise."