As part of a MESA-led reappraisal of the source rock potential of the Eringa Trough, Pedirka Basin, this study was commissioned to carry out an organic geochemical and petrographic investigation of coals and carbonaceous sediments from the margins of the Trough. Its aims were to: - determine the generative potential of the organic rich sediments; - assess the degree of maturation of the source rocks; - identify specific input biota; - derive age-discriminator biomarker parameters; - establish a biomarker database for potential source rocks to assist in future oil-source correlations. [With regard to the latter aims it should be noted that previous investigations into the source potential of the region had used techniques that yielded little or no information on the biomarker character of the source rocks.] Analyses show that the terrestrial organic matter is variously enriched in bacterial and algal remains, and was deposited in environments ranging from glacio-lacustrine to paludal. A shift from a slightly heavy to a lighter kerogen carbon-13 signature during the Early Permian suggests an increased contribution by C3-type plants. Petrographic and pyrolysis data indicate that all of the organic matter sampled is thermally immature for hydrocarbon generation. The organically-lean siltstones of the Crown Point Formation and the Stuart Range Formation equivalent (both of Early Permian age) contain Type III kerogen and have very poor source potential. The samples from the Early Permian Purni Formation contain organic matter (Type III - Type II/III kerogen) of considerably better source potential. In contrast, the sediments from the Algebuckina Sandstone contain Type II to Type II/III kerogens and have good to excellent source potential based on Rock-Eval pyrolysis data. Source biomarker parameters reflect an increasing contribution by Araucariaceae flora to the Jurassic sediments. The standard maturation-sensitive hopane and sterane ratios give values typical of thermally immature sediments. The relative abundance of several diagnostic biomarker compounds appears to be age-dependent, and has the potential to discriminate between Permian and Jurassic source rocks and hydrocarbons in the Pedirka Basin and adjacent Cooper/Eromanga Basins.