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Proficiency testing services

We are an internationally recognised proficiency testing (PT) provider for chemical and gas measurements. PT is a valuable external quality control tool for laboratories.

We evaluate your laboratory’s performance against pre-established criteria, using inter-laboratory comparisons.

We provide independent evidence to determine the validity of your measurements, and to help improve your overall performance.

This includes:

  • offering studies for a wide range of tests and matrices combinations
  • performing rigorous statistical analysis on submitted results
  • providing detailed reports and tailored feedback to participating laboratories.

What you can expect from participating in our PT studies 

By participating in our studies, you can:

  • fulfil the ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for your laboratory
  • improve your laboratory’s performance in terms of the accuracy of chemical and gas measurements
  • evaluate and compare methods and procedures used in chemical and gas measurements 
  • identify problems with equipment, sample preparation or data processing procedures
  • identify training needs
  • instil confidence in staff, management and external users of your laboratory service
  • assess the practical application of measurement uncertainty
  • use PT samples for method validation or as control samples in your daily routine analyses.

2023 proficiency testing schedule 

We have scheduled the following tests for chemical and gas proficiency testing.

February

March

April

May

June

July

July/August

August

September/October

October

November

December

Any time rapid PT study

Rapid PT studies will not be run on a pre-defined schedule; laboratories can request this type of study at any time and will have the option to design their own study.

For more details please see NMI rapid PT studies.

Gas proficiency testing

We provide gas PT services in areas of strategic importance to Australia. Our PT samples are based on unique gas compositions with studies examining:

  • pipeline natural gas from South-Eastern Australia
  • LNG (from the North West Shelf and from processed coal seam gas)
  • coal mine safety.

Participating isn’t just important for laboratories. It also provides confidence during custody transfers for refineries and pipeline operators. 

We also offer preparative PT studies for the specialty gas industry.

We aim to coordinate a new area of study each year based on participants’ requests. Email gas@measurement.gov.au to suggest a new gas mixture to add to our testing schedule.

Chemical proficiency testing 

We provide PT for a range of sectors including environment, agriculture, food and law enforcement. 

We select the analytes and matrices for our PT studies based on participants’ needs and requests. A study can include up to 60 analytes at both high and low levels. 

Our programs are accredited to ISO 17043 cover a wide range of tests:

  • illicit drugs 
  • organic contaminants including pesticides and hydrocarbons
  • dissolved, total and acid extractable metals 
  • physical properties
  • inorganic non-metallic constituents 
  • photosynthetic pigments
  • agricultural soil properties like colwell-p.

We aim to coordinate a new area of study each year based on participants’ requests. Email proficiency@measurement.gov.au to suggest a new matrix or analyte to add to our testing schedule.

How it works

  • We prepare, homogenise and characterise the test samples.
  • We use reference methods to provide assigned reference values traceable to the International System of Units for selected challenging analytes.
  • We collate, statistically analyse and interpret the results returned by participants.
  • We prepare a comprehensive report and distribute it to participants. 
  • We provide advice and educational feedback.
  • We send performance summary reports and longer-term historical reports to each participant.

Apply

Before applying, read the:

  • Study protocol to find out how the program operates.
  • Statistical manual to find out how we interpret the results and score participants. 

Documents updated 02/03/2023

Terms and conditions

Read the term and conditions for participating in one of our studies.  

Fees

For Proficiency testing prices, please email proficiency@measurement.gov.au 

Previous proficiency test reports

Proficiency test reports 2023

The National Measurement Institute is an internationally recognised accredited proficiency testing provider. These are the final reports from our 2023 chemical proficiency testing program.

Proficiency test reports 2022

The National Measurement Institute is an internationally recognised accredited proficiency testing provider. These are the final reports from our 2022 chemical proficiency testing program.

Proficiency test reports 2021

The National Measurement Institute is an internationally recognised accredited proficiency testing provider. These are the final reports from our 2021 chemical proficiency testing program.

Proficiency test reports 2020

The National Measurement Institute is an internationally recognised accredited proficiency testing provider. These are the final reports from our 2020 chemical proficiency testing program.

Proficiency test reports 2019

The National Measurement Institute is an internationally recognised accredited proficiency testing provider. These are the final reports from our 2019 chemical proficiency testing program.

Proficiency test reports 2018

The National Measurement Institute is an internationally recognised accredited proficiency testing provider. These are the final reports from our 2018 chemical proficiency testing program.