Proficiency testing services

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

• AQA 23-01 Toxic and Essential Elements in Food
• NMI Rapid PT Studies

March

• AQA 23-02 Metals, Nutrients and Exchangeable Bases in Soil
• AQA 23-03 Illicit Drugs - Amphetamine-type Stimulants
• AQA 23-04 Pesticides in Soil
• AQA 23-05 Hydrocarbons and PAHs in Soil
• AQA 23-30 Pipeline Natural Gas
• NMI Rapid PT Studies

April

• AQA 23-31 Preparative Stack and Exhaust Gases

May

• AQA 23-07 Chlorophyll a in Water
• AQA 23-08 Methamphetamine in Wipes
• AQA 23-09 Pesticides in Fruit, Vegetables and Herbs
• AQA 23-32 Stack and Exhaust Gases
• NMI Rapid PT Studies

June

• AQA 23-10 Organic Compounds and Pesticides in Waste Water
• AQA 23-11 Metals and Solids in Waste Water
• AQA 23-12 Nutrients and Anions in Waste Water
• NMI Rapid PT Studies

July

• AQA 23-13 Illicit Drugs – Heroin
• NMI Rapid PT Studies

July/August

• AQA 23-14 PFAS in Soil and Water
• AQA 23-15 PFAS in Biota and Food
• NMI Rapid PT Studies

August

• AQA 23-16 Metals, Nutrients and Anions in Soil
• AQA 23-33 Hydrogen and Ammonia Production
• NMI Rapid PT Studies

September/October

• AQA 23-17 Illicit Drugs - Clandestine Laboratory
• NMI Rapid PT Studies

October

• AQA 23-18 Trace Elements and Solids in River and Sea Water
• AQA 23-19 Nutrients and Anions in River and Sea Water
• AQA 23-20 Pesticides in River Water
• AQA 23-21 Hydrocarbons, PAHs and Phenols in River Water
• AQA 23-34 Liquefied Petroleum Gas
• NMI Rapid PT Studies

November

• AQA 23-22 Illicit Drugs – Cocaine
• NMI Rapid PT Studies

December

• AQA 24-30 Liquefied Natural Gas

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.

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