Requesting and submitting environmental testing samples

Step 1: Contact us

Contact us for a quote or to discuss how we can tailor our services to meet your analysis requirements. 

• email ASB@measurement.gov.au
• phone the Analytical Services Branch hotline on 1300 722 845.

You can:

• get a quote
• request shorter turnaround times
• order containers and preservatives for your samples
• obtain a permit to import quarantine material, for samples imported into Australia.

View our environmental sector measurement capabilities[BJ1] 

Step 2: Understand sample preservation and holding times

Our general rules for samples

Base your decision on the nature of the sample, the intended use of the data and the data quality objectives. For example, you can use alternative storage conditions if the analyte stability within a matrix can be demonstrated and data quality objectives are not compromised.

In a given sample, the analyte requiring the most preservation treatment as well as the shortest holding time should dictate the preservation treatment of the overall sample.

Our general rules include:

• Place in ice immediately after sampling.
• Cool to <4 °C.
• Deliver to NMI within 24 hours of sampling.
• Use ice bricks when dispatching by air and over long distances, and when couriers will not freight ice.
• Have at least half the recommended holding time remaining when relinquished to us.
• Avoid delivering time-critical samples to us late on Friday.

Recommendations for specific samples

Find out our recommended sample sizes, preservation procedures, holding times and conditions for: 

• air samples
• aqueous samples
• drinking water (not bottled) samples
• solid samples.

Step 3: Complete sample submission form

After you receive a formal quote, print and complete the sample submission form.

Step 4: Read our terms and conditions, and privacy statement

Read our chemical and biological analysis services terms and conditions.

Read our analytical services privacy collection statement.

Step 5: Pack your samples securely

• Make sure the sample containers like bottles, jars, tubes or vials are watertight.
• The inner packaging should be flexible and watertight, for instance a strong sealed plastic bag. The inner packaging should enclose each sample or group of samples of the same type. For example, group water, soil or biota samples.
• The outer packaging should be rigid and strong. For example, an esky or cooler no bigger than 30 L or 20 kg.
• You should place ice bricks between the inner and outer packaging.
• To get specialist equipment for stack emissions or VOCs in air tests, submit the applicable form first:
  • Form to request equipment for stack emissions testing 
  • Form to request equipment for VOCs in air testing.

Step 6: Complete any mandatory safety data sheets

Certain substances must be labelled under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of classification and labelling.

The following PDFs include:

• safety data sheets (SDS) for your information
• labels to affix to the collection bottles for water samples.

Step 7: Send the samples

Sending samples within Australia

• You must pay for all delivery costs.
• Deliver samples and any accompanying documentation to the address on your sample submission form.
• Organise delivery during working hours. 
• We do not accept responsibility for the safety or integrity of samples until we receive them.

Sending samples from outside Australia 

• Do not send us samples without the permit to import quarantine material as they may be destroyed on arrival.
• You must pay for all delivery costs.
• We’ll bill any handling fees back to you with an added administration fee of 100%. Quarantine fees are typically $80 to $120 per consignment. There may be additional taxes or duty.
• Complete and collate:
• all pages of your Permit to import quarantine material
• a description of your samples
• details of the country of origin of your samples (not the country it was shipped from)
• contact details of the shipper
• a letter regarding the presence of pathogens using this template
• an invoice with a value for customs purposes or no commercial value samples for in vitro analysis
• Make a copy of the documentation and place:
• one copy inside the package
• the other copy in a robust clear plastic bag, mark it 'Attn AQIS/Customs' and attach it securely to the outside of the package
• Before delivery contact us with details of your consignment (include sample description, shipper and likely arrival date).
• Deliver samples and any accompanying documentation to the address on the sample submission form. Arrange door-to-door express service as we do not accept samples sent by post.
• Organise delivery during working hours.
• We do not accept responsibility for the safety or integrity of samples until we receive them.
• We do not return quarantine samples. We will destroy the sample one month after issuing the final report.