Drug and Alcohol Testing, Adelaide & SA

In South Australia, we provide coverage across all major centres, including Adelaide, Mount Gambier, Whyalla, Port Augusta and Port Lincoln. We also support regional and remote workplaces, offering reliable drug and alcohol testing services wherever they’re needed.

Our trained collectors are based throughout the state and are available 24/7, ensuring fast, professional response no matter your location.

AusHealth’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Services:

• Mandated regular drug and alcohol testing
  Industries such as mining, aviation and transportation are mandated by law to uphold drug- and alcohol-free environments. In South Australia, AusHealth’s Customer Service Team can facilitate a wide range of testing services to assist in fulfilling your regulatory requirements. These include onsite testing, pre-employment screening, and post-incident testing — customised to meet your operating requirements.
• Post-incident drug and alcohol testing
  AusHealth’s Customer Service Team is available 24/7 and can quickly dispatch the nearest collection team to your workplace or incident site, anywhere in South Australia, to carry out required drug and alcohol testing.
• Specialist testing to determine long-term substance misuse
  AusHealth’s Customer Service Team can coordinate specialist testing — including hair analysis — through accredited laboratories. We also offer expert support from our in-house team of toxicologists, led by Dr John Edwards.

We provide a full range of testing services, including pre-employment, scheduled random, post-incident and return-to-work testing.

Testing can be conducted onsite at your workplace or offsite on your behalf — for example, following an incident.

Our procedures are discreet, efficient, and fully compliant with Australian Standards, using validated sampling methods to deliver accurate and reliable results.

Drug and Alcohol Testing Methods in South Australia:

• Urine testing: Urine testing detects drug use over several days — and in some cases, weeks — identifying a wide range of substances, including benzodiazepines, amphetamines, cocaine, THC, and opiates.
• Hair testing: Hair testing is used to identify patterns of chronic or long-term drug use, offering a wide detection window.
• Saliva testing: Saliva testing is a non-invasive method used to detect recent drug use, with results typically available the same day.
• Breath testing: Breathalysers provide a quick, non-invasive method for detecting alcohol consumption, with results available on the spot.

Results from breath, saliva and urine tests are typically available within minutes. Any non-negative results, along with all hair test samples, are sent to accredited laboratories for confirmation, with final results usually returned within seven to 10 business days.

Our teams adhere to rigorous protocols to guarantee accuracy, regulatory compliance and strict confidentiality throughout the testing process.

Video: The most common excuses for a drug test.

All testing in South Australia is performed by our trained collectors, ensuring accuracy, consistency and confidentiality.

We adhere to Australian Standards (ISO 9001 and ISO 45001:2018), giving you confidence that every test meets strict quality and compliance requirements.

South Australia Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Process

• Step one: Arrange for testing
  Contact our Customer Service Team to discuss your testing needs — whether onsite or offsite, scheduled or immediate post-incident testing.
• Step two: Collectors arrive at your workplace
  We use approved devices to collect and test samples. Negative results are provided immediately, while non-negative results are forwarded for further analysis. All results are confirmed and communicated via same-day email.
• Step three (if required): Laboratory screening
  All non-negative results are sent to a NATA-accredited laboratory for confirmation. If additional analysis is needed, AusHealth’s in-house Toxicology Team conducts a thorough evaluation and investigation.
• Step four: Results
  Clients receive final results within seven to 10 business days.

AusHealth provides flexible testing solutions tailored to your workplace requirements. Common testing scenarios include:

• Pre-employment: Screening candidates before they join your team.
• Scheduled random testing: Conducting unannounced tests on selected employees.
• Post-incident testing: Performed following workplace accidents.
• Return-to-work testing: For employees resuming duties after a positive result.

Our specialists work closely with you to develop a testing schedule aligned with your industry standards, organisational objectives and safety policies.

Video: Our Toxicologists explain how long it takes for drugs to leave your system.

AusHealth is Australia’s largest provider of drug and alcohol testing.

We service public sector agencies and commercial businesses across the nation, working in all sectors, including mining, construction, transportation, logistics and government.

Whether your company is large or small, our South Australian collectors are ready to help your workplace stay safe and healthy.

Some of Our Drug and Alcohol Testing Clients… 

• ARTC
• Australian Federal Police (AFP)
• Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN)
• Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)
• Department of Defence
• Department of Home Affairs
• Metro North Hospital and Health Service
• Metro South Health
• Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN)
• NSW Government
• ONRSR
• Pacific National
• SA Government
• Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN)
• TOLL IPEC
• VIC Government
• Virgin Australia

• We employ South Australian-based collectors: Our collectors are trained and ready to travel to your workplace to meet your testing needs.
• Nationally accredited: We’re fully compliant with Australian Standards for drug and alcohol testing — which means you’re fully compliant with Australian Standards for drug and alcohol testing.
• Our in-house toxicology team ensures certainty for you and your workforce: Non-negative results are further processed for certainty; any disputed results are handled by our resident, fully qualified toxicologists.
• Tailored solutions: Our Customer Service Team can tailor a package of testing services to meet all your workplace safety requirements.
• Comprehensive testing and on-the-spot results: We test for alcohol and a range of drugs with all results returned on the day of testing.

Quality: ISO 9001/45001:2018 | Issued by TQCSI | Accreditation Number: AU801-SC

NATA Laboratory Accreditation: ISO/IEC 17025 | Accreditation Number: 15338 | Site Number: 16007

ASQA: Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Number: 40379

Where in South Australia do you conduct drug and alcohol testing?

AusHealth delivers drug and alcohol testing services throughout metropolitan and regional South Australia. Our collectors are based across the state, including in smaller and more remote communities such as Mount Gambier, Port Lincoln, Whyalla and Port Augusta.

How accurate are drug and alcohol tests?

Drug and alcohol tests are highly accurate when performed by qualified professionals using certified equipment and confirmed by accredited laboratories, all in line with Australian regulations. When conducted correctly, these tests withstand scrutiny from law enforcement, courts and employers. At AusHealth, we maintain these rigorous standards in every test we undertake, delivering reliable, compliant and confidential services that contribute to safer workplaces across South Australia.

Do we need a workplace policy to conduct drug and alcohol tests in South Australia?

Yes, having a workplace drug and alcohol policy in place is essential before conducting any testing in South Australia. Such a policy ensures legal compliance, sets clear expectations, and safeguards both employers and employees. Conducting tests without an established policy can lead to legal and ethical issues. AusHealth can assist you in developing or updating your policy to align with Australian standards and your workplace’s specific needs.

What happens if one of our employees tests positive?

If an employee returns a ‘non-negative’ test result, AusHealth will send the sample to our accredited laboratory partner for further confirmation. Once confirmed, the subsequent steps will be guided by your company’s policy. These may include issuing a warning, referring the employee to support services, suspension or termination. All results are handled with strict confidentiality, and AusHealth is available to assist you throughout the process.

What’s the difference between saliva, urine and hair tests?

The tests vary in what they detect and how quickly results are available. Saliva tests are fast and non-invasive, making them suitable for roadside checks or workplace screening of recent drug use within 12 to 48 hours. Urine tests are commonly used for random or pre-employment screening, detecting drug use over several days. Hair tests provide a longer detection window — up to 90 days or more — making them ideal for legal cases or ongoing monitoring. AusHealth can advise on the best testing method for your workplace needs.

Across South Australia, we provide additional testing-related services to support compliant and safe businesses.

Training

We offer a range of training courses in drug and alcohol testing services, health and wellbeing.

Policy Development

AusHealth can help you draft a Drug and Alcohol Standard Operating Procedure and Workplace Testing Policy to ensure you are fully compliant with South Australian and Federal legislation.

Respiratory Mask Fitting

Ensure your employees have suitable respiratory protection with our respiratory fit testing.

Find out more about AusHealth’s services.

Drug and alcohol testing services for other locations

• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia