Understanding the latest Australian workplace drug testing requirements is essential for employers, safety managers, testing providers and collectors. This FAQ guide answers the most common questions about the current Australian and New Zealand Standards for urine and oral fluid drug testing, including AS/NZS 4308:2023 and AS/NZS 4760:2019. Learn about drug test cut-off levels, compliance requirements, chain of custody procedures, recent changes to the Standards, and how to choose Australian Standard-compliant drug testing devices. Whether you are implementing a workplace drug and alcohol testing program or updating your existing procedures, these frequently asked questions provide practical guidance on urine drug tests, saliva drug tests, confirmation testing and workplace compliance in Australia.
1. What is AS/NZS 4308:2023?
AS/NZS 4308:2023 is the current Australian and New Zealand Standard for urine drug testing.
It outlines the procedures for specimen collection, chain of custody, laboratory testing, reporting, and interpretation of urine drug test results used in workplace, medico-legal, and court-directed testing. It supersedes AS/NZS 4308:2008 and becomes the primary urine testing standard following the transition period ending in November 2026.
2. What replaced AS/NZS 4308:2008?
AS/NZS 4308:2008 has been superseded by AS/NZS 4308:2023.
Organisations conducting workplace urine drug testing should update their procedures, policies, and testing devices to align with the new Standard before the transition period concludes in November 2026.
3. What is AS/NZS 4760:2019?
AS/NZS 4760:2019 is the Australian and New Zealand Standard governing oral fluid (saliva) drug testing.
It specifies specimen collection procedures, screening requirements, laboratory confirmation processes, and drug cut-off concentrations used in workplace drug testing.
For organisations seeking Australian Standard-compliant oral fluid drug tests, the Onsite Diagnostics range includes the Saliva Swipe 6 Advanced, Saliva Swipe 8 Advanced, Saliva Swipe 8 Advanced + Alcohol, Saliva Check 6 Advanced, and Oral 6 Advanced saliva drug tests. These devices have been designed around the requirements of AS/NZS 4760:2019 and provide rapid workplace screening solutions.
4. Why was AS 4760:2006 updated to AS/NZS 4760:2019?
The Standard was updated to reflect advances in oral fluid drug testing technology, improve testing accuracy, and include additional drugs of concern in Australian workplaces, including oxycodone.
5. What drugs must an AS/NZS 4760:2019 saliva drug test detect?
A compliant AS/NZS 4760:2019 oral fluid drug test must screen for:
- Amphetamine-type stimulants
- Cannabis (THC)
- Cocaine and metabolites
- Opiates
- Oxycodone
The Onsite Diagnostics Saliva Swipe 6 Advanced, Saliva Check 6 Advanced and Oral 6 Advanced saliva drug tests include all drug classes required under AS/NZS 4760:2019. The Saliva Swipe 8 Advanced range also includes additional testing for Ketamine and Synthetic Cannabinoids (K2), providing broader workplace screening coverage.
6. What are the AS/NZS 4760:2019 saliva drug test cut-off levels?
The initial screening cut-off concentrations are:
- Amphetamine-type stimulants: 50 ng/mL
- Cannabis (THC): 15 ng/mL
- Cocaine and metabolites: 50 ng/mL
- Opiates: 50 ng/mL
- Oxycodone: 40 ng/mL
7. What are the AS/NZS 4308:2023 urine drug test cut-off levels?
The initial screening cut-off concentrations are:
- Opiates: 300 μg/L
- Amphetamine-type substances: 300 μg/L
- Cannabis metabolites: 50 μg/L
- Cocaine metabolites: 150 μg/L
- Benzodiazepines: 200 μg/L
8. What does a non-negative drug test result mean?
A non-negative result means the screening test has detected a drug concentration above the cut-off level specified in the relevant Australian Standard. Further laboratory confirmation may be required before the result is considered confirmed.
9. What is the difference between a screening test and a confirmation test?
A screening test provides an initial indication that a drug may be present above the designated cut-off concentration. A confirmation test performed by an accredited laboratory identifies and quantifies the specific drug using advanced analytical methods.
10. Why are Australian Standard cut-off levels important?
Cut-off levels help ensure consistency, reliability, and fairness in workplace drug testing. They establish nationally recognised thresholds for determining whether a drug is present at a significant concentration.
11. Can I use a US or European drug test kit in Australia?
It is not recommended to use overseas drug test devices. Many overseas drug tests use different cut-off levels and may not comply with Australian workplace drug testing requirements. Always verify that the device complies with AS/NZS 4308:2023 or AS/NZS 4760:2019.
When purchasing workplace drug tests, ensure the device has been configured for Australian Standards. Onsite Diagnostics supplies Australian workplace drug testing products including the ClearLine Advanced Urine Drug Test range, Eco Cup Advanced Urine Drug Test range, Saliva Swipe Advanced range, Saliva Check 6 Advanced and Oral 6 Advanced saliva drug tests, all designed for Australian workplace applications.
12. How can I tell if a drug test complies with Australian Standards?
Check the manufacturer's specifications and product documentation. A compliant test should clearly state that it meets AS/NZS 4308:2023 for urine testing or AS/NZS 4760:2019 for oral fluid testing.
At Onsite Diagnostics, products such as the ClearLine Advanced Urine Drug Test range and Eco Cup Advanced Urine Drug Test range are designed for Australian workplace drug testing programs. For saliva testing, the Saliva Swipe 6 Advanced, Saliva Swipe 8 Advanced, Saliva Check 6 Advanced and Oral 6 Advanced ranges provide Australian Standard-focused oral fluid testing solutions.
13. Is saliva drug testing more effective than urine drug testing?
Saliva drug testing is generally better at detecting recent drug use because drugs present in the bloodstream are also present in oral fluid. Urine testing detects drug metabolites and often identifies historical drug use over a longer detection period.
For employers requiring recent-use detection, the Onsite Diagnostics Saliva Swipe Advanced, Saliva Check 6 Advanced and Oral 6 Advanced ranges provide oral fluid testing solutions aligned with AS/NZS 4760:2019. For longer detection windows, the ClearLine Advanced and Eco Cup Advanced urine drug testing ranges provide screening options designed around AS/NZS 4308:2023 requirements.
14. Why do many Australian workplaces prefer saliva drug testing?
Saliva drug testing is less invasive, can be directly observed, reduces privacy concerns, is difficult to adulterate, and is more closely associated with recent drug use compared with urine testing.
15. Does AS/NZS 4760:2019 include oxycodone testing?
Yes. Oxycodone was added as a mandatory target drug class under AS/NZS 4760:2019. Older saliva drug tests developed for AS 4760:2006 may not include oxycodone detection.
16. Will older drug test kits still be compliant after November 2026?
Organisations should ensure their urine drug testing devices and procedures comply with AS/NZS 4308:2023 before the transition period ends in November 2026.
When reviewing workplace drug testing programs, employers should confirm that products such as urine drug test cups, dip cards and integrated collection devices meet the updated Standard. The Onsite Diagnostics ClearLine Advanced and Eco Cup Advanced urine drug test ranges have been developed specifically for Australian workplace testing requirements.
17. What is chain of custody in workplace drug testing?
Chain of custody is the documented process used to track a specimen from collection through testing and reporting. It helps maintain specimen integrity and supports the legal defensibility of test results.
18. Are Australian workplace drug testing Standards recognised in New Zealand?
Yes. AS/NZS 4308:2023 and AS/NZS 4760:2019 are joint Australian and New Zealand Standards and are used in both countries.
19. Do Australian Standards determine whether someone is impaired?
The cut-off levels have been set at levels in which a person may be impaired. This is particularly the case for saliva drug testing. For urine drug tests The Standards establish procedures and cut-off concentrations for detecting drugs in biological specimens. They do not directly measure impairment but provide a consistent framework for workplace drug testing.
20. Where can I purchase Australian Standard-compliant drug tests?
Australian Standard-compliant saliva and urine drug tests can be purchased from reputable workplace drug testing suppliers. Always confirm that the product specifications reference AS/NZS 4308:2023 or AS/NZS 4760:2019 before purchasing.
21. What changed in AS/NZS 4308:2023 compared to AS/NZS 4308:2008?
AS/NZS 4308:2023 includes updated terminology, revised specimen collection procedures, strengthened privacy requirements, and improved guidance for workplace and medico-legal urine drug testing programs.
22. What changed in AS/NZS 4760:2019 compared to AS 4760:2006?
The most significant change was the addition of oxycodone as a mandatory target drug. The Standard also introduced updates to collection procedures, testing requirements, and quality assurance processes.
23. Why is it important to use Australian Standard-compliant drug tests?
Using compliant drug tests helps ensure accurate results, consistency with workplace policies, legal defensibility, and alignment with recognised Australian workplace testing practices.
24. Can workplace drug test results be used in court?
Yes. Drug test results may be used in workplace investigations, disciplinary proceedings, workers compensation matters, and court proceedings. Following the relevant Australian Standard and maintaining chain of custody strengthens the evidentiary value of the results.
25. Which Australian Standard applies to workplace saliva drug testing?
AS/NZS 4760:2019 is the current Australian and New Zealand Standard for workplace oral fluid (saliva) drug testing and specifies the requirements for specimen collection, screening, and confirmation testing.
25. Which Australian Standard applies to workplace urine drug testing?
AS/NZS 4308:2023 is the current Australian and New Zealand Standard for workplace urine drug testing and specifies the requirements for specimen collection, screening, and confirmation testing.
