Drug Test Compliance Guide

Workplace Drug Testing Compliance Guide

Governing Standards: AS/NZS 4760:2019 (Oral Fluid) | AS/NZS 4308:2023 (Urine)

1. Purpose

This guide sets out the compliance requirements for workplace drug testing in Australia and New Zealand. It covers two recognised testing methods: oral fluid (saliva) testing under AS/NZS 4760:2019, and urine testing under AS/NZS 4308:2023. It applies to employers, collectors, and testing providers across industries where drug impairment presents a safety risk.

2. Testing Methods

Oral Fluid — AS/NZS 4760:2019
Oral fluid testing detects recent drug use, typically within a few hours of consumption. It is non-invasive and can be conducted anywhere on-site without a private collection facility. It is best suited to post-incident and reasonable suspicion testing.

Urine — AS/NZS 4308:2023
Urine testing detects drug use over a broader window — days to weeks depending on the substance. It is common for pre-employment screening and programs requiring a wider detection window.

Both the 2008 and 2023 urine standard editions remain valid until November 2026. Confirm with your provider which version applies to your program, and verify that your on-site devices are validated against the correct cut-off levels.

3. Collection and Chain of Custody

These requirements apply to both oral fluid and urine testing.

•        Obtain written informed consent before every collection
•        Explain the purpose of the test, substances being tested for, and how results will be used
•        The collector and donor must both witness the collection process
•        Once sealed, the donor must initial the specimen container
•        A chain of custody document must accompany the specimen from collection to final result
•        Every transfer and storage step must be recorded — incomplete chain of custody can invalidate a result

4. On-Site Screening

On-site screening provides an initial indication only. The results are either negative or not negative.

•        Negative: no further action — record and retain
•        Not-negative: does not confirm drug use or impairment — specimen must go to an accredited laboratory for confirmation

No disciplinary or duty-adjustment action should be taken on an on-site result alone.

5. Laboratory Confirmation

Confirmation uses mass spectrometry (GC-MS for urine; GC/MS or LC/MS/MS for oral fluid). This is the definitive step. A fresh aliquot from the original sealed specimen container must be used.

Disputed confirmation results must be provided to both the donor and the original testing laboratory, giving the employee a clear path to challenge outcomes.

6. Drug Detection Thresholds

Oral Fluid — AS/NZS 4760:2019

Urine — Key Changes in AS/NZS 4308:2023
•        Cocaine screening threshold reduced from 300 μg/L to 150 μg/L
•        Cocaine confirmatory threshold reduced from 150 μg/L to 100 μg/L
•        Benzodiazepines confirmatory threshold reduced from 200 μg/L to 100 μg/L
•        Cannabis (THC) thresholds unchanged from the 2008 standard

7. Roles and Responsibilities

Employer / PCBU
•        Maintain a current drug and alcohol policy referencing the applicable standards
•        Engage collectors trained under the relevant standard
•        Use an accredited laboratory for all confirmation testing
•        Verify on-site device compatibility with current cut-off thresholds
•        Retain all records for a minimum of 7 years

Collector
•        Hold current training and competency under the applicable standard
•        Obtain written informed consent before every collection
•        Maintain chain of custody documentation throughout
•        Dispatch not-negative specimens to the laboratory without delay

Employee
•        Comply with the workplace drug and alcohol policy
•        The right to have a support person present during testing
•        The right to declare relevant prescribed medications
•        The right to dispute a confirmed result through the defined process

8. Record Keeping and Privacy

•        Test log: date, time, collector ID, specimen ID, method, result, and outcome
•        Chain of custody: retained for all specimens
•        Incident log: not-negative results, confirmation outcomes, actions taken
•        Device validation records: on-site device details and standard version validated against
•        Minimum retention: 7 years (aligned with WHS Act)

All results are health information protected under the Privacy Act 1988. All results must be accessible only to authorised personnel and stored securely, separate from general employment records.

9. Regulatory References

•        AS/NZS 4760:2019 — Oral fluid drug testing
•        AS/NZS 4308:2023 — Urine drug testing (current)
•        AS/NZS 4308:2008 — Previous urine standard, valid until November 2026
•        Work Health and Safety Act 2011
•        Privacy Act 1988

This information serves as a guide only. Please seek your own independent advice when forming decisions.