What’s included with our proficiency testing studies
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
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
Scheduled proficiency testing in 2024
We have scheduled the following tests for chemical and gas proficiency testing. If you need a test that is not scheduled then contact us about our Rapid PT studies.
March
- AQA 24-01 metals, nutrients and exchangeable bases in soil
- AQA 24-02 illicit drugs – amphetamine-type stimulants
- AQA 24-03 pesticides in soil
- AQA 24-04 hydrocarbons and PAHs in soil
- NMI rapid PT studies
April
- AQA-24-31 workplace and coal mine safety – register by 1 March 2024
May
June
- AQA 24-07 trace elements and solids in potable water
- AQA 24-08 nutrients and anions in potable water
- AQA 24-09 pesticides in potable water
- AQA 24-10 organic compounds in potable water
- AQA-24-32 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) – register by 1 April 2024
- NMI rapid PT studies
July
- AQA 24-11 illicit drugs – heroin
- NMI rapid PT studies
August
- AQA-24-33 stack and exhaust gases – register by 1 June 2024
August/September
- AQA 24-12 PFAS in water
- AQA 24-13 PFAS in soil and biosolid
- AQA 24-14 PFAS in biota and food
- NMI rapid PT studies
September
September/October
- AQA 24-16 illicit drugs – clandestine laboratory
- NMI rapid PT studies
October
- AQA 24-17 trace elements and solids in sea and river water
- AQA 24-18 nutrients and anions in sea and river water
- AQA 24-19 hydrocarbons and PAHs in river water
- AQA 24-34 pipeline natural gas – register by 1 August 2024
- NMI rapid PT studies
November
- AQA 24-20 illicit drugs – cocaine
- NMI rapid PT studies
December
- AQA 24-35 liquefied petroleum gas (autogas) – register by 1 October 2024
View previous years proficiency testing reports.
Custom proficiency testing
Rapid PT studies (RQA) can be carried out at any time during the year. They will not be run on a pre-defined schedule.
You can request and design your own study at any time. For instance, you may need one when you have an audit. Your participation in these studies will allow your laboratory to fulfil the needs of ISO/IEC 17025.
The studies can also be used for method validation, to train new staff or as a tool for corrective action.
The performance summary report will be sent to you, no later than 5 working days after the results submission date.
For more details, please see our NMI rapid PT studies guide.
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
- Environmental measurement and 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 reference material producers in the specialty gas industry.
We aim to coordinate a new area of study each year based on participants’ requests.
To suggest a new gas mixture to add to our testing schedule email us at gas@measurement.gov.au
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.
To suggest a new matrix or analyte to add to our testing schedule email us at proficiency@measurement.gov.au
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.