Animal Health Laboratory

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Animal Health Laboratory (AHL) provides a wide range of veterinary pathology diagnostic services, including pathology, microbiology, clinical pathology, serology and parasitology services for livestock, wildlife and aquatic animal species​.

Except for the exclusion of notifiable diseases, diagnostic services for companion and performance animals are not part of our core business. These services may be available on prior negotiation with the laboratory.

The Animal Health Laboratory is NATA accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 (www.nata.com.au). Regular audits by NATA ensure that the Laboratory meets all requirements, from our Quality System to our Testing Methods, under this International Standard.

Laboratory Hours

Specimen Reception - 8:30 am to 5 pm on weekdays (excluding public holidays).

Range of Services

​AHL offers a broad range of routine pathology testing services on submissions.

Note: In order to offer the best possible service AHL refers some testing to other laboratories.

Testing is offered on a fee for service basis.

All submissions, except worm tests, must have a nominated veterinarian.

All samples must be accompanied by a specimen advice form.

Testing services provided for exotic or other specified disease investigation programs (e.g. NSDIP, NTSEP​) may be subsidised by the Tasmanian State Government.

Where the submitter expects the work to be funded (entirely or partially) by NRE Tas please indicate on the advice sheet -

  • the reason for this request;
  • the NRE Tas Tasmania veterinary officer authorising the request; and
  • the source of funds should be clearly stated on the Laboratory Advice Note and accompanied by the completed forms (e.g. NSDIP, NTSTEP form​).

​Refer to the guidelines for submitting samples to the laboratory.

https://nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/animal-biosecurity/animal-health-laboratories/animal-health-laboratory/collection-of-samples

A LabFact  for submissions, reports, sample retention and feedback is available at

 AHL LabFact Submissions Reports Samples Feedback (PDF 59Kb)

In this topic

  • Clinical Chemistry and Haematology
    Sample requirements and tests available in Clinical Chemistry and Haematology.
  • Collection of Samples
    How to collect samples and forward to the Animal Health Laboratory.
  • Fees and Accounts
    Laboratory fees and accounts for services.
  • Fish Microbiology
    Fin fish and aquatic animal microbiology.
  • Fish Pathology
    Samples required and tests available in Fish Pathology
  • Fish Virology
    The Animal Health Laboratory provides a front-line service for the isolation and culture of salmonid viruses enzootic to Tasmania.
  • LabFacts
    Guidelines and further information for sample submissions to the Animal Health Laboratories.
  • Laboratory Forms
    AHL LabFacts (guidelines) and forms for use when submitting samples to the Animal Health Laboratories NRE TAS
  • Microbiology
    Terrestrial Animal Microbiology. This page outlines the types of testing available and preferred samples.
  • Molecular Biology
    Molecular Biology tests available at the Animal Health Laboratory NRE Tas.
  • Parasitology
    Parasitology tests available at AHL.
  • Pathology and Cytology
    Pathology services and cytology tests available.
  • Serology
    Serology tests available at AHL.
  • Turn-Around Times and Reports
    Laboratory turn around times and reporting.
  • Uncertainty of Measurement
    The Animal Health Laboratory is an ISO/IEC 17025 compliant laboratory. We can provide Measurement Uncertainty (MU) for estimations with numerical result.

Contact

Animal Health Laboratory - Specimen Reception

(Postal) PO Box 46,
KINGS MEADOWS TAS 7249,
(Delivery) 165 Westbury Road,
PROSPECT, TAS, 7250.