DDLS - Plant pathology services

DDLS update

Our diagnostic services continue to be impacted by restricted access to the DPIRD site at 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth. Site access has been restricted since 14 June 2024 following asbestos testing results. 

Thank you for your understanding and support as we work towards restoring full capability and capacity of the services provided by DDLS. 

Current situation 

Critical laboratory testing is continuing, however restrictions on access to key facilities and the number of personnel onsite have significantly reduced our capacity and the range of testing available.  

Testing continues to be prioritised based on: 

• diagnostic testing to exclude notifiable pests and diseases 
• responses to high-impact pest and disease threats and incursions 
• surveillance for priority pests and diseases 
• diagnostic testing to support border biosecurity controls and market access. 

DPIRD is still facilitating the detection of animal and plant pests and diseases that may negatively impact Western Australia's biosecurity status.  

It is particularly important to continue to report signs of emergency animal diseases (for example, multiple animal deaths or disease signs, or egg production drops in poultry) to DPIRD.

• To report any suspicion of emergency animal diseases, call your local DPIRD field veterinary officer or the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888 and select option 5 for WA. 
• To report any suspicion of emergency plant pests and diseases, call the Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS) on (08) 9368 3080 and select option 2.

While the full suite of diagnostic testing is not currently available on the South Perth site, DDLS will continue to manage priority sample submissions on behalf of clients for testing at approved laboratories. Continuing to submit samples via DPIRD is important to maintain our ability to certify produce and to protect Western Australia’s market access.

Submissions process 

For all testing enquiries or to submit animal or plant specimens for testing to DDLS, please follow this process: 

1. Email DDLS@dpird.wa.gov.au with details of the submission. 
2. DDLS will triage your submission and you will receive email instructions. Please ONLY send samples to South Perth once DDLS have responded to you to ensure sample integrity is maintained and testing can be best facilitated. 
3. Signage at the entrance to the South Perth site will instruct the sample courier how to proceed. 

Note: Email is preferred but you can phone DDLS on 9368 3351 to speak to an animal or plant pathologist before emailing if necessary.

Thank you for your cooperation. 

Next steps 

DPIRD will continue to provide priority diagnostics services to protect Western Australia’s biosecurity and market access, and to manage solutions for stakeholders for other diagnostics. 

We appreciate your ongoing support and cooperation as we continue to manage the South Perth site restrictions. 

We will continue to provide updates on the DDLS webpages and to update clients and stakeholders via direct email.

For more information, please visit the DPIRD Diagnostics and Laboratory Services webpage.