DPIRD Diagnostics and Laboratory 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 situationCritical 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:
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.
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 processFor all testing enquiries or to submit animal or plant specimens for testing to DDLS, please follow this process:
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 stepsDPIRD 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. |
Our services
The DDLS - Animal Pathology manual describes the full range of tests offered, information on sample collection, fees for service and service fee exemptions. To discuss our range of services, call +61 (0)8 9368 3351. Our office hours are 08:30 am to 04:30 pm Monday to Friday.
All services are offered on a full cost-recovery basis in line with national competition policy. Fees and charges are reviewed annually.
Fee exemptions
Service fee exemptions apply to suspect exotic and reportable diseases, specified diseases and government-approved programs and outbreaks of diseases likely to provide new information or an improved understanding of animal health in WA. See the Animal health surveillance and disease control forms webpage or contact your local DPIRD vet for details of subsidised programs.
Laboratory submission form
Submissions must be accompanied by the DDLS - Animal Pathology submission form.
- All forms can be downloaded from the Animal health surveillance and disease control forms webpage, including diagnostic and fee for service forms for general public use, or
- call +61 (0)8 9368 3351 for a copy.
Our contact details
| Physical delivery address | Mailing address | Telephone/fax |
|---|---|---|
| DPIRD Diagnostics and Laboratory Services DDLS, Interim Lab, Building 102 | DDLS - Animal Pathology | Telephone: +61 (0)8 9368 3351 |
To report suspicion of an emergency/ reportable animal disease:
- contact your local DPIRD vet or
- call the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) hotline number on 1800 675 888.
Note: the EAD hotline is not for general agriculture enquiries.
NATA accreditation
DDLS - Animal Pathology is an AS ISO/IEC 17025 NATA Accredited Laboratory - Corporate Accreditation Number 13724.
DDLS - Animal Pathology is accredited in the field of veterinary testing for the following classes of tests:
- bacteriology including aquatic bacteriology
- microbiology (terrestrial and aquatic animals), mycology
- other micro-organisms
- virology
- parasitology
- serology of infection
- clinical chemistry
- biochemistry
- toxicology
- anatomical pathology
- histopathology
- prion disease lesions
- molecular diagnostics and
- necropsy.
Our expertise
DDLS - Animal Pathology offers a range of diagnostic, research and advisory services across a number of scientific disciplines including:
- disease diagnosis and investigation in terrestrial and aquatic species
- veterinary pathology - including necropsy, histopathology and electron microscopy
- veterinary microbiology - including bacteriology, virology, mycology and mycobacteriology
- veterinary biochemistry - including analytical services in clinical chemistry, nutrition and toxicology
- veterinary parasitology
- veterinary molecular diagnostics.
Our testing services support:
- diagnosis of disease in domestic animals, wildlife and aquatic species for both private and government clients
- health certification of animals destined for live export from Australia
- disease status testing of animals imported to WA
- control of endemic animal diseases
- targeted surveillance to support risk assessment and zone freedom from animal diseases in WA
- research and development capability to support animal health and production programs.
How DDLS submission results may be used
Results from investigations will contribute to the DDLS database and may be contributed to national animal health surveillance databases held by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Animal Health Australia to validate national declarations of animal disease freedoms to support export trade.
DPIRD reserves the right to disclose the test results and any other relevant information to the appropriate authorities in WA, or in any other jurisdiction where DPIRD is aware that the test results or other relevant information:
- indicates the presence of a disease listed by the national Animal Health Committee as a disease which should be reportable
- must, or should, be disclosed to the relevant agency in the public interest.
DDLS - Animal Pathology regularly contributes to the following national surveillance systems that support international trade in livestock and livestock products:
- National Animal Health Information System (NAHIS)
- National Arbovirus Monitoring Program (NAMP)
- National Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies Surveillance Program (NTSESP).
DPIRD reserves the right to (not restricted to) store, archive and test the specimens by whatever means and for whatever purpose it deems necessary, and/or supply the same sample or portion thereof to any other individual or agency required or deemed suitable.
DDLS terms and conditions
To view the terms and conditions relating to submissions to DDLS, please refer to the webpage: DDLS terms and conditions.