Book a laboratory for food testing

Imported food can be referred for testing under the Imported Food Inspection Scheme.

How it works

We issue you with an initial Food Control Certificate (FCC) that sets out what:

• food needs testing
• tests need to be performed.

If we refer your food for testing, you must nominate a laboratory to conduct the testing. You can only select from a list of approved laboratories.

You must pay for the costs of the laboratory testing. Some laboratories may require a deposit prior to testing.

How to book

1. Check the required tests listed on your FCC.
2. Select a laboratory that can perform most of the required tests from the list of appointed laboratories.
3. Contact the laboratory to check if they:
   • can perform the tests required on your food sample.
   • can sub-contract one or more tests to another laboratory if you have multiple tests required on more than one food sample
   • service the area in which your food is located
   • will accept your nomination.
4. Complete the Laboratory nomination form and send it to the laboratory. You may choose a laboratory for one consignment only or for all future consignments. See ongoing arrangements for more details.
5. The laboratory has accepted the nomination when they return the form to us which notifies us they are performing the testing.
6. Book an inspection with us.

Download the nomination form

Ongoing arrangements

You can choose to set up an ongoing commercial arrangement. This way, the next time your food is referred for inspection and testing it can go straight to the laboratory.

Discuss this arrangement with the laboratory when completing your IFIS laboratory nomination form.

Samples subject to biosecurity control

Some samples are subject to biosecurity control (for example, uncooked pig meat). The laboratory must be an appropriate (Class 5.11) approved arrangement (AA) site to test these samples.

Check for Class 5.11 laboratory sites operating under an AA.

Appointed laboratories