Take our 10-minute survey to tell us what you think of this website, so that we can improve it for the future.

Take the survey

Collections

PHLN general laboratory and pathology guidelines and advice

This collection contains general laboratory guidance and advice developed by the Public Health Laboratory Network (PHLN).

Published:

2 December 2025

Scroll down to access downloads and media.

Collection description

This collection contains general laboratory guidance and advice developed by the Public Health Laboratory Network (PHLN).

See also PHLN laboratory case definitions.

Guidelines and advice

PHLN referral pathway for poliovirus confirmatory testing

2023

Procedure
PHLN guidance on mpox patient referral, specimen collection and test requesting

1 July 2025

Guideline
PHLN national high security quarantine laboratory guideline for management of quarantinable viral haemorrhagic fevers

1 August 2014

Guideline
PHLN referral of pneumococcal PCR positive samples to Australian pneumococcal reference laboratories for molecular serotyping

8 December 2014

Guideline
PHLN position paper on hendra specimens for transport within Australia

1 January 2012

Procedure
PHLN guidance regarding Mycobacterium chimaera and heater–cooler units

1 December 2016

Guideline
PHLN policy on antiviral prophylaxis and the implications for pathology and research staff

1 May 2014

Policy
PHLN laboratory procedures and precautions for samples collected from patients with viral haemorrhagic fevers

1 October 2014

Guideline
PHLN guidelines for the use and interpretation of nucleic acid detection tests for Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Australia

1 January 2005

Guideline

Last updated:

3 December 2025

Audiences:

Health professionals

Last updated:

3 December 2025