HLTPAT010 Collect Specimens for Drugs of Abuse Testing
If your role involves collecting specimens for workplace drug and alcohol testing, you need formal, nationally recognised training to do it compliantly. The HLTPAT010 Collect Specimens for Drugs of Abuse Testing is the current qualification that confirms you meet Australian Standards as an accredited collector.
This drug and alcohol testing course is available through Adept Training (RTO 90991) in two formats: face-to-face at our Harris Park campus in Sydney, or online via Teams with a practical assessment. There’s also an on-site option for organisations wanting to train a team at their own location.
You’ll leave with a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment and the skills to collect urine, oral fluid, and breath specimens in accordance with Australian Standards and all relevant Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation.
About the HLTPAT010 Collect Specimens for Drugs of Abuse Testing Superseding HLTPAT005
HLTPAT010 is the current, nationally recognised unit of competency for workplace drug and alcohol specimen collection in Australia. It superseded HLTPAT005 Collect Specimens for Drugs of Abuse Testing in December 2025, as part of a broader update to the Health Training Package.
If you’ve been searching for an HLTPAT005 course, you’re in the right place. HLTPAT010 is its direct replacement, covering the same core purpose – training collectors to work compliantly to Australian Standards – with updated performance criteria and assessment conditions that better reflect modern workplace testing environments, including mobile testing programs and a wider range of collection settings.
For individuals who already hold a valid HLTPAT005 Statement of Attainment, whether you need to update to HLTPAT010 depends on your employer, site access requirements, or client contracts. Many organisations are now specifying HLTPAT010 as the required standard. If you’re unsure, contact us, and we can help you work out what applies to your situation.
What is HLTPAT010, and Why Do You Need It?
Under Australian workplace testing standards, any person collecting specimens for drugs of abuse testing must be a trained, deemed-competent collector. This isn’t optional. It’s built into the Australian Standards that govern workplace testing programs, specifically AS/NZS 4308 for urine collection and AS/NZS 4760:2019 for oral fluid collection.
Without this qualification, your testing program is exposed. Test results can be challenged, chain-of-custody documentation may be deficient, and your organisation may not be able to defend a positive result or a refusal through any internal or legal process. This drug and alcohol training removes that risk by ensuring collectors are qualified, assessed, and accountable.
The unit applies to individuals working in collection centres, hospitals, other healthcare environments, and workplaces where drug abuse testing is conducted. It’s relevant whether you’re an individual collector looking to extend your skills or an organisation building an internal testing capability.
What This Drug and Alcohol Testing Course Covers
Urine Specimen Collection (AS/NZS 4308:2008 / AS/NZS 4308:2023)
You’ll learn the correct procedures for urine specimen collection, including donor preparation, chain of custody documentation, temperature verification, split specimen handling, and tamper detection.
Collection must follow Australian Standard AS/NZS 4308 exactly – any deviation can compromise the legal defensibility of a result.
Oral Fluid Collection (AS/NZS 4760:2019)
Oral fluid (saliva) testing has become standard practice across many industries. This component covers correct collection technique, device operation, result interpretation, and documentation requirements under AS/NZS 4760:2019 – the current Australian Standard for oral fluid drug testing.
Breath Alcohol Testing
You’ll be trained in breathalyser operation, including pre-test requirements, correct technique, interpreting readings, and documenting results in a way that supports any subsequent workplace action.
Documentation, Chain of Custody & Legal Obligations
Chain of custody is what makes a test result defensible. You’ll cover the full documentation process, from confirming collection requirements and verifying donor identity through to completing chain-of-custody forms and managing specimens for laboratory dispatch.
The legal obligations of collectors under Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation are fully covered.
Special Circumstances: Refusals, Shy Bladder, Disputes
Real-world testing doesn’t always go to plan. This component prepares you for the situations that catch collectors off guard: what to do when a donor refuses to provide a specimen, how to manage a shy bladder protocol, and the correct process when a donor disputes a result or the collection procedure.
Handling and documenting these situations correctly is as important as the collection itself.
Who Should Do This Course?
Individuals – Extend Your Collection Skill Set
This drug and alcohol training suits anyone looking to add workplace D&A testing to their professional capabilities:
- Pathology collectors and phlebotomists adding to their scope
- Occupational health nurses and workplace health practitioners
- Safety officers and HSE advisors working in regulated industries
- HR professionals managing workplace testing programs
- Healthcare workers in roles that include specimen collection
HLTPAT010 can be completed as a standalone unit of competency. You don’t need to be enrolled in a full Certificate III to undertake this course.
Organisations – Train Your Internal Collectors
Many businesses conducting drug and alcohol testing under a workplace management plan need internal collectors who are formally qualified. This workplace drug and alcohol testing course is designed for organisations in industries where regular or random testing is required by legislation, client contracts, or site access requirements.
Adept Training can come to your location to deliver the course for groups of six or more.
Industries Where This Qualification Is Required
Workplace drug and alcohol testing is mandatory or standard practice across a range of high-risk industries in Australia:
- Mining and resources – site access requirements for most major operators and contractors
- Construction – increasingly required under principal contractor WHS management plans
- Transport and logistics – heavy vehicle operators and supply chain roles
- Healthcare – collection centres, hospitals, and pathology providers
- Manufacturing – particularly chemical, pharmaceutical, and food production sites
- Oil and gas – offshore and onshore operations
If your industry has an obligation to maintain a drug-managed workplace, your collectors need this qualification.
Read more
Training Delivery Options
Face-to-Face at Harris Park, Sydney
Our drug and alcohol testing course near you runs at our Harris Park training rooms in Western Sydney – a 3-minute walk from Harris Park Station. Sessions run from 9:00am to 2:30pm in a single day, combining theory and practical assessment.
Upcoming face-to-face dates:
| Date | Session Time |
| Monday 11th May | 9:00am – 2:30pm |
| Friday 5th June | 9:00am – 2:30pm |
Online with Teams Assessment
The drug and alcohol testing course online option lets you complete the theory component remotely in your own time, with trainer support throughout. The practical observation assessment is then completed via Teams or in-person at our Sydney campus.
Onsite at Your Location (Groups of 6+)
For organisations wanting to train multiple staff, Adept Training can deliver the course on-site at your premises. The minimum group size is six participants, at $630.00 per participant. Contact us on 1300 366 044 to discuss scheduling and logistics.
Course Details
- Duration: One day (face-to-face) or self-paced online with scheduled Teams assessment
- Assessment: Written knowledge assessment + observation of practical skills (in-person or via Teams)
- Outcome: Nationally recognised Statement of Attainment – HLTPAT010 Collect Specimens for Drugs of Abuse Testing
- Standards covered: AS/NZS 4308:2008, AS/NZS 4308:2023 (urine), AS/NZS 4760:2019 (oral fluid), breath alcohol testing
- Recognition: Recognised across all Australian states and territories as a nationally accredited unit of competency
Pricing
| Delivery Mode | Fee |
| Face-to-face (Harris Park) | Contact for current pricing |
| Online with Teams assessment | Contact for current pricing |
| Onsite (6+ participants) | $630.00 per participant |
Entry Requirements
No prior drug and alcohol testing experience is required. To enrol, you’ll need a sound understanding of written and spoken English and maths – assessed through Adept Training’s Digital Language, Literacy and Numeracy (DLLN) assessment at enrolment.
Documents at enrolment:
- Completed enrolment form
- Unique Student Identifier (USI)
- Photo ID
- Proof of residency (birth certificate, passport, Green Medicare Card, or citizenship certificate)
- Emergency contact details
Enquire About the Drug & Alcohol Testing Course
Whether you’re an individual collector extending your scope or an organisation building an internal testing program, Adept Training can get you qualified quickly and correctly with our drug and alcohol testing course.
Face-to-face sessions in Harris Park, flexible online with Teams, or onsite at your location – we work around how you need to train.
Submit an enquiry and one of our team will be in touch to confirm the right delivery option for you.
Adept Training Pty Ltd | RTO 90991
FAQs
Is HLTPAT005 still current, or has it been replaced by HLTPAT010?
HLTPAT005 was officially superseded by HLTPAT010 in December 2025 as part of a broader Health Training Package update. HLTPAT010 is the current nationally recognised unit for workplace drug and alcohol specimen collection.
If you completed HLTPAT005 prior to the transition, your Statement of Attainment remains valid, but whether you need to update depends on your employer, client contracts, or site requirements.
What Australian Standards does HLTPAT010 cover?
The drug and alcohol testing course covers AS/NZS 4308:2008 and AS/NZS 4308:2023 for urine specimen collection, AS/NZS 4760:2019 for oral fluid (saliva) collection, and breath alcohol testing procedures. These are the Standards referenced in most workplace drug and alcohol management programs across Australia.
How long does the HLTPAT010 course take?
The face-to-face course is delivered in a single day, typically 9:00am to 2:30pm. The drug and alcohol testing course online option is self-paced for theory, with a practical observation assessment via Teams or in-person – timing is flexible around your schedule.
Do I need HLTPAT010 to conduct workplace drug testing?
Under Australian Standards, anyone collecting urine or oral fluid specimens as part of a workplace drug testing program must be trained and deemed competent as a collector. HLTPAT010 is the current recognised unit that demonstrates that competency. Check your organisation’s drug and alcohol management plan or site requirements for specifics.
Can Adept Training come to our site to deliver HLTPAT010?
Yes. For groups of six or more, we offer our workplace drug and alcohol testing course on-site at your location at $630.00 per participant. Get in touch to discuss your requirements and schedule a date.
What's the difference between urine and oral fluid drug testing?
Urine testing detects recent drug use over a longer detection window – typically 1 to 7 days, depending on the substance. Oral fluid (saliva) testing detects more recent use, typically within 24 to 48 hours, making it better suited to post-incident or for-cause testing where recent impairment is the concern. Both collection methods are covered in this drug and alcohol training.
Is HLTPAT010 recognised in all Australian states?
Yes. As a nationally accredited unit of competency on the national training register, HLTPAT010 is recognised across all Australian states and territories.
How often do I need to renew my HLTPAT010?
There is no legislated expiry period for the Statement of Attainment itself. However, some industries, worksites, or client contracts specify a renewal period (commonly every two to three years) to ensure collectors stay current with any updates to standards or procedures. Check your workplace drug and alcohol management plan for specifics.
Can I do HLTPAT010 as a standalone course, or do I need the full Cert III?
HLTPAT010 is a standalone unit of competency. You do not need to be enrolled in a Certificate III in Pathology or any other full qualification to complete this course. You’ll receive a Statement of Attainment for this unit on completion. It can also be counted toward a full qualification if you decide to enrol in one later.
Course Code:
HLTPAT005 Collect specimens for drugs of abuse testing
Types of Learning:
The course is conducted via face-to-face or online training.
Pre-requisite:
This course requires you to have a good understanding of written, verbal and spoken English and maths (knows as language, literacy and numeracy 'LLN'). All students who enrol in a course are required to undertake an LLN assessment.
Cost:
$630 (Enquire about discount for current students)
I have secured employment after having completed my Pathology Collection and Drugs & Alcohol Collection course with Adept Training last year. As luck would have it I have also received numerous job offers from pathology centres in direct response to the letters of introduction and resume's I delivered to all my local centres and clinics. The Adept Training method and its students are by far the preferred candidate for employment which has been confirmed to me by those that work within the industry. So thank you Adept, I wish you and all past and present students, good luck and good fortune.
Lian, Cert III in Pathology Collection Student
I completed my Certificate III in Pathology Collection in 2016 and was granted a position with Australian Clinical Labs soon after. I am so glad that I did my certificate with Adept Training. I gained so much from my classes especially the practical lessons. The staff at Adept training gave me the key foundations that I carry to this day in my job and gave me the confidence I needed in all my collection procedures. They helped me through out the recruitment process to get my job and the facilities at Adept are definitely the best I've come across. I now work at 3 different hospitals and I love my job. It's a rewarding career to help people in this way. If your thinking of starting a career in Phlebotomy. Call Adept Training now!
Sam, Cert III in Pathology Collection Student
I attended the Drug and Alcohol Training course with Adept and thoroughly recommend this course to all. The course was very interesting and provided the technical knowledge that I need to undertake testing in my workplace. The trainer is extremely knowledgeable and shared her experiences in the field. It was a very comprehensive course , with a great mix of practical and theory. I have no hesitation in recommending this course.a great mix of practical and theory. I have no hesitation in recommending this course.
Rebecca, Drug & Alcohol Testing Student
Adept Training is informative, non-judgemental, unbiased and very pleasant to all. The information is easily displayed and the assignments have step-by-step positive feedback and ways of learning.
Brian, Cert III in Pathology Collection Student
Adept Training is a great college for studying. The theory and practicals are well balanced, and the teachers and trainers were all nice and professional, helping any student when needed. The blood collection training was great and a fun experience. Would definitely recommend Adept Training to others.
Parwana, Cert III in Pathology Collection Student
I chose Adept Training because Pathology is a course that really piqued my interest and my friends really enjoyed studying at Adept Training. The trainers were helpful and very clear with what they were teaching.
Cert III in Pathology Collection Student
The best choice of training, helped a lot and I learnt everything expected. Kate was a lovely, great trainer and I always enjoyed my classes. I would recommend others to Adept Traning - a great amount of opportunities and classes to learn from.
Fatema, Cert III in Pathology Collection Student
I wasn't sure that I would be able to complete this course, but the trainer Kate made the whole experience possible. I never thought that I would be able to perform venepuncture and now I can. Thank you Kate.
Cert III in Pathology Collection Student
I knew a lot of people who had done the course and spoke highly of it. Our trainer was extremely supportive.
Serena, Cert III in Pathology Collection Student
Adept Traning is a friendly and welcoming college. I was nervous about changing my career but the teacher and other classmates were very helpful. The learning materials were easy to follow and the assessments were not too complex. Adept Training is a great course provider for all things health.