Forensic Science SA (FSSA) carries out a number of drug tests, including hair drug testing.

Drug hair testing

Hair testing provides a longer timeframe for detection of drugs after use than either blood or urine as drugs will remain relatively stable in hair for many months or even years.

The detection period depends on the length of hair available for testing. Head hair is the preferred sample however if this is not available, then axillary hair (e.g. pubic, beard or underarm) can be analysed.

We conduct hair testing for:

  • Health professionals
  • Police officers
  • Accredited workplace drug testing agencies.

These groups can request a collection kit by emailing FSSA@sa.gov.au.

A commonly used segment length of head hair is the first 3cm portion proximal to the scalp which represents hair growth over an approximate 3-month period as head hair grows an average of 1cm per month. Hair can be analysed in segments of 1cm to 3cm lengths.

The cost for the analysis is $1190 inc GST for each segment (e.g. if you are only interested in drug use in a three month period then one segment 3 cm in length would be analysed at a cost of $1190 inc GST (which includes a non-refundable $80 administration fee).

However, if you wanted to approximate in which month of a three monthly period the drugs were used then this would require three individual monthly segments to be analysed with a total of $3570 inc GST.

Payment is required prior to any analysis of the hair.

The cost includes a report but not an interpretative report or court appearance time. Multiple segments of up to 3cm each can be analysed. You can pay by:

  • EFT payment
  • credit card.

For Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), use the details as below:

    AGD Corporate Account
    Forensic Science SA
    BSB: 015-101
    Account: 838539341
    Reference: (Your name - hair drug test).

Please email EFT remittance to FSSA@sa.gov.au to confirm payment has been made.

For credit card payments please contact Forensic Science SA on 08 8226 7700 or use the CyberSource system.

Follow these prompts if using CyberSource:

  1. Full name: Person paying for the testing
  2. Contact email: If Forensic Science SA needs to contact you
  3. Contact number: If Forensic Science SA needs to contact you
  4. Customer reference: Subject’s name – e.g. the donor
  5. Amount (AUD): depending on the amount of segments required.

Please email your receipt to FSSA@sa.gov.au to confirm payment has been made.

Use the collection kit we provide and follow the hair sampling procedure.

Hair Sampling Procedure (PDF, 342.8 KB)

  1. Complete the Request for Hair Drug Analysis form (PDF, 201.2 KB)
  2. Email the form to FSSA@sa.gov.au
  3. Post the sealed sample to us

The results should always be interpreted by one of our experts.

Read the information sheet (PDF, 196.2 KB).

Contact Forensic Science SA

In person: 21 Divett Place, Adelaide SA 5000, Kaurna Country
9am - 5pm (out-of-hours deliveries must be pre-booked)

Mail: GPO Box 2790, Adelaide SA 5001
Phone: 08 8226 7700
Email: FSSA@sa.gov.au