Australia's humid climate makes mould a persistent threat to both health and property. Our Mould Air Test Kit uses pre-poured agar settle plates to capture airborne mould spores in your home. Simply open the plates, leave them exposed for one hour, then post them to BMS laboratory in Adelaide for species identification and colony counts.
Mould is more than a cosmetic problem. Prolonged exposure to indoor mould has been linked to respiratory illness, allergic rhinitis, and the exacerbation of asthma — particularly in children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. The World Health Organization estimates that between 10% and 50% of indoor environments in Australia and other temperate climates have dampness conditions conducive to mould growth.
Beyond health, unchecked mould causes progressive structural damage to timber framing, plasterboard, and soft furnishings. Insurance claims related to mould can be complex, and many policies require documented evidence of contamination type and extent before cover is considered.
Critically, not all mould is visible. Active colonies can thrive inside wall cavities, beneath carpet underlay, in subfloor voids, and within roof spaces — anywhere moisture accumulates without adequate ventilation. A surface that looks clean may still harbour spores behind it. Testing gives you objective data on what's actually present in your home, rather than relying on visual inspection alone.
Musty odours, persistent condensation, and unexplained respiratory symptoms can all indicate hidden mould growth. If you can smell it but can't see it, testing is the fastest way to confirm what you're dealing with.
Video: Why Home Mould Testing Matters
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Everything you need to screen your home for airborne mould spores using passive air sampling via settle plates, analysed by BMS laboratory in Adelaide.
Laboratory-grade agar plates with growth media designed to capture airborne mould spores. One plate per room — test three areas of your home.
Individual sealable bags for each plate after exposure. Keeps plates secure and uncontaminated during return transit to the laboratory.
Clear instructions on where to place each plate, at what height, and how long to leave them exposed. Includes room labelling guidance for accurate results.
Australia Post pre-paid satchel addressed to BMS laboratory in Adelaide. Seal your plates and drop at any post office or street posting box. No extra postage costs.
Plain-language guide explaining how to read your report — what species names mean, what colony counts indicate, and when to seek professional follow-up.
BMS Adelaide incubates your plates for 3-5 days and provides a report with species identification and colony counts for each room tested.
Kit price includes laboratory analysis and species identification report. No hidden fees.
Order Your Kit NowThe entire process takes about 90 minutes (mostly hands-off waiting time). You don't need any specialist equipment or training — just follow the exposure instruction card included in the kit. Here's what the process looks like:
Prioritise high-moisture areas (bathroom, kitchen, laundry), bedrooms where you sleep, and any room with a musty smell or visible dampness. Place plates at breathing height on a stable surface — not on the floor or high shelves. Keep the room in its normal state during the exposure period.
Video: How to Use Your Mould Air Test Kit
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BMS laboratory in Adelaide incubates your settle plates at 25°C for 3-5 days. During incubation, colonies grow from the mould spores that settled onto the agar during the exposure period. Each colony is identified by species using standard mycological methods.
Your report shows the species name, colony count per plate, and a general interpretation for each room tested. Common species include: Cladosporium (usually outdoor-origin and normal at low counts), Aspergillus and Penicillium (common indoors — a concern if elevated, as both are associated with respiratory illness and allergenicity), and Stachybotrys (a serious concern that warrants immediate professional follow-up, as it can produce mycotoxins under certain growth conditions).
It's important to understand that settle plates are screening tools — they show what mould species are circulating in the air of each room but do not precisely quantify airborne concentrations the way professional impaction sampling does (which uses calibrated flow rates and known air volumes). For definitive quantitative data, a professional assessment with calibrated air sampling is recommended.
All plates are analysed by BMS laboratory in Adelaide, a professional mycology laboratory. Test Australia does not operate the laboratory — this arms-length arrangement ensures objective, unbiased results you can rely on for initial screening and health decisions.
Video: Reading Your Mould Lab Report
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The Mould Air Test Kit is designed for initial air screening — it identifies what mould species are circulating in the rooms you test. There are situations, however, where a professional mould assessment is the appropriate next step.
Consider professional assessment when your settle plate results show Stachybotrys (any amount) or high Aspergillus/Penicillium colony counts, when visible mould covers more than 1 square metre, when you suspect mould is growing inside wall cavities or other concealed spaces, when household members are experiencing persistent respiratory symptoms, or when the results are needed for a rental or tenancy dispute, an insurance claim, or a pre-purchase property inspection.
A professional assessment adds capabilities beyond settle plate screening: calibrated air sampling using the impaction method with known flow rates for precise quantification, moisture mapping using thermal imaging cameras to locate the water source feeding the mould, source identification through destructive inspection where necessary, and a remediation action plan prepared by a qualified consultant.
Test Australia's principal consultant, Dan Neil MRACI CChem, DAppSc, AIOH, brings over 24 years of applied chemistry and forensic contamination experience. As a Member of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and Chartered Chemist, Dan provides the scientific rigour that insurance companies, property managers, and health practitioners require. Test Australia maintains arms-length independence — we assess and report, but we do not perform remediation work, ensuring our findings remain objective and conflict-free.
Video: DIY Kit vs Professional Mould Assessment
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Have questions about which testing option is right for your situation? Contact us to discuss your needs or arrange a professional assessment. We do not provide free telephone consultations — all advice is based on site assessment and laboratory data.
Order your Mould Air Test Kit today and get objective, laboratory-confirmed answers about what's circulating in the air of your home. For complex situations, our professional assessment service provides the comprehensive investigation you need.
