DIY Test Kit

Meth Test Kit 3-Pack

$50 ($16.67 per kit)

Prices in AUD, including GST. Free express postage, dispatched the next business day.
Returns and refunds · How to use the kit

Rapid surface screening kits for methamphetamine residue. Each kit screens one surface at the property and gives a positive or negative result in 5 minutes, at a cut-off of 0.5 µg/100 cm². Choose the pack that suits the number of rooms or vehicles you need to screen.

Key Features

  • 3 test kits: one surface and one result per kit
  • Result in 5 minutes: at the property, with no laboratory wait for a first screen
  • Presumptive screen: positive or negative at the 0.5 µg/100 cm² cut-off
  • CE marked: in vitro diagnostic device (EU)
Need Professional Assessment Instead?
Free Express PostageAustralia-wide
CE MarkedEU in vitro diagnostic
Fast ResultsRead at 5 minutes
At the PropertyNo laboratory wait

Rapid meth screening at the property

Each kit screens one surface for methamphetamine residue and gives a result in 5 minutes. The test is a qualitative lateral flow immunoassay with a cut-off of 0.5 µg/100 cm², the residential investigation level in the Australian Government's Clandestine Drug Laboratory Remediation Guidelines (2011). The kit is CE marked as an in vitro diagnostic device in the European Union.

How the test works

You wet the swab in the extraction bottle, swab a 10 × 10 cm square of the surface through the sampling template, then mix the swab back into the extraction bottle and add three drops to the test cassette. If methamphetamine on the swab is above the cut-off, the test line does not form.

Why screen first

  • Fast: a result in 5 minutes, with nothing to post
  • Targeted: one kit for each room or vehicle, so a positive points to that area
  • Simple: clear instructions come with every kit

Important limitations

This is a presumptive screening test, not laboratory analysis. It shows whether residue is above or below the cut-off, not how much is there. It can also react to some closely related compounds such as MDMA. A positive or unclear result needs laboratory testing before any decision about the property. Laboratory testing is available in every capital city: meth testing in Adelaide, meth testing in Brisbane, meth testing in Sydney, meth testing in Melbourne, meth testing in Perth, meth testing in Canberra, meth testing in Hobart and meth testing in Darwin. A negative result covers only the surface you sampled. A screening kit cannot tell use from manufacture.

What's in the Box

Each kit contains everything for one test. A 3 pack contains 3 of each item.

Test cassetteSealed in its own foil packet
SwabFor collecting the surface sample
Extraction bottleSolution for the swab
Sampling templateMarks a 10 × 10 cm square
InstructionsStep by step guide in every pack

Gloves are not included. You will also need a watch or timer.

How to use the kit

1

Prepare

Bring the kit to room temperature and open the pouch only when you are ready.

2

Swab

Wet the swab in the extraction bottle. Place the sampling template flat on the surface and swab the surface inside the 10 × 10 cm opening, not the template itself. Twist the swab as you go.

3

Mix

Return the swab to the extraction bottle and mix for at least 1 minute. Squeeze the swab against the bottle several times and remove it, then cap, shake and wait 30 seconds.

4

Read

Add three drops to the cassette and read the result at 5 minutes. Do not read it after 10 minutes.

Reading your result

  • Negative: two lines, C and T. Even a faint T line counts as negative.
  • Positive: only the C line appears.
  • Invalid: no C line. Repeat the test with a new kit.

Where to sample

  • Walls above shoulder height, and above windows or doors
  • One kit for each room you want a separate answer for, such as bedrooms, bathroom and living area

Avoid surfaces that have recently been cleaned or painted. Full instructions come with every kit.

How to Sample — Video Guide

Video Guide
How to Collect a Meth Surface Sample
Coming Soon

A step-by-step video guide is currently in production. The video will walk you through the complete sampling process from start to finish — including how to prepare the surface, swab the surface correctly, mix the swab in the extraction bottle, and read the result cartridge.

What the Video Will Cover

  • Preparing your sampling area — what surfaces to avoid and why
  • Correct swab technique — how to cover the full 100cm² area consistently
  • Extraction: mixing the swab in the extraction bottle
  • Reading the test cartridge — interpreting one line vs two lines accurately
  • Recommended room locations — where to place your samples for best coverage
  • Recording and labelling — keeping track of which sample came from which location

In the meantime, full written instructions are included in the kit and the How to Use tab above covers all steps in detail. If you have any questions before your kit arrives, contact us and we're happy to help.

Technical Specifications

Kits per pack3
Results per kit1
Sampling area10 × 10 cm (100 cm²)
Test typeQualitative lateral flow immunoassay
Cut-off0.5 µg/100 cm²
Read time5 minutes (do not read after 10 minutes)
CertificationCE marked in vitro diagnostic (EU)
Storage2 to 30 °C in the sealed pouch. Do not freeze.
Shelf lifeSee the expiry date on each pouch

No reviews yet. Bought this kit? We would value your feedback: email info@testaustralia.com.au.

How many kits do I need?

Each kit gives one result for one sampled surface. Use a separate kit for each room or area you want an answer for, so that a positive screen points to that room.

  • 3 kits: a car, caravan or small unit
  • 10 kits: a typical house with two to four bedrooms
  • 20 to 100 kits: property managers and landlords screening between tenancies

These are starting points. Larger homes, or more surfaces per room, need more kits.

What do my results mean?

This kit is a presumptive surface screen. A positive or unclear result means methamphetamine may be present above the kit's detection threshold on the surface you sampled. It does not measure a concentration and it is not laboratory analysis.

Follow a positive or unclear result with laboratory testing before making decisions about the property. A negative result applies only to the surfaces you sampled, not to the whole property.

Request a fee proposal for laboratory testing

Who the 3-pack suits

Three kits suit a single vehicle, a caravan, a boat or a small unit, where you want a quick screen of a few surfaces before deciding what to do next. Use one kit for each surface you want an answer for, and write down where and when you took each one.

If you are thinking of buying a used car, caravan or motorhome, a screen can help you decide whether to arrange vehicle meth testing before you commit. Our pre-purchase vehicle guide explains what to ask the seller.

A negative result covers only the surfaces you swabbed. A positive or unclear result needs laboratory testing before any decision about the vehicle or property.

Frequently asked questions

How many kits do I need for a house?

One kit for each room or area you want an answer for. A typical house with two to four bedrooms uses about 10 kits: kitchen, bathroom, each bedroom, living area, hallway and laundry. The number of kits therefore follows the number of rooms and areas you want to check.

Where should I test in a car?

Test hard surfaces where smoke settles, such as the dashboard, air vents, steering wheel and door trims. Use one kit for each area you want a separate answer for. Do not clean the surfaces before testing, because cleaning removes the residue you are trying to find.

What does the 0.5 µg/100 cm² cut-off mean?

0.5 µg/100 cm² is the residential investigation level in the Australian Government's Clandestine Drug Laboratory Remediation Guidelines (2011). The kit shows whether residue on the surface you swabbed is above or below that level. It is not a line between safe and unsafe.

Should I clean the surface before testing?

No. Cleaning removes the residue you are trying to find and can give a false negative. Swab the surface as you find it, without wiping or washing it first, so the result reflects the residue actually there. A false negative could suggest residue is absent when it is present.

How long does a test take?

About 5 minutes once you have swabbed the surface and added the drops. Read the result at 5 minutes and not after 10 minutes. Use one kit for each area you want an answer for, and allow about 5 minutes for each.

What should I do if the result is positive?

A positive or unclear screen needs laboratory testing before any decision about the property. A screening kit cannot measure how much residue is there or tell use from manufacture. Every assessment is scoped to the question being asked. Request a fee proposal and we will reply with the scope, fee and available dates.

What is the difference between a DIY kit and laboratory testing?

A DIY meth kit is a presumptive lateral-flow screen. It indicates whether methamphetamine may be present above the kit’s cut-off of 0.5 µg/100 cm², but it is not laboratory analysis and gives no concentration. Follow a positive or uncertain screen with laboratory testing, which measures the amount in each sample. A field assessment documents chain of custody.

Reviewed for Test Australia by Dan Neil, Principal Occupational Hygienist and Chartered Chemist (MRACI CChem). Dan has 25 years in industrial chemistry and forensic science experience and has been a member of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists for more than 13 years. Last reviewed .