Frequently Asked Questions

  • When you arrive, you'll be welcomed and briefly registered (anonymously). You'll provide a small sample of your substance for testing. You'll then receive your results in a private consultation where a harm reduction worker will explain what was found and provide you with other information and advice to help you stay safer.

  • For most people, the process takes about 15-30 minutes from arrival to departure. More complex substances may take longer to analyse, and some people may choose to have longer consultations with healthcare and peer workers.

  • Our mobile sites are based at select festivals and events.

    Our mobile sites work similarly to our fixed site. When you arrive, you'll be welcomed and briefly registered (anonymously). You'll provide a small sample of your substance for testing. You’ll receive your results in a private consultation where a harm reduction worker will explain what was found and discuss how you can make safer, more informed decisions.

  • Most substances in pill, capsule, powder, crystal, or liquid form can be tested. This includes MDMA (ecstasy), cocaine, ketamine, LSD, amphetamines, and many others. The service cannot test plant materials, highly diluted substances, or edibles.

  • Yes. You won’t need to show ID, tell us your name, or answer any questions you don’t want to.

  • No, using the service is completely legal. The legislation provides specific protections for people using the service. You cannot be arrested or charged for possession when using the service. However, these protections only apply within the service area – outside, normal laws regarding possession apply.

    You can read more about the legislative changes that have enabled drug checking services to operate in Victoria on the Victorian Legislation website.

  • Only a very small amount is needed – approximately 10mg (0.01g), which is about the size of a match head or 1/10th of a ‘point’. This allows for thorough testing while minimising the amount removed from your sample. Please bring only a small sample of your drug, as the legal protections for using the service only apply for personal (less than traffickable) quantities.

  • Yes. The technology can detect dangerous synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and nitazenes, as well as many other potentially harmful substances, even when present in small amounts.

  • Yes. The fixed site laboratory equipment can provide information about the purity of certain substances. This helps identify high-strength samples that could have overdose risks.

  • No. The service is completely anonymous. You won't need to show ID or provide your name. You'll be given a unique identifier for your sample that doesn't connect to your identity.

  • No. We operate with client anonymity and don’t ask for proof of age. This is consistent with drug checking services in other jurisdictions. Staff will assess all service users ability to participate safely and understand the pill testing process. All staff have Working with Children Checks and apply Child Safe principles when identifying and responding to any risks.

  • After testing, your sample will be safely destroyed according to strict protocols. Substances are rendered non-recoverable and non-identifiable through chemical processes, and the resulting waste is disposed of properly through specialised chemical waste management.

  • The service is designed with privacy in mind. The entrance is discreet, and staff understand the importance of confidentiality. Protecting your privacy is our priority.

  • The service can connect you with a range of additional health and social supports, including referrals to alcohol and drug counselling, mental health services, housing support, and other services. Our team includes trained peer workers and harm reduction experts who can help identify appropriate options based on your needs.

  • The service never tells anyone that their drugs are "safe," "good," or "pure." However we know many people will take drugs in their lifetime, so our goal is to reduce drug-related harms as much as possible. Our service will give you accurate information about what is in your drug sample, and offer harm reduction advice and health information to help you make safer choices. Our advice is tailored to your particular circumstances, including health conditions, medications, previous experiences with drugs, and how you plan to use your drugs.

  • Police will not be present at the Victorian Pill Testing Service.

    The Department of Health has supported Victoria Police in the development of their operational guidance – which provides direction to police members on how to support the operation of the Victorian Pill Testing Service. 

    People will not be arrested or charged for possession when using the pill testing service as legislation makes it legal to use the service.  However, outside of the service illicit drug possession remains illegal in Victoria. 

  • Our laboratory is equipped with a number of analytical techniques to to identify a wide range of substances and potentially measure purity levels.  We use Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Paper Spray ionization Mass Spectrometry (PS-MS/MS).

    The drug checking equipment can test the makeup of most pills, capsules, powders, crystals or liquids to detect high-risk and unknown substances, including synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and nitazenes. Current analytical techniques cannot test plant materials, highly diluted substances, or edibles.

  • We will share notifications for potentially harmful substances of concern that are detected by the pill testing service, such as synthetic opioids like fentanyl and nitazenes, or highly potent substances. These notifications will be shared on the Victorian Pill Testing Service website and social media, as well as at relevant festivals and events. 

    The Victorian Pill Testing service will also feed into the Department of Health's drug early warning system. Victoria’s drug early warning system is informed by a range of complementary monitoring systems to create a holistic picture of emerging drug harms and public health risk. Public health alerts and advisories will be shared on the Department of Health website and social media.

  • Evidence from existing drug checking services in Australia and internationally does not show any increase in drug use associated with these services. The service focuses on harm reduction for people who are already using drugs. It does not encourage drug use. Typically, people use the service briefly and then leave the area.

  • The service does not permit drug consumption on-site. Staff are trained to discourage this behaviour, and clear messaging reinforces that drug use is not permitted on-site or in the immediate vicinity.