About Pill Testing Australia
Organisation
Pill Testing Australia (PTA) is Australia’s leading organisation dedicated to providing free and confidential drug checking services to ensure the health and safety of individuals who use substances. We offer free, anonymous drug checking services at festivals, training and consultation
Our team consists of leading chemists, toxicologists, other health professionals, and peer workers, all of whom bring together decades of expertise in harm reduction. Our work is backed by scientific rigor, global best practices, and hands-on experience from festivals, nightlife settings, and other community environments.
Operating under the auspices of Harm Reduction Australia (HRA), a national membership organisation committed to reducing the health, social, and economic harms associated with drug use. HRA, founded in 2015, brings together individuals passionate about promoting evidence-based harm reduction strategies, creating a national network of advocates, policymakers, and health professionals. Become a member of HRA to join the movement and contribute to building a healthier, safer Australia.
History
PTA was the first organisation to deliver sanctioned pill testing in Australia, launching at Groovin the Moo in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in 2018. Building on this success, PTA delivered a second, larger-scale trial at the same festival in 2019. This trial was independently evaluated by researchers from the Australian National University (ANU), who confirmed the effectiveness and feasibility of drug checking in the Australian festival context.
In 2022, in partnership with Directions Health Services and CAHMA, PTA co-launched CanTEST—Australia’s first fixed-site drug checking service—marking a historic milestone that made it possible for people to access drug checking in a permanent, safe, and supportive setting.
In 2024, PTA delivered Queensland’s first festival-based drug checking service at Rabbits Eat Lettuce, further expanding our national reach.
Since those nation-first pilots, we’ve tested over 1,000 samples at festivals in the ACT and Queensland. As a founding partner of CanTEST, we’ve also tested ~5,000 samples since its launch in July 2022.
With a proven track record in service delivery and demonstrated impact, PTA continues to lead the advancement of drug checking in Australia—improving public health, promoting safety, and empowering communities.
Model
PTA’s service model brings together advanced analytical chemistry, peer-led engagement, and collaborative partnerships to deliver high-quality, person-centred drug checking and harm reduction services. We use technologies including Bruker’s Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), among other methods to accurately identify substances and provide people with timely, reliable, and actionable information.
We integrate peers with lived-living experience into every level of our service delivery. Our team actively refines analytical methods, incorporates emerging technologies, and draws on global best practice to enhance the accuracy and responsiveness of our testing. We also continuously evolve our service design to ensure a respectful, accessible, time-efficient, and supportive experience for everyone who uses our services.
Beyond direct service provision, PTA contributes to public health advocacy, policy reform, and research. We collaborate with universities, governments, and harm reduction organisations to influence policy and ensure that drug checking is not only a harm reduction service, but a vital tool for broader public health and community wellbeing.