Fees
What a hair follicle drug test costs
Our testing is designed for court and legal matters, with verified identity, documented chain of custody and analysis by a NATA-accredited Australian laboratory.
- No hidden extras
- Full panel as standard
- No referral required
Testing
Each price is the total for one test on a 3 cm sample, covering approximately three months of history. Longer windows are charged by the same rule, each additional 3 cm costs the base price again, so 6 cm is twice, 9 cm three times and 12 cm four times.
There is no appointment fee at our clinic and no per-drug surcharge. All prices include GST where applicable.
Check your hair length first. Measured from the scalp along the strand, 1 cm is about a month, so 6 months needs 6 cm and 12 months needs 12 cm. If your hair is shorter, the result covers less: the length decides the period, not the window you pay for. Unsure? Call (03) 9380 5434 before booking.
$699
3 cm sample, about 3 months
or $1,398 for 6 cm, about 6 months
$699
3 cm sample, about 3 months
or $1,398 for 6 cm, about 6 months
$950
3 cm sample, about 3 months
or $1,900 for 6 cm, about 6 months
$175
One-off, collection only
The collection kit covers the sample only, it does not include testing. Analysis begins once the sample is received and the testing fee is paid.
Where the sample is collected
- At our Melbourne clinic: no appointment fee. Collection by an AHPRA-registered practitioner is included in the prices above.
- At your own GP, using a posted kit: your GP usually charges their own consultation fee for the appointment. That fee is set and collected by their practice. We neither set it nor receive any part of it, so confirm it with them when you book.
- Postage on a kit: free by standard post anywhere in Australia, $25 for Express Post, or a flat $35 to any overseas address. Shown at the cart before you pay.
- Return postage from overseas: not included, and not something we can quote. We cannot prepay postage from another country. The kit carries a return-addressed envelope with no stamps on it, and we recommend buying a trackable satchel locally for your practitioner to post the sample back in. Within Australia the return is prepaid and there is nothing to buy. Import duty or customs charges raised in the destination country are set by that country and payable there.
Forensic interpretation
Dr Michael Robertson interprets hair, blood, urine, saliva and breath test results from any laboratory, with fees tailored to the legal matter's requirements. The full fee schedule for each option is below.
Expert consultation
$495 – $3,575
- Verbal advice on drug, alcohol or steroid results$495
- Verbal advice plus a brief email summary, family law and other matters$1,100
- Verbal advice plus a brief email summary, criminal law$1,290
- Verbal advice plus a brief email summary, CTP or personal injury$2,575
- Verbal advice plus a brief email summary, civil litigation$2,145
- Verbal advice on supply or manufacture of illegal substances$2,100
- Court appearance, up to 2 hours by audio-visual link$2,145
- Court appearance, 2 to 4 hours by audio-visual link$3,575
Written forensic report
$1,430 – $4,290
- Family law, standard report$1,430
Covers: Drugs, Alcohol, Steroids
- Family law, extended report$2,575
Covers: Drugs, Alcohol, Steroids
- DUI charges$2,450
Covers: Alcohol
- DUID charges$2,450
Covers: Drugs
- CTP, personal injury or civil litigation$4,290
Covers: Drugs, Alcohol, Steroids, Poisons
- Criminal law$3,575
Covers: Drugs, Alcohol, Steroids, Poisons
- Employment law$3,375
Covers: Drugs, Alcohol, Steroids, Poisons
- Healthcare law$3,375
Covers: Drugs, Alcohol, Steroids, Poisons
- Environmental law$3,375
Covers: Drugs, Alcohol, Steroids, Poisons
These are standard-turnaround prices. Any consultation, court appearance or report needed within 7 days carries a 50% short-notice surcharge on Dr Robertson's fee, added when you tick the within-7-days option in the shop. See the booking and cancellation policy. In-person court attendance is quoted separately. About the forensic service →
Everything goes through this office. Dr Michael Robertson does not take direct calls or correspond with clients and solicitors, he is giving evidence across Australia most weeks. Send instructions, documents and questions to us and we deal with him; the opinion and the report are entirely his own work.
How our price compares
A hair follicle drug test in Australia can cost from around $165 to more than $1,267, but these prices can represent very different types of testing. A low-cost home collection kit is not equivalent to a professionally collected forensic test with verified identity and documented chain of custody.
If the result may be relied on in court, family law, child protection or another legal matter, the collection and chain-of-custody process are just as important as the laboratory analysis.
Price by test type
Australian hair drug testing services vary considerably in price and in what is included. These are published prices, checked in October 2026.
| Testing option | Typical price (AUD) | What you get | Forensic / court-ready? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic / at-home kit | $165–$300 | You collect the hair yourself and post it. Anonymous collection, with no independent identity verification. | No |
| QML Pathology self-request | $770 incl. collection | $750 hair drug screen plus a $20 collection fee. | Check with provider |
| Forensic Science SA | $1,267 per 3 cm | Forensic laboratory analysis and report. Interpretation and court attendance are additional. | Yes |
| Hair Drug Testing And Analysis (our clinic) | $699 per 3 cm | 95-drug panel, AHPRA-registered collector, identity verification, chain of custody and a NATA-accredited Australian laboratory. | Yes |
The important difference is not simply the price. It is how the sample is collected, identified, sealed, documented and analysed.
A basic home kit may be suitable for personal information or screening. If a result may be relied on in legal proceedings, a professionally collected sample with documented chain of custody is generally the more appropriate option.
Why we only offer legal-grade, court-ready testing
People commonly seek hair testing for court and family law matters, child protection proceedings, employment matters and other situations where documented forensic testing is important. For these, the collection process matters. Our testing process includes:
- Identity verification. Government-issued identification is checked before collection.
- AHPRA-registered collectors. Hair samples are collected by registered health practitioners rather than the donor, a family member or another unverified person.
- Documented chain of custody. The sample is sealed and documented through the collection and laboratory process.
- NATA-accredited Australian laboratory. Samples are analysed in Australia using validated mass-spectrometry methods within the laboratory's NATA-accredited scope.
- No overseas laboratory. Samples are not sent overseas for analysis.
- Results in approximately 5–7 business days. Results are provided as a certificate of analysis identifying the substances detected and their measured concentrations.
This does not mean any particular result is automatically admissible in every legal proceeding. Whether evidence is admitted, and the weight given to it, is ultimately determined by the relevant court or tribunal. Our aim is to make sure the collection, identification, chain of custody and laboratory analysis are properly documented from the beginning.
Compare like with like
Compare services that provide a similar level of collection, laboratory analysis and documentation.
| Provider | 3-month / 3 cm price | What's included | Extra or not included | Who can order |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forensic Science SA | $1,267 incl. GST per 3 cm segment. Three monthly segments of a three-month period: $3,801 | A report, and an $85 non-refundable administration fee | Interpretive report and court attendance. Refer to their drug list | Health professionals, police officers or accredited workplace drug testing agencies |
| QML Pathology | $770 incl. collection ($750 hair drug screen plus a $20 collection fee) | Self-requested hair drug screen and collection | Confirm the panel and collection arrangements with QML before comparing | Self-request |
| Hair Drug Testing And Analysis (our clinic) | $699 per 3 cm | 95-drug panel, collection at our clinic and the certificate of analysis | No per-drug surcharge and no appointment fee at our clinic | Anyone. No referral required |
Prices checked October 2026. Prices and panel contents can change, so confirm current fees and inclusions directly with any provider you are considering.
A cheaper headline usually reflects a smaller drug panel. Once you add back the missing drug categories, the lower-cost option often becomes more expensive.
About the second column: our own observations of typical market pricing, not any named provider's published rates. Confirm current pricing, panel size and testing location directly with anyone you compare.
Drug panel size
Our clinic
95-drug panel
Typical competitor
18-drug base panel, 18 drugs tested in total
Base cost
Our clinic
$699
Typical competitor
$480 base
Appointment fee
Our clinic
None at our clinic, collection is included
Typical competitor
Typically an extra $110
Synthetic cannabinoids
Our clinic
Included
Typical competitor
Typically an extra $330
CBD
Our clinic
Included
Typical competitor
Typically an extra $330
Fentanyl
Our clinic
Included
Typical competitor
Typically an extra $440
Benzodiazepines
Our clinic
Included
Typical competitor
Typically an extra $165
Turnaround
Our clinic
5–7 business days
Typical competitor
14–21 business days
Testing location
Our clinic
Australia
Typical competitor
Often overseas
Court-ready results
Our clinic
Yes
Typical competitor
Check with the facility
AHPRA-registered collectors
Our clinic
Yes
Typical competitor
Not necessarily. Check
Online booking
Our clinic
Yes
Typical competitor
Check with the facility
Total cost
Our clinic
$699 inc. GST
Typical competitor
$1,745 inc. GST, plus any appointment fee
| Hair Drug Testing And Analysis (our clinic)3 cm of hair, no hidden extras | Typical competitor3 cm of hair, extras usually apply | |
|---|---|---|
| Drug panel size | 95-drug panel | 18-drug base panel, 18 drugs tested in total |
| Base cost | $699 | $480 base |
| Appointment fee | None at our clinic, collection is included | Typically an extra $110 |
| Synthetic cannabinoids | Included | Typically an extra $330 |
| CBD | Included | Typically an extra $330 |
| Fentanyl | Included | Typically an extra $440 |
| Benzodiazepines | Included | Typically an extra $165 |
| Turnaround | 5–7 business days | 14–21 business days |
| Testing location | Australia | Often overseas |
| Court-ready results | Yes | Check with the facility |
| AHPRA-registered collectors | Yes | Not necessarily. Check |
| Online booking | Yes | Check with the facility |
| Total cost | $699 inc. GST | $1,745 inc. GST, plus any appointment fee |
95 drugs in one test: why the panel matters
Price alone does not tell you how comprehensive a hair drug test is. Some services use smaller standard panels or charge separately for additional substances, so check exactly which drugs are included. Our standard hair drug test screens 95 substances in a single laboratory run, with no per-substance surcharge. The panel includes:
- Stimulants: methamphetamine (ice), amphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, ketamine, methylphenidate and modafinil
- Opioids: heroin (6-MAM), morphine, codeine, oxycodone, buprenorphine, methadone, tramadol, tapentadol and fentanyl
- Benzodiazepines and sedatives: 25 substances, including diazepam, alprazolam, clonazepam, etizolam and zolpidem
- Cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids: THC, CBD and AB-Fubinaca (Spice)
- Psychedelics: LSD, psilocin, DMT, mescaline and NBOMe compounds
- SARMs and non-steroidal anabolics: 15 substances, including ostarine and clenbuterol
See the full list of drugs tested.
Can hair testing detect every drug?
Hair testing covers most drugs, and a few sit outside our panel:
- GHB (gammahydroxybutyrate). Too volatile for reliable hair analysis.
- PCP (phencyclidine). No established Australian standard for testing it in hair.
- Hyoscine (scopolamine). No established method for reliable detection.
- Olanzapine. No established method for reliable detection.
If your matter concerns one of these, another testing method may be more appropriate.
Before you book
Why one test can replace several
A hair test costs more than a single urine or saliva test. Over the three months a court or an employer usually cares about, it is comparable to repeat collection, and the money is only one of the four reasons.
One hair test, same 12 weeks (3 months)
$699
One appointment. 95 substances. No appointment fee, no per-drug extras.
Repeat urine testing, same 12 weeks (3 months)
$480–$720
8 appointments over 12 weeks, at a typical $60–$90 each, before counting time away from work.
Repeat-testing costs are indicative of rates commonly charged for supervised collection and are not a quote from any named provider. Our own fees are published in full on fees and pricing.
- One appointment, not a schedule
- A single 3 cm sample looks back about three months, and covers 95 substances in that one test. Repeat urine collection over the same twelve weeks is 8 separate appointments, and 8 chances for a missed or disputed one.
- No repeated time away from work
- One short visit, rather than half a day lost 8 times over 12 weeks. For anyone on shift work or paid hourly, that is usually the larger cost of the two.
- Nothing supervised, nothing invasive
- A small trim of hair from the crown, fully clothed, with nobody observing. Repeat urine collection is supervised by design, and the strain of that is the objection clients raise most often, particularly in family-law matters that run for months.
- Fewer disputed results to pay for
- Hair is very difficult to alter, so a result is less likely to be challenged, re-run or thrown out. A single contested test can cost more in legal time than the test itself.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a hair follicle drug test in Australia?
Court-ready hair drug testing commonly costs around $700 to more than $1,200 for approximately three months of testing, depending on the laboratory, the collection process and the panel. Ours is $699 for a 95-drug panel, including professional collection and laboratory analysis.
Are there extra fees for more drugs?
Not with our standard panel. The 95-drug panel is $699, with all 95 substances included in the one laboratory test and no per-drug surcharge.
How long do hair drug test results take?
Results are generally available 5–7 business days after the laboratory receives the sample. Turnaround can vary where additional testing or laboratory clarification is required.
How far back can a hair drug test detect drugs?
For head hair, a 3 cm sample generally represents approximately three months of hair growth. Longer samples cover a longer period, and hair testing gives an approximate period of exposure rather than an exact date of use.
How do I pay for a hair drug test?
Testing fees are payable in full before the laboratory begins. Collection can happen beforehand, but analysis does not start until payment clears.
Collection kits are paid by direct deposit, details at checkout. Use your order ID as the reference. International payments use SWIFT code CTBAAU2S.
Read the cancellation policy and refund policy before booking.
Is there any free hair drug testing?
No, the laboratory and expert costs make it impossible. Funding is a different question from free testing, though: if you hold a grant of legal assistance it may cover the cost of the testing, the forensic report or both. You or your solicitor arrange it with the funding body; see legal aid may pay for your test, or read who pays for court-ordered drug testing for the position in each state.
Can I be re-tested if I am concerned about my result?
The NATA-accredited Australian laboratory we use stands behind the accuracy of its testing and processing procedures. If you have genuine concerns that your result may be incorrect, the laboratory can review and, where appropriate, re-test the original hair sample.
The re-test must be performed on the same hair sample used for the original analysis. A new hair sample cannot be used to verify the original result because it represents a different period of hair growth.
A re-test is normally treated as a new laboratory analysis and may incur an additional fee. However, if the laboratory identifies an error in its testing or processing that has affected the original result, the cost of the second test will be refunded.
If the laboratory confirms that the original analysis was performed correctly, the original result remains the reported result. If you require an independent interpretation of what the result means, Dr Michael Robertson can provide a verbal consultation or written forensic report.
Legal aid may pay for your test
If you have a grant of legal assistance, through Legal Aid, or the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. It may cover the cost of the testing, the forensic report, or both. It is well worth asking before you pay privately, particularly where a court has ordered the testing.
You or your solicitor need to arrange it. Eligibility is decided by the funding body, not by us, and we cannot apply on your behalf. Once assistance is granted, bring your Legal Aid grant number to the appointment. We can collect the sample without it, but the laboratory does not begin analysis until payment is secured.
Who pays for court-ordered drug testing? , what legal aid and each child protection department will and will not fund, with the source documents.
Book your test
Same-day appointments usually available. Results in 5–7 business days.