Our Services
Training and Education Courses
Drug and Alcohol Training Australia offers tailored workplace drug and alcohol education programs for businesses and individuals. Developing and delivering courses with over 15 years of firsthand experience in the drug and alcohol testing industry. Each course offers comprehensive training to the highest standards and promotes an in-depth learning experience for each participant.
HLTPAT005_Collect specimens for drugs of abuse testing
Drug and Alcohol Training Australia frequently delivers this one-day nationally recognised accredited course, HLTPAT005_Collect specimens for drugs of abuse testing. A ‘must have’ qualification for conducting drug and alcohol testing in workplaces by obtaining a Statement of Attainment that complies with the Australian Quality Training Framework or New Zealand Qualification Framework.
Drug and Alcohol Training Australia provides each participant with in-depth knowledge and tools to understand and perform specimen screening and collection in compliance with the standards, including recommendations for best practice procedures. Training with over 15 years of industry experience.
Suitability: Wanting to become a qualified ‘Collector’ for a new employment pathway, a requirement of current employment, needing a renewal of this qualification to remain compliant with the current Australian / New Zealand Standards, or wanting to better understand the drug and alcohol testing process.
Nationally Recognised Training (Delivery ‘live online’ or classroom) – (One-on-one training available)
✓ Organisational guidelines for alcohol and other drug screening in compliance with current Australian / New Zealand Standards
- AS 3547:2019 Breath alcohol testing devices
- AS/NZS 4760:2019 Procedures for specimen collection and the detection and quantification of drugs in oral fluid
- AS/NZS 4308:2023 Procedures for specimen collection and the detection and quantification of drugs in urine
✓ Reasons to test in the workplace (random, blanket, reasonable suspicion / for cause, post incident, pre-employment)
✓ Plan and perform alcohol and other drug screening in the workplace (breath alcohol, oral fluid (saliva), and urine testing)
✓ Safety, Duty of Care, and Risk Management – WHS
✓ Respectful communication about testing activities and outcomes
✓ Best practice principles to ensure privacy and confidentiality
✓ Collection and preparation of samples requiring confirmation laboratory analysis
✓ Practical and theory assessments
✓ Chain of Custody and record keeping requirements
✓ Ongoing after training support
‘Supported by Healthcorp RTO #91222’
ONRSR – Authorised Persons Drug Testing Course
The Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR), was established under the Rail Safety National Law (South Australia) Act 2012. ONRSR’s primary objectives are to encourage and enforce safe railway operations and promote and improve national rail safety.
Rail Transport Operators have a legislative obligation to comply with ONRSR’s Drug and Alcohol testing and reporting requirements which must align with your Drug and Alcohol Management Program (DAMP).
Serious penalties can be imposed if testers do not hold this qualification. NSW Rail Transport Operators have a responsibility to ensure all training requirements are fulfilled by completing this Authorised Persons Course before directing and/or performing drug and alcohol testing to rail safety workers.
Course Contents
✓ Legislative requirements
✓ Who / what is ONRSR
✓ Who / what is an Authorised Person
✓ Obligations of the Rail Transport Operators (RTO)
✓ Drug and alcohol management program
✓ Principles of best practice
✓ Scheduled testing requirements
✓ Rights/roles and responsibilities
✓ Requirements for authorised persons
✓ Skills and knowledge required
✓ Breath alcohol and urine screening, collection protocol, and procedures
✓ Records keeping and disclaimer
- Approximately 3 hours
- Certificate of Completion
- Live online (Microsoft Teams platform)
Drugs and Alcohol – General Awareness and Education
It is impossible to have a completely drug-free workplace when many people require medication to lead a normal, productive, and pain-free life. However, it is possible to achieve a safe working environment. Employee awareness and education are a critical element of your Drug and Alcohol Management Program (DAMP), when introducing, updating, or needing a refresher of your existing policy and procedures.
Drug and Alcohol Training Australia specifically tailors this program to reflect your Drug and Alcohol Policy and Procedures, and to better inform entire workforces on the negative impacts of alcohol and drug use and misuse in the workplace.
Imparting 15+ years of industry knowledge and expertise, this comprehensive education program allows participants the opportunity to ask questions to obtain clarification and reinforce their obligation to not attend work ‘under the influence’.
Course Contents
✓ Introduction of your Drug and Alcohol Policy and Procedures
✓ Reasons for testing being conducted in the workplace
✓ Medication use – prescription or non-prescription (including Medicinal Cannabis)
✓ Confidentiality
✓ Personal time vs work time
✓ Alcohol and its effects on the body
✓ Drugs screened in workplaces and their effects
✓ Detection timeframes vs impairment timeframes
✓ Drug testing processes in line with your DAMP
✓ Understanding confirmation laboratory reports: POSITIVE (consistent with medication) or POSITIVE (not consistent with medication or no medication declared)
✓ Open communication – are you ok
✓ Support, counselling and rehabilitation
- Approximately 60-90 minutes
- Client input meeting pre-training rollout
- Live online or classroom (dependent on location)
Reasonable Suspicion / For Cause Management Training
Deciding to undertake reasonable suspicion / for cause drug and alcohol testing can be difficult and uncomfortable.
Comprehensive training should be a fundamental component of your Drug and Alcohol Management Program to maximise well-being and minimise health and safety risks in workplaces.
An in-depth program most suitable for management staff is specifically designed to align with your Drug and Alcohol Policy and Procedures. This course will equip each participant with the tools and knowledge to apply when observing signs that raise concerns of an employee’s fitness for work.
Characteristics of an individual being ‘under the influence’ vs other contributing factors that may appear similar, must be actioned appropriately and in a timely manner to safeguard the individual and others, and for the prevention of accidents.
Drug and Alcohol Training Australia will guide participants through each vital step to identify and manage these situations with confidence.
Course Contents
✓ Introduction of manager, supervisor, and worker obligations
✓ Work-related risk factors – conditions or characteristics
✓ Understanding what reasonable suspicion / for cause is
✓ Identifying fitness for work
✓ Documentation of observed indicators – customised observation checklist
✓ Mitigating factors
✓ Approaching a worker – effective communication
✓ Role of a responsible person
✓ Steps to take in line with your drug and alcohol policy and procedures
✓ Legal obligations
✓ Maintaining confidentiality and employee privacy
✓ Counselling, support and rehabilitation – encouragement to seek assistance
✓ Interactive scenarios
- Approximately 2 hours
- Customised Observation Checklist
- Certificate of Completion
- Live online or classroom (dependent on location)
Alcohol Breathalyser Unit and Procedures Training
Operating alcohol breathalyser units is in no way complicated, however, and most importantly, the operator needs to have a thorough understanding of the procedures to follow in compliance with AS 3547:2019 Breath alcohol testing devices.
This training provides a comprehensive understanding of the current Australian Standard, including what is considered ‘good practice’. Company Alcohol Policy and Procedures should accurately reflect this standard to decrease the risk of test results being challenged.
This hands-on workplace training course will provide each participant with the knowledge and confidence required to conduct breath alcohol testing.
DAATA can tailor this course to suit the particular handheld breathalyser being used in your workplace.
Course Contents
✓ Introduction of your alcohol testing policy and procedures
✓ Breath alcohol handheld units
✓ Breathalyser performance criteria
✓ Recalibration
✓ AS 3547:2019 update
✓ Passive mode vs active mode
✓ BrAC vs BAC
✓ 0.00% vs 0.000%
✓ How to use the handheld unit
✓ Breath alcohol testing procedures, including correct and hygiene disposal of mouthpieces
✓ False readings – interferences
✓ Positive breath alcohol test result
✓ Procedures to follow – company alcohol policy and procedures
✓ Practical assessments
- Approximately 90 minutes
- Certificate of Competence
- Live online or classroom (dependent on location)
Drug Test Device Training
Drug testing device manufacturers’ instructions are most important to read and adhere to. However, it is not as simple as ‘read and proceed’. User error is a common reason for wasted devices which equals wasted money for your business. Clear instructions must be provided to ensure correct use of the device for accurate results to be obtained.
Drug and Alcohol Training Australia provides step-by-step practical and theory training classes to develop each participant’s knowledge and understanding of oral fluid (saliva) or urine testing devices in the workplace. Each session is designed in conjunction with the device being used in your workplace.
KEY ELEMENTS:
Oral fluid: Drug testing categories covered by AS/NZS 4760:2019, dry mouth, faulty vs flooded or invalid device, slow developing, adulteration, device handling, and interpretation of results.
Urine: Drug testing categories covered by AS/NZS 4308:2023, temperature range, creatinine vs full adulteration check, supervised vs witnessed testing, and potential to compromise a sample. Device procedures that are not clearly understood may lead to consequences for not only the person being tested, but also your business. This course will provide testers with a thorough understanding of the device and procedures to apply with confidence when administering drug testing.
Course Contents
✓ Introduction and test principles
✓ Storage and Stability
✓ Site preparation – privacy and access restrictions
✓ Donor Information required
✓ Questions to ask prior to testing – minimising risk compromising a sample
✓ Procedures – step-by-step guide
✓ Device handling – correct hygiene practices
✓ Dry mouth procedures (Saliva)
✓ Flooded device (Saliva)
✓ Interpretation of results
✓ Procedures to follow – company drug testing policy and procedures
✓ Practical assessments
- Approximately 90 minutes
- Certificate of Competence
- Live online or classroom (dependent on location)
Other Specialised Services
Implementing a Drug and Alcohol Management Program (DAMP) can be a lengthy and daunting task. Utilising the services of industry experts should be a fundamental step in the process to provide current and accurate information. It is crucial to ensure businesses are confident in meeting their legal obligations.
Drug and Alcohol Training Australia offers specialised services to support organisations across a wide range of industries and sectors nationally.
Having over a decade of first-hand experience with one of Australia’s leading toxicology laboratories, DAATA proudly continues working in collaboration with businesses to maintain compliance adherence, and the safest workplace possible.
Specialised Services
✓ Drug and alcohol policy and procedures review and consultation
✓ Compliance auditing
✓ Competency assessing
✓ Design and review Chain of Custody forms
✓ Working with you to attain NATA accreditation Section 2 and Appendix A (AS/NZS 4308) and Section 2 (AS/NZS 4760), including an understanding of Appendix A (AS/NZS 4760)
✓ Referral to Australia’s leading toxicology laboratory – results within 24 hours
✓ Advisory – Drug and alcohol testing pre-planning, implementation, and training requirements
