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ASADA Testing Guide
Learn what will happen during and after a testing session.
Scroll down on each step for further information.
1. Athlete selection
You can be selected for testing anywhere, any time, and are subject to both random and targeted selection methods.
An ASADA Doping Control Officer (DCO) will organise and manage the sample collection session, ensuring that all procedures are followed. A Chaperone will notify, accompany, and witness you providing a sample.
DCO's and Chaperones do not determine the doping control program, and they don’t control who is selected for testing, or how selections are made. Their role is to ensure that sample collection occurs in strict accordance with the relevant procedures, in a fair, equitable manner free from prejudice.
2. Notification
The DCO or Chaperone will notify you for testing generally in person, or less frequently by telephone, written notice, or by a third party.
At the time of notification, the DCO will present you with an Athlete Privacy Information Notice and record your details on a Doping Control Notification Form. You are required to sign the Doping Control Notification Form, and will be provided with a copy for your records.
Once notified of selection for testing, you must remain in direct observation of the DCO or Chaperone until the DCO is satisfied that the sample collection procedure is complete.
Any attempt to evade notification may result in an Anti-Doping Rule Violation.
Coaches and guardians
If an athlete is under the age of 18 or has difficulty communicating verbally in English we recommend that a third party (for example a guardian or coach) is also notified of the athlete’s selection for testing.
Athletes with intellectual disabilities
If an athlete has an intellectual disability it is a NAD scheme requirement that a third party is notified.
If a third party attempts to hinder the notification process or is obstructive, this may be considered to be an Anti-Doping Rule Violation, and may result in a sanction for the third party.
3. Reporting to the doping control station
For no-advance-notice testing, including in-competition testing, you are required to report to the doping control station immediately unless you request a delay in reporting for valid reasons.
You can ask the DCO for information on the testing process.
Find out more about valid reasons for requesting a delay in reporting on the rights and responsibilities page.
4. Selecting a collection vessel
You will be given a choice of individually sealed collection vessels, and you will select one. You will verify that the equipment is intact and has not been tampered with, and you will maintain control of the collection vessel at all times.
5. Providing the sample
Urine samples
Only a Chaperone of the same gender is permitted in the area of privacy when you provide the sample. The Chaperone will directly witness the urine sample leaving your body and going into the beaker.
You are required to remove any clothing from the knees to the mid-torso and from the hands to the elbows. This provides the Chaperone with a direct view of the urine leaving your body, ensures that it is your own urine, and helps to prevent possible manipulation of the urine sample.
You are responsible for controlling your sample and keeping it in view of the DCO or Chaperone until it is sealed in a sample collection kit.
If you provide a sample less than the required volume, you are required to temporarily seal it and provide further volume.
The first urine sample(s) that you are able to provide post notification must be collected.
Blood samples
You will be asked to select blood collection equipment and check that it is intact and has not been tampered with. A blood collection official will collect the sample in the presence of a DCO, Chaperone and, if applicable, the athlete representative.
If you have provided a blood sample, ASADA advises that you do not do any strenuous exercise using that arm for a minimum of 30 minutes, to minimise bruising at the puncture site.
Athletes with disabilities
If you have a disability, you have the right to request a modification to the process; however, the DCO must approve it. Where required, ASADA will provide you with assistance during the sample collection procedure, and modify the procedures where required.
If you use a leg bag you will be required to drain any urine from the leg bag prior to the witnessed sample provision. If possible, you are required to use a clean, sterile catheter. If you choose to use a non-sterile catheter, you do so at your own risk.
Athlete representative
If you are under 18 years of age, you are encouraged to have a representative present while you are providing a urine sample. The representative will not directly witness you providing the sample unless you specifically request them to do so.
If you have a disability and require a representative, they will not directly witness you providing the sample unless you require their assistance to provide a sample.
6. Selection of the sample collection kit
You will select an individually sealed sample collection kit that is intact and has not been tampered with.
You will open the kit and confirm that the sample code numbers on the bottles (or tubes for blood collection), the lids, and the containers all match. All sample collection kit numbers will be recorded on the Doping Control Test Form.
7. Splitting and sealing the sample
You will pour a measured amount of the urine into each of the ‘A’ and ‘B’ labelled bottles, and then secure the kits. You will be asked to leave a small amount of urine in the collection vessel so the DCO can measure the specific gravity.
You will then seal both the ‘A’ and ‘B’ bottles. The DCO will verify that the bottles are sealed properly.
Blood
You will place and secure the blood samples in the relevant labelled containers and secure the kits.
8. Measuring the specific gravity
The DCO will check the specific gravity of the residual urine left in the collection vessel, and will record the value on the Doping Control Test Form.
You should avoid over hydrating; this can happen if you drink too much fluid. If your sample is too diluted and does not meet the required specific gravity you will be required to provide additional urine samples until you provide a sample that meets the specific gravity requirements.
9. Final paperwork
Your personal information is recorded on the doping Control Test Form, including contact details.
You will be asked to provide information on prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins, herbal products, food supplements, and any other substances you have used within the last seven days. These are recorded on the Doping Control Test Form.
Under the International Standards for Therapeutic Use Exemptions, you must declare the use of Beta-2 agonists or non-systemic glucocorticosteroids (intraarticular, periarticular, peritendinous, epidural, intradermal and inhalation) on the Doping Control Test Form.
Consider declaring any use on the last month of non-systemic glucocorticosteroids. Not declaring use may impact results management, particularly in an application for a retrospective Therapeutic Use Exemption.
You will be invited to note comments and concerns about how the session was conducted on the form.
At the conclusion of the session, you must check that all the information recorded is correct, and sign the Doping Control Test Form. The form must also be signed by the parties present, including the DCO and Chaperone and, if applicable, the athlete representative and blood collection official.
The DCO will provide a copy of the Doping Control Test Form to you for your records.
The copy of the Doping Control Test Form that the laboratory receives does not contain any information that could identify you.
10. Securing and transporting the sample
The secure sample(s) and the laboratory copy of the Doping Control Test Form are sent to the laboratory for analysis. There is a strict chain of custody regarding transportation, storage and opening of the sample.
The laboratory will inspect the samples upon arrival to ensure there is no evidence of tampering.
All urine samples will be sent to a WADA-accredited laboratory for analysis. Blood samples may at times be sent to an alternate laboratory.