Every day around the world, millions of people are tested for infectious diseases – whether it be influenza, Hepatitis, HIV or COVID-19.

Keeping us all safe and well relies on the accuracy of this testing.

NRL is a global leader in the science of quality for infectious disease testing. We support laboratories in more than 70 countries to ensure their results are accurate, consistent and reliable.

From a new laboratory in London, to a point-of-care test in Mongolia, from a blood bank in Manila to a public laboratory in Melbourne – NRL’s mission is to create healthy communities across the globe, through supporting accurate, high-quality infectious disease testing.

We provide a range of complementary services:

• Highly sophisticated quality assurance programs (quality control samples and monitoring software; international proficiency testing programs to 2000+ laboratories in 70+ countries)
• Pre- and post-market evaluations of IVDs and associated sample panels
• Specialised and reference testing services, licensed to cGMP
• Biobanking expertise and a significant disease-state plasma repository
• Laboratory capacity and capability building in low- and middle-income countries
• Educational workshops and seminars, mentoring and consultancy
• Global research collaborations

NRL is a division of St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research (SVI) whose mission is:

“To produce world class science: inspired by discovery, driven by purpose.”

NRL is located in the St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne campus which provides us with unique opportunities to collaborate with clinicians, researchers and academics as well as work together on joint campus initiatives such as the SVI BioBank.

Our story

Australia’s National (Serology) Reference Laboratory (NRL) was first established as part of the Australian Government’s HIV and AIDS strategy in 1985 and later that year was designated as a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Diagnostics and Laboratory Support for HIV and AIDS and Other Blood-borne Infections.

NRL undertook evaluations of all of the test kits being used for HIV diagnosis and provided reference and confirmatory testing services to Australian laboratories and supported international laboratories in the development of quality assurance programs. The staff provided much-needed expertise, support and advice globally and this work during the 1980s ensured the highest standard of HIV diagnosis at a time when serology testing for this new disease was poorly understood.

Over time, NRL has emerged as a global leader in the science of quality for infectious disease testing and we believe that good science makes all the difference because the outcome of testing has such a significant impact on individuals and the community.

With the quality of infectious disease testing being relied upon like never before, NRL is playing a leading role, offering a scientifically informed service that is essential to community well-being.

What we do

With more than 50 staff, NRL’s expertise supports blood screening, pathology services and scientific laboratories worldwide in the accurate diagnosis and management of human infectious diseases, including:

• HIV and HTLV
• Hepatitis
• Human papilloma virus (HPV)
• STIs (including syphilis, gonorrhoeae and chlamydia)
• Respiratory viruses
• Antenatal testing (toxoplasmosis, rubella, CMV)
• TB, leptospirosis

Our products and services include independent evaluation of in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) – from test kits and entire laboratory testing processes – specialist quality control (QC) programs and specificity monitoring, scientific consulting and training, reference and contract testing services and biobanking services.

NRL provides services including:

• Highly sophisticated quality assurance programs
  • Quality control samples and monitoring software
  • International proficiency testing programs to 2000+ laboratories in 70+ countries
• Pre- and post-market evaluations of IVDs and associated sample panels
• Specialised and reference testing services, licensed to cGMP
• Biobanking expertise and a significant disease-state plasma bank
• Laboratory capacity and capability building in low- and middle-income countries
• Educational workshops and seminars, mentoring and consultancy
• Global research collaborations

Our Commitment to Quality

We make quality part of everything we do. With concepts of quality assurance being central to NRL’s purpose, our leaders, managers and staff are committed to the delivery of the highest quality products and services that comply with specifications, within agreed timeframes and to the complete satisfaction of our stakeholders, clients and customers. We embrace a strong internal culture and commitment to quality, safety and risk management.

NRL complies with the following:

• ISO 17043 (Proficiency Testing Scheme Provider)
• ISO 15189 (Medical Testing Laboratory)
• ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems)
• cGMP (Human Blood and Tissues)