Information for testing and remediation companies
The Guide for testing and remediation of methamphetamine and illicit drug residues in residential properties (PDF 1MB) outlines the best practice requirements recommended for use by companies that test, remediate, and validate a property following drug contamination to make a property safe to live in.
Illicit drug contamination testing and remediation companies are strongly encouraged to adhere to this guide.
Illicit drug testing and remediation companies need to have the necessary competencies, follow regulatory guidance, and maintain strict ethical standards.
The department recommends that the company contracted to test and validate drug contamination in a property is different from the company that is contracted to undertake the remediation (clean up) works. This will help prevent people from being overcharged or quoted for unnecessary work.
The process outlined in the Guide for testing and remediation of methamphetamine and illicit drug residues in residential properties (PDF 1MB) is designed to reduce surface residue levels below those that may pose any risk to human health and below any national health investigation level (HIL) for the relevant drug. The guide covers:
- preparing for works at a property
- conducting sample testing, including screening, and detailed assessments
- developing a remediation (clean-up) action plan
- conducting clean-up and remediation of a contaminated property
- conducting validation testing
- composing sample, clean-up, and validation reports.
Risks of drug smoke houses versus clandestine drug laboratories
If illicit drugs, such as methylamphetamine (meth, ice), are smoked in a home, potentially harmful chemical residues may be left on adjacent surfaces. The level of contamination will increase with quantity, duration, and frequency of smoking but only in more severe situations will the residue levels approach those of drug manufacture (clan lab).
Where meth surface residues are found, they are highly likely to be from smoking meth. Therefore, if there is no suspicion or evidence of clan lab activity at a property, any residue found is most likely from meth smoking.
The clean-up methods for smoke houses are generally less extensive than what is required for drug manufacture.
The department released a detailed position statement on Public health risks of residues from smoking methylamphetamine in homes (PDF 174KB) which states that although surface residues from smoking of methylamphetamine in residential properties generally represent a relatively low public health risk, the large number of people potentially exposed warrants specific and proportionate contamination management measures.
This position statement was developed following the findings of the Methylamphetamine smoke house research report.
Consumers are encouraged to use the Checklist for hiring companies to test or clean-up drug contamination (PDF 500KB) to help them choose a reliable testing and cleaning company and understand what level of cleaning is needed.
Resources
The following resources are designed to support homeowners, property managers and real estate agents to clean a property following contamination:
National guidelines
Last reviewed: 21-05-2026