Vision Statement

The Australian Government and the health care sector, alike, will recognise the NRL, as a national centre of excellence. The NRL will continue to be Australia's only independent, national provider of quality assurance programmes. They will be used to monitor pre- and post-market performance of test kits that are used to diagnose and monitor infections caused by pathogens of high-risk to public health. Concomitantly, NRL will have the ability to create quality assurance, research and educational projects and programmes to support functions that will promote collaboration, invention and internationally recognised science. Its professional staff will be supported by continual development programmes. It will operate using sound business and quality principles in an adequately resourced facility. The NRL's quality programmes will continue to be sought by laboratories both in Australia and internationally.


NRL's programmes offer a 'one-stop-shop' in all methods of quality assurance for laboratories that conduct testing for blood-borne infections. Its programmes are multifaceted and include:

• Evaluation of test kits especially registrable kits (HIV and HCV) prior to market approval
• Quality control programmes
• External quality assessment schemes
• Reference testing for the detection of blood-borne viruses
• Research targeted at developments that will generate new diagnostics and support vaccine development
• Consultation and training in laboratory quality
• Developing and managing sample repositories
• Developing software and internet-based tools dedicated to assuring accurate quality in laboratories delivered in a timely manner
• Providing information on diagnostics, their uses and quality management of laboratories
• Producing appropriate publications and teaching materials