The Main Types of Drug Testing Used in Workplaces

Workplace drug testing is something many businesses are familiar with — especially in roles where safety, focus and clear decision-making really matter. But once you start looking into it, it quickly becomes clear that there isn’t just one type of drug test, and each works a little differently.

From urine and saliva tests to less commonly used options like blood and hair testing, each method varies in how accurate it is, what it detects, and how practical it is to use in a real workplace setting. Some are better suited to pre-employment screening, while others are preferred for on-site or post-incident testing.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the different types of workplace drug testing, compare how they work, and explain why certain tests are more commonly used than others.

The main types of workplace drug testing

The main difference between these tests comes down to how the sample is collected, how far back the test can detect drug use, and how practical the test is to use in a workplace environment. Below is a simple overview of the most common types you’ll hear about.

1. Urine drug testing

Urine drug testing is the most widely used method in workplaces. It involves providing a urine sample, which is then screened for the presence of drugs or their metabolites. Urine tests are popular because they can detect a broad range of substances and offer a longer detection window compared to other methods. This makes them well suited to pre-employment screening and routine workplace testing.

2. Saliva (oral fluid) drug testing

Saliva (oral fluid) drug testing uses a swab placed inside the mouth to collect saliva. This method is quick, non-invasive and easy to administer on-site, which is why many workplaces prefer it for situations where immediate results are needed. Saliva testing is especially useful for identifying more recent drug use, rather than use that may have occurred days earlier.

3. Blood drug testing

Blood drug testing is highly accurate but far less common in workplaces. It requires a trained medical professional to collect a blood sample and is typically used in hospital or legal settings. Because it has a very short detection window and isn’t practical for routine testing, it’s rarely used as a standard workplace option.

4. Hair drug testing

Hair drug testing looks at drug use over a much longer period, often weeks or even months. A small hair sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis. While this can provide insight into long-term or repeated drug use, it is more expensive and results take longer, making it unsuitable for most day-to-day workplace testing needs.

Urine drug testing

Urine drug testing is the most commonly used method in workplace settings, and for good reason. It’s well established, widely understood, and offers a reliable way to screen for a broad range of substances.

How it works

Urine drug testing works by detecting drug metabolites — the chemical by-products that are left behind after the body breaks down a drug. When a person uses a drug, the body processes it through the liver, and these metabolites are then excreted in urine over time. This is why urine tests are able to detect drug use even after the immediate effects have worn off.

Most rapid urine drug tests used in workplaces rely on a technology called a lateral flow immunoassay. While the name sounds technical, the idea behind it is quite straightforward.

Once the urine sample is added to the test cassette:

• The liquid moves across the test strip by capillary action
  

• The strip contains antibodies designed to recognise specific drug metabolites
  

• If the metabolite is present below the set cut-off level, the test produces a negative result
  

• If the metabolite is present at or above the cut-off level, it prevents a line from forming, resulting in a non-negative (preliminary positive) result

This built-in cut-off system is important because it helps reduce detection of trace or incidental exposure, focusing instead on levels that are considered relevant for workplace screening.

Accuracy and reliability

Urine drug tests are widely trusted in workplace settings because they are designed to be consistent, standardised screening tools. Their accuracy comes from a combination of how the tests are manufactured, how results are interpreted, and how they’re used in practice.

What makes urine drug tests accurate?

Quality rapid urine drug test cassettes are manufactured to detect drug metabolites at recognised cut-off levels. These cut-offs are carefully set to help distinguish meaningful drug use from trace exposure, reducing the risk of unnecessary or misleading results. The antibodies used in the test are specific to certain metabolites, which helps improve reliability and repeatability across tests.

Clear visual indicators — such as control and test lines — also support accuracy by confirming that the test has worked properly. If the control line does not appear, the result is considered invalid, preventing incorrect interpretation.

Recognised cut-off levels used in Australia

In Australia, workplace urine drug testing commonly follows AS/NZS 4308, the national standard that outlines recommended cut-off levels for screening and confirmation. These cut-offs are designed to balance accuracy and fairness — helping identify meaningful drug use while reducing the risk of detecting trace or incidental exposure.

Below are typical screening cut-off levels for some of the most commonly tested substances in Australian workplaces:

 

Note: Exact cut-off levels may vary slightly depending on the test kit and workplace policy, but reputable workplace urine drug tests are aligned with these recognised Australian standards.

What can affect the accuracy of urine drug testing?

Like all screening tools, urine drug tests are not perfect. Accuracy can be affected by:

• Incorrect sample handling or test timing
  

• Using expired or improperly stored test kits
  

• Reading results outside the recommended time window
  

• Extremely diluted urine samples

Certain medications or substances may also occasionally interfere with screening results, which is why urine drug testing is not used as a diagnostic tool.

Detection window

One of the key strengths of urine drug testing is its longer detection window. Depending on the substance, drug use may be detected anywhere from a couple of days to over a week after use. This makes urine testing particularly effective for identifying patterns of use rather than just recent consumption.

Why workplaces choose urine testing

Urine drug testing is commonly used for:

• Pre-employment screening
  

• Random workplace testing
  

• Ongoing compliance programs

It’s cost-effective, widely accepted, and supported by clear testing procedures.

Important limitations to understand

While urine testing is effective, it does not indicate current impairment. A positive result shows prior exposure to a substance, not whether someone is under the influence at the time of testing. For this reason, some workplaces use urine testing alongside other methods or policies, depending on the situation.

Saliva drug testing

Saliva drug testing, also known as oral fluid testing, has become increasingly popular in workplaces that need fast, on-the-spot results. While it works differently to urine testing, it can be just as effective when used in the right situations.

How it works 

Saliva tests detect parent drugs — the active drug compounds themselves — rather than metabolites. A swab is placed inside the mouth to collect oral fluid, which is then analysed by the test device. Because drugs enter saliva shortly after use, this method is well suited to identifying recent drug use.

Accuracy and reliability

When used correctly, saliva drug tests are highly accurate as a screening tool for recent use. Modern oral fluid tests are manufactured to meet recognised cut-off levels and include built-in controls to confirm the test has worked properly. 

Saliva testing is also less prone to sample tampering, as collection is usually observed. This visibility can improve overall reliability in workplace settings.

Read related article: Saliva Drug Testing: How Accurate Are They?

Detection window

One of the key differences with saliva testing is its shorter detection window. Most drugs are detectable for several hours to a couple of days after use, depending on the substance. This makes saliva testing particularly effective for situations where current or very recent use is the main concern.

Why workplaces choose saliva testing

Saliva drug testing is commonly preferred for:

• Post-incident testing
  

• On-site or mobile testing
  

• Safety-sensitive roles where recent use is a concern

It’s quick, non-invasive, and doesn’t require access to bathroom facilities, which helps minimise disruption to work operations.

Important limitations to understand

Because saliva tests focus on recent use, they are not ideal for detecting drug use that occurred days earlier. They also do not measure impairment, only the presence of drugs within the detection window. As with urine testing, any non-negative result is considered preliminary and can be followed up with laboratory confirmation if required.

Blood drug testing

Blood drug testing is often seen as the most scientifically accurate form of drug testing — but in workplace settings, accuracy alone isn’t the only thing that matters.

How it works

Blood drug testing works by directly measuring the active drug compounds circulating in the bloodstream at the time the sample is taken. Once a drug is consumed, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and transported throughout the body, where it produces its effects. A blood test captures this moment in time, making it one of the most precise ways to identify very recent drug use.

After a blood sample is collected by a trained medical professional, it is sent to a laboratory for analysis. In the lab, the sample undergoes advanced testing methods — such as chromatography and mass spectrometry — which separate the components of the blood and identify specific drugs based on their unique chemical signatures. These techniques allow laboratories to detect even very small concentrations of a drug with a high degree of precision.

Because blood tests measure the parent drug itself, rather than metabolites, results closely reflect what is actively present in the body. However, as the body metabolises and eliminates drugs relatively quickly from the bloodstream, this also means the detection window is very short. In many cases, drugs may only be detectable in blood for hours rather than days.

Accuracy

From a technical point of view, blood testing is highly accurate. It uses advanced laboratory analysis and can identify drugs at very low levels. This is why blood tests are commonly used in:

• Hospitals and emergency departments
  

• Medical assessments
  

• Legal or forensic investigations

The practicality challenge

For most workplaces, the goal of drug testing is screening and risk management, not medical diagnosis. Despite its accuracy, blood drug testing is not practical for routine workplace use. It:

• Requires a trained medical professional
  

• Is invasive compared to urine or saliva testing
  

• Has higher costs
  

• Takes longer to deliver results
  

• Has a very short detection window

Hair drug testing

Hair drug testing is designed to identify patterns of drug use over a much longer period of time, rather than recent or immediate use. Because of this, it’s often described as a test for historical or habitual drug use.

How it works

When drugs are consumed, small amounts of the drug and its metabolites enter the bloodstream. As hair grows, these substances are deposited into the hair shaft at the root. Over time, the hair essentially acts as a timeline, capturing evidence of drug exposure as it grows. A small sample of hair — usually taken close to the scalp — is collected and sent to a laboratory for analysis.

In the laboratory, the hair sample is washed and processed to remove external contaminants, then analysed using specialised testing methods. This allows laboratories to detect drug use that may have occurred weeks or even months earlier.

Detection window

One of the defining features of hair drug testing is its extended detection window. Depending on hair length and growth rate, drug use can sometimes be identified over a period of up to 90 days or more. This makes hair testing useful for understanding longer-term patterns rather than isolated incidents.

Accuracy and reliability

Hair drug testing can be highly accurate when conducted by accredited laboratories. Because it reflects cumulative exposure over time, it is less affected by short-term abstinence. However, it does not indicate when during the detection window the drug was used, nor does it show impairment or recent use.

Practical limitations in workplaces

Despite its strengths, hair drug testing has several limitations in workplace settings. It is:

• More expensive than urine or saliva testing
  

• Slower to deliver results
  

• Entirely lab-based
  

• Less suitable for immediate decision-making

For these reasons, it is rarely used for routine workplace testing or post-incident situations.

When hair testing may be used

Hair drug testing is generally reserved for specialised cases, such as high-level pre-employment screening or situations where long-term drug use patterns are being assessed.

Why rapid drug testing kits are common in workplaces

In many workplaces, drug testing needs to be practical, timely and easy to manage — especially when testing is done on-site or during working hours. This is where rapid drug testing kits have become a popular choice.

Fast results when timing matters

Rapid drug testing kits are designed to deliver results within minutes. This allows employers to make timely decisions without the delays that come with sending samples to a laboratory. In situations like pre-employment screening or post-incident testing, having quick results helps minimise disruption to operations.

Easy to use on-site

Most rapid test kits are straightforward to administer and come with clear instructions. They don’t require specialised equipment or medical professionals, making them suitable for use in a wide range of workplace environments — from offices and warehouses to construction sites and care facilities.

Reliable screening tool

When sourced from reputable suppliers and used correctly, rapid drug testing kits provide reliable initial screening results. Built-in controls help confirm that the test has worked properly, supporting consistent and repeatable outcomes.

Cost-effective for routine testing

Compared to laboratory testing, rapid kits are generally more affordable, especially for businesses that conduct regular or random testing. This makes it easier for workplaces to maintain ongoing testing programs without excessive cost.

Flexible across different testing needs

Rapid drug testing kits are available in various formats, including urine and saliva tests, and in multi-panel options that screen for multiple substances at once. This flexibility allows workplaces to choose the most appropriate test for different situations.

Designed for screening, not diagnosis

It’s important to understand that rapid drug testing kits are intended for screening purposes. Any non-negative result can be followed up with laboratory confirmation where required, helping balance speed with accuracy and fairness.

Our Range of Drug Testing Kits for Workplace Screening