Customers can submit their samples and request analysis in different ways depending on their personal needs:

You can complete a sample submission form by clicking the button on the top right of your screen. The completed request should then be packaged along with the samples and sent to Affinity Labs to be logged by our team. Once the job has been verified, you will receive a Submission Summary via email, confirming that your samples have arrived safely and that we are ready to commence the requested analysis.

Deliver in person

Of course there is still the option for you to deliver your samples once you have submitted your online order form. 

Samples can be sent via your preferred courier or Australia Post.

For customers submitting samples from local Adelaide regions including Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Langhorne Creek and McLaren Vale, Affinity Labs has a free collection service which can be booked by contacting our courier directly on 0428 955 401.

For customers submitting samples from the Sunraysia region, Affinity Labs has a free collection service which can be booked by contacting our Merbein laboratory on 0437 151 010.

For customers submitting samples from Geelong, Hunter Valley, Mornington Peninsula and the Yarra Valley, Affinity Labs operates sample drop-off points for weekly delivery to the Adelaide lab at no charge to you. For more information on drop-off point services, visit our sample services page.

Juice/Grapes

For the safety of both our customers and our team, juice and fermenting samples will not be accepted in glass bottles.

Grapes and juice samples are much less stable than wine. Sample integrity can be preserved by taking the following steps to streamline the process and avoid possible fermentation while in transit: 

  • Seal your samples in suitable plastic containers
  • Clearly label your samples as per the description on the sample submission form
  • Add 50 mg/L of SO2 to your samples
  • Freeze your samples prior to sending – unless requesting total acidity analysis where freezing is not recommended. In this case, chill the samples in the refrigerator prior to shipping.
  • Ship your samples in an insulted box packed with ice packs.

Samples should be sent without delay and as quickly as possible to Affinity Labs. The Customer Service team will contact you if there are any problems with the samples or documentation.

For juice and grape samples arriving from interstate regions:

We hold a Compliance Agreement (CA12) and have been granted accreditation by Primary Industries and Resources of South Australia (PIRSA) to receive samples of plant material, including fruit, vegetables and other plant material, for diagnostic purposes.

The procedure to move these samples to Affinity Labs is a relatively simple process and requires the following paperwork to ensure samples comply with PIRSA’s accreditation:

  1. A Plant Health Certificate (PHC) from your local Department of Primary Industries (only for samples from phylloxera infested (PIZ) or phylloxera risk (PRZ) zones).
  2. A completed AWRI Plant Material Movement Declaration form.

Plant material for virus testing

To ensure that plant material arrives at Affinity Labs without being compromised as well as ensuring efficient processing of your samples, we recommend the following:

  • All samples should be double-bagged and sealed to prevent leakage.
  • Samples should be placed in a durable container with an ice pack to keep cool and prevent damage in transit.
  • Each sample should have a label affixed with a unique sample description or code.

Under our current CA12 accreditation, live grapevine material sent for virus diagnostics can only be received from Phylloxera Exclusion Zones (PEZ). Current maps of phylloxera management zones in Australia are available from the Vinehealth Australia website.

For samples arriving from Phylloxera Exclusion Zones (PEZ):

In addition to the sample submission form, all interstate plant material must be accompanied by a completed plant material movement declaration form. Samples should be packaged in accordance with CA12 requirements.

For samples from Phylloxera Risk Zones (PRZ) and Phylloxera Infested Zones (PIZ):

Affinity Labs can carry out virus diagnostics on nucleic acid extracted from plant material from phylloxera risk and infested zones (PRZ and PIZ). The extraction is simple and can be done using a specialised kit that can be provided to you. Please contact the team at Affinity Labs for more information.

No additional documentation is required to send these samples to the Affinity Labs besides a completed sample submission form.

In accordance with our CA12 certification and the SA Plant Quarantine Standards, any live plant samples received from Phylloxera Risk and Infested Zones will be destroyed.