Please read these instructions before starting your collection. This test must be performed at midnight (or at a time requested by your doctor).

How do I prepare for the test?

• Relax for approximately 1 hour before collection of saliva.
• Do not eat anything for 30 minutes before collecting the sample.
• Remove lipstick and lip balm.
• Do not brush or floss your teeth for 30 minutes before the collection.
• Inside the Salivette (collection) tube is a smaller suspended tube/insert. Do not separate these tubes – they must be returned as one unit. This is to stop leakage, and the entire unit is used to process the sample.

How do I collect the sample?

• Hold the collection tube and remove the stopper. Push the stopper slightly to the side while lifting the lid, the suspended insert will stay in place.
• Do no touch the sponge inside the collection tube with your fingers.
• Tip the sponge directly into your mouth.
• Gently chew the sponge for 2 minutes. Keep the sponge in your mouth until you feel that you can no longer stop yourself from swallowing the saliva produced.
• Hold the saturated sponge with your teeth and return the sponge directly into the tube without touching it with your hands.
• Close the collection tube firmly with the stopper.
• Write your name, date of birth, and date and time of collection onto the collection tube.

Keep the sample in the fridge before bringing it to your nearest ACT Pathology collection centre.

For further information, please contact one of the following ACT Pathology collection centres:

Canberra Hospital Building 10 Collection Centre

Open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 5.30pm and Saturdays from 8.30am to 12:15pm. Closed on Sunday and public holidays.
Canberra Hospital, Gilmore Cres, Garran (next to Centenary Hospital for Women and Children
Phone (02) 5124 2816.

Tuggeranong Collection Centre

Open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm and Saturday 8:30am to 12pm. Closed on Sunday, long weekends and public holidays.
Tuggeranong Health Centre Level 1, Corner Anketell & Pitman Streets, Tuggeranong
Phone (02) 5124 1352.

North Canberra Hospital Collection Centre

Open Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 4pm and Saturday 9am to 12pm. Closed on Sunday and public holidays.
North Canberra Hospital, 1st Floor, Marian Building, Bruce (Maternity entrance)
Phone: (02) 5124 3815.

Gungahlin Collection Centre

Open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 4.30pm and Saturdays from 8.30am to 12.30pm. Closed Sunday, long weekends and public holidays.
Gungahlin Health Centre, Corner Earnest Cavanagh St & Fussell Lane, Gungahlin
Phone (02) 5124 1135.

Belconnen Collection Centre

Open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm. Closed on weekends and public holidays.
Belconnen Health Centre, Corner Lathlain & Cohen St, Belconnen
Phone (02) 5124 1502.

University of Canberra Hospital Collection Centre

Open Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 3.15pm. Closed on Sunday, long weekends and public holidays.
University of Canberra, 20 Guraguma Street, Bruce
Phone (02) 5124 0230.

Weston Creek Collection Centre

Open from Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:15pm. Closed on Sunday, long weekends and public holidays.
Weston Creek Walk-in Centre, 24 Parkinson St, Weston
Phone (02) 5124 4174.