Preparing For
Your Test

Your doctor will advise you if fasting is required.   

Fasting is generally done overnight.  If fasting is required, please follow these guidelines to ensure the accuracy of your test:  

• Do not eat or drink for 10-12 hours prior to your blood test.  
• Drinking water before your blood test is permitted and may help reduce the risk of fainting, as well as make it easier for the collector to locate your veins. 
• Medications should only be stopped on the instructions of your doctor. Take them with water only.   
• Avoid smoking for 2 hours before the test. 
• If you are living with diabetes, please consult your doctor before fasting.   
• If you are prone to fainting, please inform the collector before the procedure. 

Caution: Do not fast for longer than 16 hours before your blood test is performed.  

Drinking water before your blood test is permitted and may help reduce the risk of fainting. It can also make it easier for the collector to locate your veins by improving blood flow.   

Medications should only be stopped on the instructions of your doctor. If you’re unsure, consult your doctor for guidance. Stopping medication prior to testing is only required for a handful of pathology tests such as Urea Breath Testing and Faecal Antigen Testing for H. pylori or for testing to obtain a base level of the medication. For this, you will need to withhold the medication and advise the collector when the last dose was taken. 

For preparation instructions for specific tests, such as Glucose Tolerance Testing (GTT), urea breath testing for H. pylori, semen analysis, Holter monitoring and others, please refer to our Test Instructions webpage.  

• Your pathology request form – Clinical Labs accepts all valid referrals, including those from other Australian pathology providers. Both paper and electronic referrals (e.g. eRequests) are accepted.   
• Your valid Medicare card or Veterans' Affairs card – to confirm your eligibility for bulk billed testing.   

Most pathology tests do not require an appointment. However, some tests, such as Glucose Tolerance Testing (GTT), Holter monitoring and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, do require a booking.  Holter monitoring and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring services are available at select locations.  For collection centre locations, contact details, and opening hours, visit our Locations page.   

Use our location finder by entering your suburb or postcode to locate the most convenient collection centre. Clinical Labs has pathology collection centres covering VIC, NSW, QLD, WA, SA, the ACT and the NT.      

Yes, Clinical Labs accepts all valid pathology request forms, including those from other Australian providers.  Both paper and electronic referrals (e.g. eRequests) are accepted.  

• Fasting tests: Come in as early as possible to complete your test.   
• Non-fasting tests: Consider visiting later in the day, as mornings tend to be busier.   

If blood tests make you nervous, we offer options to help you feel at ease. The first step is to let us know how you’re feeling. If you have a tendency to become light-headed when your blood is taken, our staff can have you lie down to help you relax. If you start to feel faint, simply close your eyes and breathe deeply. Our staff encounter nervous patients all the time and are ready to assist in any way they can. Practicing self-care can also help to ease anxiety. 

• Focus on your breathing
• Visualise a relaxing scene
• Turn your head away
• Talk about your family, pets or things you enjoy
• Try not to hold your breath, tense up or look at the needle

For advice on how to best prepare your child for a blood test, and tips to support them during the procedure, visit our Blood Collection for Children webpage.  

For guidance on how to reduce the likelihood of side effects such as bleeding, discomfort, swelling, or bruising after your blood test, visit our Aftercare Instructions webpage.  

On rare occasions, patients may need to return to a collection centre for additional samples related to their requested tests. In these cases, Clinical Labs may notify you via SMS. If you receive an SMS from Clinical Labs asking for additional samples, you can click the link provided to find your nearest Clinical Labs collection centre.