One of the keys to any national laboratory process for detecting emerging infections is appropriate quality assurance (QA) processes. These most clearly apply to security sensitive biological agents (listed on www.health.gov.au/ssba ), but similar issues apply to infections emerging with climate change (dengue, malaria), and newly described viruses (Nipah, Menangle). In particular, laboratory issues that need to be addressed are: 1. The sporadic nature of interest in such agents 2. The developmental nature of available tests, particularly where they are previously undescribed or poorly evaluated, but then emerge as potential significant public health issues– avian influenza. 3. The relationship between presence of these agents in animals as well as humans, often bringing animal and human laboratory services together– security-sensitive biological agents (SSBA) such as anthrax, Menangle virus (in pigs and humans)or avian influenza (in birds and humans). 4. The specialised nature of such testing, with few laboratories providing such services. 5. Low numbers of tests and small numbers of laboratories involved in testing, making regular assessment often more difficult. In response to this: • Governmental and community bodies are often involved in governance of testing and QA. • Additional resources are often needed to address the emerging problems. • QA is often most efficiently done by grouping specialised emerging infection QAP with established infrastructure (such as the RCPA SQAP). • Involvement of many different groups in governance of the emerging infection QA – including federal government, local DoH, biopreparedness units, national laboratory groups (PHLN), specialised PC4 laboratories and using less infectious control material (such as plasma-expressed target genes). • Maintenance of legislative and forensic examination requirements. Overall, QA for emerging infections shares many similarities with other QAP but has specialised needs that can only be fulfilled by distinct programmes. The applications of these principles to QA programmes for SSBA and emerging infections within Australia will be outlined.