What Australian athletes need to know
From 1 April 2026, changes to international anti-doping rules will bring a consistent waiting time post exercise for all blood sample collection while maintaining the highest scientific and integrity standards.
These changes come from a revised International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI) published by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and will apply globally, including in Australia.
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What is changing?
Consistent waiting time after training or competition
From 1 April 2026, a consistent wait time of 60 minutes will be introduced for all blood samples (except DBS samples) collected post exercise.
The wait time for athletes providing a blood sample for the haematological module of the Athlete Biological Passport – a purple tube – after training or competition will be reduced from two hours to 60 minutes.
In addition, a 60-minute wait time has been introduced for all other venous blood – a yellow tube – samples post training and competition.
If an athlete has not trained or competed before blood sample collection, they will only need a period of 10 minutes of seated rest, directly prior to providing the sample.
Why has this change been made?
WADA’s decision was informed by expert scientific advice, including the Haematological Athlete Biological Passport Working Group.
Research shows that key blood values stabilise sufficiently within 60 minutes of physical activity, meaning results remain reliable and valid.
This update delivers clear benefits:
- Less disruption to athletes’ schedules
- Reduced waiting times for some athletes during doping control
- Maintained scientific integrity of blood analysis.
What does this mean for athletes?
For Australian athletes, this change means:
If required to provide a blood sample, athletes will need to wait 60 minutes after training and competition before providing a blood sample.
Athletes will still be asked to remain in a seated, upright position with their feet on the floor for at least 10 minutes immediately before blood collection, which supports sample quality and consistency.
To support the revised requirements athletes providing a sample for the haematological module of the Athlete Biological Passport will be asked a revised set of questions.
These help ensure results are interpreted accurately and fairly.
Questions include whether the athlete has:
- trained or competed in the 60 minutes before sample collection
- competed or plans to compete within three days of the sample collection
- trained, competed or stayed at altitude above 1,500 metres in the past four weeks
- used altitude simulation methods (such as hypoxic tents or masks) in the past four weeks
- been exposed to extreme environmental conditions (such as saunas) in the 60 minutes before collection
- experienced blood loss or received a blood transfusion in the past three months.
These updates reflect modern training practices and improve the accuracy of athlete biological profiling.
Where can I learn more?
To learn more, visit the WADA website.
If you have questions about testing or your rights and responsibilities as an athlete, you can also contact SIA directly or speak with a doping control officer during testing.
SIA is committed to delivering clean sport in a way that is fair, respectful and athlete centred. These changes reflect ongoing improvements to the global anti-doping system – supporting both athletes and the field staff who work to protect the integrity of sport.
We will continue to keep athletes informed as international standards evolve.