Breathalyser Calibration Service

Breathalyser calibration keeps your readings accurate and your device dependable. We calibrate personal, workplace handheld and wall-mounted breathalysers in Melbourne, with one-off calibrations from $55 (excl. GST and postage). Every unit is serviced by Andatech’s in-house technicians using professional calibration equipment, checked for faults, and posted back with tracking.

This page covers what calibration involves, what it costs, how long it takes and how to book, whether you run a single personal unit or a fleet of workplace testers.

How it works

1. Book and get your label

Call 1300 800 200 to book. You’ll receive instructions and a registered Australia Post return label by email.

2. Send us your breathalyser

Pack your breathalyser well and post it with the label you received. The label covers shipping both ways.

3. Receive it back, calibrated

Your calibrated breathalyser ships back with tracking, typically 5 to 14 business days door to door.

What calibration is, and why sensors drift

A breathalyser estimates blood alcohol concentration from the alcohol in your breath, using a sensor that produces an electrical response to alcohol vapour. Like every measuring instrument, that sensor drifts. Repeated use, time, temperature changes and exposure to smoke, moisture or high-alcohol samples all gradually shift the sensor’s response away from its original reference points. The device still gives you a number; the number just becomes less trustworthy.

Calibration corrects that drift. During service, your device is tested against known alcohol reference standards and its readings are adjusted back to specification. We also run a series of checks on the condition of the unit itself. If anything is off, we contact you with options and solutions before the device is sent back, so you are never posted a unit with an unresolved problem.

One thing calibration does not do: it does not make a reading legally definitive. Personal and workplace breathalysers are indicative screening tools. Calibration keeps them reliable for self-testing and workplace screening, but no consumer device tells you whether you are legally fit to drive.

How often should a breathalyser be calibrated?

Calibrate your breathalyser at least every 12 months, regardless of how many tests you have run. This maintains accuracy and helps prolong the life of the sensor.

If you use your device regularly, or you rely on it in a workplace testing program, we recommend calibration every 6 months. Six-monthly service keeps your device performing in line with Australian Standard guidance for breath testing devices; you can read more about what Australian Standard AS3547 covers and why it matters.

How much does breathalyser calibration cost?

Calibration is priced by device type. All prices are in AUD and exclude GST and postage.

Every calibration includes a calibration certificate.

Add-ons:

Sending more than one device? Book them in the same calibration service and check out together, and you pay the shipping charge once for the whole batch.

For workplace fleets running multiple industrial breathalysers, booking the fleet together keeps every unit on the same service schedule and shares the shipping charge across the batch.

How long does calibration take?

Most customers have their breathalyser back within 5 to 14 business days of sending it, depending on location and the options selected:

• Getting to us: 2 to 5 business days, depending on your location
• On the bench: typically 3 to 5 business days for a standard booking
• Getting back to you: 2 to 5 business days, with tracking emailed when it ships

Need it faster? Add priority calibration and your device is ready within 24 hours of reaching the bench. Around peak holiday periods shipping and bench times can stretch, and we will tell you before you book if that applies.

Which brands do we calibrate?

We calibrate Andatech breathalysers, the brand we sell. That covers the AlcoSense personal and workplace ranges and Andatech wall-mounted units.

All calibrations are performed by Andatech’s in-house technicians using professional calibration equipment, the same team behind the AlcoSense range. If your device is another brand, contact us before booking and we will let you know whether it can be serviced.

Not sure what type of sensor your device uses, or whether it is worth recalibrating an older unit versus replacing it? Our sensor comparison guide explains the difference between semiconductor and fuel cell sensors, and our personal breathalyser range starts well under the cost of two years of calibration on some older units.

How to book your calibration

1. Register your device. Your breathalyser needs to be registered before you can make a calibration booking.
2. Book by phone. Call 1300 800 200 to book the calibration service for your device type. If you have questions before you book, call us on 03 9360 0780.
3. Check your email. You will receive a set of instructions and a registered Australia Post return label. Your shipping charge covers both directions, so you pay nothing at the post office.
4. Pack and post. Remove accessories (mouthpieces, batteries, pouch), pad the unit well in a bag or box, stick the label on, and lodge it over the counter at any Australia Post outlet. Keep the lodgement receipt.
5. Track it home. You will get updates and a tracking number by email when your calibrated breathalyser ships back.

Melbourne drop-off and pick-up

If you are local, you can skip the post. Drop your breathalyser at our office at 24 Drake Boulevard, Altona VIC 3018, by appointment. We will text or email you when it is ready to collect. Book your appointment first via contact us or on 03 9360 0780.

Warranty, accuracy and calibration

Calibration and warranty are separate things, and it pays to know where each stands:

1. Accuracy depends on calibration. A breathalyser past its recommended calibration interval cannot be relied on to read accurately, whatever it displays. Sensor drift in an uncalibrated device is normal behaviour, not a fault: the fix is a calibration service, not a warranty claim.
2. Warranty covers manufacturer defects. The breathalysers we sell carry a 3-year warranty against manufacturer defects, and that cover is honoured whether or not your calibration is up to date. What the warranty does not cover is inaccurate readings from a device overdue for calibration, because that is scheduled maintenance rather than a defect.

Your consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law are not affected by whether or when you calibrate.

Breathalyser calibration FAQ