The lack of many recognised serious diseases is perceived as one of Australian aquaculture’s prime competitive advantages to meet future global demand. Maintenance of this high health status through initiatives which reduce the risk of disease incursions and facilitate early detection and response to emerging disease problems is seen as critical to continuing industry expansion. The range of commercially significant aquatic animal species, and their diseases, is increasing steadily. It is clear that, due to limited resources, diagnostic laboratories cannot develop proficiency in the diagnosis of all significant diseases, for example those listed in the Australian National List of Reportable Diseases of Aquatic Animals. Appropriately, State laboratories, in support of local industries, concern themselves with local aquatic animal species and their significant diseases and have developed expertise in those areas. Rather than duplicate this effort, AAHL’s involvement and expertise focuses on exotic diseases of concern to Australia, as well as new or emerging endemic diseases. As a consequence, expertise in specific diseases has developed in different laboratories throughout the country. To take advantage of this development, to ensure that expertise in different diseases is available Australia-wide, and to create a consistent system of aquatic animal disease diagnosis and reporting, it is proposed that a national network of laboratories should be established for the diagnosis and monitoring of aquatic animal diseases underpinned by a formal quality assurance program. Through a consultation process, uniform data standards and reporting formats need to be developed and adopted by all jurisdictions. Standard diagnostic tests and operating procedures also need to be developed and subsequently adopted by laboratories within the network. Thus this project is concerned with the establishment of the network and commencement of activities, including proficiency tests (“ring tests”) designed to assist laboratories in further developing their diagnostic capabilities and/or to allow demonstration that performance of a particular test is at a nationally accepted standard, using Australian and New Zealand Standard Diagnostic Procedures (ANZSDPs). In this way confidence of stakeholders in the quality of diagnosis provided is increased. The project is in complete alignment with AQUAPLAN 2005-2010.