The Commonwealth Health Laboratories were initially established as part of the quarantine system. They were also to undertake research into local health problems and to provide doctors in each district with facilities for laboratory investigation and diagnosis. Close co- operation existed between the laboratories and State/local health and hospital services. In its investigational work each laboratory was able to call upon the resources of the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories (CA 632) and the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Sydney (CA 633). With the exception of x-rays, the laboratories covered all diagnostic requirements: pathology, public health, haematology, parasitology, mycology, bacteriology, biochemistry and blood group serology (Commonwealth Yearbook, 1966, p 566).
 
The laboratories were originally known as Commonwealth Health Laboratories. The 1973-74 "Annual Report" of the Department of Health (Commonwealth Parliamentary Paper, No. 207 of 1974, p. 75) noted that the title of each laboratory had been officially changed to
'Commonwealth Pathology Laboratory', as the primary activity of the laboratories by that time was the provision of a pathology laboratory service to medical practitioners and hospitals
 
The Hobart laboratory first appeared in the 1941 Commonwealth Yearbook (p. 199). Its location and administrative structure are subject to further research.

On 5 March 1987 control of the Hobart Laboratory was transferred to the Department of Veterans' Affairs to allow rationalisation of services with the Pathology Laboratory at the Repatriation General Hospital in Hobart. As a result of this action it is believed that the Commonwealth Pathology Laboratory ceased to exist as a separate entity although extensive research has been unable to substantiate this.

Sources

Department of Health Annual Report 1973-74, p.75 (Commonwealth Parliamentary Paper no. 207 of 1974)
Department of Health Annual Report 1986-87, p.43 (Commonwealth Parliamentary Paper no. 405 of 1987)
Department of Veterans' Affairs Annual Report 1986-87, p.61 (Commonwealth Parliamentary Paper no. 376 of 1987)

Historical agency address
Hobart, Tas