This paper reviews most aspects of soil analysis, with particular emph
asis on soil chemical testing in Australia. Water quality, sample cont
amination, and the effects of soil drying, soil storage, and particle
size are recognised as important components in the laboratory preparat
ion of soil samples for analysis. The subsequent effects of choice of
soil to solution ratio, leaching v. equilibration, soil shaking equipm
ent, and the choice of extracting and digesting solutions are reviewed
with examples. The review includes an overview of key chemical soil t
ests including pH, electrical conductivity, chloride, phosphate, sulfu
r, exchangeable cations, and cation exchange capacity. There is an exa
mination of field v. laboratory tests and comment on analytical qualit
y assurance. The recent release of the Australian Laboratory Handbook
of Soil and Water Chemical Methods and the emerging activities of the
Australian Soil and Plant Analysis Council should ensure the direction
of soil testing in Australia remains positive.