Two types of amperometric biosensors for lactose detection based either on co-immobilisation of two enzymes (galactose oxidase with peroxidase) or co-immobilisation of three enzymes (beta-galactosidase, galactose oxidase and peroxidase) were constructed. A graphite rod with pre-adsorbed ferrocene was used as a working electrode. The use of galactose oxidase instead of the frequently used glucose oxidase resulted in the construction of a glucose-non-interfering lactose sensor. Co-immobilisation of peroxidase with galactose oxidase allowed the effect of borate on the extension of the linear range and the effect of the working potential on galactose oxidase activation to be studied. The presence of beta-galactosidase greatly enhances the sensor's sensitivity, but its linear range is narrower than that of the sensor without beta-galactosidase. Addition of DEAE-dextran and inositol to the enzyme layer improved the half-life more than 16-fold compared with the sensor without stabilisers. A response time between 60 and 75 s (90% of the steady-state value) and a detection limit for lactose determination from 44 to 339 microM (signal-to-noise ratio = 3) were observed depending on the conditions. The precision of measurements of standard lactose solution for the trienzymatic and bienzymatic sensors was 2.19 and 2.02%, respectively. The precision of analysis of dairy products varied from 0.24 to 5.24%. Analyses of real samples showed good correlation with HPLC analysis; eight samples and 10 standard lactose solutions without pre-treatment were analysed in 1 h.