The present invention relates to antibodies and other binding molecules specific for hepatitis B viral antigens (HBV), peptides comprising epitopes recognised by such molecules, and cell lines capable of producing antibodies. The invention is further concerned with the use of such molecules in diagnosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV). The invention further relates to a method for the diagnosis of hepatitis B, the method comprising contacting the sample suspected to contain hepatitis B particles or antigens with the specific binding molecule according to the invention. More preferred, the invention relates to a method for the diagnosis of hepatitis B, the method comprising contacting the sample suspected to contain hepatitis B particles or antigens with at least one specific binding molecule directed to the S-region of HBV and at least one specific binding molecule according to the present invention. The invention further relates to an assay kit for the detection of a hepatitis B particle or antigen, the kit comprising a specific binding molecule according to the invention and means for detecting whether the specific binding molecule is bound to a hepatitis B particle or antigen.