Supporting Your Patients Through Genetic Uncertainty: A Guide for Referrers
Genetic testing is often seen as a way to get clear answers, and for many patients it does exactly that. For others, the result raises as many questions as it settles. As a referrer, you are often the first person they turn to afterwards, so knowing how to support them through that uncertainty can make […]
What Happens in a Genetic Counselling Appointment? A Step-by-Step Guide
If you have been referred for genetic counselling, you might be wondering what actually happens in the appointment. Will you need a blood test? Do you need to know your family history off by heart? Will you be told something you are not ready to hear? These are common questions, and knowing what to expect […]
Should I Have Genetic Testing? Questions to Ask Yourself First
Genetic testing is becoming increasingly accessible in Australia. It can provide important information about your health, your future, and the health of your family. But genetic testing is not always the right test for every person, and deciding whether to test can sometimes be more complicated than simply asking, “Can I have a genetic test?” […]
What Genetic Counsellors Wish Patients Knew Before Genetic Testing
Genetic testing has become increasingly accessible. A simple blood or saliva sample can sometimes provide information about inherited conditions, cancer risk, reproductive health or the possibility of passing a genetic condition on to children. But genetic testing is not simply about collecting a sample and receiving a result. The most important part of genetic testing […]
Proactive Genetic Testing: Who Should Consider It and Why?
Genetic testing is often associated with a strong family history of disease or a diagnosis that doctors are trying to explain. But genetic testing can also be proactive: looking for genetic changes that may increase a person’s risk of developing certain conditions before symptoms appear. Proactive genetic testing is increasingly available in Australia and can […]
What Is the Moratorium on Genetic Testing and Insurance?
One of the questions we often hear from people considering genetic testing is: “Could the result affect my ability to get life insurance?” For many years, this has been an important consideration in Australia. The concern is understandable: a genetic test may identify an increased risk of developing a condition in the future, even when […]
Should You Test Children for Adult-Onset Genetic Conditions?
Genetic testing can provide valuable information about a person’s future health. But when a genetic condition does not usually cause symptoms until adulthood, should we test for it during childhood? This is an increasingly important question for families as genetic testing becomes more accessible. Conditions such as Huntington disease, hereditary cancer syndromes and some inherited […]
Accessing Genetic Counselling in Australia: Why Wait Times Matter
For many Australians, accessing genetic counselling is an important step in understanding a diagnosis, assessing inherited health risks, planning a pregnancy or deciding whether genetic testing is appropriate. Yet for people referred to public genetics services, waiting for an appointment can sometimes take months, and in some circumstances, considerably longer. So, why do wait times […]
Five Take-Home Messages from the 2026 HGSA Conference
Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA) Annual Scientific Meeting in Christchurch, New Zealand. Conferences are always an opportunity to learn about the latest advances in genetics, but I often find that my biggest take-home messages are about the profession itself rather than any single scientific presentation. […]
The Human Story Behind Every Genetic Test: Reflections from the 49th Human Genetics Society of Australasia Conference in Christchurch
The four-day Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA) conference in Christchurch, New Zealand ended yesterday. Conferences like this are an opportunity to catch up with colleagues, hear about the latest developments in genetics and genomics, and think about where our field is heading next. But for me, one of the most powerful parts of this […]