From the moment we receive your samples back, our turn around time is approximately:

Core Carrier: Results ready within 4 weeks

Comprehensive: Results ready within 4 weeks

Couples Carrier (Medicare): Results in 6 - 8 weeks

All other tests: 4-6 weeks

Tests cannot be expedited and the turn-around time is subject to the performance of each sample at the lab. While some samples provide results after one attempt, others require multiple attempts. In a small number of cases, samples may fail and a new sample will be required. In this instance, the turn-around time will be as informed above from the moment we receive the new sample.

If you are doing this test with a reproductive partner, we need both results to be ready to prepare your couples report.

Once your results are available, we will send you an SMS inviting you to book an online video consult with one of our genetic counsellors to discuss your results.

80% of babies born with an inherited genetic condition had no family history of it. That’s why Eugene’s carrier screening is relevant when you are planning a pregnancy, regardless of your family background or history.

If you do have a personal or family history of a genetic condition it is important to inform Eugene and your fertility specialist as this may influence which test is recommended to you.

Each test comes with consult with a Eugene genetic counsellor to discuss your results and any options you want to consider. We will communicate with your Genea specialist and if you like, can also provide referrals to other types of healthcare providers to support your ongoing care.

Plus you can always access our free education tools.

Carrier screening may not be the best test for for someone who has a known genetic condition. If you or a family member have a diagnosis of a specific genetic condition, there may be more appropriate and specific genetic testing for you.

Core Carrier Screening is our most basic test, which screens for 3 genes - cystic fibrosis (CF), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and Fragile X. It's for people assigned female at birth and is covered by Medicare (male partners only get tested if their partner is found to be a carrier). 70% of at risk couples will be missed with this test because these diseases most commonly affect caucasians. If you have a different ethnic background or a family history with inherited conditions, a larger panel is a better option for you.

Couples Carrier Screening screens 620+ genes and is covered by Medicare. It's a bundle of Core Carrier Screening for the person assigned female at birth and an additional extended panel for the couple. It only provides one combined couples report so not suitable for people who need to know their individual carrier status, like individuals testing solo or using donors.

Comprehensive Carrier Screening is our most comprehensive option which screens for 780+ genes and is suitable for individuals, couples and donors as it provides an individual carrier status report as well as a combined couples report. 8 out of 10 people who do this test find out they are healthy carriers of at least 1 condition. It isn't covered by Medicare as it's only available at international labs. It's perfect for people who aren't eligible for Medicare, want to do the test solo, couples who want to know their individual risk status as well as their combined, or those who want to do everything they can to reduce their risk of having a baby with an inherited condition.

Approximately 1 in 40 partners find out that they have a high risk of having a child with one of the conditions on this test.

Unfortunately our tests aren't a suitable option if you're undergoing fertility treatment and using a donor. Please speak to your Genea specialist to find out how they can help you.

No, carrier screening is a test which looks to identify a reproductive couple’s risk of having a child affected by an inherited genetic condition. It is not a test to identify the cause of your health or fertility issues. You should speak with your fertility specialist about the appropriate investigations for fertility. 

If you are experiencing male factor infertility (e.g., low or no sperm) the comprehensive carrier screening test can look for one common cause of male infertility. Please indicate this history when ordering carrier screening.

Whilst testing is highly accurate for the genes screened, all results are reported as low risk, not no risk.

Your reported results are based on current knowledge and reporting guidelines at the time of testing.

Testing only identifies common genetic changes that cause these conditions and rare or family specific genetic changes might be missed. 

Information may become available in the future which may change the interpretation of results.

You should always seek updated advice about carrier screening options when planning subsequent pregnancies.

No. Carrier screening is a test for some genetic conditions, not all conditions. There is no test which can rule out the chance of having a child with a genetic condition. 

Carrier screening does not rule out a risk for chromosome issues in a pregnancy such as down syndrome. You can speak with your GP or Fertility Specialist regarding your options for chromosome screening during a pregnancy via NIPT or via Pre-implantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A) if you are undergoing IVF. Ultrasound screening in pregnancies is always recommended.

If you undergo testing and are reported as low risk with your current partner, this does not mean there is a low risk with a subsequent partner or if you are required to use a donor.

If you choose to do the couples carrier screening test, you would not be able to use your results to do any further testing with a new partner as you will only receive one combined couples report, and no additional individual carrier status report like you get with the other tests.

If you commence an IVF treatment cycle or become pregnant before your carrier screening results are available, this may limit your reproductive testing options such as pre-implantation genetic testing of embryos.

If you are experiencing male factor infertility, e.g. low or no sperm, the comprehensive carrier screening test can look for one common cause of male infertility. Please indicate this in your health history responses after placing your order.

Carrier screening does not rule out a risk for chromosome issues in a pregnancy such as down syndrome. You can speak with your Fertility Specialist regarding your options for chromosome screening during a pregnancy via NIPT or via Pre-implantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A) if you are undergoing IVF. Ultrasound screening in pregnancies is always recommended.