Key messages
- The Department of Health provides funding for public genetic services in Victoria.
- Public genetic services in Victoria are based around four metropolitan hubs and Victorian Clinical Genetics Services.
- Referral to genetic services is by a general practitioner or specialist, or self-referral by affected individuals or family member of affected individuals.
- Access to publicly funded genetic testing is available through public genetic clinics.
The Department of Health provides funding and support for public reproductive, paediatric and adult genetic and heritable cancer services in Victoria.
The Department of Health funds high quality public genetic services in Victoria and provides a range of diagnostic testing, genetic counselling and risk assessment services.
Genetic services strategy
As genomics is increasingly incorporated into routine healthcare and public health, the Genetic and genomic healthcare for Victoria 2021, is a strategy outlining what needs to be done to further embed the appropriate use of genomics to benefit the health and wellbeing of Victorians.
Genomics is playing an increasingly vital role in the delivery of healthcare in Victoria. The Health 2040: Advancing health, access and care strategy (November 2016) sets the vision for healthcare in Victoria, including the use of genomics.
Genetic and genomic healthcare for Victoria 2021 complements the 2018-2021 National Health Genomics Policy Framework, which the COAG Health Council endorsed and released in November 2017.
A new National Health Genomics Policy Framework and Implementation Plan, 2026-2030 is under development by the Health Technology and Genomics Committee, a subgroup of the Health Chief Executive Forum (HCEF), to replace the lapsed National Policy Framework. The national framework presents a shared commitment to leveraging the benefits of genomics in the health system for all Australians.
Public genetic services
Clinical genetic services in Victoria are provided on a hub and spoke basis. The following metropolitan hubs offer services as well as outreach clinics to other metropolitan, regional and rural hospitals:
- Parkville - Victorian Clinical Genetics Services/Royal Children's Hospital, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Royal Women's Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
- Heidelberg - Austin Hospital, Mercy Hospital for Women
- Clayton - Monash Medical Centre
- Alfred Hospital
Some clinics are general, covering all genetic conditions. Others are staffed to address specific conditions such as familial cancer, cardiology or neurogenetics.
Types of services available
The following services are available in Victoria:
- clinical diagnosis
- clinical risk assessment
- genetic counselling
- diagnostic testing
- predictive testing
- education
- professional training.
Referral to genetic services
Access to genetic services is by referral from a general practitioner or specialist. A person can also self-refer if they are already diagnosed with a genetic condition. Or a family member of an individual already diagnosed with a genetic condition can refer them to genetic services.
Services are available for children, adults and their families and may be provided in consultation with other specialists in areas such as oncology, neurology and cardiology.
Support for patients and carers
The Genetic Support Network of (GSNV) is a community resource for patients affected by genetic conditions and their families, health professionals, government and the general community.
GSNV offers a range of services including information, support groups and links between families with the same condition. It also represents the interests and views of patients and their families to the community, and to state and federal governments.
Newborn bloodspot screening
Newborn blood spot screening is available for all babies at birth in Victoria. For more information, see the Victorian Clinical Genetics website.
Advances in genetics
Genetic services have the potential to ease (if not avoid) immense individual suffering.
Advances in human genetics over the past 20 years have revolutionised knowledge of the role of inheritance in health and disease.
Advances in human genetics include the mapping of the human genome, increasingly accessible technology, increased awareness of genetic issues in the community and the identification of links between individual genomes, disease occurrence and treatment responsiveness.
Genetic testing can predict an individual's risk of developing inherited medical conditions, based on their genome. This means that individuals, in collaboration with their healthcare professionals, can decide on interventions that may delay or even avoid onset of some medical conditions.
Reviewed 10 September 2025