Genetic counsellors and clinical geneticists both specialise in genetics but have different roles. Genetic counsellors focus on explaining genetic information, discussing testing options, interpreting results, and supporting individuals and families in making informed decisions. Clinical geneticists are specialist doctors who diagnose and manage genetic conditions and provide medical assessments when needed.
If you’re unsure which appointment type to book, don’t worry – our team reviews all referrals and will ensure you have booked the appropriate service. Both Ken and Claire are typically present together in every appointment.
Not always. Clarity Genetics can usually accommodate telehealth appointments. However, if a physical assessment is required, you will need to attend an in-person appointment at our rooms.
Yes. A GP referral is preferred and is valid for 12 months. Specialist referrals are accepted and are valid for 3 months. If ongoing management is required, a GP referral may be requested after the initial appointment to ensure access to Medicare benefits.
If available, please bring any previous genetic test results, relevant medical reports, and information about your personal and family medical history. Details about relatives affected by the condition being discussed can also be helpful.
For telehealth appointments, please join from a private, quiet location with a reliable internet connection. To protect privacy and ensure the quality of the consultation, appointments should not be attended while driving, travelling in a moving vehicle, or from shared/open workspaces where others may overhear the discussion. We reserve the right to pause or reschedule appointments if a suitable environment cannot be maintained.
Yes. For reproductive and prenatal genetics appointments, partners commonly attend together. For telehealth consultations, partners can join from a different location if needed.
If your partner is attending solely for support and does not require their own genetic assessment, they will not incur any additional consultation fee.
If your partner requires a separate genetic assessment, genetic testing, or discussion of their own personal or family history, they will need their own referral and a separate consultation may be billed accordingly.
Consultation fees vary depending on the type and length of your appointment. For most clinical genetics consultations, a Medicare rebate is available with a valid referral from your GP or specialist, which reduces your out-of-pocket cost. The applicable Medicare item number depends on the complexity of the consultation, number of issues discussed, and the length of the appointment.
Medicare rebates are set by the government and may change each year. We will do our best to keep you informed of any updates that may affect your rebate or gap fees. Some patients may also reach the Medicare Safety Net, which can increase the rebate amount and further reduce out-of-pocket costs once threshold limits are met.
We do not process private health insurance claims on your behalf; however, we can provide a receipt of service should you wish to claim directly with your insurer, depending on your level of cover.
Any expected fees, rebates, and out-of-pocket costs will be discussed with you prior to your appointment so there are no surprises.
Clarity Genetics requires at least 24 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Please contact us by phone or email, and we will do our best to accommodate your request. Cancellations or rescheduling requests made within 24 hours of the appointment will incur a fee equal to percentage to be confirmed of the appointment cost.
Results are usually discussed in a follow-up consultation rather than sent as a simple report, timeframes vary depending on the test (some take a few weeks, others a few months), and the referring clinician also receives a copy where appropriate.
The Financial Services Council has a moratorium on the use of genetic test results in life insurance underwriting for coverage limits up to a certain amount. More information can be found on the Centre for Genetics Education (https://www.genetics.edu.au/SitePages/Genomic-Testing-Life-Insurance.aspx) website.
In September 2024, the Australian Government announced (https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/stephen-jones-2022/media-releases/total-ban-use-adverse-genetic-testing-results-life) its intention to completely ban the use of genetic test results in life insurance underwriting through legislation. This means that advice about the implications of genetic testing on life insurance will soon be changing. This is estimated to occur in October 2026.
We collect information from you that is necessary to provide you with accurate clinical genetic assessment and genetic counselling. This may include collecting information about your health history, family history, reproductive history, and your ethnic background. If you provide incomplete or inaccurate information to us or withhold personal health information from us we may not be able to provide you with the services you are seeking.
We will usually collect your health information directly from you. Sometimes we may need to collect information about you from a third party such as a relative or another health service provider. We will only do this if you have consented for us to collect your information in this way.
Sometime your health information will be shared with other health professions in the interest of providing you with the service you requested. This includes writing back to your referring doctor and/or general practitioner.
We will not share your health information with anyone else without your consent or unless required or authorised by law. If the situation arises where we may need to disclose your health information without your express consent, we will be guided by the NHMRC privacy Guidelines “Use and disclosure of genetic information to a patient’s genetic relatives under section 95AA of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth): Guidelines for health practitioners in the private sector”.
We will take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.
In all regards, we will work within the framework of the HGSA and ASGC Code of Ethics. These can be viewed at the HGSA website: http://www.hgsa.org.au
