What conditions are covered by Generation?

All Generation options look for too few (missing) or too many (extra) copies of chromosomes. The most commonly seen and accurately chromosomal changes detected include: Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Edward's syndrome (trisomy 18), Patau syndrome (trisomy 13), specific sex chromosome number changes, and fetal sex.

What conditions are covered by Generation 46?

The Generation 46 option screens for gains and losses of all 46 chromosomes (pairs 1 through 22 plus the sex chromosomes X and Y), including trisomy 21, 18 and 13, and the sex chromosome number changes. It screens for extra or missing whole chromosomes and also for extra or missing parts of the baby's chromosomes.

What conditions are covered by Generation Plus?

The Generation Plus option screens for all conditions included in the standard Generation option as well as a range of specific small microdeletion syndromes: 22q11 deletion (DiGeorge syndrome), 15q11 (Angelman/Prader-Willi syndrome), 1p36, 4p (Wolf-Hirschorn syndrome), and 5p (Cri-du-chat syndrome).

How much is the Generation NIPT and does Medicare or Private Health Insurance cover it?

The cost for the Generation NIPT is $485, for Generation 46 it is $525 and for Generation Plus it is $799. Testing requires payment before it is performed. The Generation NIPT does not qualify for a Medicare rebate and is not covered by private health insurance.

How does the Generation test work?

During pregnancy, some of the baby's DNA from the placenta crosses into your bloodstream. After your blood test, the Generation NIPT tests this DNA to identify certain chromosome conditions in your pregnancy. The Generation test uses Massively Parallel Sequencing to analyse millions of DNA fragments per sample and accurately count the number of chromosomes present.

Why should you have the Generation test?

It can be used to obtain important and accurate information about the health of your developing baby in the first trimester (at 10 weeks), with little or no risk to the pregnancy. This screening test may be an option if you will be 35 years or older at delivery, have an abnormal serum screen, ultrasound concerns, or family history of chromosome disorders.

Do normal Generation test results mean that my baby will be perfectly healthy?

The Generation prenatal test is a highly accurate advanced screening test that is non-invasive. However, no test can guarantee a baby will not have any medical issues. The Generation test only addresses aneuploidies of specific chromosomes including the sex chromosomes.

Does it cost more to find out the fetal sex?

There is no cost to find out your baby's sex. Your doctor just needs to specify on the Generation NIPT request form if you want to be told about the fetal gender, or for it not to be included in your results.

Can I order/pay for the fetal sex identification only?

The Generation range of NIPT tests are offered as screening tests for chromosomal changes and the sex of the baby is included as part of this, if requested. We do not offer gender identification as a separate test.

How accurate is the Generation test?

NIPT is a highly accurate screen for chromosomal conditions and is much better than older style screening tests. However, sometimes a pregnancy can be identified as high risk by NIPT but the baby may not have a chromosomal condition. All high risk results should be confirmed by a diagnostic test.

When can I have my NIPT done?

Your NIPT test has been designed to reliably detect fetal chromosomal changes from 10 weeks gestation onwards. Testing before 10 weeks results in a higher test failure rate.

How late in my pregnancy can I be tested?

Testing can be performed any time from 10 weeks onwards up until the date of delivery. However, options available in the case of high risk results may be limited for later term testing, based on individual state regulations.

What is the difference between this test and a Maternal Serum Screen?

The maternal serum screen is only available during the first trimester whereas NIPT can be offered anytime during pregnancy. The accuracy of serum screening is not as high as NIPT for the common aneuploidies and it has both a higher false positive and a higher false negative rate than NIPT.

Is there a discount for healthcare card holders?

No. There are no Medicare rebates for NIPT testing at this time. We endeavour to keep our prices as low as possible.

How quickly can I get my Generation NIPT results?

Your Generation NIPT and Generation 46 results are available 3-5 working days after your sample arrives at the laboratory. For Generation Plus, results will take up to 9-14 days from arrival at the laboratory. Your results are sent directly to your doctor once complete.

When can I do an NIPT test?

An NIPT test can be performed from 10 weeks onwards. You can come into our collection centres right on the day after you have passed the 10 week mark.

Fetal Rhesus D Screening

Our Hereditary Pancreatic and Prostate Cancer Testing tests

Discover the different options for our Hereditary Pancreatic and Prostate Cancer Testing tests.

Option 1

NIPT Generation™

Standard testing

For those who prefer a routine screen for common conditions.

Common conditions (Down, Edwards, Patau) & sex chromosome conditions

Baby sex (optional)

Results in 3-7 days

Samples collected any day (except Friday in regional WA & NT)

Free telehealth session with a genetic specialist if your result requires follow-up

$485

Best for

Patients wanting reassurance around the common conditions

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Option 2

NIPT Generation™ 46

Comprehensive testing

For those who want a broader, genome-wide screening.

Common + Rare conditions across all 46 chromosomes

Baby sex (optional)

Results in 3-7 days

Samples collected any day (except Friday in regional WA & NT)

Free telehealth session with a genetic specialist if your result requires follow-up

$525

Best for

Patients seeking a more detailed view of all chromosomes

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Option 3

NIPT Generation™ Plus

Specialised testing

For those with a personal/family history of microdeletions or an ultrasound concern.

Common + Microdeletion conditions

Baby sex (optional)

Results in 11-15 days

Monday only

Free telehealth session with a genetic specialist if your result requires follow-up

$799

Best for

‍Patients with potential microdeletion risks that need closer investigation

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About our test

Why is RhD negative blood important in pregnancy?

If your blood is RhD negative and your baby is RhD positive, your body can make antibodies to the baby’s blood.

These antibodies usually do not affect your current pregnancy but can cause problems in future pregnancies, such as haemolytic disease of the newborn.

RhD Immunoglobulin (also known as Anti-D) injections can prevent this, by stopping your body from making these antibodies. These are given routinely during pregnancy if your blood is RhD negative.

However, if your baby is RhD negative, you do not need these Anti-D injections. This saves a limited resource, and unnecessary injections for you.

This is why guidelines recommend all RhD negative pregnant women have a test to determine whether their baby is RhD positive or RhD negative.

Why should you get tested?

Best performed after 18 weeks of pregnancy
Can be done from 11 weeks
Repeat testing is recommended if the result is RhD negative before 18 weeks

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Fetal RhD Testing

NIPT Generation™

NIPT Generation™ 46

NIPT Generation™ Plus

About our test

Why is RhD negative blood important in pregnancy?

Why should you get tested?

Doctor referral

Sample collection

Test results

Fetal RhD Testing

Resources

Our collection centres