Standard Carrier Screening Test
$0.00 out of pocket
Test type
Analysis
3 genes, 3 conditions
Test type
Female (1 swab, single report) iStandard screening is for biological females only. Biological male testing is available in couple-based screening tests.
Find out if you’re a carrier for 3 of the most common inherited genetic conditions that affect children in Australia.
Get tested today with no upfront cost for medicare-eligible customers.
Please note – our turnaround time for Standard Carrier Screening results is currently up to 4 weeks from when your sample arrives at our lab.
About Standard Carrier Screening testing
This test looks at 3 genes associated with 3 inherited conditions. The conditions included in this test are:
- Cystic fibrosis (CF),
- Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and
- Fragile X syndrome.
To unlock more genes and conditions, purchase an Extended or Comprehensive carrier screening test.
This is an individual test for biological females. Your kit will include one swab. The report will tell you if you are a carrier for the three conditions screened for. If yes, your partner should also get tested to determine your combined chance of having a child with an inherited condition. We’ll help you organise this if needed.
What will my results look like?
When you take a Standard Screening test, we’ll determine if you are a carrier for the 3 conditions we screen for. If you aren’t a carrier for any of the 3 conditions, you have a low chance of having a child with an inherited condition.
If you receive a carrier result, your partner should be tested to determine your chance as a couple of having children with any of the conditions screened for.
Your results are relevant for life, meaning you only need to take this test once. However, if your partner is tested, you will need a new couples’ report any time you change partners in future.
How does the Standard Carrier Screening test work?
To take the test, simply order a kit online through our site and we’ll ship a kit directly to you. No referral is required. You don't need to speak to a doctor before ordering online; our Lumi doctors will determine your suitability for testing after you order via a telehealth consultation (free of charge).
Once your kit arrives, simply complete the cheek swab in the comfort and privacy of your own home. The swab is quick, painless, and non-invasive. You’ll also receive a reply-paid envelope you can use to mail your sample back to our lab.
Our lab scientists examine your genes to determine whether you are a carrier for any of the conditions we screen for. If you’re a carrier, we can organise testing for your partner as well to determine your combined chance of having a child with an inherited condition.
Even if you receive a carrier result, it does not mean you are guaranteed to have a child with a genetic condition. Your overall chance is dependent on your partner’s carrier status.
Included in your order
At-home test kit with 1 cheek swab
Instruction booklet & reply-paid envelope
Testing performed in accredited laboratories
Report explaining your personal carrier status
Access to genetic counsellors
Our carrier screening lab
Your sample is processed at our Australian laboratory. Our qualified scientists and lab technicians perform extraction of your DNA using advanced medical technology.
The lab is certified by NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities), the leading Australian organisation for laboratory accreditation. This is achieved by maintaining a high standard of testing, accuracy, and passing regular inspections.
How carrier screening works
All our kits use a non-invasive cheek swab you can do at home.
Order online
Select a kit and complete your purchase online. Your kit will be shipped to you in the mail. No referral required.
Swab at home
Once you receive your test kit, complete the simple cheek swab in the comfort and privacy of your home.
Mail your swab
Register your kit online and send your swab back to our accredited laboratory in the pre-paid envelope.
Discover your results
After we process your sample, your results are accessible online via a secure login portal.
Frequently asked questions
Our clinical experts and genetic counselling team are here to assist you.
What is carrier screening?
Carrier screening is a type of test that checks whether you are carrying specific gene variants in your DNA that could cause genetic conditions in your children.
If both you and your partner are carriers of the same gene variant, there is an increased chance of your children inheriting the condition. However, it does not guarantee that they will inherit the condition.
Taking a carrier screening test allows women and couples to make informed reproductive choices. It can help you by understanding your chance of having a child with a inherited genetic condition.
What does carrier screening test for? What will I learn?
Lumi has a range of carrier screening products available, which test for a different number of genes and conditions.
Our most basic test is the Standard Carrier Screening test, which covers 3 genes and 3 of the more common inherited conditions: cystic fibrosis (CF), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and fragile X syndrome.
This test is for individual biological females and is done using a simple cheek swab. You'll learn whether you are a carrier for the 3 conditions above. If you are a carrier, your reproductive partner should also be tested so you can understand your combined chance of passing on conditions to your children.
We also offer Extended Carrier Screening and Comprehensive Carrier Screening testing options. Comprehensive screening covers more than 1,240 genes, including the 3 from Standard screening.
These tests are for couples and will include 2 swabs. You will learn about your chance as a couple of having children with any of the conditions screened for. If you change partners in the future, you may need to re-test.
What does carrier screening cost?
The cost of carrier screening varies depending on the type of screening and provider. Lumi offers bulk billed testing for Medicare-eligible customers.
The Standard Carrier Screening test costs $0.00 out of pocket for all Medicare eligible Australians. Without Medicare, the test costs $360.00.
An Extended Carrier Screening test costs $810.00 with Medicare, or $1,170.00 without Medicare. Comprehensive Carrier Screening test costs $940.00 with Medicare, or $1,300.00 without Medicare.
All our prices are in Australian Dollars ($AUD). We also provide free shipping on all orders. Prices may change during sales or other events, please refer to our shop for the most accurate pricing.
Who should do a carrier screening test?
Leading colleges for women's health practitioners in both Australia and globally recommend that “all women and couples planning pregnancy should be offered screening for genetic conditions” regardless of ethnicity or family history1.
Screening is relevant to anyone planning a pregnancy or currently pregnant. However, choosing to have carrier screening is a personal choice for you and/or your partner. Even if you've had children previously and haven't been tested yet, testing is still worthwhile.
You don't need to have a family history to be a carrier, in fact most carriers have no family history of the condition.
When should I do a carrier screening test?
Carrier screening is ideally done before you get pregnant. This gives you the most reproductive options and allows you to make the most well-informed decisions about your family planning.
However, screening can be done within the first 8 weeks of pregnancy. If you and your partner are found to be carriers of the same condition, you can choose to test your pregnancy.
How do I do the test?
Simply order a test online on our site and we will send a kit directly to you. All our tests only involve a simple cheek swab that can be done in the privacy, comfort, and safety of your own home.
The cheek swab only takes a minute to complete. There are no blood tests, needles, or saliva tests.
Screening done on a cheek swab is just as accurate as screening on blood samples. Doing your screening by a cheek swab is convenient as it is pain free and can be returned by post to the testing laboratory.
Once you've followed the instructions included in your kit, you can send your sample back to our lab using the reply-paid envelope included in your kit. Our lab will run your sample once it arrives back at our lab.
How long does it take to get my results?
Once our lab receives your sample (and your partner's sample if you've bought a couples' test), it can take up to 4 weeks (Standard Carrier Screening) or 6–8 weeks (Extended, Comprehensive Carrier Screening) for your results to be ready from when our lab receives your sample(s).
The exact time to get your results can vary depending on how long it takes for your kit to arrive via post or for your sample to be returned to our lab.
What is the advantage of couples' testing?
When planning a pregnancy, taking a carrier screening test as a couple provides you with more clinically relevant information than a single's test alone, making your results simpler and easier to understand. It is often also more cost-effective than taking multiple individual tests.
We are focused on providing reports that are the most clinically relevant to the reproductive couple being screened. Our couple-based reporting best supports healthcare providers in their patient management and reduces the need to explain non-relevant genetic information.
Over 80% of individuals are healthy carriers of at least one of the conditions in our extended and comprehensive tests. We do not report individual carrier status where it is not relevant to the health context of the couple being screened.
Are my results and data private and confidential?
Your privacy is very important to us – we believe your genetic data belongs to you. All your screening results are private and confidential – only you will have access. All your personal information is stored on highly secure, encrypted servers.
In case new evidence becomes available or re-testing is required, your sample is securely stored in our vault after analysis. However, after testing is completed, you can request to have your sample securely disposed of by our lab staff.
We never share your information with third parties without your consent. For more information, check out our Privacy Policy.
Does genetic testing affect my insurance?
Genetic test results do not need to be disclosed in relation to health insurance. However, life insurance requires an assessment of individual risk and results may need to be disclosed. There is currently a moratorium (a freeze) in place (until 30th June 2024) that limits the use of genetic test results for new life insurance policies worth up to $500,000.
Above $500,000 – the insurance company can ask for genetic test results but can only use them if relevant to the cover you’re applying for.
Do I need a doctor's referral?
No. You can organise testing directly through Lumi at any time without prior referral from a doctor or GP.
After ordering, you will be able to discuss any questions you have with one of Lumi's qualified practitioners. You will also have the opportunity to speak with a genetic counsellor about your results before your report is released.
