Partner testing

If you have been identified as a carrier for CF or SMA through prepair testing, the next step is to see if your reproductive partner is also a carrier.

It's quite common to be a carrier for a genetic condition. Most of us are carriers for at least one genetic condition. Being a carrier usually does not affect your health.

However, if both partners of a reproductive couple are carriers for the same genetic condition, they have an increased chance of having children with that condition.

How to arrange partner testing

Have your doctor complete the prepair 'partner' test request form
Download request form

Screening is bulk billed for Medicare eligible patients.
For non eligible patients:
- CF is $212.50
- SMA is $333.20
Sample collection
Saliva
Send a copy of the test request form (signed by your doctor) to [email protected].
Our team will send out a saliva kit.

Blood
Alternatively, blood can be collected from one of our affiliated blood collection sites.
Sample sent to VCGS for testing
If you were tested through VCGS, it's important your partner is also. This means we can generate a couple report based on your combined screening results.
Results
Results will be available from your doctor about 2 weeks after we receive your sample.

Partner results

Partner testing will show either a 'low chance' or 'increased chance' of the genetic condition.

Low chance

Reproductive partner is not a carrier for the condition (CF or SMA).
As a couple, you have a low chance of having children with the condition.

Most people receive this result.

Increased chance

Reproductive partner is identified as a carrier for the condition (CF or SMA).
As a couple, you have an increased chance of having children with the condition. For each pregnancy, there's a 1 in 4 chance the baby will have the condition.

Some couples (about 0.5%) receive this result. In this case, our genetic counsellors will help you understand your reproductive options and support your decision making.