Genetic Counselling
Qualification and registration requirements
Genetic Counsellors are university qualified health professionals. The current entry is a Master of Genetic Counselling or equivalent post graduate qualification as approved by the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA).
What is a Genetic Counsellor?
Genetic counselling is a communication and educational process, which aims to assist individuals, couples and families understand and adapt to the medical, psychological, familial and reproductive implications of the genetic contribution to specific health conditions.
What does a Genetic Counsellor do?
- Interpretation of family and medical histories to assess the chance of disease occurrence or recurrence.
- Education about the natural history of the condition, inheritance pattern, testing, management, prevention, support resources and research.
- Counselling to promote informed choices in view of risk assessment, family goals, ethical and religious values.
- Support to encourage the best possible adjustment to the disorder in an affected family member and/or to the risk of recurrence of that disorder
Related links
*For information on how to gain recognition of Allied Health qualifications obtained overseas, please contact the relevant professional association as per web links above.