What is genetic counselling? A plain-language guide
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What is genetic counselling? It is a communication process in which a trained health professional helps individuals, couples and families understand genetic conditions, genetic test results and what these mean for their health and family planning.1 A genetic counsellor explains the options and offers support, but does not tell people what to decide. At Genotype Health, genetic counsellors work alongside Tara AI, our AI assistant, so that information and support are available before and after a test. For a broader overview of testing, see everything you need to know about genetic testing and counselling.
Key takeaways
- Genetic counselling helps people understand genetic conditions and test results and what they mean for health and family planning.
- It supports informed decision-making and does not tell people what to choose.
- Demand is rising faster than the workforce, and non-urgent public appointments in Australia can take up to nine months.
- Tara AI supports Genotype Health’s genetic counsellors with general information, history collection and consent. It does not replace them.
What is genetic counselling, and what does it involve?
The Human Genetics Society of Australasia defines genetic counselling as a communication process that helps people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological, familial and reproductive implications of the genetic contribution to health conditions.1 In practice, this involves reviewing personal and family history to assess the chance of a condition, explaining how it is inherited and what testing can and cannot show, and talking through management, prevention and support. Just as importantly, genetic counselling promotes informed choices that reflect each person’s goals, values and beliefs.1 This means the counsellor’s role is to inform and support, and the decision always stays with the individual or family.
Why is genetic counselling important?
For many people, the question “what is genetic counselling?” really means “how will it help me?”. Genetic test results can be complex, because a result may describe an increased risk, a carrier status or a finding that matters for relatives, and these are difficult to interpret without professional guidance. A genetic counsellor helps someone understand their result, assesses personal and family risk, discusses the medical or reproductive options available and provides emotional support throughout the testing journey. Someone who learns they have a variant linked to hereditary cancer, for example, can leave a session knowing which health checks to consider, which relatives may wish to be tested and where to find support. The evidence supports this role. A systematic review of 23 studies found that genetic counselling can increase knowledge and a sense of personal control, while reducing anxiety and uncertainty about decisions.2
Why is demand for genetic counselling growing?
Advances in genetic testing mean that more people are being offered tests, and as a result demand for counselling is rising worldwide. The workforce has not kept pace. A 2019 global review counted nearly 7,000 genetic counsellors across at least 28 countries.3 In Australia, a government review found that the limited availability of qualified genetic counsellors contributes to long waiting times, which can reach nine months for non-urgent matters,4 and a national workforce census reported that most genetic health professionals expect demand to keep growing beyond current capacity.5 Across much of the Asia Pacific region, including Southeast Asia, the profession is still developing.6 New approaches are therefore needed to widen access while maintaining the quality of care. People with a strong family history can also check the directory of public genetic services across Australia.
How does Tara AI support genetic counsellors?
Tara AI is Genotype Health’s AI-powered genetic counsellor assistant. Tara provides general information about the genetic tests Genotype Health offers, collects relevant personal and family history, assists with the informed consent process before testing and answers common questions. Because Tara handles these routine steps, genetic counsellors can spend more of their time on the conversations that need human expertise. Tara is designed to support and streamline the counselling workflow, not to replace counsellors. It does not interpret anyone’s results and is not trained on patient data. When a question calls for personal advice, Tara passes it on to the team. Research suggests this kind of support can work well: in a trial of 3,073 people, a chatbot delivering pre-test education led to similar rates of completed genetic testing as standard genetic counselling.7
“Tara gives people clear information at their own pace, which means our time with them can go to the questions that matter most. The human conversation is still at the heart of good genetic counselling.”
Dr Mona Saleh, Head Genetic Counsellor, Genotype Health
What is genetic counselling like at Genotype Health, and when should someone speak with a genetic counsellor?
Before testing, some people want more than general information. Anyone who would like a more detailed discussion, who has a complex personal or family history, or who has questions beyond Tara’s scope can choose a pre-test genetic counselling session with a qualified genetic counsellor. This is particularly worthwhile when an inherited condition already runs in the family, because a targeted test, such as Family Variant Testing, may be more suitable than a screen. After testing, anyone with a positive result is recommended to have post-test genetic counselling, which explains what the result means for them and their relatives and sets out appropriate next steps, such as a referral to the right specialist. Those with a negative result receive information about what it means and can still book an appointment if they would like to talk it through.
What else do people ask about genetic counselling?
Is a genetic counsellor a doctor?
Not usually. Genetic counsellors are health professionals with specialist training in both genetics and counselling, and they often work alongside clinical geneticists, who are medical doctors. Some are trained in both fields. One of Genotype Health’s genetic counsellors in Indonesia is both a medical doctor and a genetic counsellor.
Is there any Medicare funding or health insurance coverage for genetic counselling?
In Australia, genetic counselling provided through public hospital genetics services is government funded. Outside hospitals there are currently no Medicare items for sessions with a genetic counsellor, and private health insurance does not usually cover them, so private sessions are generally paid for by the individual. In Indonesia and other countries, cover varies, so it is worth checking with the insurer. See Medicare funding for genetic testing in Australia for more.
Is a GP referral needed to book an appointment with a genetic counsellor?
No. An appointment with a Genotype Health genetic counsellor can be booked directly, without a referral, and GPs are also welcome to refer their patients. Public genetics services usually do require a referral from a GP or specialist.
Can genetic counselling be done online or by phone?
Yes. Genetic counselling is commonly provided by video or phone as well as in person, which helps people who live far from a genetics clinic.
Is what someone tells a genetic counsellor confidential?
Yes. In Australia, genetic information is classed as sensitive information under the Privacy Act, so stricter rules apply to how it is collected, used and shared. Read more about how we protect your genetic data.
What should someone prepare before a genetic counselling session?
It helps to gather family health information, such as which relatives have had a condition and how old they were when it was found, along with any previous genetic test reports.
Do family members need to take part in genetic counselling?
No, although it can help. Genetic results can matter for relatives, so a genetic counsellor can suggest ways to share information with family members.
Related reading
- Everything you need to know about genetic testing and counselling
- Understanding your genetic test report: a guide to common terms
- Myths and fears about genetic testing
- Introducing Tara
References
- Human Genetics Society of Australasia. Definition of genetic counselling [Internet]. Sydney: HGSA; 2022 [cited 2026 Oct 2]. Available from: https://hgsa.org.au/ASGC/About/Definition-of-Genetic-Counselling.aspx
- Madlensky L, Trepanier AM, Cragun D, Lerner B, Shannon KM, Zierhut H. A rapid systematic review of outcomes studies in genetic counseling. J Genet Couns. 2017;26(3):361–78. doi:10.1007/s10897-017-0067-x
- Abacan M, Alsubaie L, Barlow-Stewart K, Caanen B, Cordier C, Courtney E, et al. The global state of the genetic counseling profession. Eur J Hum Genet. 2019;27(2):183–97. doi:10.1038/s41431-018-0252-x
- MBS Review Advisory Committee. Genetic counselling: final report [Internet]. Canberra: Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care; 2022 Nov [cited 2026 Oct 2]. Available from: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-04/mbs-review-advisory-committee-genetic-counselling-final-report_0.pdf
- Australian Genomics. Inside the working life of genetic health professionals [Internet]. Melbourne: Australian Genomics; [cited 2026 Oct 2]. Available from: https://www.australiangenomics.org.au/inside-the-working-life-of-genetic-health-professionals/
- Laurino MY, Leppig KA, Abad PJ, Cham B, Chu YWY, Kejriwal S, et al. A report on ten Asia Pacific countries on current status and future directions of the genetic counseling profession. J Genet Couns. 2018;27(1):21–32. doi:10.1007/s10897-017-0115-6
- Kaphingst KA, Kohlmann WK, Lorenz Chambers R, et al. Uptake of cancer genetic services for chatbot vs standard-of-care delivery models: the BRIDGE randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(9):e2432143. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.32143
