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Carrier screening and Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) are often confused; they are actually different tests with distinct purposes. Carrier screening looks at the prospective parent’s genetics to understand the chance of passing on certain inherited conditions, while NIPT looks at a specific pregnancy to screen for certain chromosomal conditions in the baby.
What is Carrier Screening?
Genetic carrier screening is an important genetic test that helps inform family planning by helping couples understand their risk of having a child with an inherited genetic condition.
How it works: Most of us carry at least one "silent" genetic change, also known as recessive conditions. If you are a carrier, you typically won't have any symptoms of the health issue yourself, but you can pass that "changed gene" to your children. If both biological parents are carriers of the same changed gene, there is a 25% (1 in 4) chance that future children will inherit the condition.
How it’s done: It is simple and non-invasive. While some providers use blood tests, Lumi Health uses a simple cheek swab that can be done at home.
The Australian government rebates the three-condition carrier screening test for women planning a pregnancy in the near future. This screens for the most common inherited genetic conditions in Australia.
What it detects: Carrier screening tests for recessive conditions to determine your chance of having a child affected by an inherited genetic disorder. The specific genes and conditions vary depending on the provider and test, but the most common conditions to test for include:
- Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
- Fragile X Syndrome (FXS)
These conditions are covered in the Lumi's Standard Carrier Screening Test, which is bulk-billed through Medicare. Lumi's Comprehensive Carrier Screening Test covers an additional 1,200+ genes, and is the broadest panel available in Australia.
What is NIPT?
Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) is a screening test performed during pregnancy. It does not look at the parent’s long-term genetic status, but rather at the specific chromosomal health of a current pregnancy.¹
How it works: During pregnancy, tiny fragments of DNA from the placenta (which is genetically identical to the baby) leak into the mother’s bloodstream. NIPT analyses these DNA fragments to estimate the chance of certain chromosomal differences in the pregnancy.¹
How it's done: NIPT requires a standard blood draw from the mother. Because it relies on the "fetal fraction" (the amount of baby's DNA in the mother's blood), it cannot be performed accurately until at least 10 weeks of pregnancy.²
What it detects: NIPT is primarily used to screen for "Trisomies", conditions caused by an extra chromosome. The most common are:
- Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)
- Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome)
- Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome)
- It can also determine the biological sex of the baby.³
Comparison: Carrier Screening vs. NIPT
| Carrier Screening | NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Test) | |
| Who is tested? | The biological parents (usually the mother first). | The pregnant person (analysing fetal/placental DNA in the blood). |
| Timing | Ideally, pre-conception, or as early as possible once pregnant. | During pregnancy, typically from 10 weeks onwards. |
| Purpose | Assesses the risk of parents passing on inherited genetic conditions. | Evaluates the likelihood of the fetus having chromosomal abnormalities. |
| Methodology | Analyses the parents' DNA (via blood or saliva). | Examines fetal/placental DNA fragments circulating in the mother’s blood. |
| Scope | Identifies carrier status for specific single-gene conditions (e.g., Cystic Fibrosis). | Screens for chromosomal anomalies (e.g., Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome). |
| Frequency | Once in a lifetime (your carrier status for these genes does not change). | Every pregnancy (chromosomal risks are unique to each pregnancy). |
| Medicare Rebate | Yes (Approx. $360 rebate for the "Core 3" conditions). | No (Usually an out-of-pocket cost of $430–$550). |
Carrier screening and NIPT are not the same test, and one does not replace the other.
Planning a pregnancy (and up to 12 weeks): Carrier Screening
If you are planning a pregnancy, carrier screening is the ideal first step. Lumi’s Standard Carrier Screening screens for the most common inherited conditions, while our Comprehensive Carrier Screening offers broader insights for couples seeking more extensive coverage.
Planning a pregnancy? Check out our Step-by-step checklist for parents-to-be to help you get started.
Already pregnant
It is recommended to complete carrier screening within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. NIPT can be performed anytime from 10 weeks onwards.
Explore Lumi’s carrier screening options to find the test that best fits your journey. Our team is here to help you make the most informed decision for your family. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at support@lumihealth.com.au.
Just found out you're pregnant? Read A reassuring step-by-step checklist for where to start.
References
- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby. Prenatal screening overview.
- Healthdirect Australia. Routine antenatal tests.
- RANZCOG. Screening and diagnosis of fetal structural anomalies and chromosomal conditions
