Australians who undergo life-saving genetic testing will be able to rest easy when they apply for life insurance as the federal government pushes to prevent genetic discrimination.
Insurance companies will be banned from taking a person's genetic testing results into account when offering life insurance cover under a bill introduced to parliament on Wednesday.
The legislation could pave the way for millions more to take part in genetic tests, Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino said.
"Australians should not be discouraged from undertaking genetic testing out of fear that it may impact their ability to get life insurance," he told the House of Representatives.
"Genetic tests help save lives."
The measure can help provide an early indication for Australians who are at a high genetic risk of certain cancers and heart disease, allowing them to take preventative action, better monitor their condition and access treatments before it is too late.
Inherited Cancers Australia advocacy manager Robyn Smith had a mother with a gene mutation that made her disposed to developing ovarian cancer.
Though she eventually died from the illness, her decision to undertake genetic testing gave her family information about ways to manage their cancer risk.
"It was an opportunity for prevention," Ms Smith told reporters in Canberra.
"(For) my kids who might be undertaking genetic testing in the future and the tens of thousands of people who undertake genetic testing every year, there will be better protections."
An estimated nine in 10 Australians would participate in preventative DNA screening for these kinds of conditions, according to a 2022 Monash University survey.
But the research found life insurance implications were a major barrier as many worried they could be denied coverage or subject to increased premiums.
Though the genetic testing industry has already placed its own partial moratorium on requirements to disclose results, the government legislation would provide more certainty their information could not be used against them.
Any insurance companies in breach of the ban would face the wrath of the financial services watchdog.
The legislation will be considered during parliament's next sitting period.
