The Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) has intensified pressure on the Federal Government to legislate a ban on genetic testing in life insurance underwriting, following nearly two years of stakeholder consultations.
CALI CEO Christine Cupitt said the industry requires legislative certainty to remove barriers preventing Australians from accessing genetic testing for health management purposes.
“Australians need certainty. No one should be deterred from taking genetic tests that help them to better manage their health,” Cupitt stated.
The intervention comes as genetic testing technology becomes increasingly accessible and sophisticated, creating regulatory gaps that current industry standards cannot adequately address.
Since 2019, Australian life insurers have operated under mandatory industry guidelines restricting genetic test result usage in underwriting processes. However, these self-regulatory measures lack legislative backing, creating uncertainty for both consumers and insurers.
“A lot has changed since our industry standard was introduced. Given the advancements in the science and accessibility of genetic testing, now is the time for the Government to act and legislate,” Cupitt explained.
The proposed legislation includes provisions for mandatory five-year reviews, designed to ensure regulatory frameworks remain aligned with advancing genetic science and testing methodologies. The industry’s call for urgent action aligns with the recent Albanese Government’s current technical consultation on the genetic test ban legislation, as stakeholders work to finalise implementation details.
