DNA testing for visa and citizenship applicants
The Department of Home Affairs (previously the Department of Immigration and Border Protection) manages the entry of immigrants into Australia. If there is a sponsor in Australia who has family members also wishing to enter on visas or claim Australian citizenship, the Department of Home Affairs will assess the information provided in the application and decide whether there is enough evidence for the proposed family relationship. Sometimes, they will not be satisfied with the information provided and will ask for a DNA test to confirm the relationships. Usually, this happens when documents such as birth certificates aren’t provided, or if those documents are considered unreliable by the Department.
Because of the implications of the testing, the Department of Home Affairs requires that the DNA tests are legally admissible and undertaken by a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited laboratory. This means the sample collection and transportation, and laboratory analysis procedures must satisfy chain of custody requirements and that DNA tests are performed according to an international standard known as ISO/IEC 17025. You can read more about the requirements for a legally admissible test here. It is up to you to carefully select which laboratory will perform your DNA tests, and you are responsible for all costs associated. If you do not choose a NATA accredited laboratory, the DNA test results will not meet the requirements, and may not be recognised by the Department of Home Affairs as evidence of your family relationships.
Identilab is a NATA accredited laboratory that can provide immigration DNA test results for you and your family that are accepted by the Department of Home Affairs. We meet the Department’s requirements for DNA testing and sample collection locally and abroad, and have extensive experience in liaising with Australian Embassies, High Commissions, Consulates and approved panel physicians for overseas clients.
DNA Test For Immigration Cost
The cost of an Immigration DNA test depends on whether participants are located in Australia or overseas, and who the Department wants to be tested. Our fees for immigration DNA testing start at $495. There will also be a collection fee that is directly payable to the doctor or nurse who takes the samples. This is not included in our fees.
| Parentage (Paternity/Maternity) for immigration | |
| Testing the known parent (if participating), the alleged parent and one child – all participants located in Australia | $495 |
| Testing the known parent (if participating), the alleged parent and one child – some or all participants located overseas | $995 |
| Additional children | $195 each |
| Additional reports, e.g. paternity AND maternity testing is required | $195 each |
Identilab also tests other relationships, such as siblings, for immigration purposes. Please contact us on 1300 114 294 or email us at [email protected] for more information and a quote.
How can I organise an Immigration DNA Test at Identilab?
After you have received your letter of notification from the Department of Home Affairs requesting a DNA test, you can complete an online order for an Immigration DNA Test on our website, or you can download and complete an Immigration DNA Test application form and return it to us by mail, fax or email. We can also arrange a payment plan if paying the full amount upfront is a challenge. You will need to provide us with your Letter of Offer from the Department so that we can notify them that we will be conducting the testing for you.
For participants in Australia, samples can be collected by a doctor, nurse or pathology collector using one of our sample collection kits, which we will send out to you. If participants are located in or around Brisbane, they are welcome to contact our office in Salisbury to arrange a FREE sample collection appointment. For participants overseas, Identilab will liaise with the relevant Home Affairs outpost and panel physician to request a sample collection appointment.
Once we have all the samples in our laboratory, we will process them and provide you and the Department of Home Affairs with the test results within 5 business days (providing the samples are of good quality and additional testing is not required).
Please call us on 1300 114 294 or email us at [email protected] if you would like more information on our Immigration DNA testing service.