What is screened in the program

Newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) tests for a number of conditions, outlined below. We are working with states and territories to expand Australia's NBS programs, and make sure all babies born have access to the same screening.

The tables below contain information on the conditions currently screened across Australia and the implementation status of new conditions. You can also see the status of conditions being considered for screening through the national decision-making pathway. See our fact sheet for more information about the NBS national decision-making pathway.

Target conditions screened in Australia's NBS programs

Target conditions are intentionally screened for in Australia’s NBS programs. There is a specific and reliable test available to detect these conditions, the health outcomes of the condition are well understood and there is an available and effective treatment.

Conditions agreed as target and under implementation

Conditions agreed as non-target 

Non-target conditions may be incidentally detected when screening for a target condition. Although newborn bloodspot screening is not specifically designed to detect these conditions, it may find babies with a non-target condition who may benefit from early detection. Abnormal findings from newborn bloodspot screening (both target and non-target conditions) are reported and followed up as required.

Conditions currently under assessment, not currently screened

The Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) provides independent advice on whether a condition is suitable to add to Australia’s NBS programs using the best available evidence and in line with MSAC's terms of reference.

This advice will be provided to all state and territory governments and Health Ministers, to inform a decision regarding implementing a condition/s in NBS programs. This decision is informed by MSAC’s advice and underpinned by the Newborn Bloodspot Screening Policy Framework.

Conditions considered and agreed not to progress

Through the decision-making pathway, Health Ministers have considered advice on the conditions in the table below. They agreed that the conditions should not proceed to the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) for health technology assessment, at this time. For more information on the pathway see the NBS decision-making pathway fact sheet.

For a condition to progress to MSAC for assessment, it needs to align with the criteria in Australia’s NBS National Policy Framework. The National Policy Framework criteria include: 

• The condition is serious and benefits from early diagnosis in the newborn period.
• There is a suitable test available, which is socially and ethically acceptable.
• There is an acceptable and effective intervention or treatment available.

The conditions in the table below were assessed as not having sufficient alignment with the criteria within the NBS National Policy Framework to proceed to MSAC at this time. 

These conditions, listed below, will be placed on a registry and reviewed as part of the regular NBS condition identification process. This includes monitoring developments in treatments, technology and international screening programs.

Conditions identified for NBS technical advice

National policy framework

This framework provides information for experts involved in newborn bloodspot screening, and families, about how the programs operate. It also includes the screening criteria that guide the assessment of new conditions for inclusion in Australia’s NBS programs.

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