National Gene Technology Scheme
Learn about our national scheme to regulate gene technology in Australia.
Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
Find out how the Gene Technology Regulator manages, and protects against, risks posed by genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Genomics Health Futures Mission
We fund research into genomic medicine. Learn more about the mission, why it’s important, its goals, who is involved and funding grants that may be available.
Expert Advisory Group on Genomics Australia
Find out about the Expert Advisory Group (EAG) on Genomics Australia.
About genetics and genomics
Advances in medical science help to improve health care in Australia. Gene technology and genomics can give us new testing, diagnosis and treatments for diseases such as cancer and help produce new vaccines and drugs.
Genetics is the study of how genes work and transmit information from parents to offspring. It can help us understand the risk of inheriting a genetic disease.
Genomics is the study and mapping of genomes – the full set of genetic instructions for an organism. It includes both human and other genomes and how these interact with the environment.
Genomics can help doctors:
- identify and diagnose genetic disorders and rare diseases
- develop prevention strategies
- tailor a patient’s treatment.
Researchers used genomics techniques to sequence the SARS-CoV-2 virus genome and this meant COVID-19 vaccines could quickly be developed.
Gene technology involves changing an organism’s genes so that it gains, loses, or changes certain traits. It can be used to:
- produce new vaccines or medicines
- develop new ways to diagnose and treat disease.
What we're doing about genetics and genomics
Strategies and frameworks
We develop our policy frameworks through extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, including:
A consistent national approach to genomics policy
Integrating genomics into Australia’s health system to improve health outcomes both for individuals and the larger population will involve reshaping clinical practice.
This policy framework provides a consistent national approach designed to coordinate activities and address policy issues and challenges. It is built around 5 key priorities.
Strategic priorities for microbial genomics
Microbial genomics is a tool that gives us information about the genomic sequence of pathogens. We can use this information to better manage outbreaks and threats from communicable diseases.
The national framework outlines 5 strategic priorities and we developed a plan to guide its implementation.
Latest resources
Latest resources
Expert Advisory Group on Genomics Australia communique – 2 August 2023
Expert Advisory Group on Genomics Australia – Terms of Reference
MBS Review Advisory Committee Genetic Counselling – Final report
Medical Research Future Fund – Professor Kathryn North case study
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