Frequently Asked Questions about Paternity and Relationship testing

What is paternity testing?

A paternity test is conducted to prove paternity, that is, whether a man is the biological father of a child. This may be relevant in view of rights and duties of the father. DNA testing is accepted worldwide as the most accurate method of determining paternity. In Australia it is believed that at least 1 in 5 men who are uncertain about the paternity of their children will have their uncertainty confirmed by paternity DNA testing.

Can maternity testing be done?

Maternity testing can also be carried out. This is less common, because at least during childbirth, except in the case of a pregnancy involving embryo transfer or egg donation, it is obvious who the mother is.

For testing, who provides a sample?

For paternity or maternity testing, a sample is required from the alleged father, mother and child or children. For some non-legal cases it is possible to test without the maternal samples. Please contact DNA QLD to discuss this option.

Can testing be arranged throughout Australia?

Although we are based in Brisbane, we can test samples from all over Australia and International cases as well. Our cases come from all states of Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Malaysia and the UK.

For non-legal cases, DNA QLD can send a free collection kit to your home for self collection. Free swab kits are sent individually to the mother, alleged father and child if they reside at different addresses.

For legal testing, DNA QLD can arrange sample collection from all areas within Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand for Paternity testing. Brisbane based clients can use our FREE collection facility based in the center of Brisbane. For other areas, collection facilities are available at any Gribbles/Davis Campbell de Lambert/GPL and QML pathology collection rooms in Australia. Overseas collections from other countries can be facilitated upon request.

What is tested?

DNA testing is done on specific areas on the DNA chain where there are repeated sequences that are individual to each person; these are called ‘short tandem repeats’. A child inherits half its DNA from each parent. Every repeat that is found in the child’s DNA must be found in the alleged mother’s and father’s sample – if not, then it can be determined which parent’s DNA matches or does not match. This is proof of parentage to a minimum certainty of 99.9999%, and proof of non-parentage as 100%. Short tandem repeat testing is highly accurate with the chance of mis-identification being one in several billion.

Why is paternity testing done?

One of the primary benefits of DNA testing outside of the criminal justice field is to assist women who are seeking financial support for their children. In cases where a man denies that he is the biological father, DNA paternity testing can confirm or exclude a biological relationship and allow the courts to determine whether or not he is legally responsible for child support payments or for birth certificate records. If the testing is required for a Family Law case, please consult your lawyer first.

Men who are seeking custody or visitation rights may avail themselves of the benefits of DNA testing. Again, a DNA paternity test provides crucial confirmation of the existence of a biological relationship between father and child. This confirmation is necessary before awarding custody or visitation rights. Some men merely need to gain peace of mind regarding their relationship to a child. One of the benefits of DNA testing is being able to conclusively establish or exclude a relationship. Adopted children may someday wish to find their biological parents. DNA testing will allow them to confirm the biological relationship between themselves and their possible biological heritage.

Some incidences are just for "peace of mind" to confirm the paternity or maternity of a child. This may be done when the child is born or before the child is born. Paternity testing can also be done for legal cases where the alleged father is deceased. This testing requires an application to the Coroner in your state of Australia. Please contact DNA QLD to discuss these cases.

What type of sample is needed for the testing?

The sample collection method for non-legal testing is simple and painless. DNA QLD will mail a kit which contains sterile swab kits, information on how to collect the samples, secure sample containers, and an express postage return envelope. The swabs are rubbed inside the mouth and along the cheek which allows a small amount of cells which contain the DNA to be collected.

The sample for legal testing is collected in the same way. However, with testing that is required for Family Law cases the collection is required to be witnessed by a person authorized by DNA QLD. This could be your lawyer, a doctor or an authorized collection agent for DNA QLD. At the time of collection the identity of the individuals to be tested will need to be verified. This verified official identity documentation (such a driver’s license or passport) and 2 passport size photos of all the individuals will be required for verification. Under the Family Law Act, a FORM 2 (Affidavit) must be completed on the day of collection and taken to the collection appointment with proof of ID. The specimens are then security coded in tamper proof containers and submitted to the laboratory.

Paternity can also be tested on prenatal samples. Choroinic Villus (CVS) samples can be collected between 12 and 14 weeks of pregnancy. Amniocentesis samples can be collected between 16 and 18 weeks of pregnancy. As with any invasive testing, there is always a risk of miscarrying a pregnancy. Please discuss this with your doctor .

How long before the results are available?

Once the samples have been received at the laboratory, the results will be available in around 5 to 10 working days.

We have the fastest turn around time in Australia for the processing of your samples. We aim to have the results mailed to you within 2 days of receiving all the samples for a case. Unlike other laboratories that have to process a large number of samples in a sequencer, we process each case on the day the samples are received in laboratory. However, unlike other paternity testing laboratories we do not charge for this express service.

How do I get my results?

For “Peace of Mind” testing for non-legally admissible cases the results will be sent by registered mail to the mother and the alleged father involved in the testing. Identification will be requested for registered mail collection from your local Australia Post Office. Your results are confidential and no results or information will be given to anyone other than yourself.

For Legal testing admissible at the Family Law Court, the results will be mailed to the alleged father, mother and if requested, your nominated lawyer.

Results are security coded, numbered and printed on official DNA QLD report forms. Our reporting scientists are authorised to sign these results. No photocopies are ever released; only original reports will be deemed the official reports of DNA QLD. Results will not be given over the phone. Fax results can only be sent if a written request via Fax has been sent by a Legal representative. Results are reported by a scientist accredited by the Family Law Court of Australia.

How do I arrange testing?

You can download the application form from this website or request an application form to be mailed to you. The application form is returned with the full payment for the testing to DNA QLD, by mail or by fax. If you have any questions please call our office on 1300 1 PATERNITY (1300 1 2837), and we will be able to help you with your application.

If legal testing admissible at the Family Law Court is required, a representative from DNA QLD will contact you to make arrangements for the sample collection and legal affadivit.

Why is paternity testing cheaper at some laboratories?

DNA QLD uses the latest DNA technology to provide results with 99.9999% accuracy that is fully admissible under the Family Law Courts of Australia.

Companies offering less expensive testing on internet sites are often using old technology that is prone to producing inconclusive results and are far less accurate. DNA QLD proof of parentage is accurate to 99.9999%. If testing was advertised with 99.99% proof of parentage, this would be 100 times less accurate than DNA QLD testing. Many of these companies are not based in Australia and therefore the testing is not being done under the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) regulations for the Australian Family Law Courts.

Can I get a rebate/discount on the testing cost?

Unfortunately this is not possible. There is no Medicare rebate applicable to paternity testing. As this is a private testing facility, no consessions are available for Health cards, Gold cards or Pensioners .Legal Aid offices in each State may be able to assist some clients with payment . A link to Queensland Legal Aid is in the Links section.

Questions to ask companies advertising paternity testing?

- Does the company act as broker or do they have their own testing facility? DNA QLD is a Queensland owned and based testing laboratory

- Are they accredited by NATA? DNA QLD is accreditated under ISO 17025 which is the highest standard of accreditation offered in Australia

- Do they analayse their samples with a sequencer or do they run a gel? DNA QLD analyses samples using a capillary sequencer, not an unreliable gel system

- Do they use Internationally reproducible and recognised paternity kits or do they use an "in house" self made kit which has no reproducibility? DNA QLD uses commercailly validated kits used by the top forensic facilities in the world.

- Are you able to speak to the scientist handling your case or just a call centre operator? At DNA QLD we have a scientist available to discuss your case in office hours and an on call scientist for after hours inquiries

- is the company able to offer a referral to a registered psychologist? DNA QLD has an inhouse counsellor and can offer a referral to a Clinical Psychologist.

Does the laboratory have quality controls?

DNA QLD laboratory is accreditated to the highest standard by NATA. DNA QLD's ISO 17025 rating is an internationally recognised standard of quality. DNA QLD also participates in proficiency testing through the College of American Pathologists. This ensures that DNA QLD complies with testing standards standard with the top testing laboratories worldwide.

Counselling Options and Links

Paternity testing means that in some cases the result from the laboratory will have a large impact on the lives of the individuals being tested.  Mostly the paternity of the alleged father is confirmed, but in a small number of cases this is not so.  These results can also affect other family members and friends of the individuals being tested.  Some results will show that the person who you believed was related to you is not related to you in a biological way.  This can be a life changing result and may be difficult to understand how the family structure can be changed after the DNA test.  However, some people may have a relationship confirmed which can eliminate thoughts of uncertainty about paternity or family relationships.  The reaction to a paternity result may be relief or grief.  Counselling can help individuals when the test result is unexpected. 

The children being tested for paternity need to have the testing explained to them and why it is being done.  This should be done before the testing has been done as counselling is important for the ongoing relationship with the child.  Counselling should be undertaken if the result of the paternity test is believed to have an emotional impact on the child.  Counselling by someone outside the family is easier for the child rather than discussing the issues with perhaps the immediate family members. 

Paternity cases before the Family Law court will have counselling options available to them.  For cases not before the court counselling assistance can be accessed on the LINKS section of this website.

Can test results be added to Wills?

Some clients have nominated a DNA test to record their genotype as part of their Will and Testament.

Why would I consider testing if I am travelling overseas or if I am in a hazardous occupation?

At DNA QLD we endorse the saying that " profiled once - is profiled for life". Once the profiling is done it will not change throughout your life and is your most important identity card.

Clearly, travel to some areas of the world today are hazardous. In particular young travellers to remote areas and those employed in politically may wish to consider DNA profiling before travelling. In the event of an accident determination if an individual was or was not involved in an incident is easier when the DNA profile has been recorded in Australia. We profile to the International Standard ISO 17025 which is the same standard used by Forensic Laboratories worldwide. In the event of an emergency your profile can be sent to any laboratory for verification.

DNA profiling in real life is not like the American CSI like shows. In fact, finding an old toothbrush or strands of hair in a hairbrush are unreliable methods of matching DNA, as the samples may be degraded or contaminated. Dental records are often hard to obtain and not as reliable as a DNA profile. Having a record of your unique profile can lessen the stress on relatives if identification is required.

This testing is for an identification profile and does not test for predisposition to any genetic diseases. DNA samples are destroyed after testing.

Who recommends DNA QLD?

DNA QLD is the preferred testing facility for Healthscope Molecular, Gribbles Pathology, Davies Campbell Lambert and General Pathology Laboratories throughout Australia and Asia. DNA QLD is also a testing facility for QML ,Child Support Agencies and numerous Legal firms Australia wide.

Testimonials from DNA QLD clients

"I just wanted to thank you for the way in which you handled my test last week in a professional and expedient manner. Not quite the result I expected, but all parties know where they stand, and happy and well and it looks as though I'm happily going to be a father of sorts, despite the negative result".

"My thanks to DNA QLD for confirming I am the father of my children. It has given me peace of mind so I can move along with my life".

"I was suprised how quickly the pack was sent to me and how easy it was to do the test and how fast the results came back."

" Service was fantastic. Staff were very friendly and made an extremly difficult suitation a lot easier. They were happy to answer all of our questions"

"Although the result was not what was expected, it has allowed all parties to move on"

"I thought that the way that staff at DNA QLD handeled my case was amazing. The wonderful staff helped me by taking my stress levels into account. They were kind and considerate and kept in contact with me to inform me of how my samples were going"