Master of Genetic Counselling

University of Melbourne

Australia, Melbourne

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University of Melbourne

Australia , Melbourne

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

061969D

Campuses

Parkville

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesFebruary-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 2 year(s)

Tuition Fee

AUD 65,984 / year

Next Intake February-2026

Master of Genetic Counselling

About

Overview

In Australasia, genetic counsellors are allied health professionals who work in partnership with clinical geneticists or other medical specialists, often as part of a multidisciplinary team that may include other allied health professionals and/or scientists.

Genetic counselling is a communication process that aims to help individuals, couples and families understand and adapt to the implications of a genetic contribution to a health condition.

The role of a genetic counsellor includes

provision of risk information to individuals/families,
education about a genetic condition to individuals/families/health professionals
counselling to individuals/families to promote informed health care decision making
psychosocial support to individuals/families who have a history of a genetic condition

The Master of Genetic Counselling is a professionally accredited coursework degree, completed full time over two years.

Learn from leading industry experts

Teaching staff are primarily practicing genetic counsellors, scientists and clinicians within the field of clinical genetics health care and research. Community support groups and individuals/families with personal/family experience of genetics also provide expertise to the teaching and placements in the course.

Certification

Graduating with a Master of Genetic Counselling meets the requirements for entry level professional employment as an associate genetic counsellor, and for Board Eligible certification, awarded through the Board of Censors in Genetic Counselling (Human Genetics Society of Australasia). The attainment of Board Certification requires the submission of a portfolio of work, completed whilst employed as an associate genetic counsellor (www.hgsa.com.au).

International opportunities

With well-established links to overseas training programs there are international opportunities for students, through an active exchange program for clinical placements and research collaborations. Graduates of the Masters have the opportunity to undertake certification both in Australia and overseas in those countries with an established reciprocal training and certification agreement.

Prospective students can view the program flyer and contact MGC-MGH@unimelb.edu.au for all enquiries.

Upcoming information session

Master of Genetic Counselling Information Session: 2025 Intake

When: Wednesday 21 August, 5.30-6.30pm AEST

Professor Jan Hodgson, Program Director, will give a presentation about the program and you will be introduced to our key senior lecturers. Past and current students will share their experiences of the program and will be available to answer questions.

Register here

Recent information session

Master of Genetic Counselling Information Session: 2025 Intake

When: Wednesdsay 15 May 2024, 5.30-6.30pm AEST

Watch recording

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Admission criteria

To be considered for entry into this course, you must have:

An undergraduate degree (or equivalent) with a cognate genetics subject at second year level (or equivalent), AND
Evidence of at least one first-year undergraduate biology subject AND at least one second-year subject (preferably human genetics), completed within the last 10 years with subject marks of at least 65% (or equivalent), AND
At least six months of demonstrated relevant professional or volunteer experience.

In addition to meeting this entry criteria, you must also provide:

A personal statement, AND
Three written, signed references to attest to your work or volunteer experience and ability to interact effectively and appropriately with people who are in distress

Please ensure each of your three referees individually complete the online Master of Genetic Counselling Referee Report.

Shortlisted applicants will be required to attend an interview.

Work or volunteer experience relevant to this course may include roles at organisations such as Very Special Kids, Life Line, The Genetic Support Network of Victoria, Down Syndrome Victoria, Cystic Fibrosis Victor or other organisations that provide support to people living with a disability/genetic condition. Relevant experience may include peer support helplines, patient support at hospitals, disability support work, support for people of refugee background or support for those experiencing homelessness.

The experience should be at least 6 months in duration, noting that the quality and duration of the experience is an important part of selection into the program. References from coordinators or supervisors will enhance your application.

Please note that administrative support or observing genetic counselling sessions is not considered as valuable as directly supporting people in times of need/illness/crisis.

Volunteer programs that provide education/training to volunteers are highly valued, for example Very Special Kids in Victoria or Lifeline/Aidsline nationally.

Human genetics knowledge

You will need to demonstrate that you have studied first year biology as well as relevant second year genetics subjects. Academic transcripts will be reviewed and applicants invited for interview will complete a short assessment to indicate your level of understanding of basic genetic/genomic concepts.

Indigenous Applicants

Applicants of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent are given priority access to the Master of Genetic Counselling at the University of Melbourne.

Prospective Indigenous applicants are encouraged to:

Complete the relevant section under the Graduate Access Melbourne requirement in the application form.
Contact the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science Indigenous Student Support Office for application and admission support and to complete the Confirmation of Identity process.

Meeting the published entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

Don't meet the prerequisite subject requirements?

You may have the option to enrol in specific single subjects through the University's Community Access Program, even if you are not enrolled in a course. Completing these prerequisite subjects may qualify you for entry into this course. This option is not available to student visa holders or applicants. Learn more about single subject study.

You can use our graduate coursework grade conversion eligibility calculator to get an indication of whether you are eligible for this course based on your previous studies and Weighted Average Mark (WAM).

Calculate your eligibility

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

English language test score requirements
If you need to undertake an English language test, you must meet one of the scores* below:

IELTS

7.0

with written 7.0 and no band less than 6.5
TOEFL

94+

with writing 27; speaking 20; reading 19; listening 20
PEARSON

72+

with written communicative skill of 75 and no other communicative skill below 64
CAMBRIDGE

185+

with no less than 185 in writing and no less than 176 in each other skill
*Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English Only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE). If a test displays N/A, it means it is not accepted for this course.

About selection

When assessing applications, the Selection Committee will consider your previous studies and academic performance.

The Selection Committee may request additional information to clarify any aspect of an application, according to the University’s Academic Board rules regarding selection instruments.

Meeting the published entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

In addition to your prior study, the Selection Committee will also consider your personal statement, work or volunteer experience, referee reports, and interview.

English Program Requirements

English language test score requirements

If you need to undertake an English language test, you must meet one of the scores* below:

IELTS

7.0

with written 7.0 and no band less than 6.5

TOEFL

94+

with writing 27; speaking 20; reading 19; listening 20

PEARSON

72+

with written communicative skill of 75 and no other communicative skill below 64

CAMBRIDGE

185+

with no less than 185 in writing and no less than 176 in each other skill

*Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English Only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE). If a test displays N/A, it means it is not accepted for this course.

Career

A Master of Genetic Counselling will provide you with the knowledge and acumen to become a professional genetic counsellor. This world-renowned program will elevate your prospects for employment both domestically and abroad. Graduates of this course are eligible to undertake professional certification by the Human Genetic Society of Australasia (HGSA).

Specialist opportunities

Offering in-roads to exclusive career specialisations, a Master of Genetic Counselling allows you to improve the lives of people experiencing challenges connected to genetic conditions. Many graduates work directly with patients in medical areas that include paediatrics, prenatal, infertility, neurology, cancer and cardiology. Others choose to continue along a research path in public or industry-focused laboratories.

With a Master of Genetic Counselling you can be employed as:

An Associate Genetic Counsellor for individuals undergoing genetic/genomic testing in cancer, prenatal, adult or paediatric medicine settings
A researcher or program officer in clinical research, public health or community support organisations.

The Melbourne Medical School’s existing relationship with associated institutes, such as the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and Victorian Clinical Genetic Services (VCGS), provides close access to world-class clinical research and laboratory science facilities.

A world-class qualification

As a graduate of the Master of Genetic Counselling, you will be well equipped to pursue opportunities in this specialised field throughout worldwide institutions and organisations. Graduates of the program have successfully gained employment in clinical genetics services in Europe, Canada and Asia.

Lisette Curnow

Genetic counselling is one of the rarest jobs in Australia – with only 230 employed nationwide. Genetic counsellors work in many areas of medicine, including paediatrics, prenatal, infertility, neurology, cancer and cardiology. Many counsellors work directly with patients, while others carry out research in public laboratories and for industry. Some are employed in health education. The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute has a not-for-profit genetic testing lab, Victorian Clinical Genetic Services (VCGS), that carries out tests for hundreds of genetic conditions impacting adults and children. Lisette Curnow is one of the longest serving genetic counsellors at VCGS with 18 years of service. She works closely with doctors, lab technicians and families every day and recently spoke to MCRI communications officer Christine Tondorf about her work.

Become a genetic counsellor

Genetic counsellors are employed in many different settings. These include clinical genetic services in cancer, prenatal, adult and paediatric medicine. Genetic counsellors may also be involved in research programmes, in health education, in public health, and in community support organisations. Importantly, genetic counsellors will have a central role in the integration of genomic medicine into standard health care across roles including in research, laboratory genomics and clinical care.