5 Best DNA Testing Centres in Melbourne That’ll Help You Discover Your Heritage
A few weekends ago, I was at home when the conversation somehow turned to family health histories. It started casually enough, but then came the usual mix of half-remembered details and uncertain answers that didn’t quite line up.
It’s a moment where I realised that not everything in our family story is as clear as I thought. Afterwards, I found myself thinking about it more than expected.
That’s when I started looking into DNA testing centres in Melbourne, and a few trusted names kept coming up after some quick research.
So if you’ve ever been curious about what might be in your own family line, these are the places in the city that can help bring a bit more clarity.
How much does a DNA test cost in Melbourne?
In Melbourne, DNA tests in accredited labs or specialist clinics typically start at $170, which already covers profile and basic relationship testing.
Meanwhile, at-home ancestry style kits can go up to $130 for general background insights.
1. DNA Solutions
Address: 4 Eastgate Ct, Wantirna
Contact Details: +61 1800 000 362
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
If you’re the type who doesn’t like waiting around for answers, DNA Solutions is probably going to catch your attention straight away.
They’ve been in the game longer than almost anyone else. In fact, they were the very first crew to start selling home kits online way back in 1997.
Since they’ve had decades to perfect their process, they’ve managed to get their turnaround time down to a mere 3 days, which is a lifesaver if you’re losing sleep over a paternity question.
And if you’ve ever wondered about your furry friend’s lineage, they also offer animal DNA services that local pet owners absolutely rave about.
They’re NATA accredited, so you don’t have to worry about the ‘science’ side of things being a bit dodgy. That accreditation is basically a gold stamp of approval from the national authorities, ensuring their lab results are accurate.
When those results finally land, you can view everything digitally or have it sent securely by post.
Just keep in mind that their rates are on the premium side. But for many, the speed and scope seem to balance that out.
The results came back quickly
“I had a great experience with DNA Solutions. The kit was easy to use, the results came back quickly, and their NATA accreditation gave me real confidence in the accuracy. Customer service was friendly and responsive, and the final report was clear and easy to understand. I’d definitely recommend them for DNA testing.”
Sharon, Google Review
Very helpful in guiding us on how the DNA testing process works
“Vern and the team at DNA Solutions have been very, very helpful in guiding us on how the DNA testing process works and how it will benefit our business. All of our questions were answered, and we felt completely confident that we would get accurate and precise results, which was exactly what we got! It was also reassuring that their pricing was much better compared to other DNA services that we had been looking at, and sample turnaround times were a lot quicker. We will continue to use DNA Solutions in the future for all of our testing work.”
Jason Nethercott, Google Review
2. Eugene Labs
Address: Not Available
Contact Details: +61 480 020 321
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours
Next up is Eugene Labs, and these guys are fantastic if you’re looking to get a proper handle on your future health. Instead of just looking at where your ancestors wandered off to, they’re all about genomic healthcare that you can do right from your own sofa.
They’ve become a bit of a favourite for their preventative kits, especially for anyone wanting to stay on top of things like heart health or potential cancer risks.
Clients also recommend them for those planning to start a family. In that context, the testing can help identify potential inherited conditions early, giving parents a clearer understanding of what to prepare for.
If it’s your first time going through the process, expect a more guided experience. There’s usually an initial video consultation with one of their doctors who walks you through everything in detail.
Even if it feels a lot at first, they do send an instructional video with the kit, so you’re not left trying to remember everything you discussed during the call.
One thing to note is that the results can take up to 6 weeks, so it’s definitely not the quickest option out there.
The customer service was excellent
“My partner and I used the Eugene Carrier Test to determine if we carried or shared any genes which we wanted our children to avoid inheriting. We had an in-depth video chat session with one of the doctors at Eugene, who ascertained our genetic history as well as explaining every step of the process to us. This allowed the test to be customized for anything that may be genetically relevant to us. The process was simple and the kits were sent to our home, with an instructional video to guide us along. Once the saliva samples were collected, we returned them in the postage-paid box included and sent them in. We had another video chat session with the doctor once our results were in and every abnormal result was covered, even if only a minor thing. The results were then sent through to us in report format via email. I strongly recommend Eugene Labs and the Carrier Test. The customer service was excellent and the product offers some truly valuable genetic insight.”
Laura, Google Review
Provide excellent information and support through the whole process
“I highly recommend Eugene; they provide excellent information and support through the whole process. Staff are very helpful and easy to understand information, with a great support network. I recommend you give them a go if you’re looking at genetic testing. 😊”
Wendy Pearse, Google Review
3. myDNA
Address: 20/627 Chapel St, South Yarra
Contact Details: +61 1300 436 373
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
If you’ve ever stood in a pharmacy aisle wondering why a certain tablet makes you feel a bit off while your mate takes it with no trouble at all, myDNA might have the answers you’re after.
They’ve been in the genetic testing space for over 20 years, and not long after starting out, they introduced pharmacogenomic testing, essentially helping you understand how your genes can influence the way certain medicines work for you.
When it comes to the process itself, it’s fairly straightforward. I found booking to be simple enough, though you’ll need to settle the cost upfront before moving forward.
Meanwhile, the way they handle your results is a bit unique compared to other labs. Instead of just pinging you a file, they actually require you to have a chat with one of their in-house healthcare practitioners first.
Clients honestly appreciate how supported they feel during this stage, especially with the added context around what the results mean.
The results will then be uploaded through their mobile application. While it’s handy to have all the details on your phone, some have experienced it lagging or crashing.
Very helpful to assist in achieving personal health goals
“Great product with great delivery process and well laid out report. The DNA report is very helpful to assist in achieving personal health goals. I look forward to purchasing some of the DNA kits that are listed as ‘coming soon’ on their website.”
Anita La Forgia, Google Review
Pretty cool how the recipes and workouts are targeted to your results
“Found my results so interesting! And it’s pretty cool how the recipes and workouts are targeted to your results. Definitely recommend!”
Gemma Pacetti, Google Review
4. smartDNA
Address: Deliveries Level 13, VCCC, 305 Grattan St
Contact Details: +61 1300 022 750
Operating Hours:
- Monday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Leaning more into the advanced side of testing, smartDNA brings a more specialised feel to the table. It’s less about general overviews and more about understanding how your body functions beneath the surface.
Much of their work centres on nutritional genomics and microbiome testing, including DNA-based diet analysis and gut microbiome profiling, perfect if you want to fine-tune your lifestyle with insights that feel tailored.
They’re also involved in MedTech research and development, which gives them a more technical edge. For businesses, this means having a partner that can help validate products and support claims with credible data.
That same level of depth seems to carry through to the overall experience, with clients highlighting how detailed the reports are—especially without the long wait times you might expect.
Their customer service also tends to come across as friendly and easy to deal with.
It does come at a higher cost, though, so it’s one to weigh up depending on your priorities.
I like that this business is designed and run by trained geneticists
“I am a long-term health practitioner who has been using SMART DNA for my clients for over 10 years. I use this company to learn a client’s epigenetics to find the best solutions for their health. Epigenetics is the foundation of functional medicine. Margie Smith’s training for beginners is perfect, so you become confident in helping people navigate the results. The results are set out simply with the traffic lights, yet the scientific detail is there. I like that this business is designed and run by trained geneticists. I truly advocate for everyone to SMART DNA to complete their genetic profile. Thank you, SMART DNA- 5 star.”
Maedy Colenso, Google Review
Personalized, impactful genetic insights
“Our experience with Smart DNA has truly been life-changing. The detailed information provided by their testing has opened our eyes and transformed the way we understand our boys needs. The personalized insights have empowered us to make informed decisions about his health, wellness, and future. We are incredibly grateful for the guidance and clarity that Smart DNA has given us—it’s been a pivotal step in our journey toward a healthier, more aware life for our son. We highly recommend their services to anyone seeking personalized, impactful genetic insights.”
Jordan Walsh South Beach Solar, Google Review
5. Genomic Diagnostics
Address: 460 Lower Heidelberg Rd, Heidelberg
Contact Details: +61 1800 822 999
Operating Hours: Not Available
If the conversation starts shifting towards family health history and inherited risks, Genomic Diagnostics is one of the names that comes into the picture.
They offer non-invasive prenatal testing and genetic carrier screening, commonly used during pregnancy planning, along with screening for hereditary conditions, like ovarian and colorectal cancer.
One of the best bits is how flexible they are with the actual testing. While they have physical locations you can visit, you can also just request a kit to use at home if that’s more convenient.
Moreover, clients mention how clear the instructions are. You can even expect a follow-up call from their team, which adds a more guided feel to the whole experience.
However, if you’re working on a tight schedule, note that there may be occasional delays in receiving results beyond the expected timeline.
Their team even called me to walk through a couple of things I didn’t fully get
“Genomic Diagnostics were honestly great to deal with. The test was easy to do at home and the instructions were super clear. Results came back quicker than I expected, with really helpful explanations. Their team even called me to walk through a couple of things I didn’t fully get. Overall I felt looked after and would definitely use them again.”
Stephane Recouvreur, Google Review
Not only were they so empathetic and actually cared how I was feeling
“We were so sad. We had our testing booked in and paid for our baby on the way only to have a loss over the weekend before the test. I called GD and explained the situation not only were they so empathetic and actually cared how I was feeling at this time but they were able to refund us quickly even though that is not the normal protocol. Thank you for being human GD.”
Samantha Hand, Google Review