With a decision on regulating the use of genetic testing data in life insurance expected soon, we check the pulse in the market.

Having had the Moratorium on Genetic Tests in Life Insurance in place since 2019, Australian life insurers now support regulation to further strengthen the position against the use of genetic test data in life insurance with some limits.

“Australia’s life insurers support a near-total ban on the use of genetic test results in insurance underwriting, and we will continue to work with the federal government collaboratively on this in the months ahead,” says Christine Cupitt, CEO of the Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI).

“We understand that as genetic testing becomes more prevalent in the community, there is a greater need for strict regulation, with limited government-approved exclusions, to guarantee fairness for all insured Australians.”

Under CALI’s proposal, life insurers would not be able to use genetic tests in underwriting, except where a specific test is permitted by the Government after assessment against strict criteria.

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