Testing with saliva

Saliva sampling is a simple and reliable method for collecting DNA and is a great alternative to blood collection, particularly for those patients who are anxious about having blood collected.

Saliva collection is also ideal in regional settings for example, where accessing blood collection centres can be difficult.

Collecting saliva is simple. The sample is stable at room temperature for up to 2 months and has high levels of test performance at VCGS.

Saliva sampling can be used for the following tests:

Paediatric microarray (molecular karyotype)
Fragile X syndrome
Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes
CMT1A and HNPP
prepair reproductive genetic carrier screening
Cystic fibrosis
Spinal muscular atrophy
Clinical exome sequencing, NGS panels (not whole genome sequencing)
Sanger sequencing
Familial variant detection, segregation and cascade testing

After a consult, you can complete our combined test request and saliva kit send out form.

NOTE: You can also use a test request form generated from your practice software, but we still require the completed saliva kit send out form.
Email the test request and saliva kit request forms to [email protected]
We will send a reply paid saliva kit to your patient's address.

Important: Please record the patient's mobile number on the test request form. We will send them a link to sample collection instructions. Please tell your patient to expect an SMS.

Alternatively, saliva kits can be posted directly to patients for tests ordered via or online test request system.