Identilab

09/03/2026

Most people think DNA testing is fairly straightforward: half your DNA comes from your mother, half from your father. But biology can sometimes throw a curveball.

In our latest blog post, we explore a fascinating genetic phenomenon called chimerism, where a person can carry more than one DNA profile in their body. We also share a real case study from our laboratory where a bone marrow transplant initially complicated a paternity test.

It’s a great reminder that DNA testing isn’t just about technology... it’s about scientific interpretation too.

Read the full article here 👇

Discover how chimerism and bone marrow transplants can create multiple DNA profiles and complicate paternity testing, explained by the scientists at Identilab.

02/03/2026

🌟 Identilab Welcomes Dr Kelly Grisedale as Principal Scientist

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Kelly Grisedale as Principal Scientist at Identilab.

Kelly brings more than a decade of experience in forensic genetics, human identification, and advanced DNA analysis, with senior roles at the Australian Federal Police and Forensic Science SA. Her expertise is supported by an extensive record of research, publications, and national collaboration.

In her new role, Kelly will provide strategic operational leadership across Identilab’s DNA testing services - strengthening scientific oversight, supporting our team, and ensuring we continue to deliver accurate, timely, and ethically grounded results to our clients across Australia and New Zealand.

This appointment represents an important step in Identilab’s continued growth and our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality, innovation, and client care.

Please join us in welcoming Kelly to the Identilab team.

09/02/2026

Client feedback like this is exactly why we do what we do.

Immigration DNA testing can be a stressful and unfamiliar experience for families navigating visa and citizenship applications. Our role is to make the science clear and the process as straightforward as possible, while delivering results that meet the requirements of the Department of Home Affairs.

If you have been asked to undertake DNA testing by the Department of Home Affairs, we're here to help. Identilab meets the Department's requirements for DNA testing and sample collection locally and abroad and has extensive experience liaising with Australian Embassies, High Commissions, Consulates, and approved panel physicians for overseas clients.

28/01/2026

Identilab is now a DV Safe Phone drop location!

We're proud to announce that Identilab has become an authorised drop-off location for DV Safe Phone, supporting their vital work providing free mobile phones to people experiencing domestic and family violence.

DV Safe Phone collects unwanted mobile phones, refurbishes them, and distributes them to Australians fleeing domestic violence situations. These phones provide a crucial lifeline, offering access to emergency services, support networks, and pathways to safety.

If you have an unwanted mobile phone gathering dust, you can now drop it off at our Brisbane laboratory. Every phone donated helps someone in crisis stay connected and safe. hashtag

Learn more about DV Safe Phone's work at

Help us ensure every call for help is heard

22/12/2025

🎄 Christmas Closure 🎄

We’ll be taking a short break over Christmas and will be closed from 12 noon on Wednesday 24 December, reopening at 9am on Monday 5 January.

If you place an order during this time, it will be processed as soon as we’re back in the office.

Thank you to all our customers for trusting Identilab during some very important moments in your lives. We wish you a safe, peaceful, and happy Christmas 🎁✨

26/11/2025

At Identilab, we’re in the process of developing our first formal Sustainability Policy - part of our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint and making more responsible choices in how we operate.

We’ve already introduced several initiatives that are making a real difference day-to-day:
♻️ TerraCycle Australia & New Zealand recycling for our single-use laboratory items, including gloves, hair caps, and face masks
🛍️ Switching our bin bags to biodegradable or recycled options through Ecobags & Ecopack
🌿 Separating and recycling all recyclable materials, and diverting organic waste into compost with Ecobin Australia
🥤 Taking eligible bottles and cans to Containers for Change QLD (COEX)
🚿 Upgrading our taps and toilets to water-saving devices as part of ongoing facilities improvements
⚡ Using an energy meter to monitor our power usage and identify where we can reduce consumption

While we’re doing what we can, there’s an opportunity for bigger impact across the industry. We’d love to encourage our suppliers - Thermo Fisher Scientific, Promega Australia, and QIAGEN - to consider implementing a styrofoam recycling or recovery program. We currently drop off all styrofoam packaging to the Brisbane City Council resource recovery centre to keep it out of landfill. Getting our suppliers on board would help reduce reliance on virgin materials and support a cleaner, more circular economy in Australia.

Here’s to building a smarter, more sustainable future in science. 🌍

18/11/2025

Ever wondered whether you need an at-home DNA test or a legal one?

We’ve broken down the differences, including costs, ID requirements, and when each option is needed, in a simple, easy-to-read guide.

If you’re trying to figure out which test is right for your situation, this is a great place to start.

👇 Read the full post

Compare at-home vs legal DNA testing at Identilab. Learn about costs, collection, and what’s required under Family Law Regulations 2024.

05/11/2025

Big news - we’ve launched Identilab New Zealand! 🇳🇿

You can now order our at-home DNA tests across NZ, including paternity, maternity, kinship, and twin zygosity tests - all analysed in our ISO/IEC 17025-accredited lab in Brisbane for the same trusted accuracy and care we’re known for.

Whether you’re looking for answers, connection, or just peace of mind, we’re here to help.

🧬 Learn more or order your test today at

Australia's most reliable at home DNA tests, now available in NZ. Paternity, Maternity, Kinship & Zygosity. Order Your Kit Online Here.

30/09/2025

Did you know that some DNA tests can follow your family line straight through the men in your family?

Y-STR testing looks at the Y chromosome, which is passed down from father to son, helping reveal connections along the paternal line.

Our new blog breaks down what Y-STR testing can (and can’t) tell you, and how it can help when you’re trying to confirm relationships between male relatives.

Discover how Y-STR DNA testing helps trace paternal lineage and male relationships. Learn the benefits, limitations, and how Identilab can assist.

22/09/2025

✨ Future Scientist Alert! ✨

We recently had the pleasure of welcoming Madeleine, a Year 6 student from Moreton Bay College, to Identilab as part of her International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) project. Madeleine chose DNA as her area of interest, and wow, she truly impressed us with her curiosity (and even taught us a thing or two about gene editing)!

It’s always inspiring to see young minds so passionate about science and the world around them. Thank you, Maddie, for spending time with us. We can’t wait to see where your love for DNA takes you in the future! 💡🔬🧬👏

(Shared with parental consent)

16/09/2025

🧬👯‍♀️ Are you really who you think you are?

For years, some twins go through life believing they’re fraternal, until a simple DNA test says otherwise.

We’ve teamed up with Twins Research Australia to offer quick, accurate zygosity testing so twins can finally get a clear answer. Whether you're a new parent of twins, a grown-up twin still wondering, or you're joining a research study, this test can bring certainty and even a few surprises.

Like this one:

“For 42 years we thought we were non-identical so this is quite an update! Incredible, thank you!”

TRA members get a special discount, and our at-home test kit makes it all super easy.

🔗 Curious? Read more about our collaboration and how to get tested here:
https://identilab.com.au/understanding-zygosity-identilab-twins-research-australia/

Ever wondered what makes twins truly identical - or not? In this blog, we explore zygosity testing, why it matters, and our collaboration with Twins Research Australia

27/08/2025

Worried about what happens to your DNA after a test? You’re not alone.

With all the recent news about data breaches and big companies going bust, we want to be really clear: we’re not 23andMe.

We don’t share, sell, or store your DNA in a giant database, ever.

Learn more about how we protect your privacy. 👇

At Identilab, your DNA is never stored in a database, sold, or shared. Learn how our data privacy practices differ from companies like 23andMe and AncestryDNA.