| Summary: | <p><strong>Background</strong>
Non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT ) has been available in Australia on a user‐pays basis since 2012. Since its introduction, it has grown in popularity as a screening method for fetal aneuploidy and may become publicly funded.</p>
<p><strong>Aims</strong>
To assess the motivations and experiences of women who have undergone NIPT in a user‐pays system in Australia.</p>
<p><strong>Materials and methods</strong>
One thousand women who had undergone NIPT through the Victorian Clinical Genetics Services in Melbourne, Australia were contacted and asked to complete a mixed‐methods survey. The number of eligible responses received was 235. Quantitative data analysis was performed in STATA IC 15.1, and qualitative data were examined using content analysis.</p>
<p><strong>Results</strong>
Women reported generally positive experiences with NIPT and 95% of respondents indicated they would undergo NIPT in a future pregnancy. Most respondents received a low‐risk result, with 2.2% receiving a high‐risk result. Respondents viewed NIPT favourably compared to invasive testing and cited reassurance as a key reason they sought it. However, a small minority of women reported negative experiences with the testing process. Women were also supportive of NIPT becoming publicly funded, with 93% of respondents indicating support. Pre‐ and post‐test counselling were identified as possible areas for improvement to ensure informed consent.</p>
<p><strong>Conclusion</strong>
In support of the existing literature, these results indicate that Australian women generally report positive experiences with NIPT . As NIPT becomes more common, with possible integration into public healthcare, further qualitative research would be valuable to examine the motivations and experiences of women undergoing NIPT .</p>
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