This coincided with the appreciation by medical specialists that genetic disorders, especially inborn errors of metabolism and birth defects, were of clinical interest.
In 1976, a meeting in clinical genetics was held as part of the celebrations of the Centenary Year of the Adelaide Children's Hospital.
The day-to-day strategic decision making is undertaken by an executive of council, consisting of the president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary.
The meeting features plenary presentations from invited international experts in the field of human genetics.
The conference provides a forum for members to showcase their own work in the fields of clinical genetics; genetic counselling; molecular genomics; cytogenomics; biochemical genomics and inborn errors of metabolism; ethics, legal and social issues; and education.
Nominations are called for members who have contributed significantly to the running and welfare of the Society for a Service Award.
The HGSA oversees professional training and certification in the fields of Diagnostic Genomics and Genetic Counseling.
The HGSA partners with the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia to train senior diagnostic genomicists to become Fellows of the Faculty of Science.
The HGSA hosts a large number of educational events throughout the year to help members undertake continuing professional development.
In addition to the Society's Annual Scientific Meeting, members have access to a large number of webinars that are broadcast across Australia and New Zealand.
[5] As the pre-eminent body representing human genetics in Oceania, the HGSA authors numerous policies and position statements to guide practitioners in the region.