A revolutionary new pregnancy test will launch across Australia today, marking the most significant development in at-home testing in than 70 years.

SaliStick, the world’s first saliva-based pregnancy test, will be stocked on shelves at Coles and select pharmacies. It costs just $16.95.

While urine or blood testing has been the go-to for years, the new test offers a hygienic and non-invasive alternative – and one many couples will now be able to do together.

The innovative test can be completed in less than 15 minutes and promises accuracy rates of 96 per cent one day after a missed period (if the period is regular) and 97 per cent two days after.

This makes it slightly less precise than urine-based tests, with the popular Clearblue brand claiming to be over 99 per cent accurate.

Developed following decades of scientific research, the stick detects the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) – a pregnancy hormone – through a saliva swab.

Experts argue this works (almost) as well as urine-testing because ‘saliva contains than 5,000 proteins, many of which reflect those found in blood’.

‘The ability to detect pregnancy through saliva is a remarkable step forward in women’s health,’ Dr Anita Sharma, General Practitioner, Medical Director and founder of Platinum Medical Centre, said.

‘From a clinical perspective, what matters most is early and accurate detection – and saliva-based tests deliver on both fronts.

‘Family planning and pregnancy testing are different for everyone; it’s a very personal journey. It’s wonderful to see these innovations bringing new, easy-to-use, and accurate options to the pregnancy test market.’

Use of the SaliStick is simple and should be performed 30 minutes after drinking or eating.

Women simply allow their saliva to pool, collect the sample by placing the ‘Collection Foam’ in their mouth for 90 seconds and then place the foam into the included ‘Analytical Unit’.

One woman who used the SaliStick in the original trials said it was a ‘joy’ to be able to do the test with her partner present, adding: ‘I didn’t like the idea of having to go to the toilet or bathroom. Urine pregnancy tests can be fiddly and messy.’

The in-demand test has gained recognition globally, too, after being named by TIME Magazine as one of the Best Inventions of 2023.

And now, it’s finally available Down Under.

‘We are proud to play a role in bringing meaningful innovation to Australia,’ Michael Cima, Director of SupaMed, said.

‘As one of the recognised leaders in the at-home saliva diagnostics space, we’ve noticed a significant shift towards non-invasive saliva tests since COVID.

‘It’s great to see this being reflected in pregnancy testing products, allowing women to share this special milestone with their loved ones easily now.

‘We believe the SaliStick test is a genuinely disruptive product.’