Newborn babies in Victoria will be offered an expanded heel prick test to include screening for another rare genetic disorder.
Hours-old youngsters will be tested for galactosaemia from Wednesday, which can cause life-threatening liver disease and kidney failure if left untreated.
Its most serious form effects one in 50,000 babies and makes them unable to process a sugar found in certain dairy products, with treatment involving being fed by soy formula.
The expansion will expand the state's screening program to 32 conditions within the first 72 hours of newborns' lives.
Acting health minster Ingrid Stitt said it is part of more than $1 million for testing for spinal muscular atrophy, severe combined immunodeficiency and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
"Early testing is an important tool for supporting the health of all Victorian babies, while also giving parents peace of mind," Ms Stitt said.
"By expanding the newborn screening program, we're ensuring that rare conditions like galactosaemia are spotted early so that babies get the treatment they need right from the start."
Newborn bloodspot screening began in Victoria in 1966 and has resulted in more than 3.6 million babies tested to date.
One in 1000 are found to have rare but serious conditions such as congenital hypothyroidism and cystic fibrosis.
