Changes to cervical cancer screening

All Australians eligible for a cervical screening test will be able to collect their own sample from 1 July 2022, offering women more control and choice.

The Australian Government has committed to expanding self-collection of samples to all women and people with a cervix under the National Cervical Screening Program from 1 July 2022. 

This decision will allow more people to use a simple swab to take a screening sample themselves instead of having a traditional cervical screening test completed by a clinician. Currently, self-collection is only available to women aged 30 years or over, who have never screened, or are two or more years overdue. 

For more information, contact the National Cervical Screening team by email: NCSPCommittees@health.gov.au