Read more information in Minister Hunt's media release.
Offering self-collection to all screeners is a game changer for the NCSP. It provides greater choice in screening options and is expected to increase participation in cervical screening and support better outcomes in under-screened women.
Expanded self-collection has the potential to remove some cultural and personal barriers that may discourage some women from screening, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, culturally and linguistically diverse women, and gender and sexually diverse people.
Self-collection is currently available only to women who:
- have never participated in the NCSP and are 30 years of age or over; or
- are overdue for cervical screening by two years or longer and are 30 years of age or over.
From 1 July 2022 all women and people with a cervix screening under the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) will have the choice to screen using either a self-collected vaginal sample or a clinician-collected sample. Both screening options will still be accessed through a healthcare provider.
Find out more about the National Cervical Screening Program.