How to get a Cervical Screening Test

You can get a Cervical Screening Test from most health clinics or services. Find out how to locate your nearest service and who can give the test. If you're due for a test, make a booking – it could save your life.

Where you can get a Cervical Screening Test

You can get a Cervical Screening Test at different places Australia-wide, including:

  • a doctor’s clinic
  • a community health centre
  • a women’s health centre
  • a family planning clinic
  • a sexual health clinic
  • an Aboriginal Medical Service or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service.

Who can do a Cervical Screening Test

A healthcare provider facilitates the Cervical Screening Test. Providers can include:

  • a doctor or general practitioner
  • a nurse trained in cervical screening
  • a gynaecologist or other specialist
  • an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner or Worker (in some states and territories).

If you prefer, you can ask for a female health professional to do your test.

If you are eligible for a Cervical Screening Test, you have the choice to either:

  • collect your own sample from your vagina using a simple swab (self-collection)
  • have your healthcare provider collect a sample from your cervix using a speculum.

Talk to your doctor, nurse or health worker about which option is best for you.

How to book a Cervical Screening Test

Contact your GP or health care provider to check if you're due or overdue for a Cervical Screening Test. If you’re due, make a booking with them.

If you don't have a preferred health care provider, use healthdirect’s service finder to help you find a provider.

You can also check if you're due by calling the National Cancer Screening Register:

National Cancer Screening Register contact

Contact the National Cancer Screening Register to update your contact details or ask questions about the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program or National Cervical Screening Program. You can call between 8 am and 6 pm Monday to Friday, except national public holidays, from anywhere in Australia.

Costs for the Cervical Screening Test

There is a Medicare rebate for cervical screening. If your chosen health care provider bulk bills there should be no cost to you, depending on when you had your last test. 

Some health care providers do charge a fee, so it’s best to check if there are any extra costs when making your appointment.

Information for people without a Medicare card

To be eligible to screen through the National Cervical Screening Program, you must have a Medicare card and an entitlement type of either:

  • Australian citizen
  • permanent migrant
  • Department of Veteran Affairs member.

You are not eligible to screen with the National Cervical Screening Program if you are a:

  • conditional migrant
  • temporary resident
  • Reciprocal Health Care Agreement recipient.

In some states and territories, if you do not have a Medicare card you may be able to receive a cervical screening test with specific health services. This is outside the National Cervical Screening Program and fees may apply at these services.

Date last updated:

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