Should you have a Cervical Screening Test?
You are eligible for a Medicare subsidised Cervical Screening Test if you are:
- aged 25 to 74
- sexually active or ever have been
- a woman or person with a cervix.
It makes no difference if you:
- are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or straight
- have had the HPV vaccination or not
- are no longer sexually active
- have been through menopause
- have been with only one sexual partner
- have had a baby
- are pregnant (ensure you let your health care provider know).
If you have had a full or partial hysterectomy, please check with your doctor about screening.
You are eligible to have your first test when you turn 25. Cervical screening occurs every 5 years after that.
If you're outside the target age range
Under 25
Routine screening starts at age 25. There’s no need to have a Cervical Screening Test before then. This is because there are common infections or abnormalities that usually go away by themselves before you are 25.
Of course, if you’ve already had a test and had an abnormal result, keep following your doctor’s advice. If you have any of the symptoms below, talk to your healthcare provider.
75 or over
If you’re 75 or over you can still ask to have a Cervical Screening Test – talk to your health care provider.
If you are pregnant
If you are pregnant and due or overdue for your Cervical Screening Test, it is safe to undergo the test (be sure to let your healthcare provider know you are pregnant). Visit Cervical screening for pregnant women | Cancer Institute NSW for more information.
If you have a disability
If you have a disability, you have the same risk of cervical cancer as other women and people with a cervix.
When you are making your appointment, tell the staff about any particular requirements you may have.
Information for non-binary and trans people with a cervix
The National Cervical Screening Program recognises that gender is an important part of a person's identity. The National Cervical Screening Program is committed to ensure that the National Cervical Screening Program communication is accurate, inclusive and respectful, and that no one is disadvantaged accessing cervical screening services, especially non-binary people and people who have had gender affirming surgery and still have a cervix.
The National Cervical Screening Program receives participant information including sex and gender from Services Australia (Medicare). You can find out more about how to update your gender details with Medicare here: Services Australia (Medicare) here: How to update your gender with Medicare.