Where to have my Cervical Screening Test

Where can I have my Cervical Screening Test?

A Cervical Screening Test (CST) can be performed by your GP.

To make a CST appointment, contact your GP, or Family Planning Tasmania clinic.

The Tasmanian Health Service (THS) cannot recommend healthcare providers or perform CSTs.

To assist making your appointment in Tasmania, links to some external websites are provided below as a guide:

• Aboriginal Health Services
• Family Planning Tasmania
• Healthdirect

What is the cost of the Cervical Screening Test?

There are two costs in having a CST - your GP's consultation and the laboratory test. A Medicare rebate is available for both.

Some practices bulk bill, meaning there are no out of pocket expenses for you. The cost of your GP's consultation will depend on the general practice or health centre you attend. In most cases there is no additional cost for a CST. You should ask what the cost will be when you make your appointment.

National Cancer Screening Register

Your test results will be sent to the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR). The NCSR keeps all cervical screening results to monitor and ensure appropriate follow up and treatment wherever you are in Australia.

The NCSR will send you a reminder when you are next due to screen.

You can call the NCSR contact centre on 1800 627 701.

National Cervical Screening Program

There have been significant improvements in science, technology and research into cervical cancer. The National Cervical Screening Program introduced many changes in December 2017. As a result, cervical cancer prevention in Australia is even more effective.

The changes include:

• the CST (for HPV) replaced the Pap test as the method of screening;
• how often it's needed - a better test means you will only need to screen every five years**; and
• the starting age - the starting age for the first test is 25, rather than 18 - 20 years of age.

** Women are due for their first CST two years after their last normal Pap test. Australian research has shown that the renewed program will further lower the rate of cervical cancer cases and deaths. This is because it is a more accurate and effective test.