Cervical screening participation rates

Why this indicator is important

When detected and treated early cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers.[1] Early detection of cancer can significantly improve outcomes for patients.[2]

  • Since the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) began in 1991, incidence and death from cervical cancer has halved in Australia.[3]
  • Women* with cancers diagnosed through cervical screening have an 87% lower risk of dying than women with cancers who had never had a cervical screening test.[4]
  • Nationally, more than 70% of cervical cancers occur in women* who have never been screened or are not up to date with their cervical screening.[3]
  • The NCSP changed on 1 December 2017 from biennial Pap test screening to a new Cervical Screening Test every five years [5]. The Cervical Screening Test looks for Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is the cause of almost all cervical cancers. If positive for HPV, a follow up investigation is carried out depending on the type of HPV.[6]

  • The National Cervical Screening policy changed on 1 July 2022.[7] All women and people with a cervix are offered two options to have a Cervical Screening Test: they can collect their own vaginal sample (known as self-collection) or a healthcare provider can collect a sample from their cervix. Both options are still accessed through a healthcare provider.  

  • The percentage of women and people with a cervix choosing to use self-collection as a method of cervical screening has steadily risen since its introduction.  From July – September 2024 33.4% of participants used self-collection.[7]

 


About this indicator

This indicator shows cervical screening participation rate* for participants aged 25-74, for 2020-2024 in NSW.  

  • NSW had a participation rate of 59.6%†.  

NSW Cancer Plan Activities  

To improve equity of outcomes the NSW Cervical Screening Program is focusing on under-screened and never-screened communities. Cancer Institute NSW led Cervical Screening Behaviour Change Campaigns have focused on the following priority populations:   

  • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders   

  • Those from Multicultural and diverse backgrounds 

  • Sexually and gender diverse people 

  • People living in rural and remote areas 

  • People living with disabilities. 

*Cervical Screening Participation Rate refers to overall number of women and people with a cervix who screened using either a self-collection swab or by attending for swab collection by a health provider.   
†Due to changes to the National Cervical Screening Program, the number of new Cervical Screening Tests conducted was expected to be lower in 2020 than in 2019, irrespective of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions

Notes

Data accurate as of August 2025. 

References

  1. Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation. Reduce your risks [Internet]. Brisbane: Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation, 2023 [cited 19th February 2025]. Available at: https://accf.org.au/reduce-your-risks/  

  1. Cancer Institute NSW. NSW Cancer Plan 2022–2027. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, 2022. 

  1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023) National Cervical Screening Program monitoring report 2023, catalogue number CAN 157, Canberra: AIHW  

  1. Australian Government Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2018. Analysis of cancer outcomes and screening behaviour for national cancer screening programs in Australia. Cancer series no. 111. Cat. no. CAN 115. Canberra: AIHW 

  1. Cancer Australia. Changes to the National Cervical Screening Program [Internet]. Sydney: Cancer Australia 2017, 30 November. [cited 19th February 2025]. Available from: https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/about-us/news/changes-national-cervical-screening-program 

  1. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. National Cervical Screening Program – Quick Reference Guide [Internet]. Canberra: Department of Health and Aged Care [cited 26 February 2025]. Available from: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-cervical-screening-program-quick-reference-guide?language=en 

  1. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Self-collection to increase choice within the National Cervical Screening Program [Internet]. Canberra: Department of Health and Aged Care, 2021, 9 November. [cited 19th February 2025]. Available from: https://www.health.gov.au/news/self-collection-to-increase-choice-within-the-national-cervical-screening-program  

Alcohol drinking in adults Bowel screening participation rates

Tags:

Cervical
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Attribution 4.0 International