Cervical Screening
Latest information - CST self-collect
July 2022
Self-Collected HPV test - July 2022
Cervical screening
Information for doctors
- On December 1, 2017, the Cervical Screening Test (CST) replaced the Pap test
- The CST is now the only Medicare-funded routine cervical screening test, and is available to women aged 25 years and over
- Specimens must be collected by clinicians into ThinPrep® vials
- Request forms must specify the requested test PLUS the reason for test PLUS supporting clinical notes.
A risk-based approach
The CST uses an HPV DNA test to detect the presence of oncogenic HPV types known to be associated with a higher risk of developing significant cervical abnormalities. The HPV test is more sensitive than cytology, so it can be performed less frequently.
- Asymptomatic women who test negative for oncogenic HPV are at low risk of developing cervical cancer and only need to be screened every 5 years
- Asymptomatic women who test positive for oncogenic HPV will have a liquid-based cytology (LBC) test performed on the same sample (reflex LBC) and will be assessed as either intermediate risk and advised to return for further testing in 12 months, or higher risk and referred for colposcopy
- Symptomatic women and those with a history of high-grade cervical pathology will have both an HPV and LBC test (Co-test) performed, regardless of their HPV result
- Women with special circumstances identified by the program may be offered more frequent screening or a single screening test prior to age 25.
Available resources
In order to help you with the changes implemented on December 1, 2017, we have created a range of resources which are available for download using the links below.
Self-Collected HPV test - July 2022 NEW
Cervical Screening update - February 2021
CST reminders update - October 2019
Addressing challenges in the new cervical screening program May 2018
Cervical Screening Collection Guide
Cervical Screening Renewal - R U Ready? December 2017 Revision
Changes to Cervical Screening - Information for Clinicians
Changes to Cervical Screening - information for patients July 2022
How to generate CST patient lists using Sonic Dx
How to securely email cervical screening summaries to patients
Symptomatic women/when to order a co-test
Previous information sheets
Cervical Screening Renewal - Important Information: April 2017 update
Cervical Screening Renewal: March 2017 update
Cervical Screening Renewal: July 2016
Recommendations to changes for cervical screening: April 2014
CST Audit
Additional resources
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ThinPrep Pap Test information for health care professionals |
| Cancer Council Australia Cancer Guidelines Wiki: National Cervical Screening Program Guidelines for the management of screen-detected abnormalities, screening in specific populations and investigation of abnormal vaginal bleeding. |
Contact us
For further information on the new program, please contact our Cytology Department on (03) 9287 7761.