In December 2017, the Cervical Screening Test replaced the Pap test in Australia.

The two-yearly Pap test for people aged 18 to 69 has been replaced by a five-yearly human papillomavirus (HPV) test for people aged 25 to 74. People are due for their first Cervical Screening Test at the age of 25 or two years after their last Pap test. The changes include:

• a more accurate Cervical Screening Test has replaced the Pap test
• the time between tests has changed from two to five years
• the age at which screening starts has increased from 18 years to 25 years, or two years after the last Pap test if the Pap test was done at the age of 23 or over
• people aged 70 to 74 years will be invited to have a Cervical Screening Test.

If you are due for testing, contact your healthcare provider to book an appointment.

If at any age you have symptoms, such as unusual vaginal bleeding, discharge or pain during sex, you should see your healthcare professional as soon as possible.