Australia is on track to be one of the first countries in the world to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem — a remarkable achievement built on HPV vaccination, cervical screening programmes, and decades of research. Yet the work is not done. Cervical cancer still affects approximately 900 Australian women annually, with 250 deaths. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have cervical cancer rates two to three times higher than non-Indigenous women. Grant funding supports the vaccination, screening, treatment, and equity programmes completing this elimination journey.
Current status
The elimination pathway
Australia is the first country in the world likely to eliminate cervical cancer through:
1. HPV vaccination — School-based programme since 2007, gender-neutral since 2013 (girls and boys)
2. Cervical screening transition — In 2017, Australia moved from 2-yearly Pap smears to 5-yearly HPV testing (more sensitive, less frequent)
3. Treatment capacity — Colposcopy and treatment services for screen-detected abnormalities
Disparities
Despite remarkable overall progress, significant disparities remain:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women: 2-3x higher cervical cancer incidence and mortality
- Rural and remote women: lower screening participation, delayed diagnosis
- CALD women: lower screening rates, cultural and language barriers
- Low-income women: less likely to be screened
HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
Almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV:
- HPV vaccine protects against the highest-risk types (16, 18, and others)
- Current vaccine (Gardasil 9) covers 9 HPV types — responsible for ~90% of cervical cancers
- Vaccination of boys prevents transmission and protects against HPV-related cancers in males (anal, penile, oropharyngeal)
Department of Health
Cancer Australia
Gynaecological cancer research and elimination research.
NHMRC
Cervical cancer biology, screening research, and HPV research.
Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation (ACCF)
Peak cervical cancer prevention organisation:
- Advocacy for cervical cancer elimination
- Programmes for underserved populations
- International cervical cancer elimination (in Pacific and Southeast Asia)
- Research and education
Cancer Council
Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre (GCRC)
University of Queensland research programme.
Gynaecologic Oncology Society of Australasia (GOSA)
Clinical training, guidelines, and research.
HPV vaccination
Cervical screening
Self-collection for cervical screening
A major advance in Australian cervical screening — women can now self-collect their HPV sample, without a speculum examination. This has particularly transformed access for:
- Women who found previous Pap smears uncomfortable or distressing
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women (significant take-up increase)
- CALD women for whom speculum examinations raised cultural concerns
- Women with disabilities
Research and promotion of self-collection are well-aligned with elimination goals.
Colposcopy and treatment
For women with screen-detected HPV or abnormalities:
- Colposcopy access (waiting times can be significant)
- Training of colposcopists
- Rural and regional colposcopy outreach
- Anxiety and support for women awaiting results
Cervical cancer treatment
International cervical cancer elimination
Australia is a leader in global cervical cancer elimination — supporting Pacific Island nations and Southeast Asia:
- HPV vaccination support in low-resource settings
- Cervical screening capacity building
- Technical assistance for programmes
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cervical health
The equity gap in Indigenous cervical health is the most urgent issue in Australian cervical cancer:
- Community-controlled cervical screening
- Self-collection promotion and training
- Cultural safety in gynaecological services
- Aboriginal health worker cervical health training
- Data improvement (under-reporting of Indigenous cervical cancer)
The elimination story
Australia's path to cervical cancer elimination is one of the great public health success stories — and is not yet complete. Applications aligned with closing the remaining gaps (particularly Indigenous, rural, and CALD women) are well-positioned.
Self-collection equity
Self-collection for cervical screening has transformed access — particularly for women who previously avoided screening. Applications promoting, implementing, or evaluating self-collection in underserved communities are compelling.
Indigenous cervical health equity
The 2-3x disparity in Indigenous cervical cancer is the most urgent issue. Community-controlled, culturally safe, self-collection-based approaches are the right framework.
HPV vaccination boys
Australia's gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme is world-leading — boys' vaccination protects against anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancer, and prevents transmission to female partners. Applications supporting male vaccination promotion in low-uptake communities are timely.
Tahua's grants management platform supports cancer funders and gynaecological health organisations — with screening programme tracking, vaccination programme data, patient support management, and the reporting tools that help cervical cancer funders demonstrate their investment in completing one of Australia's greatest public health achievements.