The Australian Government introduced the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) to reduce the number of deaths from bowel cancer in Australia. 

You are eligible to participate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program every 2 years if you:

  • are aged between 45 and 74
  • have a Medicare card and entitlement type of either Australian citizen, permanent migrant or register as a Department of Veteran Affairs customer
  • have an Australian mailing address.

People aged 45 to 49 can request their first bowel cancer screening test by submitting a webform or calling 1800 727 336.

People aged 50 to 74 receive a bowel cancer screening test in the post every 2 years.

All eligible people aged 45 to 74 can also ask their GP about obtaining a bowel cancer screening test.

You will be asked to complete the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) by taking 2 separate poo samples before sending the completed test back to the laboratory for analysis.

Your next test will automatically be mailed every 2 years after your last screening test is completed.

 

For further information about the NBCSP please call their Contact Centre on 1800 627 701 or you can get in touch via their website.

BowelScreen Australia

If you are ineligible to participate in the government screening program, you can purchase a screening test from Bowel Cancer Australia by calling 1800 727 336 (SCREEN) or ordering online.