Cost of cervical screening

The National Cervical Screening Programme is not fully funded. If you do not meet the funding criteria the cost of the test will be $40.

Screening tests that are funded

Free routine cervical screening, regardless of whether an HPV test or cytology is used, is available if you are: 

  • aged 30 years and over and have never been screened
  • aged 70 to 74 years and have never been screened 
  • aged 30 years and over and it has been 5 years or more since your last cytology, or 7 years or more since your last HPV test
  • aged 70 to 74 years nd have not had 2 consecutive normal cervical cytology results between 62 to 69 years, or a ‘HPV’ not detected’ result in the 5 years prior to age 70
  • Māori and Pacific wāhine aged 25 to 69 years
  • aged 25 to 69 and hold a Community Services Card. 

Two cervical screening options

There are 2 options for how you have your screening sample taken. 

Vaginal swab

The vaginal swab is an easy way for most people to collect their screening sample. It is quick and should not be uncomfortable.

If you prefer, your healthcare provider can help you with your swab test.

Cervical sample

A cervical sample (previously known as a smear test) is taken by a health professional.

Steps of the procedure

Appointments usually take around 15 minutes, but it actually only takes a few minutes to have your cervical sample taken.

If this is a follow-up test after HPV has already been found in a vaginal swab test, your cervical sample will be used to check for cell changes.

If you have not had an HPV swab test, the cervical sample will first be tested for HPV. Only if the virus is found will the sample then also be checked for cell changes.

Here is what to expect.

  1. At the start of your appointment, ask the sample-taker to go through what they are going to do, and ask any questions you might have.
  2. The sample-taker will invite you to lie on a bed in a private area. You can lie on your back with your knees bent up, or on your side. A sheet will be provided so you can cover up as needed.
  3. When you are ready your sample-taker will gently open your vagina with a speculum (a speculum is a duck-bill-shaped device that helps them see and access your cervix).
  4. They will then use a soft brush to carefully take a small sample of cells from the surface of your cervix. This might feel uncomfortable but at any time if it hurts, or you are in pain, let your sample-taker know.
  5. Your sample-taker will let you know when they have finished taking the cell sample and, once it’s done, you can get dressed.
  6. Your sample will be sent to a laboratory to be tested.