People living in major cities and more affluent areas are accessing colonoscopy more, while people in remote and socioeconomically disadvantaged areas are receiving fewer services.
An updated Colonoscopy Clinical Care Standard (2025) has also been published, emphasising adherence to surveillance guidelines for colonoscopy, better communication at referral, and sharing of test results in clinical record systems and with patients and GPs.
Australians undergo around 1 million colonoscopies each year in hospitals and day procedure services. High-quality colonoscopy is crucial to prevent and detect bowel cancer – Australia’s fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer.
Commission CEO and gastroenterologist Conjoint Professor Anne Duggan officially launched the Report and the Standard yesterday, at the World Congress of Gastroenterology and Australian Gastroenterology Week 2025 in Melbourne.
Key findings
The findings suggest that while some people are receiving more colonoscopy than necessary, others are missing out.
The national rate of MBS-subsidised* repeat colonoscopy before 3 years decreased by 8% between 2013–14 and 2023–24, with larger falls in remote areas (down 17%) and areas of most socioeconomic disadvantage (down 26%).
The same disparity was also seen in overall colonoscopy rates in 2023–24.
Actions for health services and clinicians
Download the Clinical Care Standard and new implementation resources to learn more about best practice care for colonoscopy.
Use the Report’s interactive maps and graphs to view colonoscopy rates and trends in your state or territory, PHN and local area. If substantial variation exists, investigate whether appropriate care is being delivered in line with the Standard.
Visit our webpage: Colonoscopy Hub
Highlights Report: 4-page overview of Atlas Focus Report and Clinical Care Standard
Media Release: Gap widens for colonoscopy access across Australia
Please share this news with anyone in your network who may be interested.
* Interactive national trend data on MBS-subsidised colonoscopy and repeat colonoscopy use.
More information
Visit safetyandquality.gov.au/colonoscopy or email ccs@safetyandquality.gov.au