National Bowel Cancer Screening Campaign Hub
Resources for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Campaign 2026
Campaign summary
The eligible screening age has been lowered to 45, making the program accessible to more Australians. People aged 50-74 continue to receive a free at-home test kit from the Australian Government every two years, while people aged 45-49 can now request a free screening kit to be mailed to them.
Most people who don’t participate in bowel screening do intend to do the test, but often delay because they are busy, forget, or simply don’t get around to it.
Our campaign aims to reduce the range of barriers that prevent eligible Australians from completing the test and to help normalise participation in bowel screening.
This year’s campaign launches the new “Bowel cancer waits for no one” advertisement, reminding Australians that doing the free at-home bowel screening test could save their life. Our message is clear: Do the test, don’t wait.
From 1 June 2026, the campaign ran across major media channels including TV, radio, social media, and online, with integrated partnership activity across sport, lifestyle, entertainment, health, and community environments.
Messaging is tailored by audience, location, and context across all touchpoints. While the campaign aims to reach all eligible Australians, there will be a particular focus on higher-risk audience segments, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and Australians who speak Arabic, Mandarin and Vietnamese.
Join us at the community roadshow, featuring ‘The Loo Post' activation, a walk-through experience delivered in key under-screened locations demonstrating how to complete the at-home test kit, so that our community can do their test confidently the moment it arrives. This will be complemented by the'Catch It Early Cafés', a bespoke branded barista initiative designed to encourage conversation and raise awareness in a relaxed, everyday setting over coffee. Find the community roadshow dates and locations here.
Key messaging
Bowel cancer waits for no one.
Campaign videos
Watch and share the campaign videos which aim to increase awareness and understanding of the screening test and its importance.
Bowel cancer waits for no one | Don’t wait, test now - 30s
Bowel cancer waits for no one | this free at-home test could save your life - 15s
Bowel cancer waits for no one | Early detection saves lives - 15s
If you would like to download our campaign video, please contact us at media@cancer.org.au.
Research insights summary
Want to learn more about the research behind the campaign? Read about the insights that informed the campaign strategy.
Information for health professionals
GPs and other primary health professionals play a key role in the success of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. Visit our bowel cancer health professionals page for more information.
Campaign resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
The following resources including fact sheets, posters and social media tiles have been developed as part of a targeted campaign to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities, and stakeholders to participate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
Campaign videos for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
In your language resources
Cancer Council has developed resources with information about bowel cancer screening in several community languages.
For information and support in your language contact Cancer Council 13 11 20 and they can direct you to translation services. Alternatively, you can call the Telephone Interpreter Service (TIS) on 131 450.
With your support, we can help reduce the impact of bowel cancer among all Australians. You can share these multilingual resources with your community to help raise awareness of the importance of bowel screening today.
Arabic
- in-language resources
Campaign videos - سرطان الأمعاء لا ينتظر.
If you would like to download our campaign video, please contact us at media@cancer.org.au.
Vietnamese
- in-language resources
Campaign videos - Ung thư ruột không chừa một ai
If you would like to download our campaign video, please contact us at media@cancer.org.au.
Simplified Chinese (Mandarin)
- in-language resources
Campaign videos - 肠癌风险人人有，筛查宜早不宜迟。
If you would like to download our campaign video, please contact us at media@cancer.org.au.
Greek
- in-language resources
Μοιραστείτε αυτούς τους πόρους για να ενθαρρύνετε τους Ελληνοαυστραλούς να δραστηριοποιηθούν και να κάνουν την ανιχνευτική τους εξέταση εντέρου.
Italian
- in-language resources
Condividi queste risorse per incoraggiare gli italo-australiani a non aspettare a fare il test per il tumore intestinale.