• Charles Sturt to offer Graduate Diploma of Mammography in 2026
• BreastScreen Australian approached the University for help in producing more specialised mammographic technologists for their workforce
• The Graduate Diploma of Mammography previously produced 37 graduates, who are currently working in the field

Charles Sturt University has responded to calls for help to fill national workforce shortages of mammographers by offering the Graduate Diploma of Mammography again in 2026.

The Graduate Diploma of Mammography has previously produced 37 graduates and will be offered again in 2026 at the request of BreastScreen Australia, who is aiming to address national workforce needs for mammographic technologists to service remote and rural regions.

One in seven Australian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and mammograms are the best diagnostic test for early detection, which increases the chance of survival.

BreastScreen Australia offers a free screening service for women over 40 years, but many rural branches need more staff to run the mobile screening units.

Charles Sturt Associate Head of School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences and Associate Professor of Medical Imaging Kelly Spuur said Charles Sturt was happy to answer the call by BreastScreen Australia to help fill this rural workforce shortage.

“I am excited for Charles Sturt University to again be able to support the BreastScreen Australia workforce through the Graduate Diploma of Mammography,” she said.

“Our past graduates have gone on to have successful and fulfilling careers as mammographic technologists across Australia. Some service rural and remote communities bringing breast screening imaging to women who may otherwise not be able to access this vital life-saving service.”

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to an end this October, Professor Spuur is encouraging eligible women to get tested.

The BreastScreen Australia monitoring report 2025 show screenings of women aged 50-74 years were at 51.9 per cent.

Participation is measured over two years to align with the two-year recommended screening interval. In 2022-2023, participation rates for people living in very remote areas were the lowest at 36.3 per cent.

Professor Spuur has been a mammographer for more than 33 years and still does clinical work with BreastScreen NSW in Wagga Wagga.

“I know, intimately, the requirements of the positions that our graduates will be employed in and I can say with confidence that the skill set of our graduates is second to none,” she said.

“The theoretical knowledge students gain at Charles Sturt is strongly supported by their onsite training, provided by our clinical partners at BreastScreen Australia.

“Women undergoing breast imaging with our students and graduates are indeed in good hands.”

Positions in the course are limited and enrolments for session one in 2026 are already near capacity.