Frequently Asked Questions
I have questions about...
Can you tell me more about the test?
ColoVantage® Home is based on the latest technology to detect traces of blood that may be present in your stool, which may indicate colorectal disease.
First released in 2000, ColoVantage® Home is a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) that has now been used to screen thousands of people across Australia and New Zealand.
There are no dietary or medicinal restrictions. You do not need to go off any foods or medicines.
There is no faecal handling – you do not need to scoop any solid matter.
Samples are not required to be refrigerated.
For more information about how ColoVantage® Home works, click here.
What's included in the kit?
This test includes:
- the test kit
- return postage of your samples
- laboratory processing
- result notifications (and one to your doctor, if you choose to nominate one)
- an annual reminder service ('Renewal Program')
Does the kit expire?
Yes, every kit has an expiry.
The expiry date can be located at the back of the test card enclosed in your collection kit.
Is it accurate?
The ColoVantage Home Bowel Screening test has an in-vitro sensitivity to human haemoglobin of 50 micrograms per gram of faeces. Clinical comparative studies have demonstrated 87% sensitivity and 98% specificity.
Where can I get them?
ColoVantage Home Bowel Screening Kits are available from:
- Your local doctor
- Local Pharmacies
- Our Ordering Page, found here
I am X years old, can I still test?
Yes - ColoVantage Home Bowel Screening kits are available to anyone who wishes to test.
For more information, check out our article.
I am under 18, can I use this test? / I want my child to test, can they use the kit?
Yes - however, you must provide written consent upon submission of the samples. Consent from the parent/legal guardian must be provided in writing.
How do I complete the test successfully?
Please read the following carefully before completing the test:
- Make sure that you have all the kit components ready to go (the test card, brush kit, and the Information Sheet with your two barcode labels).
- Read and follow the directions for use.
Please do NOT complete the test if:
- You have haemorrhoids (piles) that are bleeding
- You have blood in your urine OR there is blood visible in the toilet bowl/stool.
- It is within 3 days before / after your menstrual period
- You have bleeding cuts / wounds on your hands
- Your toilet bowl water is saltwater / rusty
- You have cleaners / bluing agents in the toilet bowl/tank. If this is the case, remove the cleaners / bluing agents and perform at least TWO full flushes until clear before collecting the samples.
- The test card has passed its Expiration Date OR if the test kit is damaged, dirty, or appeared to have been tampered in any way.
Please note, your sample will not be tested if:
- It is received >14 days after the first sample has been collected
- The samples have not been collected as per the instructions
- The Information Form has not been completed in full
- The kit used has expired
I bought a kit from a Pharmacy, do I have to pay for the test?
No, the cost of the test is already included in the purchase price of the kit. You don't need to make any further payments.
I received a kit from you/my doctor, do I have to pay for the test?
Yes. ColoVantage Home is not affiliated with the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, and is therefore not taxpayer funded.
I am over 50/a pensioner. Is this test free?
No, we charge a fee for our service.
I have a DVA Gold Card. Is this test free?
We currently do not have an arrangement with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Please make payment for the test and request a receipt on your Patient Information Form. You can then submit this receipt to the DVA to claim your entitlement.
Can I claim this test on Medicare?
No, our test is currently not available for Medicare Rebates.
I have a kit, but I don't want to test this year. Can I send it back?
Due to the nature of the product, unfortunately we are unable to accept returned kits. If you are planning on completing the test at a later date, please make sure to check the expiry date printed on the back of the test card prior to collecting the samples.
Can I claim this with my private health insurance?
Possibly, please contact your health insurance fund for further details – to claim a refund you will need a receipt.
It's been X days since I ordered. I haven't received it.
For individual customers
Our kits are sent via Australia Post.
Please allow up to 15 business days for delivery from the date you receive the fulfilment notification email.
There may be some delays if you are in Western Australia, or if there has been a Public Holiday.
If it has been more than 15 business days, please leave us a message or ring us on 1800 55 65 75.
For Pharmacy customers
Please check the e-mail you provided for the Shipping details to track your order.
If AusPost notes it's been delivered, but you've not received it, please leave us a message or ring us on 1800 55 65 75.
I'm ordering on behalf of a Pharmacy - can we pay by invoice?
Yes. Please select "Pharmacy Only" under Payment Details in Checkout.
Note: Please ensure you provide your ABN, mobile, e-mail address, and full Shipping Details to avoid delays to processing your order.
I'm ordering on behalf of a medical practice/clinic/specialist - can we get a few kits?
Yes.
Our kits can be supplied to your practice/clinic as either a 6-pack or 12-pack*.
Please leave us a message or ring us on 1800 55 65 75.
*Please note, the kits are not covered by Medicare and are thus not free. The patient must return payment with the sample upon use of the kit.
I received an SMS/Text from "ColoVantage" - is this a scam?
If the sender is "ColoVantage", with an SMS-only reply number of +61 447 446 867, that is from us 😊.
If it is not, please let us know.
The number on the SMS doesn't work!
Please note, the mobile number is an SMS/text only service.
If you need to reach us by phone, please call us on 1800 55 65 75.
What does a POSITIVE result mean?
If you receive a positive test result, your doctor may wish to explore additional testing and evaluation. This may include investigative tests (such as a colonoscopy) which could assist your doctor in understanding the cause for blood in your stool.
If you have any questions about your bowel health we recommend you speak with your
doctor.
What does a NEGATIVE result mean?
A negative test result means that no human blood was detected in your submitted samples. Colorectal diseases do not bleed all the time and a faecal immunochemical test may not detect blood even if a condition is present.
If you have any questions about your bowel health we recommend you speak with your
doctor.
Why wasn't my samples tested?
Unfortunately, the samples you have supplied were determined to be invalid and as such could not be tested.
Invalid samples are considered unsuitable for testing as it may lead to an incorrect result; a replacement test kit may be sent out at Enterix's discretion.
The following examples may lead to a sample being declared invalid:
- Incorrect Sampling - Instructions not followed
- Sample exceeded 14 day expiry - tests must arrive at our facilities within 14 days of the first toilet sample.
Please be aware of public holidays, long weekends, and unforeseen circumstances as they may impact the delivery of your samples.
- Test card was lost or damaged in transit - your sample was lost/damaged on the way to the laboratory.
Instructions to complete your test successfully can be located on the instruction leaflet included in your testing kit; alternatively you may access the instructions at this link: How to use
Please do not hesitate in contacting our Clinical Support team on 1800 55 65 75 should you require any further assistance.
Where are my results?
Did you request for your result electronically?
If so, please check your e-mail inbox (including the Junk/Spam folders). We send you a notification to Activate Your Account/when your results are ready.
If you've not received either, please leave us a message or call us at 1800 55 65 75 and we'll help you.
Did you request for your result as a hard copy?
Please allow Australia Post up to 15 business days to deliver your letter.
How long should I wait?
It can take Australia Post up to 10 days to deliver your samples back to us.
Once we receive them, we process your samples the same day. Your results are then reviewed by our Medical Officer, which might take up to 72 hours (since the office is closed on weekends).
If you have not received your results 2 weeks after posting them back to us, please contact us or call us on 1800 55 65 75.
Do I need to nominate a doctor / have a doctor to take this test?
No. Our kits can be used by any person, at any time.
However, please note that Enterix cannot respond to questions about general medical information or questions regarding your personal medical condition. We strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor should you have questions about your results.
What if I have questions about my test results?
Your clinician will discuss your results with you either over the phone or at your next visit and advise what action you should take based on those results and the rest of your medical assessment. Please contact your healthcare team if you have any further questions or concerns.
What is the Patient Portal?
Our Patient Portal provides a secure platform to access your ColoVantage Home Bowel Screening Test results. You can use the portal to:
• View your results within hours of processing at our laboratory
• No need to wait for the mail to arrive
• See a history of your results*
• Update your details
• Download and print your results to take to appointments with different care providers.
*Only results issued from November 2024 will be available online. If you require a copy of your result before this, please Contact Us.
What do I need to do to access the Patient Portal?
In your Patient Information Form, nominate your e-mail address and tick Yes under "Would you like your result electronically?".
I can't activate/having issues activating my account.
Please leave us a message or ring us on 1800 55 65 75.
My husband/wife/partner and I share an e-mail address. Can we still access the Portal?
No. For security reasons, we can only provide access to the Patient Portal if you have a unique e-mail address.
Can I get my results in hardcopy?
Yes. Whilst our default method of providing results is now through electronic notification, you can get your results in hardcopy by sending an email to help@enterix.com.au or using the contact us section of our website at Contact Us – ColoVantage Home.
Who is it for?
The Patient Portal is exclusively for our customers who have submitted tests to our laboratory for processing. It is accessible only by you, our valued customer, ensuring your privacy and confidentiality.
Can I see if the lab has received my samples?
Yes – once your samples have been received by the laboratory, a notification is sent to your nominated e-mail.
It will come from our e-mail, colovantage@enterix.com.au.
It will invite you to Activate Your Account. Please follow the prompts to activate your account.
You will then receive a second e-mail once your results have been reviewed by our Medical Officer informing you that your results are Ready.
How do I know if my results are ready?
You will receive a second e-mail from us, informing you that your results are ready.
It will come from our e-mail, colovantage@enterix.com.au.
Please follow the prompts to access your results online.
Do I have to Activate my Account?
Yes.
You only have to activate your account once. Once activated, you can access your Patient Portal using your login credentials at any time.
I never received an Activate my Account e-mail.
In my form, I said I did not want my result electronically.
You would not receive an Activate My Account e-mail from us if you had indicated "No" on your form under "Would you like your result electronically?". Your result would have been posted via AusPost.
I wanted my result electronically, but never received an Activate My Account e-mail.
Please contact us or ring us on 1800 55 65 75 if it has been more than 2 weeks since you posted your samples.
There could be several reasons why you have not received our e-mail.
- Your samples may have been lost in transit, so the laboratory never received your samples.
- Our e-mail bounced back, so we have sent your result by post.
- Our e-mails have landed in your junk/spam folder.
If you want your results sent to a different e-mail address, leave us a message, or ring us on 1800 55 65 75.
Can I get my result by SMS?
No. Enterix Australia can only send you a notification that your result is ready in our Patient Portal OR by hard copy.
Changing your Password
To change your password, log into the Patient Portal. Under "My Account" click on "Change your Password".
Can I download/view my results?
Yes.
You can download/view your results in the Patient Portal*.
*Only results issued from November 2024 will be available online. If you require a copy of your result before this, please Contact Us.
Do I need to download an app?
No app required! You can access your results on your phone, tablet, or computer, as long as you have an internet connection and a web browser.
Do you still send a copy of my results to my nominated doctor?
Yes. If you have nominated a doctor to receive results in your Patient Information Form, we will send a copy to your doctor as well.
I recently moved/changed my details - can I change my details in the Patient Portal?
If you've moved or changed your contact information, you can easily update your details in the patient portal.
Log in and select "Edit Information" under your name Make the necessary changes and select "Save."
Do I need strong computer skills to use the Patient Portal?
The Enterix Patient Portal has been designed for users with varying coputer skills. You only need internet access and a valid unique e-mail address.
The Portal is accessible from any devise that has internet access.
If you need a hand, please leave us a message or ring us on 1800 55 65 75. We're always happy to help.
Can I use the portal if English is not my first language?
No, the software does not currently have the portal available in languages other than English.
Is my information safe?
Confidentiality is a priority at Enterix. Information stored within Enterix’s electronic medical record adhere to the highest security standards, including encryption and password protection. We support and comply with all relevant privacy legislation. You can help keep your information safe by not sharing your login or password. Find out more about how Enterix treats information about you at Privacy Policy – ColoVantage Home
Login issues?
If you encounter issues logging in, please don't hesitate to reach out via our Contact Us page.