National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP)
Detecting lung cancer at early stages, prior to the development of symptoms, reduces deaths from lung cancer.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer for both men and women in Australia. The number of new cases of lung cancer diagnosed is continuing to increase year by year. While survival rates for people with lung cancer are improving, they remain low as many lung cancers are first diagnosed at an advanced stage of disease. The key to improving survival and quality of life of Australians affected by lung cancer is to diagnose lung cancer early.
The National Lung Cancer Screening Program commences in July 2025 and is for those most at risk of lung cancer. The aim of the program is to achieve better health outcomes for Australians by detecting lung cancer early and reducing deaths from lung cancer. Early detection can lead to more effective treatment options and improved outcomes for participants. The program is an Australian Government initiative being implemented in partnership with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.
The new National Lung Cancer Screening Program will offer free, biennial low-dose CT (LDCT) scans to help detect lung cancer earlier and save lives. Evidence suggests the NLCSP could avert about 500 deaths each year once fully established.
Eligibility Criteria
Patients aged 50 – 70 years showing no signs or symptoms of lung cancer, who currently smoke or quit <10 years ago with a smoking history of ≥ 30 pack-years*
*Pack-years = (cigarettes per day ÷ 20) × years smoked
How the screening pathway works
Six practical steps for general practice
- Confirm eligibility
- Assess suitability for a bulked billed Low-dose CT (LDCT) scan.
- Screening may need to be deferred if the patient: Has had a diagnostic chest CT in the last 12 months or one is scheduled within the next 3 months
- Had an acute lung infection (e.g. COVID-19, pneumonia) in the previous 12 weeks
- Cannot lie flat for ≥ 5 minutes with arms raised, or weighs > 200 kg (scanner limit)
- Engage in shared decision-making
- Discuss benefits, potential harms, and personal preferences. Provide the Informed Choice pamphlet so the patient can decide whether screening is right for them.
- Give the NLCSP privacy information notice
- Explain how the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR) stores results and reminders
- Patients who decline NCSR participation can still be screened, but the practice must manage recalls manually.
- Enrol and request the scan
- Complete the Eligibility & Enrolment Form in the NCSR Healthcare Provider Portal (or integrated clinical software).
- Generate the NLCSP LDCT Scan Request Form, note if there is a first-degree family history of lung cancer.
- Provide smoking-cessation support
- Participation does not require quitting, but every interaction is a chance to Ask – Advise – Help. Offer Quitline referral, pharmacotherapy, and culturally appropriate supports.
For more detailed referral pathway and clinical information, please visit the Lung Cancer Screening Community HealthPathways website.
New Medicare Benefits Schedule items are available for the radiology provider. Both MBS items (57410 and 57413) must be bulk-billed; no patient gap is permitted.
Training and education is available online.
A GP Resource Guide has been developed along with a number of other resources to support practices:
- GP Resource Guide National Lung Cancer Screening Program Guidelines
- NACCHO checklist for primary healthcare services
- MBS Factsheet for radiology providers
- NLCSP low dose CT request form
