Lung cancer is Australia’s leading cause of cancer death, claiming around 9,000 lives each year. Most cases are diagnosed late — when the cancer has already spread and treatment is far less effective. This is exactly why Australia’s new National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP), launched on 1 July 2025, is such a significant step forward for public health.
For the first time, eligible Australians can access free, low-dose CT scans to detect lung cancer at its earliest — and most treatable — stage.
Why Early Detection Matters So Much
When lung cancer is found early, outcomes are dramatically better. Research shows that patients diagnosed at an early stage through CT screening can have a 20-year survival rate of 81%. In contrast, most lung cancers are currently caught at an advanced stage, when the five-year survival rate can drop to under 10%.
The NLCSP is expected to save more than 500 lives per year in Australia by finding cancers before symptoms appear.
What Is the Screening Test?
Screening involves a low-dose CT (LDCT) scan of the chest. It takes only 10–15 minutes, requires no needles or injections, and uses a low level of radiation — far less than a standard CT scan. The scan produces detailed images of your lungs that can detect even very small abnormalities long before you would notice any symptoms.
Am I Eligible?
You may be eligible for a free scan every two years through the NLCSP if you meet all of the following criteria:
– Age: Between 50 and 70 years old
– Smoking history: At least 30 pack-years of cigarette smoking (see below)
– Current status: You currently smoke, or you quit within the past 10 years
– No symptoms: You do not currently have signs or symptoms that suggest lung cancer (such as a persistent cough, coughing up blood, or unexplained breathing difficulty)
Important: You do not need to quit smoking to take part in the program. Screening is available to current smokers. That said, your appointment can also be a great opportunity to talk to us about support to quit — and we are here to help with that.
What Is a “Pack-Year”?
A pack-year is a measure of your total lifetime smoking history. One pack-year equals smoking one packet (20 cigarettes) per day for one year.
So, for example:
– 1 packet per day for 30 years = 30 pack-years ✅ eligible
– 2 packets per day for 15 years = 30 pack-years ✅ eligible
– Half a packet per day for 60 years = 30 pack-years ✅ eligible
If you are unsure how to calculate your pack-years, don’t worry — just speak to your doctor and we will work it out together.
What Happens If I Am Eligible?
The process is straightforward:
1. Talk to your GP — we will confirm your eligibility and discuss the benefits and any risks of screening
2. Receive a request form for your low-dose CT scan
3. Book your scan at a participating radiology provider
4. Attend your scan — a quick, painless procedure taking around 10–15 minutes
5. Your results are sent back to your GP. If the scan shows nothing concerning, you will simply be invited back for a repeat scan in two years. If anything is found, your doctor will explain what it means and what to do next — and the vast majority of findings are not cancer
A Note for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
Lung cancer is the most common cancer and leading cause of cancer death among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The NLCSP has been co-designed with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) to ensure culturally safe and appropriate screening services are available, including through Aboriginal Medical Services.
If you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and think you may be eligible, please speak with our practice team or your local Aboriginal Medical Service.
What About People Outside the Eligibility Criteria?
The NLCSP is specifically designed for high-risk individuals aged 50–70 with a significant smoking history. If you are outside these criteria, standard LDCT screening is not currently recommended or funded. However, if you have other concerns about your lung health, please speak with your GP — there may be other steps appropriate for your situation.
Next Steps
If you think you may be eligible, the most important first step is a conversation with your GP. We are now actively identifying patients in our practice who may qualify, and you may hear from us directly.
📞 Call our clinic to book an appointment to discuss lung cancer screening.
This program is a genuine opportunity to find lung cancer early, when it is most treatable. Please don’t wait for symptoms — by the time most lung cancers cause symptoms, they are often at an advanced stage.
Information is current as of July 2025. For more details, visit [www.health.gov.au/nlcsp](https://www.health.gov.au/nlcsp) or speak with your GP.