The National Lung Cancer Screening (NLCSP) is a free, Commonwealth-funded service offering low-dose CT scans to eligible Victorians for the early detection of potential lung cancer.
Eligibility for the screening program is for those aged 50-70 years with a significant smoking history and no symptoms.
Patients with high and very high-risk lung nodules identified through screening can be referred to one of Victoria’s public lung nodule clinics for further assessment, testing, and diagnosis.
Who can access the screening program?
To be eligible for the National Lung Cancer Screening Program, participants must:
- be aged between 50 and 70 years
- show no signs or symptoms suggestive of lung cancer (i.e. asymptomatic)
- currently smoke or have quit smoking within the past 10 years
- have a history of tobacco cigarette smoking of at least 30 pack-years (find this number by multiplying the number of cigarette packs smoked per day by the number of years the person has smoked).
Referrals to the National Lung Cancer Screening Program
Participation in the NLCSP requires a referral from an authorised healthcare provider, such as a GP, nurse practitioner, or medical specialist.
Eligible participants will be referred for a bulk-billed low-dose CT scan through private or public radiology providers. Healthcare providers should identify radiology providers in their area that are offering low-dose CT scans as part of the NLCSP, to ensure eligible participants are referred appropriately. Results will be uploaded to the National Cancer Screening Register and shared with the participant’s healthcare provider.
Participants will also receive communication prompting them to book a review appointment with their healthcare provider. The referring healthcare provider is responsible for communicating results, arranging any necessary follow-up, or referral to one of Victoria’s public lung nodule clinics or a private specialist for assessment of higher-risk results.
A range of resources are available for healthcare including program guidelines, referral forms, decision making tools and conversation guides.
Post-screening referral pathway
The Victorian Government is supporting a network of 12 public hospital clinics across the state with enhanced capacity to receive referrals for NLCSP participants with high and very high-risk results requiring specialist assessment.
The respiratory physicians and specialist nurses at the lung nodule clinics will triage referrals from healthcare providers. The nurses and administrative staff will coordinate assessment and initial investigations, including sourcing imaging for review by the radiologist and multidisciplinary team.
Patients may undergo further investigations at the lung nodule clinic, or have their results discussed at a multidisciplinary lung nodule meeting attended by professionals such as a respiratory physician, nurse, radiologist, and in some cases a surgeon or oncologist.
If only monitoring of nodules is recommended for the patient or incidental (non-lung cancer) diagnoses are identified that require GP monitoring and management, this will be communicated with the patient’s healthcare provider.
In line with the NLCSP , monitoring and management of low and moderate-risk lung nodules should continue to occur in primary care (See Providing Support for Lung Cancer Screening for further advice). Incidental (non-lung cancer) findings will also continue to be managed through existing primary or specialist care pathways.
Patients with a confirmed lung cancer diagnosis will be referred to a lung cancer multidisciplinary meeting, inclusive of oncologists, for cancer treatment planning.
While further assessment or specialist referrals are covered by Medicare when provided through public health services, referrals to private services may also be made depending on patient circumstances. Patients should be aware that this may result in out-of-pocket costs.
GPs should ensure all referrals and investigations are properly documented to facilitate Medicare claims.
Victoria’s public lung nodule clinics
There are 12 public health services across Victoria with lung nodule clinics that can receive referrals for patients with high and very high-risk screening results requiring specialist assessment;
- Alfred (including a planned partnership with Peninsula Health)
- Austin
- Barwon
- Bendigo
- Eastern
- Grampians
- Latrobe Regional (including a planned partnership with Central Gippsland Health)
- Melbourne (including a planned partnership with Mildura Base Hospital)
- Monash
- Northern
- St Vincent’s (including a planned partnership with Goulburn Valley Health)
- Western
Further information on how to refer and key information to provide can be found at each health service website and will soon be available on HealthPathways.
Reviewed 20 June 2025