Skip to main navigation Skip to main content
Find us 1300 781 926
Book an appointment Book online
Back to Referrer Resources

National Lung Cancer Screening Program FAQs

Queensland X-Ray is a provider for the Australian Government’s National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP). This program is designed to detect lung cancer earlier in high risk people and help to improve patient outcome.

The NLCSP is a screening program using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scans to detect lesions and early indicators of lung cancer. Research has shown that LDCT scans can detect lung cancer at its earliest stage, when it is most treatable.

As a provider of the national program, Queensland X-Ray will provide bulk-billed Chest CT scans for all eligible patients. Program participants will require a referral from their healthcare practitioner to undergo screening. Imaging will be performed by our expert team using advanced low-dose CT technology and analysis systems.

Patient Eligibility

  • Patients are eligible for the program if they *:   

    • are aged between 50 and 70 years   
    • show no signs or symptoms of lung cancer   
    • have a history of at least 30 pack-years of cigarette smoking and are either a current smoker or quit within the past 10 years   

    Patients remain eligible to continue in the program until they: 

    • age out (turn 71) 
    • become unable to undergo a low-dose CT scan (which may be temporary) 
    • have findings on scans that mean they will exit the program. 

    Patients do not have to quit smoking to participate in the program. 

    *For full eligibility criteria, visit: www.health.gov.au/our-work/nlcsp  

  • A "pack-year" is a way to measure a person's lifetime smoking exposure. 

    It's calculated by multiplying the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day by the number of years a person has smoked. One pack is 20 cigarettes 

    To be eligible for the NLCSP, a patient must have ≥ 30 pack-years cigarette smoking history. 

    There are online calculators available. 

  • No. Unlike other government screening programs, the NLCSP is not based on direct invitations. Instead, healthcare providers will play a central role in identifying eligible patients.This may include: 

    • Reviewing and updating smoking histories in patient records. 

    • Setting up electronic medical record (EMR) prompts to identify potentially eligible individuals.

    In addition, Queensland X-Ray will promote awareness of the program to encourage self-identification. This means that patients may present to their GP already aware of the program and seeking to determine their eligibility and engage in the screening process. 

  • No. A chronic smoker’s cough does not exclude a patient from participation. 

    The program is for asymptomatic individuals, but those with chronic stable cough, chronic shortness of breath, and shortness of breath on exertion are still eligible, provided these symptoms are stable and attributed to a known chronic condition (such as smoking).  

    If the patient does not have new or unexplained respiratory symptoms, they can still be considered asymptomatic of lung cancer and are eligible. 

  • No. COPD does not exclude a patient from participation. 

    The program is for asymptomatic individuals, but those with chronic conditions are still eligible, provided these symptoms are stable and attributed to a known chronic condition (such as COPD).  

    If the patient does not have new or unexplained respiratory symptoms, they can still be considered asymptomatic of lung cancer and are eligible. 

  • The NLCSP does not include individuals who vape, smoke cigars, or smoke pipes in its eligibility criteria.  

    Vaping alone does not qualify a patient for screening. However, a patient aged 50–70 who currently vapes may still be eligible if they also: 

    • currently smoke or quit smoking within the last 10 years, AND 
    • have a minimum 30 pack-year smoking history. 

  • The NLCSP does not include individuals who smoke cigars, pipes, or vape in its eligibility criteria.  

    Smoking cigars alone does not qualify a patient for screening. However, a patient aged 50–70 who currently vapes may still be eligible if they also: 

    • currently smoke or quit smoking within the last 10 years, AND 
    • have a minimum 30 pack-year smoking history. 

  • Patients are eligible until they turn 71. After this age, they are no longer eligible for the bulk-billed screening under the program. 

    However, if you believe a patient aged 71 or older would still benefit from a low-dose chest CT, Queensland X-Ray can provide this service. Please note: 

    • It will not attract the NLCSP rebate. 
    • A different MBS item number will apply. 
    • The report will not be submitted to the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR); it will only be sent to the referring GP. 

  • No. While a family history may increase overall risk, it is not part of the eligibility criteria. 

    The NLCSP targets individuals with a high smoking-related risk; a family history, while relevant to overall risk assessment, is not a part of the eligibility criteria.  

    Family history forms part of the risk assessment tool used by the radiologist as part of the reporting process. 

  • Once a patient has been smoke-free for over 10 years, they no longer meet the eligibility criteria and exit the NLCSP. 

    However, if you believe they may still benefit from a low-dose chest CT, Queensland X-Ray can provide this service. Please note: 

    • It will not attract the NLCSP rebate. 
    • A different MBS item number will apply. 
    • The report will not be submitted to the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR); it will only be sent to the referring GP. 

  • Yes – provided the nodule is not being actively managed. 

Referrals and Booking

  • There are two Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items available under the program for bulk-billed low-dose CT (LDCT) chest scans: 

    • 57410 – Initial Scan or 2 Year Re-Scan 
      For the initial scan done by the participant, and the subsequent scans, approximately every 2 years    
    • 57413 – Follow-up Scan – Interval or Follow-up 
      For any follow-up LDCT scans that may be required based on the results of the ‘initial’ scan/s. 

  • No. Queensland X-Ray will accept all radiology referrals, regardless of the form used. Referrals do not need to be on the National Lung Cancer Screening Program form. 

    To be accepted, the referral must: 

    • State that the patient is eligible for the NLCSP; AND 
    • Specify the relevant scan/item number: 
      • 57410 – Initial Scan or 2 Year Re-scan 
        For the initial scan done by the participant, and the subsequent scans, approximately every 2 years    
      • 57413 – Interval or Follow-up 
        For any follow-up LDCT scans that may be required based on the results of the ‘initial’ scan/s. 

    Queensland X-Ray offers a dedicated NLCSP Referral Form for added convenience for referrers, but there is no requirement to use this form. NLCSP options have also been added to our standard referral forms/paper. 

    Referrals can be issued via your usual means, including: 

    • Practice Management Software (Best Practice, Genie, Gentu) 
    • Editable PDFs or pre-printed paper 

    Need referral forms or help setting up electronic referrals? Visit: 

    www.qldxray.com.au/referrers/resources/referral-pads-forms 

  • Bookings are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. 

    Patients do not need to make an appointment for their NLCSP Chest CT; however, a referral is required.  

    Patients can book an appointment through our online booking portal or by calling our bookings team at 1300 781 926. 

  • Patients may request an early follow-up scan, but if it occurs outside the recommended interval, it is considered outside the program. That means:  

    • No NLCSP rebate applies 
    • A different MBS item number is used 
    • The scan result is sent to the referring GP only, and not to the NCSR 

Results and Next Steps

  • After a patient attends Queensland X-Ray: 

    • A Radiologist will report the scan using the national template. 
    • The report will be sent to both the referring practitioner and the NCSR (unless the patient opts out). 
    • The referring practitioner is responsible for: 
      • Communicating results to the patient 
      • Coordinating follow-up care, including any actionable findings 

    Follow-up care recommendations are based on the risk category (see above), with potential referral to specialists for higher-risk findings. 

    The NCSR will send reminders to patients to return for follow-up screening. 

  • Yes, reports will be uploaded to My Health Record by default. However: 

    • Participants can opt out of having their report uploaded. 
    • They may also opt out of the NCSR, in which case their information won’t be recorded, and they will not receive screening reminders. 

  • Queensland X-Ray will send the LDCT report to the referring practitioner via usual channels. 

    Unless the patient opts out, results will also be uploaded to: 

    • My Health Record, and 
    • National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR). 

    Note: Patients who opt out of the NCSR won’t receive future screening reminders. 

  • Yes, the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR) Healthcare Provider Portal can be accessed through a PRODA account.

  • Reports will be made available in the same timeframe as a normal radiology report and will be accessible through ordinary channels. 

  • Follow-up care is guided by the risk category assigned to the scan outcome. 

    Queensland X-Ray will use the national reporting template and protocol.  

    Access here: National Lung Cancer Screening Program – Nodule management protocol 

Additional Educational Resources

  • The Lung Foundation Australia, in partnership with The Daffodil Centre, has developed free CPD-accredited training and educational resources to support the launch of the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) starting 1 July 2025. The training provider is Lung Foundation Australia on behalf of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. 

    The eLearning course is tailored for GPs and primary care teams and provides practical guidance on identifying eligible patients, navigating the screening process, and understanding the importance of early detection.  

    For more information about the NLCSP eLearning course visit: https://lungfoundation.com.au/health-professionals/training-and-events/national-lung-cancer-screening-program-health-workforce-education/ 

  • To learn more about eligibility criteria, the referral pathway, the screening process, and managing results, watch our webinar presented by Dr Jane Crossin, Queensland X-Ray Radiologist and NLCSP Advisory Group Member.

    To watch, click here.