If you are aged 50 to 70 and currently smoke or previously smoked, you may be eligible for Australia’s National Lung Cancer Screening Program. The program provides free low-dose CT screening for eligible people at higher risk of lung cancer but who do not yet have symptoms.
Speaking to your GP is usually the first step. They can assess your eligibility, register you and refer you to North Brisbane Sleep & Thoracic for lung cancer screening assessment, CT scanning and respiratory follow-up where needed.
Our Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Specialists consult at North Lakes and Clayfield, supporting patients through screening and further respiratory assessment when required.
If your GP has identified that you may be eligible for lung cancer screening, or has referred you to NBST for screening or respiratory review, contact our team to arrange an appointment.
Please call 000 or go directly to your nearest emergency department if you have symptoms such as coughing up blood, unexplained weight loss, a new or worsening cough, chest pain or unexplained shortness of breath.
What is the National Lung Cancer Screening Program?
The National Lung Cancer Screening Program is an Australian Government initiative that launched in 2025, to screen people at higher risk of lung cancer.
It uses low-dose computed tomography, known as low-dose CT, to look for signs of lung cancer before symptoms appear. The scan takes detailed images of the lungs using less radiation than a standard diagnostic CT scan. It is different from a chest X-ray and can detect smaller changes in the lungs that may need monitoring or further assessment.
Who is eligible for lung cancer screening?
To participate in the National Lung Cancer Screening Program, you need to meet all of the current eligibility criteria.
- Aged between 50-70 years
- No signs or symptoms suggesting lung cancer
- Smoke tobacco cigarettes or have quit within the past 10 years
- A tobacco cigarette smoking history of 30 pack-years
If you are unsure about your smoking history, your GP or another authorised healthcare provider can help calculate your pack-years and assess your eligibility.
You do not need to have stopped smoking to take part.
How much does lung cancer screening cost?
For eligible participants, low-dose CT scans provided through the National Lung Cancer Screening Program are bulk billed, with no out-of-pocket cost for the screening scan itself.
A consultation fee may apply when seeing the healthcare provider who assesses your eligibility and requests the scan.
If further specialist assessment or testing is needed, separate fees may apply. At NBST, specialist consultations and lung function testing attract a fee.
For information about NBST appointment fees and Medicare rebates, contact the North Brisbane Sleep & Thoracic team on 1300 391 820.
How lung cancer screening works
Screening starts with confirming that you meet the program criteria and are suitable for a low-dose CT scan. Your GP can:
- Assess your eligibility
- Discuss participation in the program
- Register you with the National Cancer Screening Register
- Request the low-dose CT scan
- Review your screening result
- Coordinate any recommended follow-up
Eligible patients referred to NBST can also be assessed for lung cancer screening by a Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Specialist, with a low-dose CT request provided when the program requirements are met.
The scan is performed and your result is then provided to the requesting practitioner, who will discuss what happens next. Depending on the result, you may return for your next screening scan at the recommended interval, require an earlier monitoring scan or need further investigation.
For a detailed explanation of the screening process and result categories, visit the Australian Government guide to How the National Lung Cancer Screening Program works.
Lung cancer screening with NBST
North Brisbane Sleep & Thoracic supports patients and referring GPs through lung cancer screening and respiratory care. Patients may be referred to NBST for:
- Lung cancer screening through the National Lung Cancer Screening Program, including low-dose CT referral for eligible patients
- Review of lung nodules or abnormal chest imaging
- Lung function testing
- Respiratory assessment following screening
- Further investigation of respiratory findings where specialist input is required
Services are available through our North Lakes and Clayfield clinics.
Respiratory follow-up in North Brisbane
Not every finding on a screening CT needs specialist referral. Some findings will continue to be monitored through the screening program, while incidental findings may be managed by your GP or requesting practitioner.
If a lung nodule or another respiratory finding needs specialist assessment, your GP can refer you to NBST for Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Specialist review, lung function testing or further respiratory investigation.
What if you do not meet the criteria?
Not everyone with a history of smoking will qualify for the program.
You may be outside the age range, have a smoking history below 30 pack-years or have stopped smoking more than 10 years ago before entering the program.
If you do not meet the screening criteria but have respiratory symptoms or concerns, speak with your GP. Your symptoms can still be assessed based on your medical history and may require imaging, lung function testing or respiratory specialist review.
You can also speak with your GP about support to stop smoking. Support is available and quitting smoking at any age reduces future health risks.
Lung cancer screening FAQs
Lung Cancer Screening with North Brisbane Sleep & Thoracic
North Brisbane Sleep & Thoracic supports eligible patients through lung cancer screening and provides respiratory assessment and follow-up where further specialist care is needed.
Patients attend our North Lakes and Clayfield clinics from across North Brisbane and the Moreton Bay region.
Call 1300 391 820 or contact our friendly team at North Brisbane Sleep and Thoracic to arrange an appointment.
North Lakes
Suite 207, Level 1 North Lakes Central
53 Endeavour Blvd, North Lakes QLD 4509
Clayfield
Unit 4, 14 Vine Street
Clayfield QLD 4011
*This article is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always follow the guidance of your GP, specialist or other qualified health professional regarding any questions about your health.
References
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. (2026). How the National Lung Cancer Screening Program works. https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/nlcsp/how-it-works
Cancer Australia. (2026). Lung cancer screening. https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/lung-cancer/lung-cancer-screening
Cancer Council Australia. (n.d.). Early detection and screening. https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/screening-tests-and-treatments/early-detection-and-screening/lung-cancer-screening