Around 50,000 Australians with a high risk of developing lung cancer have been screened for the disease free of charge since 1 July, thanks to the Albanese Government’s National Lung Cancer Screening Program.
The Program is already showing signs of improving health outcomes by detecting lung cancer early and helping to reduce deaths, all available through Medicare.
Figures from mid-December 2025 show 49,473 people have enrolled in the program through the National Cancer Screening Register. On average, more than 290 participants enrol each day.
The National Lung Cancer Screening Program offers low-dose CT scans to people aged 50-70 who smoke or have a history of smoking and who don’t have the symptoms or signs of lung cancer.
So far, more than 45,000 low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans have been completed with around 5,000 requiring more frequent follow-up screening and approximately 560 requiring immediate further investigation.
Among them, 60 year-old Eleesa from regional Queensland. Eleesa had smoked since she was 14 and was one of the first people in her region to participate in the National Lung Cancer Screening Program. Eleesa’s scan was fortunately lung cancer-free, but it did pick up early onset emphysema. Eleesa says the results were a wake-up call to quit smoking.
Or 69 year-old Rob, who after 55 years of smoking, was eager to understand his lung health. Rob was fearing the worst, but the relief he felt when his results came back clear, put him on a path to quitting. With his doctor, he developed a personalised smoking cessation plan and he hasn’t looked back since.
These examples show that whatever the results of lung screening, the outcomes are both encouraging Australians to live healthier lives, and saving lives with earlier diagnosis and treatment.
The Government has invested more than $260 million in the program which is expected to save hundreds of lives a year. This includes $13 million for the It’s Good to Know campaign, to inform Australians about this life-saving program.
Full details about the program and eligibility are available online: How the National Lung Cancer Screening Program will work | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“Lung cancer is one of Australia’s biggest killers and by the time patients present with symptoms, lung cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. If it is found early, treatment options are greater and are more likely to be effective.
“The free National Lung Cancer Screening Program, the first new cancer screening program in 20 years, is already achieving great results. I strongly urge people who are eligible to sign up and get their free scan.
“I’m pleased that more almost 50,000 people across Australia have already taken up the opportunity to be scanned since the service launched on 1 July because cancer screening saves lives.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister White:
“By delivering free lung cancer screening through Medicare, we’re making sure cost is not a barrier to care.
“We know that early detection saves lives and the National Lung Cancer Screening Program is helping at risk people get checked sooner, improving health outcomes and helping to reduce deaths.
“It’s a simple scan, but it can make a profound difference for individuals and families. I would encourage people who are eligible to sign up and get their free scan.”
Quotes attributable to Professor Dorothy Keefe, CEO Cancer Australia:
“In Australia, lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death. The National Lung Cancer Screening Program is already making a real difference, with thousands of Australians at high risk of lung cancer taking part.
"This program represents a major milestone in Australia’s efforts to improve cancer outcomes. As one of the first countries in the world to implement a national lung cancer screening program, we are detecting lung cancer early and improving survival through culturally safe, accessible screening services.
"We encourage everyone who may be eligible to take part in the program - early detection saves lives.”