On 2 May 2023, the Australian Government announced it will invest $263.8 million for the introduction of a National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP), which will lead to the early detection of lung cancer in Australians and reduce mortality from lung cancer. This is the first new national cancer screening program in nearly 20 years and will commence screening by July 2025.

The NLCSP will target high-risk individuals to detect lung cancer in its early stages to improve treatment and lung cancer outcomes. Given the disproportional impact of lung cancer on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the NLCSP will adopt a co-design approach with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, led by the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).

The Government’s decision to implement a NLCSP was informed by Cancer Australia’s Lung Cancer Screening Enquiry (LCSE), and subsequent Lung Cancer Screening (LCS) feasibility work delivered in partnership with the Department of Health of Aged Care (the Department), as well as the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) advice published in October 2022. In line with the MSAC’s advice, individuals eligible to participate in the program include those aged 50 to 70 years, who are asymptomatic, whom have a history of cigarette smoking of at least 30 pack-years, and, if a former smoker, had quit within the previous 10 years.

Implementation activities for the NLCSP began from 1 July 2023. The Department are leading the design and implementation of the NLCSP, working closely in a tripartite Governance partnership with Cancer Australia and NACCHO.

The implementation activities to be led by the Department are defined within 7 program pillars titled: Partnerships; Access; Legislation; National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR); Medical Benefit Schedule (MBS); Clinical; and Communications. All pillars are underpinned by program governance, stakeholder consultation and engagement, and a co-design process led by NACCHO.

The implementation activities being led by Cancer Australia sit within the Clinical pillar and include (but not limited to) the development of:

• program information materials for health professionals and participants to raise awareness and knowledge of the program; and
• workforce education and training modules for workforce groups directly involved in the NLCSP.