National Lung Cancer Screening Program
Ensuring that the new National Lung Cancer Screening Program is equitable, accessible, and culturally safe for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Communities.
Lung cancer has a devastating impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities. It is the most common type of cancer and the most common cause of cancer death among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
We know that more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people participating in lung cancer screening means that more cancers will be detected early, when treatment is more likely to be effective.
NACCHO is working in partnership with the Department of Health and Aged Care and Cancer Australia to ensure that the new National Lung Cancer Screening Program is equitable, accessible, and culturally safe for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Communities.
About the program
Starting July 2025, the National Lung Cancer Screening Program aims to reduce illness and deaths from lung cancer by detecting it early using a free screening test. The screening test is called a low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan.
People can participate in the program if they:
- Are aged between 50 and 70 years; and
- Are asymptomatic (no signs or symptoms suggestive of lung cancer); and
- Currently smoke or have quit smoking in the past 10 years; and
- Have a history of cigarette tobacco smoking of at least 30 pack-years (1 pack year is equivalent to 20 cigarettes each day for a year).
The program uses both existing fixed low-dose CT infrastructure through private and public radiology services. Mobile screening services will also be delivered by Heart of Australia in some rural and remote areas.
More information is available from the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
Training and Resources
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resources for the National Lung Cancer Screening Program are currently under development. Register to be notified when the resources are available.
Grants
Community engagement grants will be available from mid-2025 to support ACCHOs to develop Community-led, locally tailored, and culturally appropriate activities to support participation and engagement in screening. Additional information on these grants will be available soon.
Co-design of the National Lung Cancer Screening Program was funded by the Australian Government.
ACCHO locations
NACCHO oversees a network of 146 members, each running Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) across urban, regional, and remote Australia. These ACCHOs range from large facilities with multiple healthcare professionals providing comprehensive services to smaller centres focused on preventive care and health education, primarily delivered by Aboriginal Health Workers and nurses.
NACCHO’s Aged Care programs are delivered in selected locations across its network, ensuring culturally appropriate care reaches Elders and older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in diverse urban, regional, and remote communities.
Contact
For any inquiries or assistance, please contact the Cancer Team here: cancer.team@naccho.org.au.
