National Lung Cancer Screening Program for adult patients

​​​​​Emergency

If any of the following are suspected, please seek emergency medical advice or refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary):

  • National Lung Cancer Screening Program Category 5 or 6 findings with significant radiological complications including, but not limited to:
    • Cord compression
    • Large airway obstruction
    • Superior vena cava obstruction

Notes:

  1. Refer to National Lung Cancer Screening Program Guidelines​​​ for more information
  2. Refer to Lung cancer and mesothelioma​​ Emergency criteria if there is presence of symptoms

When public outpatient services are not routinely provided

Note: refer to National Lung Cancer Screening Program Guidelines​​​ for more information

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days.
  • National Lung Cancer Screening Program Category 6 (very high risk) lesions
  • National Lung Cancer Screening Program Category 5 (high risk) nodules

 

Note: referrals for lung cancer lesions that are at high suspicion of malignancy are ideally to be reviewed within 2 weeks of initial referral in accordance with the Cancer Council Australia – Optimal care pathway for people with lung cancer​​​

Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days.

  • National Lung Cancer Screening Program Category 4 (moderate risk) nodules where community follow up is not possible or where additional clinical risk factors are present

Information to include within a referral​

Required

  • Reason for referral
  • Details of the presenting condition, including symptoms and their duration, and impact on work or social activities attendance
  • Provisional diagnosis
  • Patient health summary (such as relevant medical history, relevant investigations, current medications and dosages, immunisations, allergies and/or adverse reactions), including specifically:
    • Details of associated clinical history (including recent infections, family history of
      lung cancer, occupational or environmental exposure risks, and ethnicity)
    • Details of imaging demonstrating the lesion(s) of concern (including radiology report and provider details)
    • Details of pathology results of current, previous or concurrent malignancies
    • History of treatment for lung cancer
    • Smoking history (e.g. tobacco, nicotine, vaping, cannabis, shisha)

If available

  • National Lung Cancer Screening Program information:
    • Nature of actionable additional findings, and their management plans
    • Status and details of specialist referral form submission to National Cancer Screening Register
  • Smoking cessation plan (if active smoker)
  • Social supports

Important information for referring health professionals

If there is a change to a patient’s condition while waiting for their appointment, referring health professionals may further investigate and manage the situation, or send an updated referral to the outpatient service. Where there are significant concerns about a patient's condition, referring health professionals may check HealthPathways for urgent/same day advice or contact the relevant clinical team.


 

Current as at: Thursday 10 September 2026
Contact page owner: System Purchasing