More Victorians are set to benefit from faster and more precise cancer detection following the arrival of Australia’s first publicly funded Quadra PET/CT scanner at the Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre in Melbourne.
The new equipment has been installed at The Alfred Hospital, where Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas viewed the technology during a recent visit. Backed by a combined $12 million investment from the Allan Labor Government, the Alfred Foundation and matching support from the Albanese Labor Government, the scanner is only the second of its kind in Australia.
Clinicians say the technology could help patients start treatment sooner by improving early detection. It can scan the entire body in about five minutes, far quicker than the half hour or longer required by conventional PET/CT machines. The shorter scan time is expected to ease pressure on patients who may already be anxious or fatigued, while the ability to detect smaller lesions could support more accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plans.
Medical teams are also welcoming the safety benefits. The scanner’s design means patients and radiographers are exposed to far less radiation, addressing a long running concern around repeated imaging. Fewer follow up scans could also reduce waiting times for others seeking appointments.
With the centre’s capacity set to double, about 2,600 additional scans will be carried out each year, contributing to a total of around 5,000. The patient mix is expected to remain broad, with a strong focus on melanoma and other cancers. A multidisciplinary team drawn from Alfred Health and Monash University will operate the service, including senior consultants, registrars, nurses and nuclear medicine technologists.
Researchers have also highlighted the potential benefits for clinical trials. Melbourne’s medical research community has long pushed for access to the newest equipment to support oncology studies, and experts say advanced imaging can make it easier to track how treatments are working.
The Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre, supported through public funding and contributions from Monash University, the Fox family, Minderoo Foundation and other philanthropists, already supports up to 300 patients each day across its 25 clinic rooms and 49 chemotherapy chairs. It brings together the Victorian Melanoma Service, Alfred Cancer Services and the Australian Clinical Trials Centre in one location, a model that has drawn interest from health administrators elsewhere.
Melanoma remains one of Australia’s most pressing health challenges. National data shows Australia continues to have the highest melanoma rate in the world, with Victoria recording thousands of diagnoses annually. Health policy experts regularly argue that improved detection, quicker access to treatment and investment in imaging are essential if the state is to keep pace with rising case numbers.
During her visit, Minister Thomas said the arrival of the publicly funded Quadra PET/CT scanner marked an important milestone for Victoria’s cancer services. She described the technology as an essential tool for specialists working to diagnose patients earlier and provide prompt care. She also emphasised ongoing investment in new medical technologies to bring advanced treatment options closer to home for more residents.
Independent clinicians and patient groups have welcomed the installation, though some note that imaging capacity across the country remains uneven, with demand for PET/CT scans rising as more therapies rely on precise tracking of tumour activity. The addition of another high speed, low radiation scanner in Melbourne is expected to help address some of that pressure, though advocates say broader national upgrades will still be required over time.
Overall, the expansion of imaging services at The Alfred is viewed as a positive step for patients navigating cancer treatment, offering quicker assessments and stronger support for personalised care.
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