FibroScan in Australia — How to Find a Clinic and Understand Your Results

FibroScan is the brand name of a liver elastography device made by Echosens. The term "FibroScan" has become the common patient-facing name for liver elastography in Australia, in the same way that "Xerox" or "Biro" became generic terms for their product categories.

The device uses vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) — a technology that sends a controlled mechanical pulse through the skin of the abdomen and measures how quickly it travels through liver tissue. Stiffer tissue — more scarring — transmits the pulse faster. The speed of transmission is converted to a liver stiffness measurement in kilopascals (kPa).

Most FibroScan and guided elastography devices also measure liver fat content using the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), reported in decibels per metre (dB/m). This provides a picture of both the degree of fat accumulation and any associated scarring in a single scan session.

FibroScan liver elastography enables the detection of hepatic steatosis at its early stage and the assessment of liver fibrosis. It is also used to monitor treatment and estimate possible complications.

Liver Stiffness (kPa) — Fibrosis Assessment

Liver stiffness results are interpreted in relation to the underlying liver condition, but the following general reference ranges apply for MASLD assessment:

These thresholds are for MASLD. Different thresholds apply for viral hepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease, and other conditions — your clinician will interpret your result in the context of your full clinical picture.

CAP Score (dB/m) — Liver Fat Assessment

IQR/Median Ratio — Reliability Indicator

Your FibroScan result will also include an IQR/median ratio. This measures how consistent the individual measurements within the scan were. An IQR/median ratio below 30% indicates a reliable, reproducible result. Above 30% suggests the result may be less reliable — often due to body habitus, breathing technique, or operator experience — and may need to be repeated or interpreted more cautiously.

This is a common source of patient confusion. If your report shows an IQR of 12% and a median of 7.2 kPa, this means the result is highly reliable and your liver stiffness is 7.2 kPa — a reassuring finding.

A FibroScan is recommended in Australia for:

• Adults with an indeterminate FIB-4 score (1.3–2.67) on routine blood testing
• Adults with type 2 diabetes, obesity, or metabolic syndrome who have never been assessed for MASLD
• Patients on GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) with elevated liver enzymes or risk factors for MASLD
• Patients with a family history of liver disease or cirrhosis
• Adults with elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT) on any blood test without a clear explanation
• Patients monitoring their response to treatment for MASLD — including those on semaglutide for MASH under the new TGA indication
• People who consume alcohol regularly and have metabolic risk factors

This is one of the most common questions — and the answer varies by clinic.

Several Australian elastography providers explicitly accept self-referred patients with no GP referral required:

• Liver Health Scan Melbourne: "You do not require a referral from a General Practitioner or other doctor for your FibroScan."
• Moonee Valley Specialist Centre: "You do not need a referral. A liver scan is a self-referred procedure."
• Liver Scan Brisbane: "Referrals are preferred but not essential."
• LiverScan Australia: "Referrals are welcomed but not essential."

If you have a GP referral, bring it to your appointment — it helps the clinic and your GP interpret your results in clinical context, and some clinics require one for specific indications. But for most patients seeking an initial assessment of their liver health, self-referral is a practical option at many Australian clinics.

Find a liver elastography clinic near you →

Liver elastography does not currently have a Medicare item number in Australia for most indications. This means most patients pay out of pocket.

Typical costs at private clinics:

• Standard FibroScan (liver stiffness + CAP): $150–$300 per session
• Guided elastography (some centres): $200–$400 per session

Some clinics offer bulk billing for specific patient groups — ask when booking whether any Medicare or private health rebates apply to your situation. Some private health insurance funds cover the procedure under extras or specialist cover — check with your fund before attending.

As the clinical evidence for elastography in MASLD monitoring grows and with Wegovy now TGA-approved for MASH treatment, there is increasing discussion in Australia about whether a Medicare item number for liver elastography should be introduced. This would significantly improve access for patients who need regular monitoring.

CT (computed tomography) scans can detect fat in the liver — a bright appearance on CT is consistent with significant hepatic steatosis. However, CT is significantly inferior to elastography for liver health assessment in several important ways:

CT cannot measure liver fibrosis. A CT scan can show fat accumulation but cannot quantify liver stiffness or staging of fibrosis — the single most important prognostic finding in MASLD. Knowing you have a fatty liver on CT tells you nothing about whether you have scarring.

CT involves radiation exposure. A standard abdominal CT delivers approximately 8–10 mSv of radiation — equivalent to approximately 4 years of background radiation. This makes CT unsuitable for routine or repeated liver monitoring.

FibroScan provides two measurements in one. Liver stiffness (kPa) and liver fat content (CAP score) are both measured in a single 10–15 minute session with no radiation, no injection, and no preparation. This is why Australian and international guidelines recommend elastography as the standard non-invasive follow-up for patients with indeterminate FIB-4 scores — not CT.

Fasting: Most clinics ask patients to fast for at least 2 hours before the scan. Some request 4 hours. Check with your specific clinic when booking.

Clothing: Wear loose clothing that allows easy access to the right side of your abdomen.

What happens during the scan: You will lie on your back with your right arm raised above your head. The operator will place a probe on the skin over your right rib cage. You will feel a mild vibration — not painful. The scan takes 10–15 minutes. Results are available immediately.

What affects accuracy: Significant obesity, liver inflammation from active alcohol use, and incorrect technique can reduce reliability. The IQR/median ratio on your result sheet will tell you whether the reading was reliable.