Patient guide · Reviewed May 2026
What Is a Liver Elastography Scan?
Liver elastography is a non-invasive medical scan that measures how stiff your liver is. Stiffness is a proxy for scarring — a stiffer liver has more fibrosis. The scan also measures how much fat is in your liver.
It takes 10–15 minutes. There is no injection, no radiation, and no hospitalisation. Most people describe it as painless — a mild vibration against the side of the abdomen.
If your GP has referred you for a liver elastography scan, or you want to understand what the test involves before booking one, this guide explains everything.
Published 2026-05-01 · Clinically reviewed 2026-05-31
Patient guide · Reviewed May 2026
What It Measures
Liver elastography produces two results in a single session:
Liver elastography produces two results in a single session:
Liver stiffness — kPa (kilopascals): Stiffness indicates fibrosis — scarring of the liver tissue. A healthy liver is soft and flexible. As fibrosis develops, the liver becomes progressively stiffer. The kPa reading translates into a fibrosis stage:
| kPa Result | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Below 8 kPa | F0–F1: Normal to minimal fibrosis — reassuring |
| 8–10 kPa | F2: Moderate fibrosis — monitor, discuss with specialist |
| 10–13 kPa | F3: Significant fibrosis — specialist review recommended |
| Above 13 kPa | F4: Cirrhosis range — urgent specialist referral |
These thresholds are specifically for MASLD (fatty liver disease). Different thresholds apply for viral hepatitis and other liver conditions.
Liver fat — CAP score (dB/m): The controlled attenuation parameter measures how much of the liver is affected by fat accumulation:
| CAP Score | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Below 248 dB/m | S0: Normal — less than 5% liver fat |
| 248–267 dB/m | S1: Mild — 5–33% liver fat |
| 268–279 dB/m | S2: Moderate — 33–67% liver fat |
| Above 280 dB/m | S3: Severe — more than 67% liver fat |
IQR/median ratio: This reliability indicator on your report shows how consistent the measurements were. Below 30% is reliable. Above 30% means the result should be interpreted cautiously.
What Happens During the Scan
Liver elastography measures the hardness or stiffness of the liver by measuring the velocity of a vibration, otherwise known as a shear wave, generated on the skin. The velocity of the shear wave is proportional to the stiffness of liver tissue.
In practical terms, here is what to expect:
Before: Fast for 2–4 hours beforehand. Check with your specific clinic when booking — some require 2 hours, some 4. Wear loose clothing that allows easy access to the right side of your abdomen.
During: You lie on your back with your right arm raised. The operator places a probe on the skin over your right lower rib cage. Patients describe the sensation as unusual but not painful — like a gentle flick or tap against the side. The scan takes 10–15 minutes.
After: Results are available immediately. You receive a printed report showing your kPa score, CAP score, and IQR reliability indicator. Your doctor uses this alongside your blood tests and clinical picture to determine next steps.
Patient guide · Reviewed May 2026
Who Needs a Liver Elastography Scan
The Medical Journal of Australia's September 2025 consensus statement recommends liver elastography as second-line assessment for patients with an…
The Medical Journal of Australia's September 2025 consensus statement recommends liver elastography as second-line assessment for patients with an indeterminate FIB-4 score — the first-line blood test for liver fibrosis risk.
You may need a liver elastography scan if:
- Your FIB-4 score is between 1.3 and 2.67 (indeterminate)
- You have type 2 diabetes and have never been assessed for fatty liver disease
- You are on a GLP-1 medication (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) with metabolic risk factors
- You have had elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT) on a blood test
- You have obesity (BMI above 30) and have never had your liver assessed
- You have a family history of liver disease or cirrhosis
- You are monitoring your response to MASLD treatment
Not sure if you need a scan? Use this guide to find out →
On a GLP-1 medication? Read the Australian guidelines for GLP-1 liver monitoring →
Do You Need a GP Referral?
Liver elastography does not replace medical consultation. It is performed following appropriate referral and forms part of a broader clinical assessment.
Several Australian clinics accept self-referred patients — you can book a scan without a GP letter. However, starting with your GP is recommended because:
- Your GP can calculate your FIB-4 score from existing blood results — which may mean you do not need a scan at all
- A GP referral ensures your scan result is interpreted alongside your full medical history
- Some clinics require a referral for specific indications
Check referral requirements with your specific clinic when booking.
Patient guide · Reviewed May 2026
How Much Does It Cost
Approximately $150–$300 at private Australian clinics. Liver elastography does not currently have a Medicare item number for most MASLD indications. Some…
Approximately $150–$300 at private Australian clinics. Liver elastography does not currently have a Medicare item number for most MASLD indications. Some private health insurers provide partial cover under extras — check your policy before attending.
FibroScan vs Other Elastography Devices
FibroScan is the most widely known brand name for liver elastography in Australia — but it is not the only device. FibroScan uses vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE). It was the first commercially available elastography method and remains the technique with the most advanced quality criteria, validation, and evidence base.
Other elastography systems — including guided elastography devices that use real-time ultrasound imaging alongside stiffness measurement — use the same underlying technology and produce comparable results. When comparing clinics, the key question is not which brand of device they use, but the experience of their operators and the volume of liver scans they perform.
Patient guide · Reviewed May 2026
Find a Liver Elastography Clinic Near You
GLP-1 Australia lists liver elastography clinics across all Australian states and territories. Search by suburb, city, or map.
GLP-1 Australia lists liver elastography clinics across all Australian states and territories. Search by suburb, city, or map.
Find a liver elastography clinic near you
Search by suburb or postcode to see accredited clinics offering FibroScan and guided liver elastography across Australia.
Type a suburb or postcode and press Enter to search nearby.
Request a liver scan appointment
Submit your details and we'll route your request to the most appropriate elastography clinic in your area. Most clinics respond within 1–2 business days.
Take action
Request an appointment
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between FibroScan and liver elastography?
FibroScan is a brand name for a specific liver elastography device made by Echosens. Liver elastography is the general term for the technology. All FibroScan devices perform liver elastography — but not all liver elastography devices are FibroScan. The results are broadly comparable across devices.
Is liver elastography the same as an ultrasound?
They use related technology but measure different things. A standard abdominal ultrasound produces anatomical images and can detect fatty liver (the liver appears bright on ultrasound) but cannot measure fibrosis. Liver elastography specifically measures liver stiffness and fat content with quantitative scores (kPa and CAP). They are complementary tests, not substitutes.
How accurate is liver elastography?
A low FIB-4 score is associated with a greater than 95% negative predictive value for advanced liver fibrosis. When FIB-4 is followed by elastography as the second-line test, the combination provides high accuracy for detecting or excluding significant fibrosis in most patients. For definitive staging in complex cases, liver biopsy remains the gold standard.
Can I eat before a liver elastography scan?
Most Australian clinics request 2–4 hours of fasting before the scan. Check with your specific clinic when booking. Post-meal scanning can temporarily increase liver stiffness readings and reduce result reliability.
How often should I have liver elastography?
If your first result is normal (below 8 kPa), every 2–3 years is appropriate for ongoing monitoring if you have metabolic risk factors. If you are on GLP-1 therapy for confirmed MASH, your specialist will advise the monitoring interval — typically annually to assess treatment response.
Will my scan results go to my GP?
If you attend with a GP referral, your result report is sent to the referring doctor. If you self-refer, you receive the report yourself and should share it with your GP at your next appointment.
MJA MAFLD consensus statement (September 2025); AASLD Practice Guidance (November 2025); Liver Foundation Australia FIB-4 calculator guidance; Carewell Diagnostix patient guide (February 2026); Dr Douglas Samuel FibroScan guide (June 2025); Qscan elastography patient information; RACGP FibroScan guide.
This article is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your GP or a specialist about your individual health circumstances.
Next step
Find a liver elastography clinic near you
Search participating clinics across Australia, or submit an appointment request and we will route you to the nearest available provider.