What is Included in a Pre-Employment Medical in Australia?

A pre-employment medical is a health assessment used to determine whether a candidate can meet the inherent requirements of a job from a medical and safety perspective. In Australia, this is not one size fits all. The pre-employment medical for a person working as a customer service officer would be vastly different from a person working as a diver at an oil rig. This article explains what is commonly included in a pre-employment medical assessment, why protocols differ, and how employers and candidates should prepare.

Purpose of a pre-employment medical

The purpose is to support the safe placement of a worker in their job. A well-designed pre-employment medical focuses on genuine job demands and industry standards. It should be proportionate, privacy-conscious and consistent across candidates for the same role.

What is included in a typical pre-employment medical

Identity, consent and role confirmation

Assessments usually begin with identity checks, consents and confirmation of the role or booking pathway. This ensures the correct protocol is applied and reporting goes to the authorised referring organisation.

Baseline tests often included

A candidate would then undergo various tests before seeing the clinician. Some baseline tests would include vision assessment including:

• Colour vision
• Audiometry for noisy or safety-sensitive environments
• Drug and alcohol screening
• Urinalysis
• Other screening tests where protocol requires it

The candidate’s pre-employment medical may or may not include every test. The inclusion or exclusion of tests would depend on industry requirements and the role the candidate is applying for.

Health questionnaire and clinical interview

Candidates then complete a questionnaire covering current conditions, medications, prior injuries, surgery, and symptoms relevant to work. A clinician then clarifies answers that affect capacity or safety.

Physical examination

Finally, the clinician will conduct a physical examination. This usually includes a cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and neurological clinical assessment.

Industry-specific pre-employment medicals

Many Australian employers use industry or regulator-prescribed protocols. Examples include rail, mining and coal, commercial drivers, seafarer, and oil and gas medicals. These protocols may prescribe specific forms, test batteries and fitness criteria. The clinical task is to apply that protocol accurately and report against it.

Employment Medicine delivers pre-employment and industry medicals through its Occupational Medicine Registrar, GP and Allied Health Services, with escalation to Specialist Services when complex fitness questions arise.

What a pre-employment medical usually does not decide

A pre-employment medical assessment does not determine whether someone will be a good employee, resolve industrial disputes, or take the place of a specialist medicolegal assessment.

A pre-employment medical also does not replace health screenings done by a GP. Nevertheless, if in the course of a pre-employment medical assessment a previously unknown health condition is discovered, the candidate would be advised to consult their GP to follow up. A letter will also be written to their GP to update them of the new finding.

How long it takes and what happens afterwards

Appointment length varies with protocol complexity — from a relatively brief assessment to a longer industry medical with multiple tests. After the appointment, the clinician completes the report required by the referral. In most cases results are provided to the referring employer or authorised organisation through the booking pathway. InjuryEX supports Employment Medicine booking and reporting workflow so outcomes remain organised and consistent.

What candidates should bring

A candidate should:

• Bring photo identification
• Bring any glasses, hearing aids or mobility aids that are normally used
• Bring a booking or referral confirmation
• Bring any medication list and relevant recent medical reports
• Be prepared to give a urine sample if booked for a urine drug test
• Dress in clothing suitable for a physical examination or functional testing. This is usually loose and comfortable clothing

How employers can brief a better medical

What information we require from employers who are arranging a pre-employment medical:

• Position title (e.g. Machine worker)
• Inherent requirements (e.g. climbing trees, cutting branches)
• Site or roster conditions (e.g. shift work, outdoor work in heat and cold)
• Whether the role requires compliance with any industry standards (Commercial Vehicle Standards for commercial drivers)
• State explicitly if the role is safety-critical
• What tests are required for the role, if any
• If available, provide any specific pre-employment forms or paperwork

Key takeaways

What is included in a pre-employment medical in Australia depends on the job and industry context. Core elements usually include history taking, physical examination and further testing, with additional specific components for industry medicals.