Pre-employment medicals assess whether a candidate is medically fit to perform the requirements of a specific role. For employers, these assessments can help reduce workplace risk and support informed hiring decisions.
The exact assessment will vary depending on the role, industry and workplace requirements. It may involve a general medical assessment or a combination of health checks and functional testing relevant to the work the candidate will be undertaking.
Which industries commonly require pre-employment medicals?
Pre-employment and occupational medicals are particularly common in industries where employees undertake safety-sensitive, physically demanding or higher-risk work.
These can include:
- Transport and commercial driving
- Aviation
- Rail
- Mining
- Construction and other high-risk industries
- Roles with specific physical or workplace safety requirements
Different industries and employers may have their own requirements, so the type of assessment will depend on the position.
The exact assessment will vary depending on the role, industry and workplace requirements. It may involve a general medical assessment or a combination of health checks and functional testing relevant to the work the candidate will be undertaking.
What can a pre-employment medical include?
There is no single standard assessment for every workplace. Depending on the role and employer requirements, a pre-employment medical may include:
- Medical history and general health assessment
- Blood pressure, BMI and urinalysis
- Vision and colour vision testing
- Audiometry (hearing testing)
- ECG
- Drug and alcohol screening, including supervised urine collection
- Functional capacity assessment
- Spirometry (lung function testing)
- Musculoskeletal assessment, including strength and range of motion
Not every candidate will require every test. Assessments can be tailored to the inherent requirements and potential health and safety risks associated with a particular role.
What to expect at the appointment
Candidates should bring any paperwork provided by their employer, photo identification and any relevant medical information they have been asked to provide.
Glasses, contact lenses or hearing aids that are normally worn should also be brought to the appointment. Depending on the assessment, specific preparation instructions may be provided before attending.
Appointment length will vary depending on the medical and testing required, particularly where several components need to be completed.
Pre-Employment Medicals at Altona North Medical Hub
Altona North Medical Hub provides a range of pre-employment and workplace health assessments in one location.
The clinic has onsite nursing support and facilities for audiometry, ECG, vision and colour vision testing, drug and alcohol screening, functional capacity assessments and standard health checks. Allied health services available onsite can also provide spirometry and musculoskeletal assessments where required.
Having these assessment capabilities available onsite means multiple components of a pre-employment medical can often be completed in one location, reducing the need for candidates to attend separate providers for additional testing.
Specialised Medical Assessments
Some occupations require specific medical assessments to meet industry, licensing or regulatory requirements.
These specialised medical assessments include Victorian Driver Medicals for heavy vehicle drivers, public passenger vehicle drivers like taxi and uber drivers, and dangerous goods transport drivers. Certain medical assessments, such as Aviation Medicals and Rail Medicals require further qualification by a GP. Before booking, we advise that applicants call the Altona North Medical reception team on (03) 9393 3900 to book you with the most suitable GP.
Further information about requirements and preparing for these assessments is available on the relevant Pre-Employment Medicals, Aviation Medicals and Railway Medicals information pages.
Arranging a Pre-Employment Medical
Candidates who have been asked to complete a pre-employment medical should check whether their employer has provided specific paperwork or assessment requirements before booking.
Employers can also contact Altona North Medical Hub to discuss pre-employment medicals and ongoing workplace health assessment requirements.
To arrange a pre-employment medical or workplace assessment, call Altona North Medical Hub’s reception team on (03) 9393 3900.
