My Potential Employer Has Asked for a Medical: What’s Involved? (Australia)

If you’re in the final stages of the hiring process and your potential employer has requested a medical assessment, don’t panic - this is a standard step for many Australian employers, particularly in roles that are physically demanding or carry safety responsibilities. Here’s what you can expect and what it means for your job offer.

Why Employers Request a Pre-Employment Medical

In Australia, pre-employment medicals are used to:

• Assess your physical and mental capacity to perform the role safely.

• Identify any pre-existing conditions that may be aggravated by the job.

• Establish a baseline of health, especially for roles in industries like construction, mining, transport, healthcare, or emergency services.

• Reduce workplace injury risk, ensuring the company meets its Work Health and Safety (WHS) obligations.

This process helps employers create a safe work environment and manage workers’ compensation risks.

What’s Typically Involved in a Pre-Employment Medical?

The exact checks will depend on the job you’re being hired for, but a general medical may include:

✅ Standard Health Checks

• Blood pressure

• Heart rate

• Height and weight

• Vision and hearing tests

• Urinalysis (to check for diabetes, kidney issues, etc.)

🏋️‍♂️ Functional or Fitness Testing

For physical or trade roles, you may be asked to complete:

• Lifting or carrying tasks

• Squats, stretches, or flexibility movements

• Cardiovascular fitness tests (e.g. step test)

🧠 Psychological or Cognitive Testing

Some roles may include:

• Mental health assessments

• Stress or resilience evaluations (especially in emergency or defence roles)

🧪 Drug and Alcohol Screening

Many industries, especially those with strict safety requirements, include a urine or saliva test for drug and alcohol use.

📝 Medical History Questionnaire

You’ll usually complete a form outlining:

• Past or ongoing medical conditions

• Surgeries or injuries

• Medication use

Is It Legal? Do I Have to Do It?

In most cases, you can legally decline the assessment, but doing so might impact the job offer, particularly if the medical is an essential part of hiring compliance (e.g. for a truck driver, nurse, or warehouse worker).

Under Australian law, employers must comply with privacy and anti-discrimination legislation, meaning:

• They can’t ask for information not relevant to the role.

• They can’t use medical info to discriminate, unless the condition directly affects your ability to do the job.

What Happens After the Medical?

Usually, the assessment is reviewed by a medical professional who provides the employer with a fitness-for-duty report. This doesn’t include your full medical records, just a summary like:

• “Fit for duty without restrictions”

• “Fit with adjustments” (e.g. can’t lift over 15kg)

• “Not fit for duty”

Depending on the results, the employer might:

• Proceed with your hire

• Request more information or clarification

• Offer adjustments to suit your needs

• In rare cases, withdraw the offer if the role cannot be safely completed

Tips to Prepare

• Be honest on your medical history form.

• Bring your glasses or hearing aids if you use them.

• Take any regular medication beforehand as usual.

• Wear comfortable clothing for any physical assessments.

• Don’t consume alcohol or recreational drugs at least 48 hours before.

A pre-employment medical in Australia is not about finding reasons to exclude you. It’s about making sure you and your employer start off on the right foot, safely and legally. If you’re unsure why it’s being requested, it’s okay to ask the hiring manager for more information. Transparency goes both ways.