Most construction and mining employers in Perth require a pre-employment medical before you start work. If you’ve never done one, it can seem daunting — but it’s a straightforward process designed to make sure you’re fit for the demands of the job.
Here’s what to expect.
Why Do You Need a Pre-Employment Medical?
Pre-employment medicals serve several purposes:
- Worker safety: Ensuring you can safely perform the physical demands of the role without putting yourself or others at risk
- Baseline health record: Establishing your health status before you start, which protects both you and the employer if a health issue arises later
- Legal obligations: Employers have a duty under WA’s Work Health and Safety Act to provide a safe workplace, including ensuring workers are fit for their roles
- Insurance requirements: Workers’ compensation insurers often require pre-employment medicals
- Site requirements: Many major construction and mining sites mandate pre-employment medicals as a condition of site access
What Does a Pre-Employment Medical Include?
The specific tests vary depending on the employer, the site, and the type of work. However, a standard construction pre-employment medical in Perth typically includes:
General Health Assessment
- Medical history review — existing conditions, medications, past injuries and surgeries
- Height and weight measurement
- Blood pressure check
- Heart rate and cardiovascular assessment
- General physical examination
Vision Test
- Distance vision (Snellen chart)
- Near vision
- Colour vision (Ishihara test) — important for electricians and anyone working with colour-coded wiring or signage
- Peripheral vision
- Depth perception — particularly important for crane operators, riggers, and machine operators
Hearing Test (Audiometry)
- Baseline hearing test in a soundproof booth
- Tests hearing at different frequencies
- Establishes your hearing level before exposure to construction noise
- Important for identifying existing hearing loss and monitoring future changes
Lung Function Test (Spirometry)
- Measures how well your lungs work
- You blow into a machine as hard and fast as you can
- Establishes baseline lung function before exposure to construction dust, fumes, and chemicals
- Particularly important for workers exposed to silica dust, welding fumes, and asbestos
Drug and Alcohol Screening
- Urine drug test (standard five-panel: cannabis, amphetamines, opiates, cocaine, benzodiazepines — some employers test for more)
- Breath alcohol test
- This is a pass/fail component — a positive result typically means you won’t get the job
Musculoskeletal Assessment
- Range of motion tests — shoulders, back, knees, hips
- Grip strength
- Functional capacity assessment — can you lift, carry, bend, kneel, and climb as the job requires?
- Assessment of any existing injuries or conditions that may affect your ability to do the work
Specialist Medicals
Some roles require additional assessments beyond the standard medical:
Working at Heights
If your role involves working at heights (scaffolders, steel fixers, roof workers), you may need:
- Assessment for vertigo or balance issues
- Blood pressure check (high blood pressure can cause dizziness at height)
- Medication review (some medications cause dizziness or impaired balance)
Confined Space
For confined space work (pipe layers, tank workers), additional assessments may include:
- Claustrophobia screening
- Respiratory fitness
- Cardiovascular assessment
Crane and Plant Operation
Crane operators and heavy plant operators may need:
- Enhanced vision assessment (depth perception, peripheral vision)
- Cognitive function assessment
- Fatigue risk assessment
Mining and FIFO
Mining pre-employment medicals are often more comprehensive than standard construction medicals and may include:
- Chest X-ray
- ECG (electrocardiogram)
- Blood tests
- Sleep apnoea screening (particularly for FIFO roles)
- Mental health screening
- More extensive drug screening panels
How to Prepare
Before the Appointment
- Get a good night’s sleep — being tired can affect blood pressure and other test results
- Stay hydrated — drink plenty of water (you’ll need to provide a urine sample)
- Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before
- Don’t use recreational drugs — cannabis can be detected for weeks after use
- Bring your glasses or contacts if you wear them
- Bring a list of your medications — including dosages
- Bring identification
- Know your medical history — previous surgeries, injuries, and conditions
What to Wear
Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows you to move freely for the physical assessment. You may be asked to change into a gown for some tests.
What Happens If You Fail?
A pre-employment medical isn’t a simple pass or fail for most components. The doctor assesses whether you can safely do the specific job. Possible outcomes:
- Fit for duty: You meet all requirements — you’re good to start work
- Fit with restrictions: You can do the job but with some modifications (e.g., no heavy lifting above a certain weight, no working at heights above a certain level)
- Temporarily unfit: A current condition needs treatment before you can start (e.g., untreated high blood pressure, a current injury that needs to heal)
- Unfit for duty: A condition prevents you from safely doing the specific role
If you’re assessed as unfit for one role, you may still be fit for other construction roles that have different physical demands. Discuss your options with the examining doctor and your recruiter.
How Much Does It Cost?
Pre-employment medicals in Perth typically cost:
- Standard construction medical: $100 to $200
- Mining/FIFO medical (comprehensive): $200 to $400
- Specialist assessments (as add-ons): $50 to $150 each
In many cases, the employer or recruitment agency covers the cost. If you’re paying yourself, ask upfront what’s included. Perth Trades Recruitment covers the cost of pre-employment medicals for workers being placed through our agency.
Where to Get a Pre-Employment Medical in Perth
Several occupational health clinics in Perth specialise in pre-employment medicals for construction and mining workers. Your employer or recruitment agency will usually direct you to their preferred provider.
Perth Trades Recruitment
Perth Trades Recruitment manages the pre-employment medical process for workers we place. We’ll tell you exactly what’s required, book the appointment, and in most cases cover the cost.
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Contact Perth Trades Recruitment to get started on your next construction or mining role in Perth.