A pre-employment medical is a standard requirement for many roles across Western Australia, particularly in mining, construction, transport, manufacturing, offshore oil and gas, and large infrastructure projects. These assessments ensure that workers can safely perform the physical and medical demands of the job.

If you’re preparing for a new role, understanding what happens during a pre-employment medical — and how to prepare — will help you move through the process confidently and avoid unnecessary delays. HireHealth specialises in providing these medicals in Perth, including weekend and afterhours availability to support FIFO mobilisation and urgent onboarding.

Companies perform pre-employment medicals primarily to protect worker safety and reduce the risk of injuries. They also help employers meet legal and WorkSafe WA obligations. A pre-employment medical allows employers to understand a worker’s baseline health and identify any concerns that may need modification, restrictions, or follow-up.

Overall, PEMs support:

• Safe placement into physically demanding roles
• Injury prevention and reduced compensation claims
• Compliance with WorkSafe WA and industry standards
• Clear baseline documentation for both worker and employer
   

Good preparation can significantly improve the accuracy of your results and help you avoid delays.

Before your appointment:

• Stay well hydrated
• Avoid alcohol for 24 hours
• Limit caffeine and energy drinks
• Take your usual medications (unless advised otherwise)
• Sleep properly the night before
• Bring glasses or contact lenses if needed
• Wear comfortable clothing suitable for lifting or movement
• Bring photo ID and any relevant job paperwork
   

These small steps ensure the assessment reflects your true health and ability.

The appointment typically begins with a review of your medical history. You’ll be asked about:

• Previous injuries or surgeries
• Chronic conditions
• Medications
• Respiratory or cardiovascular symptoms
• Sleep quality
• Mental health history
• Exposure to dust, noise, chemicals, or silica
• Any limitations or pain during physical activity
   

Being honest is essential. Clinicians are not looking to disqualify you; they simply need accurate information to assess safety and suitability for the role.

After reviewing your history, the clinician conducts a general examination to assess overall health and identify potential risk factors. This may include:

• Blood pressure and heart rate
• Height, weight, and BMI
• Vision testing (distance, near, and colour)
• Hearing assessment (audiometry)
• Respiratory assessment, including spirometry where required
• Cardiovascular examination
• Neurological checks such as balance and coordination
• Musculoskeletal assessment of joints, mobility, and strength
   

These examinations help determine whether you can safely meet the job’s physical requirements.

Most Western Australian employers require drug and alcohol screening as part of pre-employment medicals. This process generally includes:

• An instant urine drug test (AS/NZS 4308:2008 compliant)
• A breath alcohol test (AS 3547 compliant)
   

The urine drug test screens for:

• THC
• Methamphetamines
• Amphetamines
• Cocaine
• Opiates
• Benzodiazepines
   

NOTE: If the instant result is non-negative, the sample must be sent to a laboratory for confirmation, which may delay mobilisation. HireHealth provides rapid testing and same-day reporting to avoid unnecessary downtime.

Some positions, particularly in mining, construction, and trades, require a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA). This evaluates whether you can perform physical tasks safely, such as:

• Lifting and carrying
• Squatting, bending, or kneeling
• Climbing stairs or ladders
• Overhead reaching
• Pushing and pulling
• Grip strength
• Core stability
   

FCA results help ensure that you’re placed into a role that matches your physical capability.

Most workers complete their medicals without issues, but certain factors can lead to delays or conditional clearance. These include:

• High blood pressure
• Irregular heart rate
• Restricted mobility
• Hearing concerns
• Non-negative drug test results
• Uncontrolled asthma
• Suspected sleep apnoea 
• Incomplete medical history information
   

Most assessments take around 45–90 minutes, depending on the job’s requirements. Roles that require additional testing — such as spirometry, audiometry, or FCA — may take longer. HireHealth offers efficient scheduling, same-day results, and weekend availability to meet even tight mobilisation deadlines.

Following the medical, employers receive a fitness-for-work report that summarises your ability to perform the job safely. This may include:

• Fit
• Fit with restrictions
• Not fit 
• Recommendations or required follow-ups

HireHealth is built around the needs of WA’s industrial workforce. We provide:

• Weekend and afterhours pre-employment medicals
• Same-day reporting for urgent mobilisations
• All assessments in one location
• Clinicians experienced in mining, construction, and offshore standards
• Fast turnaround for drug and alcohol testing 
• Clear communication for both workers and employers
   

Our goal is to help workers get site-ready and employers onboard new staff without delays.