How Much Does a Pre-Employment Medical Cost in Sydney?
A practical breakdown of what employers actually pay for pre-employment medicals in Sydney, what drives the cost, and how to get the best value from your screening program.
What Employers Pay for Pre-Employment Medicals in Sydney
Pre-employment medical costs in Sydney vary depending on the type of assessment, the scope of testing, and how the service is delivered. There is no single fixed price because the assessment should be tailored to the role the candidate is being hired for. A desk-based office role does not need the same level of screening as a construction labourer or forklift operator.
That said, employers need to budget and plan. Below is a realistic breakdown of what pre-employment medicals cost in the Sydney market as of 2026, based on the type of assessment and what is included.
Typical Price Ranges by Assessment Type
Standard Pre-Employment Medical - $150 to $250
A standard pre-employment medical covers a medical history review, general physical examination, blood pressure, BMI, vision screening, and a basic musculoskeletal assessment. This level of screening is appropriate for office-based roles, administrative positions, retail staff, and other roles where the physical demands are relatively low. Most providers in Sydney charge within this range for a standard assessment without additional testing.
Pre-Employment Medical with Drug and Alcohol Testing - $200 to $350
When drug and alcohol screening is added to a standard medical, the cost increases to account for the testing consumables, chain of custody procedures, and laboratory confirmation if required. Urine testing is the most common method for pre-employment screening and is typically the lower end of this range. Saliva testing costs slightly more but has a shorter detection window. This package is standard for construction, transport, warehousing, and manufacturing roles.
Pre-Employment Medical with Functional Capacity Testing - $350 to $500+
A full functional capacity evaluation adds physical demands testing to the medical. The candidate performs simulated work tasks matched to the specific role requirements - lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing, and sustained postures. A full FCE takes 2 to 4 hours depending on the role complexity. This level of screening is appropriate for physically demanding roles and is the most thorough option available. The higher end of this range applies when additional testing like audiometry, spirometry, or colour vision is included.
Additional Testing Components - $30 to $80 Each
Individual add-on tests can be bundled into any assessment package. Audiometry for baseline hearing assessment typically costs $40 to $60. Spirometry for baseline lung function runs $40 to $60. Colour vision testing is usually $30 to $50. These are commonly required for specific industries - audiometry for noise-exposed roles, spirometry for dust or chemical exposure, colour vision for electrical or transport roles.
What Affects the Cost of a Pre-Employment Medical
The price you pay is not arbitrary. Several factors determine what a pre-employment medical costs, and understanding them helps you compare providers on a like-for-like basis rather than just chasing the lowest number.
Scope of the assessment
The single biggest factor in cost is what the assessment includes. A basic medical history and physical exam costs less than a full functional capacity evaluation with drug testing, audiometry, and spirometry. The scope should be driven by the role demands - not by trying to minimise spend. Under-screening a high-risk role costs more in the long run through injuries and workers compensation claims.
On-site vs clinic-based delivery
On-site assessments, where the provider comes to your workplace, may carry a travel or mobilisation fee. However, the total cost to the employer is often lower when you factor in reduced candidate downtime and the ability to assess multiple candidates in a single session. If you are screening five or more candidates at once, on-site delivery is almost always more cost-effective than sending each candidate to a clinic individually.
Volume and frequency
Employers who screen candidates regularly - labour hire companies, recruitment agencies, large construction firms - typically negotiate volume-based pricing. If you are sending through 10 or more candidates per month, most providers offer a discounted per-assessment rate. This is standard practice across the industry and worth discussing upfront with any provider you engage.
Urgency and turnaround time
Standard turnaround for a pre-employment medical report is 24 to 48 hours. If you need same-day results - common in labour hire where candidates need to start the next day - some providers charge a priority fee. Planning ahead and booking assessments with a couple of days lead time avoids this additional cost.
Who conducts the assessment
Assessments conducted by AHPRA-registered physiotherapists or occupational physicians typically cost more than those conducted by nurses or unregistered practitioners. However, the quality and defensibility of the assessment is directly tied to the clinical qualifications of the assessor. An assessment conducted by a registered physiotherapist carries more weight in a workers compensation dispute or Fair Work claim than one conducted by someone without equivalent clinical training.
On-Site vs Clinic-Based: Which Is Better Value?
This is one of the most common questions employers ask, and the answer depends on your volume and logistics. Both delivery models have their place.
On-Site Delivery
The provider brings all equipment to your workplace and conducts assessments in a suitable room on your premises. Best for employers screening multiple candidates in one session, construction sites with induction requirements, and workplaces where sending candidates off-site creates logistical problems. Eliminates candidate travel time and no-show risk.
Clinic-Based
The candidate attends a clinic for the assessment. Better for ad-hoc assessments where you are screening one or two candidates at a time. No mobilisation fee but the candidate absorbs the travel time. Works well when the provider's clinic is close to your workplace or the candidate's location.
Cost tip: If you regularly screen three or more candidates per week, on-site delivery across Sydney is almost always more cost-effective. You avoid the hidden costs of candidate travel time, no-shows at external clinics, and delays caused by external clinic scheduling. Learn more about our on-site pre-employment service.
What Affects Turnaround Time
Turnaround time matters because a slow result delays the candidate's start date. Most pre-employment medical reports are delivered within 24 to 48 hours of the assessment. However, several factors can affect this.
Drug and alcohol testing with instant devices provides on-the-spot results. If a non-negative result requires laboratory confirmation testing, this adds 2 to 5 business days. Audiometry and spirometry results are available immediately after the test and included in the same-day report. The main variable is the clinician's reporting time - providers who use standardised reporting templates and digital systems typically turn reports around faster than those relying on manual processes.
If turnaround time is critical to your operations - as it often is in labour hire and recruitment - ask the provider what their standard and expedited turnaround times are before engaging them. Same-day reporting is available from some providers for an additional fee.
Why the Cheapest Option Is Not Always the Best Value
Pre-employment medicals are a cost, but they are also a risk management tool. The cheapest assessment is not necessarily the best value, and cutting corners on screening quality can cost significantly more in the long run.
A low-cost assessment that misses a relevant musculoskeletal issue, fails to conduct a proper functional screen, or uses a generic template rather than role-specific criteria exposes the employer to several risks. If a candidate is cleared for a role they cannot safely perform and is injured in the first few weeks, the employer faces a workers compensation claim, lost productivity, and potential WHS liability under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
Under the Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), employers bear the cost of workplace injuries regardless of whether the condition was pre-existing. A thorough pre-employment medical that identifies pre-existing conditions and accurately assesses fitness for the specific role is a direct defence against this exposure.
The assessment also needs to be conducted by someone with the clinical expertise to make accurate fitness-for-duty determinations. An AHPRA-registered physiotherapist or occupational physician has the training and professional accountability to stand behind their findings. If the assessment is ever challenged - in a workers compensation dispute, a Fair Work unfair dismissal claim, or an anti-discrimination complaint - the qualifications and methodology of the assessor matter.
Bottom line: Compare providers on the scope and quality of the assessment, the qualifications of the assessor, the turnaround time, and the delivery model - not just the headline price. A $200 assessment that accurately identifies a fitness issue is better value than a $120 assessment that misses it.
How to Get a Quote for Your Workforce
Every employer's screening needs are different. The best way to get an accurate quote is to speak to a provider about your specific requirements: the roles you are screening for, the volume of candidates, whether you need on-site or clinic-based delivery, and what testing components are required.
At Wellworx, we provide pre-employment medical assessments across Sydney with on-site delivery, same-day drug and alcohol results, and reports within 24 hours. All assessments are conducted by an AHPRA-registered physiotherapist. Contact us for a quote tailored to your workforce.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a basic pre-employment medical cost in Sydney?
A standard pre-employment medical in Sydney typically costs between $150 and $250. This includes a medical history review, physical examination, blood pressure, BMI, vision screening, and a basic musculoskeletal assessment. The exact price depends on the provider and whether any additional testing is included.
Is it cheaper to do pre-employment medicals on-site or at a clinic?
For individual assessments, clinic-based delivery is usually cheaper because there is no travel or mobilisation fee. However, if you are screening three or more candidates at a time, on-site delivery is typically more cost-effective when you factor in reduced candidate downtime and the elimination of no-show risk at external clinics.
Do pre-employment medical costs include drug and alcohol testing?
Not always. A standard pre-employment medical does not automatically include drug and alcohol testing. D&A screening is an additional component that adds approximately $50 to $100 to the assessment cost. Employers should specify whether D&A testing is required when booking the assessment.
Key Takeaways
- Standard medicals: $150-$250
- With D&A testing: $200-$350
- Full FCE package: $350-$500+
- On-site delivery often cheaper at volume
- Same-day turnaround available
- AHPRA-registered assessors
- Volume pricing for regular screening
- All assessments are role-specific
Need a Quote for Your Workforce?
We provide tailored pricing based on your roles, volume, and delivery preference. On-site across Sydney.
Contact Usor call 0431 092 829
Content reviewed by Jovi Villanueva, AHPRA Registered Physiotherapist, SIRA Approved Provider, Principal Physiotherapist at Wellworx Workplace Solutions.
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