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WHS - Pre-employment Functional Assessments

Pre-employment Functional Assessments

Altius' Pre-employment Screening and Medical Assessments (PEFAs) are a valuable part of the recruitment process and help build a solid foundation for a productive and healthy workforce. A PEFA provides valuable insight into an individual’s physical capacity to safely meet the functional demands of a job before they start work. We use robust, objective assessment tools, including a detailed medical questionnaire, thorough musculoskeletal screening, and physical testing with functional assessment components, all tailored to the role's inherent requirements. 

Depending on the role and work environment, additional services may be incorporated into a PEFA, including audiometry tests; drug and alcohol screening; spirometry testing; job specific functional assessments; pre-employment medical assessments; mental health assessments and resilience and cope scale assessments.

Our pre-employment screening and medical assessments:

  • Ensure candidates are well-matched with the demands of a position. 
  • Form the basis of a robust front-line risk management strategy.
  • Control the frequency and cost of injuries in the workplace.
  • Increase staff retention and support workplace productivity.
  • Clarify an individual’s medical history and determine the impact of past or current conditions on their capacity to carry out a job before they start work.
  • Provide candidates with an understanding of what a role entails and educate them on safe work practices before they commence work.
  • Improve an organisation’s safety culture and reputation by establishing clear expectations around health, safety and work capacity.
  • Identify previously undetected health issues that may, with suggested management strategies, improve long-term health outcomes for individuals and organisations.
  • Address specific physical or health concerns relative to an organisation’s work environment.
WHS Drug and Alcohol Testing

Drug and Alcohol Testing

Our certified consultants administer efficient and accurate on-site drug and alcohol screening tests to minimise the health and safety risks posed by recreational drug use. We conduct either oral or urine drug and alcohol testing in accordance with Australian Standards.

We perform saliva drug device testing, simply and discreetly, ensuring confidentiality, with results available in minutes. We can also arrange for the drug and alcohol screening to be conducted by way of chain-of-custody testing at an accredited pathology centre. These results can then be relied on for medical or legal purposes. We also assist workplaces to develop and review their Drug and Alcohol Policy.

Outsourcing drug and alcohol testing:

  • Covers all aspects of a drug-testing program, from the policy, to collection, analysis, and reporting, saving you in set-up and equipment costs, as well as employee time.
  • Allows testing to be conducted at random, after an incident or accident, on suspicion of drugs or abuse, or as part of a return to work program.
  • Provides quick, reliable results.
  • Minimises risks to employee health and safety.
  • Ensures tests are carried out in accordance with Australian Standards.
WHS Audiometric Testing

Audiometric Testing

Audiometric testing provides a real-time snapshot of your team's hearing health, assessing sharpness, clarity, and overall auditory function. It offers valuable insights into how workplace noise impacts hearing and equips employees with the knowledge to protect their hearing effectively. 

Routine annual testing is where the real value lies. By tracking subtle changes in hearing over time, employers can identify risks early and implement preventative measures before lasting damage occurs. This proactive approach not only safeguards the health of your workforce but also demonstrates a strong commitment to employee wellbeing. 

Regular testing supports compliance with Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations, particularly in environments where workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels. As part of a comprehensive health monitoring strategy, audiometric testing helps businesses meet regulatory requirements while fostering a safer, healthier workplace. By prioritising hearing health, organisations can reduce long-term risks, prevent claims, and cultivate a positive safety culture that benefits both employees and the business. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Functional assessments may be required to assess a candidate’s ability to perform the inherent physical requirements of a specific role and to determine if any modifications are recommended. A job-specific functional assessment is matched to each individual job role.
We can arrange a pre-employment medical assessment at a candidate’s local medical centre to screen for conditions that may have a detrimental effect on the candidate’s health. The medical assessment screens for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, hernias or eyesight deficits. Such conditions may not be a reason to refuse employment but may result in intervention that better allows the candidate to perform the proposed job.

Our consultants are appropriately trained, and we will provide the testing equipment. You just need to tell us where, when and who we are to test, ensuring that the testing is in line with your organisation's policies.

Upon arrival, our testers will ensure the collection environment is prepared according to standards. The area should be clean and safe, and support the privacy and confidentiality of the participants. Our testers will: Confirm the identity of the person being tested; Explain that the test is being conducted in accordance with the organisation’s Drug and Alcohol Policy; Explain the process to the participant and gain consent. Results are obtained within minutes. However, if a non-negative result is obtained the result may be sent away for confirmation testing in accordance with Chain of Custody legal requirements.

Saliva tests are a popular alternative to urine drug tests because they are quick and easy to use, require minimal preparation, and are cost-effective. The specimens are a lot harder to tamper with, as samples are collected in full view of the person administering the test. Results are obtained within minutes.

WHS legislation and regulations, whether state-based or national, in most cases, do not have specific requirements relating to drugs and alcohol. However, they do specifically require risks to be managed, eliminated or reduced wherever possible.

With the prevalence of drugs (including alcohol) in Australian society, it is reasonable to always consider drugs and alcohol as risks to be managed in the workplace. Workplace drug and alcohol testing helps manage these risks, particularly in industries involving plant and machinery operations.

Altius conducts On-Site Drug and Alcohol Testing in accordance with Australian Standards AS/NZS 4308:-2008 (Urine) and AS/NZS 4760:2019 (Oral).

Upon arrival, our testers will ensure the collection environment is prepared according to the requirements of the standards. The area should be clean and safe, and support the privacy and confidentiality of the participants. Our testers will confirm the identity of the person being tested, and that the test is being conducted in accordance with the organisation's Drug and Alcohol Policy. Prior to commencing, we will explain the process to the participant and gain consent. Testing is always carried out in line with the manufacturer's specifications.

Saliva tests are a popular alternative to urine drug tests because they are quick and easy to use, require minimal preparation, and are cost-effective. The specimens are a lot harder to tamper with, as samples are collected in full view of the person administering the test. Results are obtained within minutes. If you are interested in this service, please contact us.
Our audiometric tests and hearing tests are carried out by specialists with training in this area, in line with Australian/New Zealand Standards. Audiometric testing should be made available to all people likely to be exposed to workplace noise above exposure criteria in line with state-specific WHS guidelines. It is recommended audiometric testing be done within three months of commencing employment, but prior to noise exposure as part of the pre-employment screening assessment is ideal for a baseline measure.
Our certified consultants administer efficient and accurate drug and alcohol screening tests to minimise workplace risks posed by recreational drug use. We perform saliva drug device testing, simply and discreetly, ensuring confidentiality, with results available within minutes. We can also arrange for the drug and alcohol screening to be conducted by way of chain-of-custody testing at an accredited pathology centre, these results can then be relied on for medical or legal purposes. We also assist workplaces to develop and review Drug and Alcohol Policy.
Spirometry assessment measures the degree of airflow obstruction. This respiratory assessment is often used to assess for asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other lung diseases that may impact work function. 
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