Many Brisbane employers face the challenging reality of workplace injuries that could have been prevented with proper pre-employment physio assessment screening. These incidents cost Australian businesses millions in compensation claims, lost productivity, and replacement hiring costs each year.
For employers (and their employees) across Brisbane’s physically demanding industries like construction, transport, logistics, and healthcare, a physio-led pre-employment physical examination provide the evidence-based insights you need to hire with confidence and protect your bottom line.
When you partner with North West Physiotherapy experts, you’re choosing health professionals who specialise in how the human body moves. We see firsthand, every day, how repetitive lifting, awkward postures, extended hours of activity impact the body. This clinical insight means we know exactly what to look for when assessing a candidate’s true capacity and ways to improve their workplace performance and safety.
Why physios are best placed to do pre-employment physical assessments and functional capacity evaluations
Not all pre-employment physical assessments are created equal. The expertise of your assessment provider makes a significant difference in the quality and relevance of your results.
While GPs provide valuable medical clearance, their role is broad, they look at general health markers like blood pressure, heart health, and medical history.
Physiotherapists, on the other hand, are movement specialists with deep expertise in functional capacity evaluation. This deeper level of expertise means we can provide insights like: Can this candidate safely handle repetitive lifting? Do they have the mobility to work in confined spaces? Is their manual handling technique sound enough to prevent back issues down the line?
At North West Physio, our physiotherapists understand how repetitive lifting, awkward postures or prolonged standing impact the body short and long-term. We pick up on subtle movement issues, compensations, or weaknesses that a GP assessment may miss. Often, these are the insights that can mean the difference between a safe, productive employee and a costly workplace injury claim.
By choosing a physio-led assessment, Brisbane and Sunshine Coast employers gain job-specific, evidence-based clarity that goes far beyond a general check-up. It’s the smarter, more precise way to protect both your people and your business.
When to choose a doctor for a physical assessment
While physiotherapists are the best choice for assessing physical capacity, strength, movement, and injury risk, there are times when a doctor may be more appropriate for pre-employment screening. If your candidate requires medical clearance for underlying health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, respiratory conditions, or other systemic illnesses, this falls under a doctor’s scope. GPs are also the right referral point for blood tests, imaging, or medication management.
In many cases, North West Physio works in partnership with GPs. Together, this ensures candidates are evaluated thoroughly, with both their overall health and job-specific physical safety requirements.
What’s included in a pre-employment physical examination
A comprehensive pre-employment physical examination (also known as functional capacity evaluation) assesses the specific physical capabilities that directly impact workplace safety and performance in your Brisbane industry
Setting the requirements of the assessment
Every workplace has different physical demands and injury risks. A warehouse role requiring repetitive heavy lifting is very different to a healthcare role involving patient transfers or a transport role with long driving hours. That’s why North West Physio works closely with you to define the essential tasks and capabilities for each position.
Our physiotherapists then design targeted assessments that mirror these real-world job requirements, ensuring relevant (and legally compliant) evaluation processes.
Common pre-employment physical examination tasks
Musculoskeletal review
Our experienced physiotherapists conduct thorough assessments of existing or previous injuries, identifying any conditions that could impact job performance or be exacerbated by workplace activities. This preventive approach helps avoid re-injury claims and ensures appropriate job matching.
Functional movement, strength, and endurance testing
We evaluate functional movement patterns, strength levels, and cardiovascular endurance specific to your job requirements.
Posture and manual handling technique assessment
Proper lifting, bending, squatting, and carrying techniques are crucial for preventing workplace injuries.
Our pre-employment physical assessment evaluates current technique and identifies opportunities for improvement or additional training, helping you build a workforce that works safely and efficiently.
Cardiovascular fitness evaluation
For roles requiring sustained physical activity, cardiovascular fitness becomes a critical safety factor.
We assess cardiovascular capacity in relation to job demands, ensuring candidates can maintain safe performance levels throughout their shifts without fatigue-related injury risks.
Why choose North West Physio as your pre-employment physio assessor
Physio-led assessments tailored to Brisbane industries
Our experienced physiotherapists work closely with Brisbane employers to understand the specific physical demands of your roles. We design and conduct pre-employment physical assessments that evaluate the exact capabilities your employees need, ensuring relevant and actionable results for your Brisbane business.
Fair, job-specific testing
Our pre-employment physical assessments focus exclusively on essential job requirements. We don’t conduct irrelevant fitness drills or impose arbitrary physical standards.
Every test directly relates to the physical demands candidates will face in their roles, ensuring fair and legally compliant evaluation processes.
Supportive environment for positive candidate experience
The pre-employment physical physio experience reflects on your organisation. We create a professional, supportive environment that demonstrates your commitment to employee wellbeing while gathering the objective data you need for informed hiring decisions.
Your investment in pre-employment physical examinations represents a commitment to building a stronger, safer, more productive Brisbane workforce while proteting your business from preventable injury costs.
Purpose-built gym onsite
Every North West Physio clinic is equipped with a purpose-built gym designed specifically for functional testing, allowing us to carry out thorough and accurate pre-employment assessments. This setup ensures candidates are evaluated in a safe, professional environment that closely simulates real workplace demands, giving both employers and employees confidence in the results.
Network of South East Queensland clinics offer convenience for your employees
With clinics across North Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, North West Physio is strategically placed to support your hiring needs no matter where your current or future employees live.
Frequently asked questions
Are pre-employment physical exams legally compliant with Australian discrimination laws?
Yes, when conducted properly by qualified professionals. Our pre-employment physio assessments focus exclusively on essential job requirements and physical demands specific to each role. Every evaluation directly relates to genuine occupational requirements, ensuring your hiring process remains fair, legally compliant, and defensible whilst protecting both candidates’ rights and your business interests.
Can you assess candidates for multiple/different job roles within our company?
Absolutely. We work closely with Brisbane and Sunshine Coast employers to understand the unique physical demands of various positions within your organisation. Whether you need pre-employment physio assessments for warehouse workers, drivers, healthcare staff, or construction teams, our physiotherapists can help design the examinations and assess employees.
Pre-employment physio assessments with North West Physio
Ready to protect your workforce and business with professional pre-employment physio assessment? Book your assessments with North West Physio today. Our physio-led process is fast, accurate, and designed to give you the confidence you need in every hiring decision.
Contact us today to discuss how we can tailor our pre-employment physical examination process to your industry’s specific needs and help you build a safer, more productive team.
