You will need different health checks throughout your life, depending on your age, risk factors, medical background and family history.
On this page, you’ll find evidence-based information about health checks you may need and how often to have checks.
Bone health assessment
Bowel cancer screening
Breast cancer screening
Breast self-check
Cervical screening
Dental check
Eye test
Falls check-in
Hearing test
Heart health check
Kidney health check
Lung cancer screening
Menopause assessment
Mental health check-in
Pregnancy care
Sexual health check
Skin check
Type 2 diabetes screening
Vaccination review
715 health check – for First Nations people
A bone health assessment helps to work out your risk for osteoporosis. It can involve answering questions about your family history and calcium and vitamin D intake.
There are different tests to check your bone health. If you have risk factors for osteoporosis, your doctor may give you a referral to get a bone density scan called a ‘DXA scan’.
A DXA scan is a special X-ray that measures your bone mineral density. It can also be used to:
Blood tests may also be used to check calcium and vitamin D levels, as well as your thyroid function. Problems with your thyroid can lead to osteoporosis.
You can also check your bone health with this Know Your Bones self-assessment tool.
From the age of 50, ask your doctor if you need a bone health assessment. It’s recommended First Nations people have a bone health assessment every year from age 50.
Read more about bone health.
For most women, bowel cancer screening is recommended every 2 years from the age of 45 to 74.
See your doctor if you:
If you’re aged between 50 and 74, you can get a free bowel cancer kit in the mail every 2 years. From the age of 45 to 49 years, you can apply for a free test kit.
From 75 years, talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of screening.
You can do the test at home. You collect 2 tiny samples from 2 different poos and send them in the mail to a laboratory. You and your doctor usually get the results within 4 weeks.
If there are tiny amounts of blood detected in your poo sample, your doctor will recommend a colonoscopy. This doesn’t mean you have cancer. Sometimes haemorrhoids or polyps in the large intestine can cause bleeding.
Some types of polyps can develop into cancer over many years, so it’s good to have these checked and removed.
Learn more about the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
Read more about bowel health.
Breast cancer screening (mammogram) is a safe X-ray of your breasts to check for cancer before there are signs or symptoms. Screening and early detection of cancer gives you the best chance of effective treatment.
BreastScreen Australia is the national breast cancer screening program for people who have no obvious symptoms of breast cancer. It’s funded through Medicare with no out-of-pocket costs.
To learn more about the BreastScreen program, visit the BreastScreen Australia website.
You may prefer to have a breast cancer screening with a private service provider (i.e. outside of the BreastScreen program). You will have to pay out-of-pocket costs for this service. Your doctor can recommend a private service provider near you.
All ages
Tell your doctor if you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or if you notice unusual changes to your breasts.
Aged 40 to 49
You can have a free breast screen every 2 years. Ask your doctor if breast cancer screening is a good option for you.
Aged 50 to 74
You are invited for a free breast screen every 2 years from age 50 to 74. Even if you feel healthy, it’s a good idea to book your breast screen.
From 75 years
Ask your doctor if breast cancer screening is a good option for you. Screening is free for women aged 75 and over without breast cancer symptoms.
For more information, visit the BreastScreen Australia website.
Learn more about breast health.
It’s important to know how your breasts usually look and feel so you can tell your doctor if you notice any changes.
Changes to look for include:
Learn more about breast self-checks.
The Cervical Screening Test (like a pap smear) checks for human papillomavirus (HPV), the main cause of cervical cancer. Having regular cervical screening is the best way to protect yourself from cervical cancer.
Cervical screening starts at the age of 25 if you’ve ever had sexual contact. Before then, tell your doctor if you have pain during sex, unusual bleeding from your vagina or unusual discharge from your vagina.
If you’re aged between 25 and 74 years, cervical screening is recommended every 5 years.
From the age of 75, ask your doctor if regular cervical screening is right for you. Screening is available if you need it.
For more information, visit the National Cervical Screening Program website.
You can see your healthcare provider to take a sample for testing, or you may prefer to take your own sample (self-collection) at the health centre or clinic.
If your healthcare provider does the test, they will use a plastic or metal instrument (speculum) and small brush to take a sample of cells from your cervix. If you do the test, you will use a swab to take a sample of cells from your vagina.
Self-collection is just as safe and accurate as having a healthcare provider take a sample.
Read our fact sheet about the cervical screening test and self-collection.
Learn more about cervical cancer.
Regular dental checks help keep your teeth healthy and manage any issues early. Your dentist can tell you how often you need a check.
Have an eye test every 2 years between the ages of 18 and 50. If you’re over 50, ask your doctor or eye specialist about your risk of eye disease, especially if you have risk factors, such as diabetes, short-sightedness or abnormal blood pressure.
From the age of 65 (from 50 for First Nations people), check in with your doctor about your risk of falls. Tell them if you’ve had a fall or feel unsteady when standing or walking.
If you notice changes in your hearing, it’s important to visit your doctor. You may need a hearing test to check for hearing loss.
A heart health check is an appointment with your doctor to check your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
You can get your blood pressure and cholesterol tested regularly as part of a heart health check, which is available from age:
Talk to your doctor if you’re not sure how often you need a heart health check.
From age 80, ask your doctor about your risks and how often to have checks.
Find out more about what happens in a heart health check.
Regular kidney health checks help find kidney disease early, when it’s easier to manage. A check involves testing your blood, wee (urine) and blood pressure.
If you’re aged 18 to 59 and have risk factors, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, it’s recommended you have regular kidney health checks.
If you’re over 60, ask your doctor how often you should have kidney checks.
For First Nations women, regular kidney health checks start at age 18.
Find out about risk factors for kidney disease on the Kidney Health Australia website.
If you’re aged between 50 and 70, you may qualify for a lung cancer screening program, depending on your smoking history. Ask your doctor if this is an option for you.
If you are experiencing symptoms related to menopause, perimenopause or premature ovarian insufficiency, it’s important to tell your doctor.
You may qualify for a menopause assessment, even if you have symptoms earlier than the expected age of menopause.
Mental health struggles are common, but the earlier you get help, the better your chances of feeling better.
If you have symptoms, such as intense sadness, irritability, fatigue, anxiety or sleep problems, talk to a friend or doctor.
You can also:
It's important to visit your doctor or midwife for checkups and information to support a healthy pregnancy.
Learn about the different tests, scans and screenings and ask which ones are best for you.
If you are sexually active it’s important to have regular sexual health checks. Your doctor may:
During a sexual health check, you can also talk to your doctor about any sexual problems you are having and ask about contraception.
If you're unsure how often you need a check, ask your doctor.
You can visit your doctor or a sexual health clinic for a sexual health check.
Learn more about sex and sexual health.
You may need an STI check for different reasons. For example, if:
If you think you might have an STI, it’s important to see your doctor as soon as possible. An early diagnosis and treatment may reduce your risk of developing more health problems in the future.
Your doctor may do different tests, for example, a blood or wee (urine) test. They may also take a sample (swab) to send to the laboratory for testing.Read more about what happens when you go for an STI check.
If you have an STI, your doctor will discuss treatment options with you.
Knowing what your skin normally looks like can help you notice changes. Check your spots, freckles and moles, and if you see any changes, tell your doctor. Ask your doctor about your skin cancer risk and how often you need checkups.
Learn how to check for signs of skin cancer on the Cancer Council website.
From the age of 40, it’s recommended you screen for type 2 diabetes every 3 years. But you can use the Australian type 2 diabetes risk assessment tool to assess your risk at any age. See your doctor if you’re at higher risk.
Vaccinations help keep you, your family and community healthy. Your vaccination needs depend on different factors, such as your:
Each year, ask your doctor which vaccines are right for you.
For more information about when to get vaccinated, visit the Australian Government website.
The annual 715 health check is a free check for First Nations people of all ages. It can help you stay strong and healthy.
During the health check, a doctor or health worker may:
If you haven’t had a 715 health check, ask your local clinic if it’s available.
For a map of health and medical services for First Nations people, visit this Australian Government webpage.
For more information about annual health checks for First Nations people, visit this Australian Government webpage.
This content has been reviewed by a group of medical subject matter experts, in accordance with Jean Hailes policy.
© Jean Hailes Foundation. All rights reserved.
