Health checks by age in Australia
The health checks Australians are offered at each age, from cervical screening at 25 to bowel, breast and heart checks later on. See what's due for you.
Bio Chain Clinic Updated 9 min read
Health checks by age in Australia follow a fairly clear pattern. Cervical screening starts at 25. Heart and bowel checks join at 45. Breast and lung screening are offered from 50. The bowel screening kit is free, and Medicare rebates may apply to other checks, subject to your eligibility. Your GP can tell you which ones you’re due for.
This guide sets out what’s offered at each stage, and where each rule comes from. It also covers the signs that are worth a conversation at any age.
Key points
- The national cancer screening programs cover bowel, breast, cervical and lung cancer. Each has its own age range.
- A Heart Health Check is offered from 45. Some groups can start earlier.
- Screening is for people who feel well. New symptoms need a check whatever your age.
- A telehealth consult can sit alongside your GP and these programs. It never replaces them.
On this page: checks by age · 20s and 30s · 40s · 50s and 60s · perimenopause · signs at any age · telehealth and your GP · urgent care · questions
Which health checks do Australians need at each age?
Most adults need a few checks at set ages, with screening intervals of 2 or 5 years. The table below brings the main ones together. Your family history can change the timing. Treat it as a starting point for a chat with your GP.
| Age | Check | How often | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 to 74 | Cervical Screening Test (self-collection is an option) | Every 5 years | Better Health Channel |
| 30 and over | Heart Health Check, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people | Ask your GP | Heart Foundation |
| 35 and over | Heart Health Check, if you live with diabetes | Ask your GP | Heart Foundation |
| 45 and over | Heart Health Check, for everyone without heart disease | Ask your GP | Heart Foundation |
| 45 to 49 | Bowel screening kit, sent on request | When you ask | Cancer Council Australia |
| 50 to 74 | Bowel screening kit, mailed to you | Every 2 years | Cancer Council Australia |
| 50 to 74 | Breast screening for women (40 to 49 and over 74 can also book) | Every 2 years | Cancer Council Australia |
| 50 to 70 | Lung screening, if you have a heavy smoking history | Every 2 years | Cancer Council Australia |
The RACGP’s Red Book, now in its 10th edition, is the college’s guide to preventive care in general practice. It’s written for people without symptoms who are at average risk.
Health checks in your 20s and 30s
The main set check in these decades is cervical screening. Better Health Channel says people aged 25 to 74 with a cervix need a Cervical Screening Test every 5 years. That applies if you’ve ever been sexually active. It holds even if you’ve had the HPV vaccine.
You can now choose to collect your own sample or have a doctor or nurse take it. Many people find the self-collected option easier to fit in.
This is also a good time to learn your family history. Did a parent or sibling have heart disease, diabetes or bowel cancer young? Your GP may suggest starting some checks earlier. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can have a Heart Health Check from 30.
Skin is worth watching at every age in a sunny place like Queensland. Our guide to skin health and when to see a practitioner covers the changes to look out for.
Health checks in your 40s
Your 40s are when the list grows. The Heart Foundation recommends a Heart Health Check from 45 if you don’t already have heart disease. It describes a 20-minute visit where your GP checks your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. Then they estimate your chance of a heart attack or stroke over the next 5 years.
Medicare rebates may apply to the check, subject to your eligibility. Ask your GP about costs before you go.
Bowel screening now starts earlier too. Cancer Council Australia notes a change from 1 July 2024. People aged 45 to 49 can now ask for a free home test kit.
It’s also worth checking your type 2 diabetes risk. Diabetes Australia’s AUSDRISK tool is a short online quiz built on the Australian Government’s risk assessment. Its own notes point out that your risk rises as you get older.
Health checks in your 50s and 60s
From 50, you’re invited into most of the national programs. Cancer Council Australia sets out 3 of them:
- Bowel. A free home test kit is mailed to people aged 50 to 74 every 2 years.
- Breast. Screening is recommended for women aged 50 to 74, repeated every 2 years.
- Lung. People aged 50 to 70 may qualify if they have a smoking history of at least 30 pack-years. They must still smoke or have quit within the past 10 years. They can have a scan every 2 years, even if they feel well.
The bowel kit is easy to put off because it arrives in the post. It’s worth doing the day it lands. Heart Health Checks also continue through these decades, so ask your GP how often you should have one.
Does perimenopause change what’s worth checking?
Perimenopause is the lead-up to menopause, and it can bring new symptoms worth raising with a practitioner. Healthdirect says it usually happens between 45 and 55 and lasts about 4 to 8 years. Its page was last reviewed in November 2025.
Changes in sleep, mood, energy or your cycle are common in these years. They overlap with other causes too, such as thyroid problems, low iron or stress at work. That’s why a practitioner asks about the whole picture before deciding whether any tests would help.
Men’s health shifts with age as well. Energy, sleep and mood changes in your 40s and 50s have many possible causes. They’re worth a conversation rather than a guess.
Signs worth a check at any age
Screening is for people who feel well. Symptoms are different. Has something changed and stayed that way for a few weeks? Book in rather than wait for your next screening date.
Common reasons people book a check:
- tiredness that rest and a good week don’t fix
- sleep that has changed and hasn’t settled
- shifts in mood, motivation or libido
- cycles that have changed, or symptoms around perimenopause
- wanting to know where you stand before you change your training or diet
Long-term conditions are common, so these talks are ordinary. The Australian Bureau of Statistics released its National Health Survey 2022 results in December 2023. It found 81.4% of Australians had at least one long-term health condition. Almost half (49.9%) had at least one chronic condition.
How a telehealth consult fits with your GP
A telehealth consult works alongside your GP and the screening programs. It doesn’t replace them. In our view, the national programs come first. They’re built for the whole population, and your GP already knows how to use them.
A consult can help with the questions those programs don’t cover. Tiredness, sleep and life-stage changes often take time to talk through. Bio Chain Clinic is based in Tingalpa, in Brisbane’s east. You talk it all through with an Australian-registered practitioner in a live consultation.
If your practitioner thinks blood tests would help, they’ll explain why first. Our post on why bloods can come before a health plan covers what common markers measure. Your practitioner may also suggest advice, a referral, a GP visit for your screening, or no treatment at all. Treatment is only discussed where clinically appropriate.
When to get care straight away
Some symptoms shouldn’t wait for any routine check. Get medical care promptly for:
- chest pain or pressure
- sudden changes in your vision or speech
- losing weight without trying
- a new lump
- bleeding that’s unusual for you
If you’re not sure how urgent something is, Healthdirect’s free helpline on 1800 022 222 can talk it through with you. A registered nurse answers, and they can tell you where to go next. In an emergency, call 000.
Questions people ask about health checks
Are the national screening programs free?
The bowel kit is free. Cancer Council Australia says it’s mailed to people aged 50 to 74, and people aged 45 to 49 can ask for one. Costs for other screening can vary. Your GP or local service can explain them before you book.
Can I do my own cervical screening test?
Most people aged 25 to 74 can. Better Health Channel says you can choose a self-collected sample or one taken by a doctor or nurse. Your GP or clinic gives you the kit and explains how to use it.
Do I need a Heart Health Check if I feel fine?
The check is designed for people who feel well. The Heart Foundation recommends it from 45 for most people. The age drops to 35 with diabetes, and to 30 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It looks at risk factors you can’t feel, like blood pressure and cholesterol.
Can I still have breast screening after 74?
You can still book, but the invitations stop. Cancer Council Australia says women aged 40 to 49 and over 74 can also have breast screening. Talk with your GP about whether it still makes sense for you.
Can a telehealth consult replace my screening tests?
A consult sits beside screening and never stands in for it. The bowel kit, mammograms and cervical tests run through the national programs and your GP. A telehealth consult is a place to talk through symptoms and questions. Your practitioner can remind you which screening you might be due for.
Next steps
If you’d like to talk through something that’s changed, start with our short assessment and book a consultation. You’ll see the consultation fee before you book. Bring your questions about energy, sleep or anything else on your mind, and your practitioner will go through them with you. You can read how it works first or browse our men’s and women’s health consultations. Our guide to what to expect from a telehealth consult covers the call itself, and our FAQs answer questions about booking.
