Preventive Health in St Kilda.

Australia's screening programs and Medicare health assessments are deliberately targeted. Most are set by age, some by risk and a few by symptoms. Preventive health at Chapel Street means sorting out which of them apply to you, then keeping track of them with the same GP each time.

What does a preventive health appointment cover?

It depends on you, but it usually includes some of the following:

• Your personal and family history, and whether it changes when screening should start
• Blood pressure, cholesterol and other cardiovascular risk factors
• Your risk of type 2 diabetes
• Whether you're up to date with bowel, cervical, breast and lung screening
• Whether you may qualify for a Medicare health assessment, and which one is appropriate

Which Medicare health assessments are available?

Medicare funds structured health assessments for particular groups, each with its own eligibility and frequency rules:

• 30 and over: a Heart Health Check, where it's clinically appropriate
• 40 to 49: a type 2 diabetes risk evaluation, if an AUSDRISK assessment puts you in the high-risk group
• 45 to 49: a one-off health assessment for people at risk of developing chronic disease
• 75 and over: an Older Person's Health Assessment, once every twelve months
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: a dedicated health assessment at any age
• Perimenopause and menopause: an assessment added in July 2025, based on symptoms rather than age

Some of these can't be claimed within twelve months of another, so if you qualify for more than one it's worth asking which is more useful this year. Our guide to health checks by age covers the screening programs and assessments in detail.

Do I need a GP for screening?

Not always, and it's worth knowing when you don't. If you're 45 to 49 you can request a free bowel screening kit yourself, and BreastScreen Victoria takes bookings without a referral. The National Cancer Screening Register sends reminders when bowel, cervical or lung screening is due.

A GP appointment earns its place where the answer depends on you rather than your age: a strong family history, several risk factors at once, a symptom you've noticed, or whether earlier or different screening makes sense.

How does the practice keep track?

Chapel Street runs a consent-based recall system, so the practice can contact you when a check or a follow-up is due. You're only on it if you agree, and you can opt out whenever you like.

A reminder can only reach you at the details on file, so it's worth making sure reception has your current mobile number and address.

Booking a health assessment

When you book, let reception know which health assessment you want to discuss. Health assessments use their own Medicare items and usually need longer than a standard appointment, so calling reception is the easiest way to get the right time set aside. Reception can also tell you what you'll pay before you come in.