Pre-Employment MedicalsGet a quote
Tell us about your workforce and we’ll build a tailored Order 45 program for your operation.
Pre-Employment Medicals
NSW Coal Order 45 Health Assessments.
KINNECT delivers statutory, risk-based health assessments for NSW coal mine workers under Coal Services Order 45, covering pre-placement, periodic, review and retirement assessments.
Approved provider of NSW Coal Industry health assessments. Results submitted to Coal Services on your behalf.
Quick answer
The short version
NSW Coal Order 45 Health Assessments are statutory, risk-based assessments for NSW coal mine workers. Employers must arrange pre-placement and at least three-yearly assessments, with health assessment reviews or retirement assessments when required. An approved medical practitioner assesses the worker against their position and employer-nominated risk category, issues a Health Assessment Certificate, and submits the assessment to Coal Services for approval. Order 45 replaced Order 43 on 1 January 2026.
What it is
A statutory medical for NSW coal mine workers.
KINNECT supports NSW coal mine operators and workers with mandatory health assessments under the NSW Coal Industry health surveillance scheme. These assessments are a statutory requirement designed to protect workers’ health and detect early signs of occupational disease arising from hazards such as dust, noise and chemical exposure.
From 1 January 2026, Order 45 — Coal Services Health Monitoring Requirements for NSW Coal Mine Workers replaces Order 43, introducing a unified, risk-based approach that builds on the existing scheme. See the Coal Services Guide to Order 45 for the complete framework.
What’s included
What an Order 45 medical covers.
Order 45 health assessments are comprehensive and risk-based. The exact components are determined by the worker’s assigned risk category, role requirements and exposure history.
Medical & occupational history
A structured review of medical history, exposures and role demands by an approved medical practitioner.
Physical examination
Full physical examination focused on the demands and hazards of the coal mining role.
Respiratory function (spirometry)
Spirometry to monitor lung function for early signs of dust-related disease.
Chest imaging
X-ray or high-resolution CT imaging where appropriate to screen for occupational lung disease.
Hearing assessment
Audiometry to detect noise-induced hearing loss across exposed workers.
Vision screening
Vision testing aligned to the role and any safety-critical requirements.
Cardiovascular risk evaluation
Risk assessment of cardiovascular health relevant to safety-critical and physically demanding work.
Musculoskeletal assessment
Targeted assessment of musculoskeletal capacity for the inherent demands of the role.
Urinalysis
Standard urinalysis as part of the comprehensive health screen.
Respirator fit testing
Optional under Order 45: quantitative fit testing to AS/NZS 1715:2009 is available where required.
A risk-based approach
Order 45 tailors each medical to role and exposure.
Order 45 requires employers to assign a risk category to each worker prior to assessment. That category determines the depth and type of medical testing required, ensuring every assessment is tailored to the worker’s actual exposure and role.
You can find the full risk-category framework on the Coal Services website.
Employer-nominated category
The employer assigns the worker’s position and risk category from the tasks they perform before the assessment.
Position-specific assessment
The approved medical practitioner assesses findings against that position and risk category.
Proportionate investigations
Risk categories guide the medical practitioner toward appropriate investigations and can reduce unnecessary follow-up testing.
When it’s required
Order 45 assessment pathways.
We deliver health assessments, health assessment reviews and retirement health assessments across the worker lifecycle.
- 1
Health assessment
Before placement and at least every three years, assessed against the worker’s position and risk category.
- 2
Health Assessment Review
A one-off or scheduled review of a condition or deferred examination identified through the assessment process.
- 3
Retirement health assessment
Available to an eligible worker retiring from the NSW coal industry to establish their health status when they leave.
How results are used
A clear, compliant reporting pathway.
- An approved medical practitioner issues the applicable Health Assessment Certificate after completing the assessment or review.
- The assessment and certificate are submitted to Coal Services for approval.
- The approved certificate is provided to the employer that requested the assessment.
- Results support the early detection and management of occupational health conditions.
Why it matters
Order 45 health assessments aim to:
- Protect worker health
- Identify early signs of occupational disease
- Support safe fitness-for-duty decisions
- Monitor trends over time
- Ensure compliance with NSW Coal Industry legislation
KINNECT clinic network
Find a KINNECT clinic near you.
Explore our current clinic locations. Service availability varies by clinic, so contact us to confirm the right location for this service.
Queensland
New South Wales
Victoria
Western Australia
South Australia
Northern Territory
Order 45 FAQs
Common questions.
Short answers to what we hear most often from coal mine operators and workers.
What is a Coal Mine Health Assessment?
A health assessment under Order 45 is a comprehensive medical evaluation of a coal mine worker's health status to determine fitness for work and to monitor for conditions linked to coal mining exposures. It is required for all NSW coal mine workers and must be completed by an approved medical practitioner.
Who must complete an Order 45 Health Assessment?
A "coal mine worker" includes any person working at a coal mine or coal handling / processing plant with potential exposure to dust, occupational noise or chemical hazards.
What does the employer receive?
The approved medical practitioner issues the applicable Order 45 Health Assessment Certificate. It is submitted with the assessment to Coal Services for approval, and the approved certificate is provided to the employer that requested the assessment. Release of other health assessment information requires the worker’s written consent, subject to the Order 45 requirements.
What is Coal Mine Workers' Pneumoconiosis?
Pneumoconiosis is a series of diseases caused by inhalation of organic or inorganic dusts or chemical irritants, typically from prolonged exposure. Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis (CWP) is a chronic occupational lung disease caused by long-term inhalation of coal dust. CWP ranges in severity from simple to advanced, with the most severe form being progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). Advanced CWP is debilitating and often fatal.
Is respirator fit testing still required?
Under Order 45, respirator fit testing is no longer mandatory and is an optional component. Where required, KINNECT delivers quantitative fit testing in accordance with AS/NZS 1715:2009, measuring leakage around the face seal and providing a numerical fit factor to confirm adequate protection for the individual.
Related services
Other pre-employment medicals we deliver.
Looking after a broader workforce? Explore sibling medicals in our Pre-Employment Medicals category.
QLD Coal Board Medicals
Coal Mine Workers' Health Scheme (CMWHS) medicals for Queensland coal mining roles.
Learn moreMines Rescue Medical (ERT / CMWHS)
Mines rescue and ERT medicals aligned to CMWHS requirements.
Learn moreRespirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) Medicals
Silica-exposed worker monitoring including spirometry, chest imaging and physician review.
Learn more
Get started
Starting an Order 45 program has never been easier.
KINNECT can help you schedule health assessments, reviews and retirement assessments, navigate the risk-based requirements and make sense of every certificate.
Talk to our team
Prefer to talk it through? Our team can walk you through Order 45 requirements and clinic options.
Call 1300 546 632Book a single medical
For individual bookings or small groups, use our Click & KINNECT online shop to book directly.
Book Online