The 10 Health Checks Every Australian Over 60 Should Have — A Complete Guide
Prevention is genuinely better than cure — and nowhere is that more true than in the decade after 60, when the health decisions you make now have an outsized impact on how the next 20-30 years unfold. The good news is that many of the most serious health conditions affecting Australians over 60 are highly treatable when caught early — and several of the most important health checks are fully covered by Medicare at no cost. Here are the 10 health checks every Australian over 60 should have — what they involve, how often to get them, and why they matter.
Why Health Checks Matter More After 60
As we age, our bodies change in ways that increase the risk of certain conditions — cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, cognitive decline, and sensory loss among them. Many of these conditions develop silently, without obvious symptoms, until they reach a point where treatment is significantly more difficult.
Regular health checks identify these conditions early — when treatment options are most effective, least invasive, and most likely to preserve quality of life and independence. Getting regular health checks means issues can be picked up or treated early before they snowball, increasing your chances of effective treatment if something is picked up.
The single most important thing you can do with this list is book an appointment with your GP — show them this guide if it helps, and ask which checks are most relevant for your specific health history and risk factors.
Health Check 1 — Heart Health Check
Why it matters: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally for men and women. Four out of five adults in Australia are living with hypertension by the age of 75 — yet the symptoms of heart disease can go completely undetected until a serious event occurs.
What’s involved: A heart health check with your GP measures blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other cardiovascular risk factors — and uses this information to calculate your overall risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years. Your GP can then recommend lifestyle changes or treatment to meaningfully reduce that risk.
Who it’s for: All Australians aged 45 and over are eligible for a Medicare-rebated heart health check. Only 55% of Australian men and 39% of women over 45 had a heart health check in the past two years — meaning a significant proportion of older Australians are missing this potentially life-saving check.
How often: As recommended by your GP based on your risk factors — typically every 1-2 years.
Cost: Medicare-rebated for all Australians aged 45 and over — ask your GP to include this in your next appointment.
Health Check 2 — Blood Pressure Check
Why it matters: High blood pressure — hypertension — is one of the most common and most serious health conditions affecting older Australians, and one of the most significant risk factors for heart disease and stroke. It almost never causes symptoms until it causes a serious event.
What’s involved: A simple, painless cuff measurement — takes less than two minutes. Can be done at your GP, pharmacy, or with a home blood pressure monitor.
The target: For most people over 60, a blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg is the current Australian guideline recommendation — though your GP will advise on your specific target based on your overall health.
How often: At least every 12 months — more frequently if you have elevated readings or are managing hypertension with medication.
Cost: Included in any GP consultation — bulk-billed if your GP bulk bills.
Health Check 3 — Cholesterol and Blood Lipids
Why it matters: High cholesterol — particularly high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol — is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Like blood pressure, it causes no symptoms and is only identified through a blood test.
What’s involved: A fasting blood test ordered by your GP — you fast for 9-12 hours before the test, which measures total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and triglycerides.
How often: Every 1-5 years depending on your results and risk profile — your GP will advise.
Cost: Medicare-rebated when ordered by a GP.
Health Check 4 — Blood Sugar — Diabetes Screening
Why it matters: Type 2 diabetes affects more than 1.3 million Australians and is significantly more common after 60. Left unmanaged, it causes serious damage to the kidneys, eyes, nerves, and cardiovascular system — all of which are largely preventable with early detection and management.
At 60, the pancreas doesn’t work as well as it once did, and there are multiple other factors affecting diabetes risk — making regular screening genuinely important in this decade.
What’s involved: A fasting blood glucose test or HbA1c blood test — both ordered by your GP and done at a pathology lab.
How often: Every 3 years if you have risk factors — every year if you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, or if previous tests have been abnormal.
Cost: Medicare-rebated when ordered by a GP.
Health Check 5 — Bowel Cancer Screening
Why it matters: Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in Australia — but it is also one of the most treatable when caught early. Early-stage bowel cancer has a survival rate of over 90%. Late-stage bowel cancer is significantly harder to treat.
What’s involved: A simple home testing kit — the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program mails free kits to eligible Australians every two years. The test takes about ten minutes and involves collecting small samples from two bowel motions and mailing the kit to a pathology lab. No bowel preparation or dietary restrictions are required.
From 1 July 2024, the eligibility for free bowel cancer screening was extended to include people aged 45 to 49 — so if you’re in this age group and haven’t received your kit yet, contact 1800 118 868 or visit cancerscreening.gov.au.
How often: Every two years — kits are mailed automatically to eligible Australians.
Cost: Completely free — posted to your home.
Important: Don’t put the kit aside when it arrives. The participation rate for bowel cancer screening in Australia remains lower than it should be — a few minutes of mild inconvenience is a very small investment for potentially life-saving early detection.
Health Check 6 — Skin Check
Why it matters: Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world — and cumulative UV exposure over a lifetime of outdoor activity means that skin cancer risk is significantly elevated after 60. Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70. The earlier it is detected, the more straightforward the treatment.
What’s involved: A full body skin examination by a GP or dermatologist — checking all skin surfaces for any suspicious spots, moles, or lesions. A dermatoscope allows closer examination of any areas of concern.
How often: Every 6-12 months if you are at high risk — annually for most people over 60. Between professional checks, a monthly self-examination is recommended to notice any new or changing spots.
Cost: Medicare-rebated when done by a GP — specialist dermatologist appointments may involve an out-of-pocket cost.
Health Check 7 — Eye Test
Why it matters: Vision changes are a normal part of ageing — but regular eye tests detect serious conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration that, if left untreated, can cause significant vision loss. Eye tests can also detect signs of diabetes and high blood pressure that may not have been picked up elsewhere.
Hearing and vision loss are also a big contributor to falls — making regular testing important not just for vision itself but for overall safety and independence.
What’s involved: A comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist — takes around 30-45 minutes and checks visual acuity, eye pressure, and the health of the retina and surrounding structures. No referral from a GP is needed.
How often: After 65 — every year, covered by Medicare annually. Under 65 — every three years, covered by Medicare. If you have symptoms or a family history of eye disease — more frequently as recommended by your optometrist.
Cost: Medicare covers one bulk-billed eye test per year for those over 65, and one every three years for those under 65. Not all optometrists bulk bill — check before booking.
Health Check 8 — Hearing Test
Why it matters: Around one third of older Australians experience hearing loss — and it is one of the most commonly underdiagnosed and undertreated health conditions in this age group. Untreated hearing loss is linked to cognitive decline, social isolation, depression, and increased fall risk.
Untreated hearing loss is one of the largest modifiable risk factors for dementia — making hearing testing and treatment genuinely important for brain health as well as communication.
What’s involved: A hearing test conducted by an audiologist — typically takes 30-60 minutes and assesses your ability to hear at different frequencies and volumes.
How often: Annually from age 65 — or at any age if you notice changes in your hearing.
Cost: The Australian Government offers free hearing tests and subsidised hearing devices to Australians with hearing loss, including people holding a Pensioner Concession Card — through the Government’s Hearing Services Program. Contact your GP for a referral.
Health Check 9 — Bone Density Scan — Osteoporosis Screening
Why it matters: Osteoporosis — the thinning of bones — affects approximately 29% of Australian women aged 75 and over and 10% of men in the same age group. Osteoporotic fractures — particularly hip fractures — are a leading cause of hospitalisation, loss of independence, and mortality in older Australians.
What’s involved: A DXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan — a quick, painless low-dose X-ray that measures bone density at the hip and spine. You lie flat on a padded table while a scanning arm passes over your body — takes 10-15 minutes.
Who needs it: Healthy Bones Australia recommends a bone density scan for men and women over 50 with risk factors — including low body weight, family history of osteoporosis, long-term corticosteroid use, or premature menopause.
How often: As recommended by your GP based on your risk factors and previous results — typically every 2-5 years.
Cost: Medicare-rebated when ordered by a GP for people with risk factors.
Health Check 10 — Cognitive Screening
Why it matters: Early detection of cognitive decline — including the early signs of dementia — allows for earlier access to treatment, support services, and planning while the person with cognitive changes can still fully participate in those decisions.
As I wrote in the early warning signs of dementia most people miss — the early signs of dementia are subtle and easy to dismiss, and families almost always look back and recognise signs that were present long before a diagnosis was made.
What’s involved: Cognitive screening is typically part of a comprehensive GP consultation — your GP may use standardised tools like the MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) or MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) to assess memory, attention, language, and executive function.
Who needs it: Anyone with concerns about their own memory or thinking, or whose family has noticed changes — should speak to their GP. Cognitive screening is also included in the Medicare 75+ Health Assessment.
How often: As part of regular GP consultations — or any time you or a family member notice concerning changes.
Cost: Included in GP consultations — bulk-billed if your GP bulk bills.
Bonus — The Medicare 75+ Health Assessment
For Australians aged 75 and over — there is one additional health check worth knowing about.
The 75+ Health Assessment is a Medicare-funded health check for older Australians — a structured consultation provided by your GP and practice nurse that covers your medical, physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. The goal is to identify health issues early, support independence, and reduce hospital admissions by promoting proactive healthcare.
The assessment covers medical history review, medication management, functional assessment (mobility, balance, falls risk, continence, hearing and vision), cognitive screening, mental health review, and social supports and safety.
Cost: Fully covered by Medicare — no out-of-pocket cost. How often: Annually from age 75. How to access: Ask your GP to schedule a 75+ Health Assessment at your next appointment.
Cancer Screenings Worth Knowing About
Breast cancer screening — women aged 50-74: Free screening mammogram every two years through BreastScreen Australia — call 13 20 50 or visit breastscreen.gov.au to book. Women aged 40-49 and 75+ can also access the service on request.
Cervical cancer screening — women aged 25-74: Cervical Screening Test every five years — replaced the Pap smear in 2017 and is significantly more effective at detecting HPV, the virus that causes most cervical cancers.
Prostate cancer screening — men over 50: Unlike bowel, breast, and cervical cancer, there is no formal national prostate cancer screening program in Australia. Men over 50 — particularly those with a family history — should discuss PSA testing with their GP.
Lung cancer screening: Australia is in the process of establishing a national lung cancer screening program for high-risk individuals — ask your GP about your eligibility and current options.
A Practical Approach — Making the Most of Your GP Appointments
Book a dedicated health review appointment Rather than raising health checks at the end of an appointment booked for another reason — book a dedicated health review appointment with your GP and bring this list. Tell the receptionist you want a longer appointment for a comprehensive health check — most practices offer 30-45 minute review appointments for this purpose.
Know your family history Many screening intervals and thresholds depend on your family history — knowing whether parents or siblings have had heart disease, diabetes, cancer, or dementia allows your GP to tailor recommendations to your specific risk profile.
Keep a record Keep a simple record of when you last had each check — either on paper or in your phone. It’s easy to lose track, particularly for checks that are only required every few years.
Use My Health Record Australia’s My Health Record system allows your GP, specialists, and other health providers to access your health information — including test results, medications, and referrals. If you haven’t activated your My Health Record, it’s worth doing at myhealthrecord.gov.au.
Key Contacts and Resources
| Resource | Contact |
|---|---|
| BreastScreen Australia | 13 20 50 |
| National Bowel Cancer Screening Program | 1800 118 868 |
| National Cervical Screening Program | Contact your GP |
| Australian Government Hearing Services | 1800 500 726 |
| National Dementia Helpline | 1800 100 500 |
| healthdirect — health advice line | 1800 022 222 |
| My Health Record | myhealthrecord.gov.au |
The Bottom Line
The checks on this list are not about searching for problems. They are about staying ahead of conditions that are significantly more manageable when caught early — and most of them are free or substantially subsidised through Medicare.
The single most important action is to book a comprehensive review with your GP — take this list with you, work through it together, and come away with a clear picture of where you stand and what checks are due.
Your health after 60 is one of your most valuable assets. These checks are how you protect it.
Have you had all the health checks on this list? Share your experience in The Good Years Club community — and let us know if there’s anything you’d add 💙
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