NSW Order 45 Coal Board Medical
NSW coal mine workers medical by Approved Medical Practitioners
Looking for a fast and reliable NSW Order 45 coal board medical? Assist Group is a nationally accredited Approved Medical Provider under the NSW Coal Mine Workers' Health Scheme.
We deliver Order 45 coal board medicals to the current Coal Services standard. This includes chest X-rays reported to the ILO standard and independently reviewed by two B-reader radiologists, as required by Order 45.
Book Your NSW Order 45 Coal Board Medical Today
Book a NSW coal board medical today by phoning our medical reception on 1300 475 269, or submit your details in the contact form at the bottom of this page.
What's Involved
Before your appointment, your employer completes a Role Requirements form with your position, risk category, and work exposures. Your appointment can't go ahead without a risk category.
At the appointment, you'll complete the Order 45 consent form, a medical history questionnaire, and a respiratory questionnaire.
The physical assessment typically includes:
- Anthropometrics (height, weight, BMI)
- Vision (near, distance, colour)
- Audiometry
- Spirometry (lung function)
- Cardiovascular examination
- Urinalysis
- Brief musculoskeletal assessment
- Chest x-ray to ILO standard
- Respirator fit testing, if requested by your employer
Your Approved Medical Practitioner then issues a Health Assessment Certificate, which indicates fitness for work and any restrictions. The certificate is sent to your employer and submitted to Coal Services.
One Health Assessment for New and Existing Workers
Order 45 uses one health assessment for workers new to the industry and for routine three-yearly assessments. It replaces the Order 43 pre-placement and periodic medicals.
A health assessment is valid until 31 December of the third calendar year after it's completed. If you change employers, you can use it for the same position at the same or a lower risk category.
Your employer may also request pre-employment add-ons, which sit outside Order 45:
Common pre-employment add-ons:
- Drug and alcohol screening (instant or laboratory)
- Sub-maximal aerobic capacity testing (Mines Rescue staff)
- Functional strength, manual handling and fitness testing
Periodic assessments may include additional investigations such as ECG and blood pathology where indicated by your Risk Category, SEG or clinical findings.
Risk Categories
Your employer assigns your risk category based on the tasks in your role. The health assessment is the same for every category. The category helps your doctor choose the right follow-up investigations if a medical condition is found.
- Category A: Safety critical. Sudden medical incapacity may directly cause a serious incident affecting others.
- Category B: Safety sensitive. Sudden medical incapacity may directly cause a serious incident affecting themselves, not others.
- Category C: Non-safety sensitive. Sudden medical incapacity will not lead to a serious incident affecting others.
If no category is assigned by the day of your appointment, you may be assessed at Category A by default. Call 1300 475 269 if you're unsure.
What's Changed Under Order 45
From 1 January 2026, Order 45 replaced Order 43:
- Employers must assign each worker a risk category (A, B or C)
- One unified assessment replaces separate pre-placement and periodic medicals
- Respirator fit testing is optional, not compulsory
- Coal mine worker definition is now exposure-based, not location-based
Why Assist Group
- Nationally accredited Approved Medical Provider under the NSW Coal Mine Workers' Health Scheme
- 40 years in industrial and occupational medicine, since 1986
- Same business day response to enquiries
- Fast & reliable results
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a coal board medical?
A NSW coal board medical is a health assessment required under the Coal Services Health Monitoring Requirements for Coal Mine Workers Order No. 45 (Order 45). It applies to workers at NSW coal mines and coal handling preparation plants who are, or have previously been, exposed to airborne contaminants, hazardous chemicals or occupational noise. Order 45 replaced Order 43 on 1 January 2026.
How much does a NSW coal board medical cost?
The cost of a NSW coal board medical varies by clinic location and any add-ons your employer requests, such as drug and alcohol screening or respirator fit testing. Call 1300 475 269 for a quote.
Can you fail a coal board medical?
Yes. You can be assessed as medically unfit for the position in the nominated risk category. Your health assessment certificate uses a traffic-light rating: green means fit and red means unfit. The ratings in between mean a condition needs ongoing monitoring or places a restriction on part of the role. Where follow-up is needed, you may receive a conditional clearance subject to a health assessment review.
How long does a coal board medical last?
A NSW coal board medical under Order 45 lasts three years, up to 31 December of the third calendar year. If a condition needs follow-up, you may need a health assessment review sooner. The review period is shown on your certificate, such as 3, 6 or 12 months.
What is a Health Assessment Review under Order 45?
A Health Assessment Review is a mandatory follow-up under Order 45, triggered when a medical condition is identified that may affect your ability to perform safely. If your initial assessment results in a conditional clearance, the Review must be completed within the timeframe on your certificate or the certificate will expire.
Is my Order 43 medical still valid under Order 45?
Only if you stay with the same employer. Under the Order 45 transitional arrangements, an Order 43 periodic medical completed within the previous three years is recognised. If you entered the NSW coal industry in the three years before Order 45 started and haven't had a periodic medical, your first Order 43 pre-placement medical is recognised instead. If you change employers, you need a new Order 45 health assessment.
Can I use my Order 45 health assessment with a new employer?
Yes, if it is still valid, the position is the same and the new risk category is the same as or lower than the one on your certificate. If the new position is different or has a higher risk category, you need a new health assessment.
Do I need a new chest x-ray for Order 45?
Yes, if your last chest x-ray was done under Order 43. Order 45 chest x-rays must be reported to the ILO classification and independently reviewed by two B-reader accredited radiologists. Order 43 x-rays were not dual-read, so they don't meet the Order 45 standard.
How do I get a copy of my coal board medical certificate?
Your employer must give you a copy of your health assessment certificate within four weeks of receiving it. For older records held by Coal Services, complete their request to release form. Assist Group clients can also call 1300 475 269.
Book Your NSW Order 45 Coal Board Medical Today
Assist Group is a nationally accredited Approved Medical Provider for the NSW Coal Mine Workers' Health Scheme.
Book a NSW coal board medical today by phoning our medical reception on 1300 475 269, or submit your details in the contact form at the bottom of this page.
Medically Reviewed by Dr Peter Aldridge
Chief Medical Officer, Assist Group
WorkCover-accredited Medical Practitioner – Hazardous Substances
40 years’ experience in Industrial and Occupational Medicine
Last updated: October 2026
Dr. Peter Aldridge, Co-founder & Senior Medical Consultant at Assist Group Australia. Dr Peter has over 40 years’ experience in the field of Industrial Medicine and is a WorkCover-accredited Medical Practitioner for Hazardous Substances.