Life gets busy. Between work, family, and everything else that fills a week, booking a health check is one of the easiest things to keep pushing to next month. Most of the time, nothing bad comes of it. But some of the health checks Australian adults commonly overlook are exactly the ones that catch serious conditions early, usually at the stage where treatment is straightforward and outcomes are excellent.
This guide walks through the most important health checks many adults forget to book, why each one matters, and how to fit them into a schedule that doesn’t feel overwhelming.
Why Preventive Health Checks Matter More Than You Think
Preventive health checks are designed to find issues before symptoms appear. Conditions like high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, early diabetes, and several common cancers develop quietly for years. By the time symptoms show, treatment is usually harder.
The good news is that in Australia, most key screening programs are free or heavily subsidised through Medicare. So, the challenge is not the cost anymore, but remembering to actually book them.
The Health Checks Adults Most Commonly Skip
Here are the ones we see people put off most often, and why each is worth prioritising.
The Annual GP Check-Up
An annual GP check-up is the foundation of good preventive care. It’s where your GP reviews your history, checks your basic numbers, and works out which age-appropriate screening you’re due for. If it’s been more than 18 months since your last check-in, it’s worth booking one.
Blood Pressure Check
A blood pressure check takes two minutes but catches one of the biggest silent risks. High blood pressure causes no symptoms until it triggers a heart attack, stroke, or kidney damage.
According to HealthDirect, around one in three Australian adults have high blood pressure, and many don’t know it. Because of that, adults should have a check at least every two years, and more often after 40.
Cholesterol Test (Lipid Profile)
A cholesterol test, sometimes called a lipid profile, measures the balance of fats in your blood. Elevated cholesterol contributes to cardiovascular disease but causes no symptoms on its own. Most adults should have a check every five years from age 45, and earlier with a family history of heart disease.
Diabetes Screening
Diabetes screening through an HbA1c or fasting blood glucose test is recommended for adults over 40 (or over 35 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults). Early detection makes a substantial difference to long-term outcomes, and even “pre-diabetes” can often be reversed with lifestyle changes when caught early.
Bowel Cancer Screening
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is one of the most under-used life-saving tools available to Australians. According to the Australian Government Department of Health, if bowel cancer is found early, more than 90% of cases can be successfully treated, yet just over 40% of eligible Australians complete the test.
- Ages 50 to 74 — a free at-home kit is posted every 2 years
- Ages 45 to 49 — you can request your first free kit by webform or by calling 1800 627 701
If yours has been sitting in a drawer, this is your reminder.
Cervical Screening Test
For women, transgender men, and non-binary people with a cervix aged 25 to 74, the cervical screening test is recommended every five years. It replaced the older Pap smear in 2017 and is more effective at detecting the HPV virus that causes almost all cervical cancers.
Self-collection is now available, so make sure to ask your GP about it.
Skin Cancer Check
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, so a skin cancer check is one of the smartest preventive steps you can take. Most GPs recommend an annual full-body check, and more often if you have fair skin, a history of skin cancer, or noticeable sun damage.
Eye Test and Glaucoma Screening
An eye test every two years (more often after 65) catches vision changes and screens for glaucoma, a leading cause of preventable blindness that develops with no early symptoms. Optometrists are covered by Medicare for eligible patients, so a comprehensive eye exam is often free.
Heart Health Risk Assessment
A heart health risk assessment is available on Medicare for adults over 45 (or over 30 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients). Using your blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking status, and family history, your GP calculates your estimated five-year risk of a heart attack or stroke and works with you on lowering it.
What Comprehensive Health Checks Look Like Together
Individually, each of these is a small commitment. Together, they form a set of comprehensive health checks that give you a strong preventive framework for your health. The easiest way to stay on top of them is to book your annual GP check-up first. From there, your GP can map out what’s due, what can wait, and how to spread everything across the year.
A Small Investment of Time, A Big Return in Peace of Mind
Health checks rarely feel urgent, which is exactly why they’re the first thing to slip off a busy calendar. But every check in this guide has a strong evidence base for catching serious conditions early, and each one is far easier to manage when caught sooner.
If you’re thinking of getting health checks in or near Meroo St, Bomaderry, our team at Meroo Street Family Practice provides health checks and advice for adults across Bomaderry, Nowra, and the wider Shoalhaven.
Book your appointment online or call us on (02) 4421 4655.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should Adults Have a General Health Check?
Most healthy adults benefit from a general check-up every one to two years. If you have chronic conditions, a family history of certain illnesses, or specific risk factors, your GP may recommend more frequent visits.
Are Preventive Health Checks Covered by Medicare?
Many are, including bowel cancer screening, cervical screening, breast screening, and Medicare-funded health assessments for eligible age groups. From 1 November 2025, all GP consultations at Meroo Street Family Practice are also bulk billed, so most of the time the check-up itself incurs no out-of-pocket cost.
What’s the Difference Between a Health Check and a Health Assessment?
A general health check is a broad review of your current health and screening needs. A comprehensive health assessment is a longer, Medicare-funded appointment offered to specific groups, usually adults 75 and over, adults 45 to 49 at risk of chronic disease, and adults 40 to 49 at risk of type 2 diabetes.
I Feel Fine — Do I Really Need a Check-Up?
Yes. Most of the conditions preventive checks screen for cause no symptoms in their early stages, which is exactly why regular checks matter. Feeling well is not the same as being well.
How Do I Know Which Health Checks I’m Due For?
The simplest way is to book an appointment with your GP and ask. We’ll review your age, history, and risk factors and give you a clear list of what to do now and what can wait.