Essential health checks: what to book and when

Man with beard and glasses doing blood pressure check

Published February 2026
Expert contributor: Dr James Kelly, NSW and ACT Deputy Chair, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Words by Angela Tufvesson


Regular health checks help you catch issues early. Stay on top of routine screenings and make staying healthy easier with the help of your private health cover.

It’s no surprise that, when it comes to staying healthy, prevention is key. But with our busy schedules, it can be difficult to prioritise preventive healthcare. According to 2022 research, 42% of Aussies aren’t aware of the health checks that are recommended for their age group, and 32% say they aren’t up to date.

From blood pressure and heart health checks to eye and hearing tests, regular health checks give you peace of mind and help you identify health issues early. Here’s how to keep up with them – and where your private health cover can help.

Why do you need regular health checks?

Health checks can help you identify health problems early. They also help assess individual risk factors such as high blood pressure, cholesterol levels or a family’s history of disease. This gives a clearer picture of your long-term health and can encourage you to make healthy lifestyle changes if needed.

Many health checks are included in your routine medical care and can be carried out by your GP. Some are performed by dentists, optometrists and other specialists. There are also national screening programs for bowel, breast and cervical cancer aimed at specific groups. 

Dr James Kelly, NSW and ACT Deputy Chair at the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), says having a regular GP carry out general health check-ups can help you stay up to date with health checks.

“As you reach certain milestones in life, we can guide you on the sorts of health checks you need,” he says. “Having someone who’s familiar with your care is probably one of the most important places to start in ensuring that you can attain your preventative health goals.”

Essential health checklist

Doctors recommend these health checks. Your GP may also recommend others, depending on your health and family history.

  • Blood pressure: High blood pressure is a big risk factor for heart disease, a leading cause of death in Australia. Have it checked every year if you’re over 40, your blood pressure is high, or you have a family history of high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke.
  • Cholesterol: High cholesterol can also increase your risk of heart disease. If you’re healthy and over the age of 45, have a blood test to check your cholesterol levels every five years.
  • Body mass index (BMI) and waist measurement: Being overweight, especially around your midsection, can increase your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Ask your doctor to check this every two years.
  • Type 2 diabetes: Your GP may also recommend an online assessment tool to check your risk of type 2 diabetes, and follow up with a blood glucose test if you have risk factors like a family history of diabetes, are over 55, have high blood pressure or are overweight.
  • Skin: Australia has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world, and Dr Kelly recommends a skin check every one or two years.
  • Dental: A check-up every six to 12 months can prevent problems and help keep your teeth, gums and whole mouth healthy.
  • Eyes: If you’re over 40, book in for an eye test every two to three years to check for vision problems and conditions like glaucoma and cataracts. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes or family history of eye disease, you should test more regularly.
  • Breasts: Women over 40 can have a free breast screen (mammogram) every two years as part of the BreastScreen Australia Program. If you’re aged between 50 and 74, you’ll receive an invitation in the mail. You should also do regular self-checks and speak to your doctor if you notice any changes (like lumps, pain, changes in nipple shape or unusual discharge).
  • Bowel cancer: People aged 50 to 74 will receive a bowel cancer screening kit in the post every two years. You can also request a bowel cancer screening kit if you’re aged 45 to 49.
  • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Most STIs don’t show symptoms. If you’re sexually active, it’s generally recommended that you have a sexual health check-up and STI test every 6 to 12 months – even if you’re in a long-term relationship and use condoms. Talk to your GP about what’s right for you.
  • Cervical cancer: Around 80 to 90% of people who are sexually active will be infected with human papilloma virus (HPV) – a common virus that can cause cervical cancer – in their life. If you have a cervix and are aged 25 to 74, you should have a cervical screening test every five years.

While vaccinations aren’t a health check-up, Dr Kelly says they are one of the most effective ways to prevent diseases and should be part of your regular schedule of health checks. “Vaccinations are a really important part of preventative health, especially the flu vaccine,” he says. He recommends checking with your GP about which vaccines you need and how often they’re given.

How private health cover can help

Private health insurance can make it easier to access preventative screenings like eye and dental checks, and gives you peace of mind that you’ll be covered if there’s an issue. Depending on your level of cover, you’ll also have freedom to choose your doctor or surgeon and avoid long waitlists.

With RT Health extras, you can get 100% back on a range of no-gap preventative dental services through our More for Teeth program, and on a range of prescription glasses, plus free digital dental services*, as part of an eye health check. You may also have access to allied health services like physiotherapy, dietetics and vaccines.

What you can do between health checks

Preventive healthcare is also about building small, everyday habits to help you feel your best. Simple steps like wearing sunscreen every day, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet all support long-term wellbeing.

Regular movement also makes a big difference – whether it’s a daily walk or weekly exercise classes. Eligible RT members can claim a benefit for their gym membership to help make exercise more affordable and easier to maintain.

And don’t forget to build in moments to unwind. Practising stress-relief techniques like deep breathing and mindfulness or taking time out for activities you enjoy can promote wellbeing.

Still have questions?

If you need some advice or want to know more, we’re here with you every step of the way to help you get more value from your cover. Our Member Care team can answer any questions you have. Give them a call on 1300 886 123 or get in touch via email to help@rthealth.com.au



* 100% back/no-gap at More for Teeth providers is available to members with RT Health extras cover. Waiting periods and annual limits apply. Providers are subject to change. We recommend that you confirm your chosen provider is part of More for Teeth prior to your appointment.

This wellbeing message is brought to you by the team at RT Health, a division of HCF, The Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Limited (ACN 000 026 746). This communication contains information which is copyright to HCF. It should not be copied, disclosed or distributed without the authority of HCF. Except as required by law, we do not represent, warrant and/or guarantee that this communication is free from errors, virus, interception or interference. All reasonable efforts have been taken to ensure the accuracy of material contained on our website. It’s not intended that this website be comprehensive or render advice. The information provided on this website is general information only and may not be suitable to your individual circumstances or health needs. Please check with your health professional before making any dietary, medical or other health decisions as a result of reading this website.