What is the coal board medical?
The coal board medical is a compulsory health assessment for Queensland coal mine workers. Business Queensland says the scheme, formerly the Coal Board Medical, is now the Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme. Its stated purpose is to determine fitness for work and to give early diagnosis and intervention for respiratory diseases, including coal mine workers’ pneumoconiosis and silicosis. It operates under the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999, and the assessment content is set out in the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017.
Who needs a coal board medical?
Workers employed in high-risk tasks in Queensland coal mines. Business Queensland says low-risk workers, such as office staff, are excluded. The assessment is needed before a person starts work as a mine worker, and again when changing employers.
It is a different requirement from the Queensland coal mine induction. See our Standard 11 guide for that.
What is tested in a coal board medical?
Business Queensland lists these parts of the assessment:
- A chest X-ray, dual-read by NIOSH-accredited B-readers to detect coal mine dust lung diseases
- Spirometry (lung function)
- A clinical examination
- A work and medical history
- A high-resolution CT scan (HRCT) if abnormalities are found, plus specialist referrals
How often do you need a coal board medical?
Business Queensland says an assessment is needed:
- before a person starts work as a mine worker and when changing employers
- at least once every 5 years while working in the industry
- if the Authorised Medical Adviser decides it is necessary after receiving a notice under section 49
A previous exam, such as a chest X-ray, may be relied on if it is in date and the new medical adviser agrees. Workers who are retiring can request an exit assessment, and former workers can use the scheme voluntarily.
Where do you get a coal board medical?
Through your employer. Business Queensland says employers must appoint medical practitioners as appointed medical advisers (AMAs, previously nominated medical advisers) who carry out, supervise and report on the assessments. From 1 March 2019 an AMA must come from the register of doctors and medical providers kept by Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ), and the employer chooses which AMA to use. The page does not say a worker can pick their own, so ask your employer or labour hire company where to go. A worker can ask to discuss results with another doctor the worker nominates.
How much does a coal board medical cost?
You should not pay for your first one. Business Queensland says the employer pays for the worker’s health assessment and exit assessment, including referrals, tests and reasonable travel expenses for further investigations. The worker pays for a second assessment if the first finds them unfit and they ask for another. Treatment costs are not the employer’s responsibility. Business Queensland does not publish a dollar amount, so none is given here.
What about coal mines in NSW?
NSW has its own scheme run by Coal Services. Its Order 45 took effect on 1 January 2026. Coal Services says employers must make sure every prospective coal mine worker and coal mine worker has a health assessment, including chest imaging, on entering the NSW coal industry and every 3 years after that. Where reasonably practicable, the employer must allow time in rostered hours to attend, and otherwise pay the worker for their time. See our NSW mining jobs guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the coal board medical?
It is the common name for the compulsory health assessment for Queensland coal mine workers. Business Queensland says the scheme, formerly called the Coal Board Medical, is now the Coal Mine Workers' Health Scheme. Its job is to check a worker is fit for work and to find respiratory disease such as coal mine dust lung disease early.
How often do you need a coal board medical?
Business Queensland says an assessment is needed before a person starts work as a mine worker and when changing employers, at least once every 5 years, and if the Authorised Medical Adviser decides it is necessary after receiving a notice under section 49. An in-date earlier exam, for example a chest X-ray, may be relied on if the new medical adviser agrees.
Who pays for the coal board medical?
Business Queensland says the employer must arrange and pay for the worker's health assessment, including referrals, tests and reasonable travel expenses for further investigations. If a first assessment finds a worker unfit and the worker wants a second assessment, the worker covers the cost of that. Business Queensland does not list a dollar amount, so we do not quote one.
What is tested in the coal board medical?
Business Queensland lists a chest X-ray read by NIOSH-accredited B-readers, spirometry (lung function), a clinical examination and a work and medical history. A high-resolution CT scan and specialist referrals follow if something abnormal turns up.
Can I choose my own doctor for the coal board medical?
Not as a rule. Employers appoint the medical practitioners (appointed medical advisers) who carry out the assessments, and from 1 March 2019 they must come from the register kept by Resources Safety and Health Queensland. The worker can ask to discuss the results with another doctor the worker nominates. Ask your employer or labour hire company who they use.
Is the coal board medical the same as Standard 11?
No. Standard 11 is a training and induction requirement for Queensland coal mines. The coal board medical is a health assessment. They are separate requirements, so see our Standard 11 guide for the induction.
Does NSW have a coal board medical?
Not under that name. NSW coal mine workers go through health assessments set by Coal Services under Order 45, in force from 1 January 2026. Coal Services says every prospective coal mine worker and coal mine worker must have a health assessment, including chest imaging, on entering the NSW coal industry and every 3 years after that.
Sources
Last updated 8 October 2026. Facts on this page come from the sources below.
- Business Queensland: Coal Mine Workers' Health Scheme
- Business Queensland: Frequency and content of health assessments
- Business Queensland: Purpose of the scheme
- Business Queensland: Fees for health assessments
- Business Queensland: Appointed medical advisers
- Coal Services: Order 45, a guide to health surveillance in the NSW coal industry (November 2025)
Rules change. Confirm current requirements with your employer, the mine and Resources Safety and Health Queensland before you rely on this page.
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