‘Problematic’: Police Fitness Assessments Shifted to GPs
16 Oct 2025
The new policy, which took effect in July, requires aspiring officers to undergo a comprehensive medical assessment by their nominated GP, including a five-year review of medical suitability and a current health examination.
Previously, these assessments were conducted by Victoria Police medical officers.
Lack of Consultation and Cost Concerns
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) was informed of the changes but not consulted, prompting concerns from RACGP Victoria Chair Dr Anita Muñoz, who described the shift as “highly problematic.”
Dr Muñoz said the cost implications must be clarified, as pre-employment assessments are not eligible for Medicare rebates.
“You cannot charge Medicare for doing an assessment for which the purpose is pre-employment assessment,” she told newsGP.
“Any person who sees a GP for pre-employment assessment has to pay for that entirely themselves, or the recruiting organisation has to pay for it entirely on behalf of the candidate.”
Clinical and Legal Risks for GPs
Dr Muñoz also questioned the clinical validity and medico-legal safety of the new process, given the wide range of roles within Victoria Police.
“It is impossible for a GP in a single setting to say that they know, now and into the future, that a person is psychologically fit and will remain fit,” she said.
“Risk assessments are inherently uncertain and clinically unreliable in predicting future risk. They’re point-in-time assessments, not predictions.”
She warned that GPs could be placed in legally vulnerable positions, potentially having to defend their clinical judgments years later.
The RACGP Chair further noted that the policy assumes candidates have had consistent GP care for at least five years, which is often not the case.
“That assumption creates an ethical challenge for GPs — not all applicants will have complete medical records summarised in a single episode of care,” she said.
Victoria Police Response
In a statement to newsGP, a Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed that medical assessments have been carried out by GPs since 1 July, as part of efforts to create a “more flexible, efficient, and applicant-focused recruitment process.”
The spokesperson said the process is supported by detailed medical guidelines, and includes two psychometric tests, followed by a psychological evaluation facilitated by the applicant’s GP.
“Applicants who progress past psychometric testing are required to undertake a separate psychological assessment with their GP,” they said.
“GPs receive a summary of any critical items identified in these tests from a Victoria Police psychologist, and may refer applicants to specialists where needed before making a decision.”
Victoria Police stated that the process remains within the scope of general practice, with most GPs approached agreeing to facilitate the assessments.
“GPs’ strict clinical, ethical, and legislative standards will help maintain our high standards of entry,” the spokesperson said.
Broader Context
The recruitment policy overhaul comes amid ongoing police workforce shortages in Victoria, as reported by Nine Newspapers.
The move has drawn comparisons to Western Australia’s firearm health assessment laws, introduced earlier this year, requiring gun owners to undergo five-yearly medical and psychological assessments. That policy also faced criticism from GPs, who cited ethical concerns, legal risks, and strain on patient–doctor relationships.
More information about the new recruitment requirements is available on the Victoria Police website.
Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing; RACGP Victoria; newsGP; Victoria Police; Nine Newspapers.
