The health checks you do (and probably don’t) need

Published October 2025 | 5 min read
Expert contributors: Dr Andrew Cottrill, Chief Medical Officer, HCF; Dr Marny Lishman, psychologist
Words by Lucy E Cousins

Not all health checks might be worth your time or money. Discover which medical tests experts recommend.

No matter your age or stage, regular medical check-ups are an important part of maintaining your health and wellbeing. Staying on top of a few essential checks like eye tests, skin checks and dental check-ups can offer peace of mind and support the early detection and treatment of common health concerns.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you should worry about having every test or health check under the sun. If your social media feed is filled with seemingly ‘magic’ health checks – like full-body scans, early-detection cancer scans and ‘egg timer’ fertility tests – HCF’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Andrew Cottrill says not to rush to book an appointment.

“Screening for every possible condition might seem like a proactive choice, but more medical testing doesn't necessarily mean better care. And in fact, it can be harmful,” he says.

Especially, he adds, as there’s a growing percentage of social media health content that isn’t accurate – or backed by experts.

This guide will help you distinguish the health checks you need from the ones you probably don’t.

What are the health checks you should regularly get?

The following screening programs are designed for Australians who aren’t experiencing any symptoms – so don’t be tempted to skip them, even if you feel healthy. If you're experiencing unusual symptoms or have any concerns, see your GP.

Skin check for melanoma

There’s no set government guideline regarding how often Australians should get their skin checked, but about one in three adults aged 45 to 69 report having a whole‐body skin check annually. Cancer Council also recommends regularly monitoring your own skin via self-examination and visiting a GP if you notice any changes or new suspicious spots.

If you’ve got a high risk of skin cancer, speak with your GP about how often you might need to be checked. Thanks to our partnership with MoleMap, we’re offering eligible members^* a free skin check at special HCF sessions held at selected HCF Centres and MoleMap clinics throughout the year. Appointments are limited, and you must book through the link on this page to take advantage of the offer, not directly with MoleMap.

Dental check-up

Generally, you should get a dental check-up every six to 12 months, unless your dentist has advised you otherwise. Through our No-Gap dental program, members who go to an HCF Dental Centre or More for Teeth provider can get 100% back^{^} on a range of common diagnostic and preventive services, depending on their level of cover and annual limits^{^}.

Eye test

Australians over 40 should have an eye test every two to three years, and more often if they have diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of eye disease. Eligible HCF members can get a digital retinal imaging with an eye test at no additional cost through participating More for Eyes providers, plus get up to 100% back^{^} on a range of prescription glasses⁺ through our No-Gap network.

Hearing check

Most audiologists say adults over 60 should get their hearing checked annually, while younger adults should get a hearing test every three to five years. Through HCF’s partnership with Connect Hearing, eligible members could get up to 100% back^{^} (or a reduced cost) on a range of high-quality hearing aids.

Cervical screening

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers and most cervical cancers occur in people who have never screened or don’t screen regularly. Women (or anyone with a cervix) should have the Cervical Screening Test every five years between the ages of 25 and 74.

Heart and diabetes check

Annual heart checks are recommended for people aged 45 and above (30 and above for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and 35 and above if you’re living with diabetes).

Type 2 diabetes screening tests are recommended every three years if you’re over the age of 40, and annually for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 18 and above. Eligible members can get a free HCF Heart and Diabetes Health Check at selected locations and dates^#.

Bowel cancer screening

Australians aged 45 to 74 can do a free bowel cancer test at home every two years as part of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. If you’re outside the free testing ages, you might still be eligible to claim towards the bowel cancer screening kit under your extras cover.

Breast screening

Depending on your family history and health risks, a breast check is recommended every two years. Women aged 50 to 74 are invited to get a free mammogram through BreastScreen Australia, while women aged 40 to 49 and those over 74 can book a free mammogram, but won’t be invited to do so. 

Bone density scan

A bone density scan (also called a DEXA scan) is recommended for men and women over 50 with risk factors for osteoporosis like low body weight, premature menopause, family history of osteoporosis or excessive alcohol consumption.

STI screening

Looking after your sexual health is important at every age and it’s recommended anyone who is sexually active should have regular STI tests every six to 12 months, even if you’re in a long-term relationship and use condoms. You should also be tested if you have a new sexual partner, and more often if you have multiple sexual partners.

What about the tests you see on social media?

With the wellness industry dominating social media, psychologist Dr Marny Lishman says it’s not surprising we’re seeking out ‘quick fixes’ from social media influencers we feel we know.

“In a time-poor world, influencers sharing information about trending health tests that offer a holistic look at our health are naturally going to excite us,” she explains. “Especially as influencers tend to present and lure us with a health problem before offering the solution, which is buying their product or service.”

But Dr Cottrill says Australians need to be discerning when it comes to non-GP-led information about health screenings, especially as a recent study from the University of Sydney found social media influencers have been promoting ‘overwhelmingly’ misleading information about certain medical tests.

Out of nearly 1,000 social media posts about five controversial medical screening tests (promoted to almost 200 million followers), only 6% mentioned scientific evidence. Plus, 68% of influencers and other account holders had financial interests in promoting certain tests.

Why you don’t need every medical test

One test highlighted in the study is the ‘egg timer’ or AMH test. “It’s being heavily marketed to women by influencers as a way of measuring fertility, but experts do not consider it to be reliable,” says Dr Brooke Nickel, who led the research. “There’s the concern that a low result discovered outside the context of a specific medical issue may drive some women to unnecessary, costly fertility interventions.”

While AMH is routinely measured during IVF and fertility panels by qualified specialists, it can only tell you the number of eggs left in the ovaries, nothing about egg quality. So it’s best to visit your GP who can refer you to a specialist if you’re keen to test your fertility.

Another example in the study is the full-body MRI scan, which claims to test for up to 500 conditions. Yet there’s no evidence of benefit for healthy people, and the study found there were dangers relating to unnecessary diagnoses and overtreatment.

“When you screen for conditions where there’s a very, very low risk, you’re exposing patients to anxiety with information that may not actually indicate something is wrong, but may result in having more invasive tests,” explains Dr Cottrill. “And those invasive tests carry risks, can be expensive and may not be necessary.”

Instead, he says GPs are trained in what they should recommend in terms of screening and should be seen as a first port of call for any potential health issues.

“The guidelines written by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners lay out what GPs should screen for, when they should screen their patients and who should be screened,” he explains. “This approach is evidence based, it minimises the common risks and it gives information that’s actually useful about your health.”

How to take charge of your health

While the lure of a ‘magic pill’ health scan might seem appealing, Dr Cottrill instead emphasises the importance of taking a proactive, informed approach to your health with these five steps.

1. Know your family history, including your extended family.
2. Pay attention to symptoms, no matter how small.
3. Speak to your GP or a health professional if you’re worried.
4. Ask for further advice if you’re not sure about a diagnosis. Eligible members^** can access a second opinion from a medical specialist at no extra cost.
5. Prioritise your mental health. Eligible members^{^^} can access a free annual HealthyMinds Check-in with a psychologist to help with this.

Confused by health information? Talk to your GP

With so much health misinformation out there, your GP can help you cut through the noise and find what’s right for you. Our partnership with GP2U, an online video GP service, makes it easier for eligible members to access telehealth services. All eligible HCF members with health cover can access a standard GP consultation (up to 10 minutes) for a fee of $50⁺⁺. Plus, rural and remote members^## with hospital and/or extras cover can access a free annual 15-minute online GP consult.