Trusted by local councils and employers. Part of Melbourne’s west since our Melton clinic opened in 2007.
Who we work with
We assess candidates and workers for employers across physically demanding industries, including:
- Warehousing and logistics: repeated lifting, carrying and push/pull.
- Manufacturing and food processing: repetitive upper-limb work and prolonged standing.
- Construction and civil: heavy lifting, ladders, kneeling and overhead reach.
- Aged care and disability support: patient handling and equipment push/pull.
- Councils and utilities: outdoor crews and mixed manual roles.
- Labour hire: consistent screening across many roles and sites.
- Airport and freight: loading and awkward-posture work.
Our services
- Pre-employment functional assessment (PEFA): checks a candidate’s physical capacity against the demands of the role before they start.
- Functional capacity evaluation (FCE): a detailed assessment of a worker’s current physical capacity, often used for return-to-work planning, claims and case management.
- Return-to-work and job demands assessments: we document a role’s physical demands and compare a worker’s capacity with them to help plan suitable duties.
- Workplace ergonomic assessments: office and industrial workstations, in-clinic or on-site. See our workplace ergonomic assessment page.
- Manual handling training: practical, task-based sessions at your workplace.
- On-site injury prevention and early intervention physiotherapy: a physiotherapist at your site on a regular schedule.
What we assess
Each assessment is built from the role’s demands and can include:
- a medical and injury history questionnaire
- posture, range of motion and strength, including grip strength
- lifts from floor to waist, waist to shoulder and overhead
- carrying, pushing and pulling
- sustained postures: kneeling, squatting, stooping and overhead reach
- ladder and step tolerance
- an aerobic step or walk test
- task simulations based on your job description
All three clinics are fully equipped for standard functional capacity and pre-employment testing. The length of each assessment depends on the role and the tests involved.
How it works
- Send us the role requirements, such as a position description. If you don’t have one, we can help.
- The candidate is booked within 48 hours of your request at the most convenient of our three clinics. On-site assessments can also be arranged.
- The candidate completes the assessment with an AHPRA-registered physiotherapist.
- You receive a written report within 24 hours of the assessment, sent with the candidate’s consent.
What the report contains
Reports are written in plain language and include:
- role, assessment date, clinic and the assessing physiotherapist’s name and AHPRA registration number
- a summary of the role demands we assessed against
- the candidate’s consent and a privacy note
- relevant health and injury history (only what relates to the role)
- musculoskeletal screen results in a table
- each functional task, with the load or duration achieved compared with the role requirement (met, met with modification, or not demonstrated), plus notes on technique and safety
- the aerobic or endurance result
- a neutral summary of functional findings against the role demands
- suggested workplace controls where relevant, such as manual handling training, task rotation or workstation changes
The report gives you objective functional information. It does not make a hiring recommendation; that decision stays with you.
For employers with regular volume
Employer enquiries welcome; we’re happy to discuss regular booking arrangements. We can also set a consistent protocol for each role, so every candidate for that role is assessed the same way.
Send us your roles and expected numbers and we’ll prepare a quote.
Workplace injury prevention
We also help employers manage physical risk at work:
- Manual handling training built around your real tasks, equipment and layout, delivered at your workplace.
- Ergonomic assessments of office and industrial workstations, in-clinic or on-site, with written recommendations.
- On-site early intervention physiotherapy: regular physiotherapist visits to see workers early when they report discomfort, with follow-up at our clinics when needed.
WorkSafe Victoria reports that hazardous manual handling is the biggest cause of workplace injury in the state (WorkSafe Victoria). Employers may be eligible for WorkSafe Victoria manual handling grant funding (WorkSafe manual handling grants). Eligibility is set by WorkSafe. We’re happy to discuss how our training and ergonomic services could support your plans.
Locations
Assessments are available at all three clinics, or on-site at your workplace.
Melton
7/211-223 Barries Rd, Melton West VIC 3337
Close to Ravenhall and the Melton growth corridor.
Hoppers Crossing
369 Morris Rd, Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029
Handy to the Truganina, Derrimut and Laverton North warehouse precincts.
Sunbury
16-18 O’Shanassy St, Sunbury VIC 3429
Our closest clinic to Melbourne Airport and Tullamarine.
All clinics: (03) 9746 6852
Who can refer
- employers, HR and WHS managers
- labour hire and recruitment agencies
- case managers and occupational rehabilitation providers — also see our WorkCover physiotherapy page
- insurers
- individual workers who want their own assessment
Our team
Assessments are completed by AHPRA-registered physiotherapists at our three clinics. The service is overseen by Joseph Louka, Owner and Principal Physiotherapist. Professional indemnity and public liability insurance current; certificates available on request.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a pre-employment medical and a pre-employment functional assessment?
A pre-employment medical is usually run by a doctor and focuses on general health. A pre-employment functional assessment is run by a physiotherapist and tests physical tasks such as lifting, carrying, push/pull and sustained postures against the demands of the specific role.
What is a functional capacity evaluation (FCE) and when is it used?
An FCE measures a worker's current physical capacity across a range of work tasks. It is often used for return-to-work planning, to help identify suitable duties after an injury, or to give case managers and insurers objective functional information.
How quickly can you see a candidate, and when do we get the report?
Appointments are available within 48 hours of your request at all three clinics, and the written report is sent within 24 hours of the assessment, with the candidate's consent.
How long does the assessment take, and what should the candidate bring?
The length depends on the role and the tests involved, and we'll let you know when booking. Candidates should wear comfortable clothing and enclosed shoes, and bring photo ID and any glasses they need.
Do you assess against our specific job requirements?
Yes. We build each assessment from your position description or job demands summary. If you don't have one, we can help you prepare it.
Who receives the results, and how is privacy handled?
The candidate gives written consent before the assessment. The report goes only to the employer or referrer who requested it, and we handle personal information in line with Australian privacy law.
Does the assessment decide whether we hire someone?
No. The report gives objective information about the candidate's physical capacity against the role. The hiring decision is always the employer's.
How do we get a quote or book several candidates?
Call (03) 9746 6852 or use the enquiry form on this page. Tell us the roles, expected numbers and preferred clinic, and we'll prepare a quote. We're happy to discuss regular booking arrangements.
Book an assessment or request a quote
Call (03) 9746 6852 or send your details below.
Employer enquiry
Tell us about the role or worker and we’ll come back to you with availability and a quote. Enquiries go to our team including Lara.
Reviewed by Joseph Louka, AHPRA-registered Physiotherapist (Principal Physiotherapist). Last reviewed 7 October 2026.