FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Welcome to the NSW Police FAQ's page. Here you can find frequently asked questions about the Medical Booking, Payment and Medical Standards.
For more information, please call 1300 550 276 or email policemedical@recovre.com.au
1. Questions About the Medical Booking
Do I have to have the medical with Recovre?
Yes. All bookings will be made through Recovre.
How do I contact Recovre?
Phone: 1300 550 276
Facsimile: 1300 723 405
Email: policemedical@recovre.com.au
What should I wear to the medical appointment?
You should wear a singlet and shorts above your knee, otherwise you should be prepared to undress down to your underwear.
How long does the medial take?
We recommend that you plan for the medical to take at least one hour from the time of your appointment.
Where can I get the hearing assessment done?
In the majority of cases the hearing test will be done at the Recovre office, or in regional areas, with the GP with whom you are having the medical. If you need to go somewhere separately, the Recovre staff who make your booking will organise this with you.
Where can I get the vision assessment done?
If you do not wear glasses the vision assessment will be done during your medical appointment with Recovre. If you do wear glasses and are required to be assessed by an optometrist, this will be organised at the time that you make your booking. The form required for this assessment can be downloaded by clicking on the link on the right.
What happens after I see the doctor for my appointment?
All medical files are returned to Recovre in Sydney. Here they are assessed by a Specialist Doctor who makes the final decision regarding your status. The Specialist Doctor has extensive knowledge about the requirements of policing and communicates regularly with the doctors working with NSW Police. The doctor who does your assessment will not have the same level of knowledge. If further information is required to make a decision regarding your status, you will be contacted- usually by email- and advised about what is required.
How long does it take for my medical to be cleared?
Some medicals are cleared within a week or even less of the appointment. If you provide all the correct information this will speed up your application. Otherwise, the time taken for your medical to clear (or not clear) will depend on how quickly you return any extra information that is required.
How will I know if you received my faxed documentation?
Please send an email to policemedical@recovre.com.au and include your name, the senders name (eg doctor surgery), time and date the fax was sent, details of what was sent, and how you can be contacted. If you do not get a response to your email within 48 hours please call 1300 550 276.
2. Questions About Payment
How much does the medical assessment cost?
The cost is $280 plus GST which is a total of $308.
Do I have to pay for my medial in advance?
Yes
How can I pay for my medical?
The easiest method of payment is credit card payment that can be done at the time of your booking. Alternatively an electronic funds transfer can be organised but this is more time consuming.
Can I claim the cost from Medicare?
No
Do I get a refund of my money if I do not pass the medical?
No
What happens if I cancel my appointment?
If you cancel your appointment you will need to request a refund in writing and this will be organised for you.
3. Questions About Medical Standards
Do I have to buy polycarbonate glasses even though I don’t know whether I have cleared or not?
You will have to purchase polycarbonate glasses to clear your medical. However, if you have submitted other medical reports eg a report from a Psychiatrist, it is reasonable to wait until you are cleared from this perspective before purchasing the glasses.'
Where can the additional tests eg for asthma be done? Does Recovre organise these?
It is best that your GP organises any specialist reports that are required as they will be responsible for your ongoing care and will be the doctors to act on any information that is in that report. However, if your own doctor is struggling to organise the appointment, Recovre may be able to organise an appointment for you. This is likely to be a more expensive option.
What is required for Hepatitis B?
You are required to either prove immunity to Hepatitis B, or prove that you have recently commenced your vaccination course. Proof of immunity requires a copy of the laboratory results for Hepatitis B s Ab showing that your levels are greater than 10. Where you have low level immunity, you may be asked to have a booster shot. The vaccination course includes three injections. Generally we require written proof that you have had your first one or two shots very recently. If you have had all three shots and your last shot was over one month ago, you need to have the blood test for immunity.
My BMI is over 30 but I am very muscular. Can I still pass?
Police Medical Standards require a BMI of 30 or less, and a waist circumference of less than 100cm for men and less than 88cm for women. If your BMI is minimally over 30, we will look at other information to determine if you can be cleared eg your waist circumference, your level of physical activity, your blood pressure, and any comments from your assessing doctor about your physique. If you do not meet the standards, you will not fail the medical- it will just be deferred until you provide a report from your GP stating that your weight or waist circumference has improved.
I had a childhood fracture/sprain etc. Do I need an Orthopaedic Report?
Generally no, unless you have some deformity or impairment of function as a result. Your assessing doctor will help to determine if this is required. You may wish to provide a report from your usual GP about any minor injuries to help speed up your application.
I had a shoulder dislocation/ knee reconstruction. Can I apply?
Yes, but all major Orthopaedic injuries will require an Orthopaedic Report and clearance of your medical is not guaranteed.
I have low back pain. Can I apply?
Yes. But you will require an Orthopaedic Report and clearance is not guaranteed.
I had childhood asthma. Do I need a report from a Respiratory Specialist?
No. If you had childhood asthma and have required no treatment for a number of years a GP report will suffice. You will still need to undergo a bronchial provocation test that your GP can organise. We will require a copy of these results.
I take medication for asthma. Can I apply?
Yes. If your asthma is well-controlled on medication you can still clear your medical. You will require a report from a respiratory specialist and a bronchial provocation test which your specialist or gp can organise. Your clearance would then be conditional on you continuing to take your medication and you will need to sign a letter stating this that Recovre will supply.
I had counselling five years ago. Do I need a report from a Psychiatrist?
Generally, no. If you required counselling but were never diagnosed with a Psychiatric disorder and never took medication, a report from your GP or from the counsellor will usually suffice.
I take antidepressants. Can I apply?
Police Medial Standards require that all candidates be free of symptoms relating to psychological illness such as anxiety or depression, and off all medication for two years prior to being considered. In some exceptional circumstances, a period of one year may be considered. We do not recommend that you undertake the police medical if you have received treatment in the last two years.
I took antidepressants in the past. Can I apply?
As long as it has been at least two years since you took medication then you may apply. You will require a report from a psychiatrist. In some exceptional circumstances, a period of one year may be considered.
I have Schizophrenia/ Bipolar Disorder. Can I apply?
Generally, psychotic illnesses do not resolve, although they may be well-controlled with medication. As you cannot be cleared for policing whilst on medication, as per police medical standards, it is unlikely that you will be able to clear the medical with such a diagnosis.
I had ADD/ADHD at school. Can I apply?
If you have a history of ADD/ADHD you need to have recovered from this diagnosis and no longer be requiring medication. You need to have been asymptomatic without medication for a minimum of 12 months prior to being considered. You must provide a psychiatric report.
I have Diabetes. Can I apply?
Yes. However, you will need a report from your Endocrinologist. You also need to be able to be without medication, food or water for up to 12 hours at a time. You need to demonstrate that you do not suffer from hypoglycaemic episodes, and you need to demonstrate good control by virtue of your HbA1C results.
I have Epilepsy. Can I apply?
Yes. However, you will need a report from your treating Neurologist confirming that you are stable on medication and that you have not had a seizure for two years. Your clearance will be conditional on continuing your medication.
I have Crohn’s Disease/Ulcerative Colitis. Can I apply?
Yes. Each case will be assessed individually based on reports from your treating specialist to determine if you can be medically cleared. At present colostomies and ileostomies cannot be accepted.