Retired and former workers
Retired and former Queensland coal mine, mineral mine and quarry workers (former workers) may be eligible for a free lung check every five years, arranged by Resources Safety and Health Queensland.
This service is available to more than just people who worked ‘at the face’. If your role was anywhere on a mine site, you may be eligible — for example, if you worked as a cleaner or an administration officer.
Eligibility criteria
You may be eligible for a free lung check if all of the following apply:
- you have permanently stopped being a coal mine, mineral mine or quarry worker
- you were a coal mine, mineral mine or quarry worker for at least 3 years in total over your lifetime, with at least 6 months of this work experience in Queensland
- it has been at least 5 years since your most recent assessment.
Note: Your most recent assessment can be less than 5 years ago if a doctor has recommended a sooner assessment, as shown in your last health assessment record or a medical certificate.
More information
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Former workers are encouraged to contact the Mine Dust Health Support Service (MDHSS) to discuss eligibility and start the application process for a free lung check.
- call: 1300 445 715
- email: info@minedusthealthsupport.com
Once an application is submitted and assessed as eligible, RSHQ will arrange and pay for the free lung check to be completed with an RSHQ-authorised program partner.
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RSHQ’s authorised program partners will arrange the free lung check appointments with the relevant service providers including:
- RSHQ-approved clinics which are located throughout Queensland, as well as other states. If you choose to attend a clinic, your appointments will be arranged at the closest provider to where you live.
- HEART5 Mobile Health Unit, is operated by Heart of Australia, traveling throughout regional and remote Queensland. It is equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment to complete your free lung check. If you choose to attend HEART5, you will be notified of available dates at a location close to where you reside.
Upcoming HEART5 Mobile Health Unit scheduleLocation/s Date Rockhampton 17-18 September 2026 Biloela 30 November - 1 December 2026 -
The former worker lung check includes:
- lung function test by spirometry
- chest X-ray dual-read to ILO standards by B-readers approved by Resources Safety & Health Queensland (RSHQ)
- health examination with a RSHQ-approved doctor, and
- subsequent diagnostic assessments and reviews, if required, as recommended by the RSHQ-approved doctor and in accordance with the Mine dust lung disease clinical pathways guideline.
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When travelling to and from your appointment(s) as part of your free lung check, RSHQ can help with travel expenses, in accordance the Domestic travel expenses policy (PDF, 219KB).
Travel expense reimbursements can be made by completing the Travel expense claim form (PDF, 291KB).
For more information on the Travel expenses policy, call the Health Surveillance Unit on (07) 3818 5420.
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The free lung check will be completed using the approved former worker assessment form in accordance with section 49F of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017.
When the former work free lung check is complete, the supervising doctor sends:
- the completed former worker assessment form and all associated medical reports to RSHQ (Health Surveillance Unit)
- a copy of the former worker assessment report (section 3 of the form) to the former worker.
The supervising doctor must keep the data on which the former work free lung check was based and a copy of the approved form that was completed for the assessment.
Visit the Confidentiality of healthcare webpage to be assured of your privacy and the confidentiality of your records.
Last updated: 05 Aug 2026