Accredited Lung Function Testing for Workers in Melbourne
RSDC (Respiratory and Sleep Disorders Clinic) is fully accredited and recognised to perform lung function testing for workers across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. Our specialist respiratory physicians conduct all testing in line with the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) guidelines, ensuring accurate, clinically reliable results for employees, employers and referring GPs.
Why Workers Need Lung Function Testing
Workplace exposure to dust, fumes, chemicals and airborne particles can gradually damage the lungs — often without obvious symptoms until significant harm has occurred. Lung function testing (spirometry) detects early changes in breathing capacity, allowing intervention before conditions become irreversible.
In Australia, under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulation, certain employers are legally required to provide health monitoring — including lung function testing — for workers exposed to hazardous substances such as:
- Silica dust (mining, construction, stone benchtop fabrication)
- Asbestos and asbestos-containing materials
- Welding fumes and isocyanates
- Latex and chemical cleaning agents (healthcare settings)
- Agricultural dusts, pesticides and grain dust
- Coal dust and wood dust
Testing is required at pre-employment (to establish a baseline) and then at least annually throughout the period of exposure.
Who Should Get Tested?
For Workers
If you work in an environment where you’re regularly exposed to dust, fumes, mould or chemicals, your employer may require you to undergo periodic lung function monitoring. Testing is quick, non-invasive and typically takes 30–45 minutes.
For Employers and Healthcare Organisations
Under WHS legislation, you have a duty of care to monitor the respiratory health of workers in at-risk roles. RSDC provides structured occupational spirometry programs with formal reporting that satisfies regulatory requirements. We work with healthcare organisations, hospitals, aged care facilities and other industries across Melbourne.
For GPs and Referring Clinicians
If you have a patient who works in a high-risk occupational setting and requires formal lung function assessment, RSDC accepts referrals for full respiratory function testing. Our reports are prepared by FRACP-qualified respiratory physicians and include clinical interpretation suitable for occupational health records and WorkSafe documentation.
What the Testing Involves
RSDC offers a comprehensive range of lung function tests, performed by trained respiratory scientists under the supervision of our specialist physicians:
Spirometry (FEV1/FVC)
The core test for occupational lung function monitoring. Measures how much air you can breathe in and out, and how fast. Identifies obstructive patterns (e.g. occupational asthma) and restrictive patterns (e.g. lung fibrosis from dust exposure).
DLCO (Diffusing Capacity / Gas Transfer)
Assesses how well oxygen crosses from the lungs into the bloodstream. Important for detecting early interstitial lung disease caused by occupational dust or chemical exposure.
FeNO (Exhaled Nitric Oxide)
A non-invasive marker of airway inflammation. Useful in detecting and monitoring occupational asthma, particularly relevant for healthcare workers exposed to latex, cleaning agents and sterilisation chemicals.
Full Lung Volumes (Plethysmography)
Provides a complete picture of lung capacity, helpful when spirometry alone is inconclusive. All testing is performed to current TSANZ standards and results are reviewed and formally reported by our FRACP-certified respiratory physicians.
RSDC’s Accreditation and Expertise
RSDC is a fully accredited and recognised provider of lung function testing for workers. Our team includes specialist respiratory and sleep physicians, all holding the FRACP (Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians) qualification.
We have extensive experience in occupational and environmental lung disease, including occupational asthma and reactive airways dysfunction, silicosis and pneumoconiosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, work-related interstitial lung disease, and lung disease in healthcare workers.
Our clinics are located across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs — including Camberwell, Ferntree Gully and Balwyn — making access convenient for workers and employers throughout the region.
How to Refer or Book
For GPs: Please use our Lung Function Request Form or contact our rooms directly on 1300 773 210. A referral letter and Medicare card are required.
For Employers / Occupational Health Programs: Contact us to discuss a workplace health monitoring arrangement tailored to your organisation’s needs and WHS obligations.
For Workers: Ask your GP or employer to refer you to RSDC. If you’ve already been given a referral, you can request an appointment through our Appointment Request Form.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does lung function testing take?
A standard spirometry session takes approximately 30–45 minutes. A full respiratory function test (including DLCO and lung volumes) may take up to 90 minutes.
Do I need a referral?
Yes. A referral from a GP or specialist is required. Employers may also initiate a referral through their occupational health program.
Is the testing bulk billed?
Testing may be covered under Medicare with a valid GP referral. Please contact our rooms on 1300 773 210 to confirm your eligibility prior to your appointment.
How often should workers be tested?
A pre-employment baseline test is recommended, followed by annual monitoring for workers in ongoing at-risk roles. Your GP or occupational physician can advise the appropriate interval based on your specific exposure.
What preparation is required?
Avoid heavy exercise for 30 minutes before testing, and refrain from using reliever inhalers (e.g. Ventolin) for 4 hours prior unless medically necessary. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
