Recruit HQ – Expert Pre-Employment Psychological Assessments Australia Recruit HQ specialises in pre-employment psychological testing and assessments for high-risk, high-performance, and safety-critical industries across Australia. Our team of experienced registered psychologists provides evidence-based psychological screening, personality testing, cognitive ability assessments, and risk profiling to help organisations hire the right people.
In addition to pre-employment psychological assessments, we also provide trauma-focused treatment and psychological and moral injury therapy. As well as return-to-work treatment and operational-readiness assessments.
Our psychologists have worked alongside Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for over 15 years. We have provided psychological care to members and employees after the most critical jobs and distressing circumstances. We know the emotional and psychological toll these jobs can have on you and your loved ones.
We have worked with members and employees through all stages of their careers. From pre-employment, recruit training, mid-career, retirement and midst and post psychological injury. We know the job intimately, which allows us to offer specialised and targeted psychological services and trauma treatment for police, paramedics, firefighters and the Defence.
We specialise in PTSD, trauma treatment, critical incidents and, psychological and moral injuries. We work with you to ensure that you remain psychologically well and fit as the day you started your career. And if it arises, we can also support you in navigating the injury recovery or retirement. We have experience working with insurers and WorkSafe and can support you through the complex and distressing process.
In many cases, our counselling service is free to current and previously serving members, either funded directly by your employer or by other support services. We currently work directly with Ambulance Victoria, DVA, WorkCover, Open Arms, and the ADF. As well as Victoria Police and Fire & Rescue, funded through Fortem.
We aim to understand your strengths, capabilities, and readiness for the demands of the job — not to trip you up. Our commitment is to ensure you feel supported and informed throughout the recruitment process. Every unique assessment is conducted with confidentiality and care so you can trust that your information is handled securely.
At our core, our mission is to foster understanding and growth, enabling you to make informed decisions that lead to success. We prioritise every individual application, ensuring our services reflect tailored service, professionalism, and integrity.
Alongside occupational work, our psychologists have a special interest in trauma and complex trauma, recognising the profound impact of work experiences on an individual’s personal and professional functioning. Our assessments are conducted from a resilience and trauma lens, ensuring sensitivity, respect, and care when working with clients from diverse backgrounds.
Our team have the perfect combination of a strong clinical foundation with a deep understanding of workplace psychology, positioning ourselves as a trusted advisor in both organisational and clinical contexts.
Welcome to Your Assessment Journey
Strong clinical foundation with workplace psychology expertise Over 15 years serving government, corporate & clinical clients Balanced focus on organisational requirements and individual care Professional, confidential & evidence-based services
A pre-employment psychological assessment is designed to provide your prospective employer with an evidence-based understanding of your psychological suitability for the role. The purpose is to evaluate how your strengths, personality, and behaviours align with the demands of the position, and to identify any supports or considerations that may help you succeed. It’s important to know that this is not a pass/fail test — the goal is to understand your fit for the role, not to judge you personally.
Your pre-employment assessments also include psychometric or cognitive testing. These are standardised tests that measure aspects such as clinical concerns, personality traits, cognitive abilities, problem-solving, attention, and emotional intelligence. These tests are evidence-based and widely used in occupational settings to provide objective insights about a candidate’s strengths and potential areas for development.
The assessment begins with a structured interview with a qualified psychologist. During this conversation, we’ll discuss your work history, experiences, and how you approach challenges, decision-making, teamwork, and stress management. We might ask about coping strategies, resilience, and other aspects of psychological functioning relevant to the role. This helps provide a holistic view of your suitability. In preparation for this interview, our psychologists would have reviewed your psychometric test results and identified the inherent requirements for your role and organisation.
The assessment may also include collateral information, such as school reports or references from previous employers to provide context. Following the assessment, a psychological report is prepared. This report summarises the assessment results, highlights your strengths, and provides recommendations regarding your suitability for the role. Only the information relevant to the workplace is shared; personal therapy notes, or unrelated health information are never included.
Most assessments take between 1 and 3 hours and can be completed in-person or via a video conference call. You do not need to prepare in any special way, but it’s helpful to have any requested referral documents and photo identification ready.
Confidentiality is a key priority. All information is securely stored in compliance with the Australian Privacy Act 1988, and shared only with those you consent to, such as your prospective employer, GP, or referring agent. Your participation is confidential and professional, designed to ensure a safe and respectful assessment environment.
After the assessment, you may receive feedback about the process, and the referring party or employer receives a tailored report focused solely on workplace suitability. The entire process is structured to support positive employment outcomes while respecting your privacy and wellbeing, giving both you and your prospective employer confidence in the fit for the role.
Summary
1
Step 1
(optional – GP referral not required)
GP refers you to Recruit HQ for a pre-employment assessment.
2
Step 2
Make an appointment with Recruit HQ online
3
Step 3
Request GP to send through psychometrics to Recruit HQ admin team
4
Step 4
Attend a psychological assessment interview
5
Step 5
The report will be provided to you and your GP within 7 business days.
What to Expect
Pre-Employment Psychological Assessment Interview
Attending a pre-employment psychological assessment can feel unfamiliar, so we’ve put together this guide to help you know what to expect and feel comfortable throughout the process.
Before your interview, we’ll send you an online intake form and consent form. This form explains what the assessment involves, how your information will be used, and who will receive a copy of your report.
For pre-employment assessments, it is general practice that a report is requested from your prospective employer as part of the pre-employment medical/psychological fitness assessment. Personal information will be handled with sensitivity, and only professionally relevant information will be shared, not personal sensitive information.
Nothing is sent anywhere without your signed consent.
Assessment can take place in person in Hawthorn or via telehealth (Zoom) — whichever is most convenient. During the appointment, we’ll complete an interview and discuss your psychometric test results. Expect to be asked a range of questions about your health, psychological health, work and education history, family/developmental history and compliance history.
Fear Not - This is not an interrogation! We aim to facilitate an engaging discussion. We understand that none of us are perfect; we all have a past. While you may be tempted to hide things from us, we generally notice when you are concealing something. Trust the process, be open and honest.
Remember this is not about “passing” or “failing”. We just want to understand your strengths and areas of development.
At the end of your interview, we will have a discussion about your interview and if there are any areas of concern. You’ll also have the chance to ask questions and clarify anything that feels unclear.
We prepare a comprehensive report tailored to the referral question (for example, fitness for duty, pre-employment suitability, or psychological wellbeing). A copy is provided to your referring GP and/or employer, depending on the reason for the referral. You will also receive feedback about the process so you understand the outcome.
Your information is stored in a secure Australian health platform and managed in line with the Australian Privacy Act 1988. All notes, test results, and reports are securely stored. Only the people you consent to (e.g. your employer, insurer, or GP) will receive your report.
We never release personal therapy notes — only the professional assessment report relevant to the referral.
We’ll guide you through every step — from referral to feedback — so you feel supported and informed at all times.
FAQs
A psychological assessment is a process that helps to understand an individual’s mental health, personality, and cognitive abilities. It usually involves interviews, questionnaires, and tests that provide insights into how someone thinks, feels, and behaves.
Your pre-employment assessments also include psychometric or cognitive testing. These are standardised tests that measure things like clinical concerns, personality traits, cognitive abilities, problem-solving, attention, and emotional intelligence. These tests are evidence-based and widely used in occupational settings to provide objective insights about a candidate’s strengths and potential areas for development.
This information can help to identify how individual traits may or may not align well with various work environments, enabling smarter hiring decisions and more effective team dynamics.
The duration of a psychological assessment interview can vary. Generally, it may take anywhere from an hour to a few hours, depending on the complexity of the evaluation and the specific tests being used.
The assessing psychologist will guide you through the process, explaining each step and ensuring your comfort. You’ll answer questions and complete tasks designed to evaluate different aspects of your mental health and abilities. You can expect a supportive environment. However, the psychologist is very skilled at identifying inaccuracies or mistruths. Expect to be challenged if you are misrepresenting information or concealing relevant information.
All information obtained during the assessment is kept private and shared only with you and those you authorise to receive it. Your personal information and results are kept confidential and protected in accordance with the Australian Privacy and Medical Act.
You can book an assessment easily through our online booking system. Just select your preferred date and time, fill in your details, and we’ll take care of the rest. We look forward to assisting you! Prior to your assessment, get in touch with the admin team to send through relevant psychometric test results in preparation for your assessment interview.
