A medical certificate, also known as a doctor’s certificate or a sick note, is an official document issued by a licensed medical practitioner that confirms a patient’s medical illness. It may provide details such as the patient’s diagnosis, the severity of their illness or injury, and the expected duration of their recovery. Medical certificates are typically used to support requests for sick leave, disability benefits, or insurance claims. They can also be required by employers, schools, or other organizations as proof of a legitimate absence due to illness.

If you work for an Australian employer, you may be required to produce a valid medical certificate if you are unfit for work due to medical reasons. An employee has to let their employer know that they are unfit to work and need sick or carer’s leave. This has to be done as soon as possible, and can be after the leave has started. Employees need to specify how long they expect to be unable to work.

An employee who doesn’t give their employer evidence when asked may not be entitled to be paid for their sick or carer’s leave.

An employer may request evidence from an employee to confirm that their leave was taken due to:

Inability to work as a result of illness or injury, or the need to care for or support an immediate family or household member affected by illness, injury, or an unforeseen emergency.

Employers can request evidence even for a single day or less of absence.

If an employee fails to provide the requested evidence, they may not be eligible for paid sick or carer’s leave.

Awards or registered agreements can outline when an employee must submit evidence and the type of evidence required. The requested evidence should always be reasonable given the situation.

The completion of a medical certificate is subject to the doctor’s assessment of the presented issue and its clinical reasonability. This evaluation relies on the information provided in the online clinical declaration and the subsequent telephone or video consultation with the doctor.

Please note that not all medical certificate requests will be approved. If deemed necessary, you might receive advice to visit a local General Practitioner for an in-person clinical assessment.

When you are applying for a medical certificate online, it is important to understand that these certificates are legal in Australia as acceptable evidence of sick or carer’s leave.  Online medical certificates can be accepted by employers, insurance companies and other organizations that require evidence of illness or injury.

The doctor must complete an assessment of the issue and it’s whether it is clinically reasonable to issue a medical certificate. Not all medical certificates are approved. You may be advised to see a local GP if a face to face clinical assessment is required.

Yes.  An online medical certificate is valid if it has been issued by an Australian registered doctor. This serves as a valid proof for your employer.

Fill in a simple questionnaire to make it easy for the doctor to assess your current illness. The doctor will call you to get some more information or provide some helpful advice.

This is a clinical request only and doctors may decline a request if the assessment is not clinically safe or appropriate.

Certificates are sent quickly and securely to your email address if approved by our doctors.

With Medmate you can get an online medical certificate for:

• Work
• School
• University
• Carer’s Certificates

Medmate online medical certificates are $25 Same day or $35 multi-day.

Medmate abides by strict privacy principles.

Your medical details are completely confidential between you and the doctor.

It is not reasonable, and not supported by the Fair Work Act, for employers to ask details about your illness.

Medmate will reasonably confirm the validity of medical certificates as required. No details about your medical issues will ever be provided to an employer.