Sick Leave Medical Certificate Online — Same Day
Yes, you can get a legitimate sick leave certificate online in Australia. Book a short telehealth consultation with an AHPRA-registered doctor at MyGPOnline, and if the doctor assesses that you are unfit for work, your medical certificate is emailed to you the same day — usually within the hour during operating hours. The consultation costs a flat $19. Certificates are issued from the date of consultation only — we never backdate.
Is an online sick certificate valid for my employer?
Yes. Under the Fair Work Act, an employee who takes paid sick leave may need to give their employer evidence that would satisfy a reasonable person — and a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner is the standard form of that evidence. A certificate issued after a telehealth consultation with an AHPRA-registered doctor carries the practitioner’s name, provider details and the dates you are certified unfit, exactly like a certificate written in a clinic. Australian employers accept telehealth certificates every day.
What your certificate includes:
- The doctor’s name and AHPRA registration details
- The date of the consultation and the dates you are certified unfit for work
- A statement that you were assessed — your diagnosis stays private; employers are not entitled to it
How it works
- Book online — pick a time that suits you; same-day appointments are usually available.
- Speak to a doctor — a short telehealth consultation where the GP assesses your symptoms.
- Receive your certificate — if the doctor certifies you unfit for work, the certificate is emailed to you the same day, ready to forward to your employer.
How many days can an online certificate cover?
That is the doctor’s clinical decision. For short self-limiting illnesses — colds, flu, gastro, migraine — certificates typically cover one to two days. If you are likely to be unwell longer, the doctor may certify a longer period or recommend an in-person review. Certificates start from the day of your consultation; if you were sick yesterday but didn’t see a doctor, tell your employer and ask whether a statutory declaration will do — no legitimate service can backdate a medical certificate, and we don’t.
A real assessment — not a certificate mill
Your $19 pays for a genuine clinical assessment by an Australian-registered GP, not an automatic certificate. If the doctor doesn’t consider you unfit for work, a certificate won’t be issued — that’s what makes the certificates we do issue worth accepting. MyGPOnline is part of Family Doctor, Australia’s largest 100% GP-owned medical group, with more than 100 clinics nationwide — if your illness needs a physical examination or follow-up, you can visit a Family Doctor clinic near you.
Frequently asked questions
How fast will I get my certificate?
Usually within the hour during operating hours — the certificate is emailed as soon as the doctor completes it after your consultation, the same day.
Does my employer get told my diagnosis?
No. A medical certificate states that you were assessed and are unfit for work for the stated dates. Your medical details remain confidential between you and the doctor.
Can I get a certificate for looking after a sick child or family member?
Yes — carer’s leave certificates work the same way. Book a consultation and the doctor can certify that a member of your immediate family or household requires your care. See our medical certificates page for details.
Is there a Medicare rebate?
No — this is a private telehealth service, so the $19 fee is not rebatable. That also means anyone in Australia can use it, whether or not you have a regular GP.
What if the doctor says I’m fit for work?
Then no certificate is issued — the doctor’s clinical judgement is final. Booking a consultation is not a guarantee of a certificate.
This service is not for emergencies — in a medical emergency call 000. Reviewed by the Family Doctor clinical team. Last updated 18 July 2026.
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