Medical Certificate for Work: the Rules, and How to Get One Today
A medical certificate for work is a statement from a registered medical practitioner certifying that you were assessed and are unfit for work for specific dates. In Australia you can get one the same day through a $19 telehealth consultation with an AHPRA-registered doctor at MyGPOnline — if the doctor assesses you as unfit, the certificate is emailed to you, usually within the hour during operating hours.
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When can my employer ask for a medical certificate?
Under the Fair Work Act, an employer can require evidence for paid sick or carer’s leave that would satisfy a reasonable person — for any length of absence, even a single day, if that’s the workplace policy. A medical certificate is the most widely accepted form of evidence; a statutory declaration is sometimes acceptable when seeing a doctor wasn’t practical. Check your award, enterprise agreement or employment contract, which may set out specific notice and evidence requirements.
What must a work certificate contain?
- The practitioner’s name and qualifications (our doctors are AHPRA-registered GPs)
- The date the certificate was issued and the date(s) you are unfit for work
- A statement that the practitioner assessed you
It does not need to state your diagnosis. Your medical details are confidential — an employer is entitled to know that you are unfit for work and for how long, not why.
Are telehealth certificates accepted by employers?
Yes. A certificate from a telehealth consultation with an Australian-registered doctor is issued under the same professional obligations as one from a physical clinic and carries the same practitioner details. What matters legally is that a registered practitioner genuinely assessed you — which is exactly what happens in a MyGPOnline consultation. We never issue certificates without an assessment, and we never backdate: certificates start from the day you actually consulted the doctor.
Getting one today — how it works
- Book a telehealth appointment — flat $19, same-day slots usually available.
- Consult — an AHPRA-registered GP assesses whether you’re fit for work.
- Receive — if certified unfit, your certificate arrives by email the same day, ready to forward to HR.
Off sick rather than needing the rules? Go straight to our sick leave certificate page. For everything else about online certificates — conditions covered, carer’s leave, pricing — see online medical certificates.
Frequently asked questions
Can my employer refuse a telehealth certificate?
Employers set their own evidence policies, but a certificate from a registered medical practitioner is the standard “evidence that would satisfy a reasonable person” under the Fair Work Act, however the consultation took place. If your workplace has unusual requirements, check your award or agreement.
Can I get a certificate for yesterday?
No — a certificate can only cover the period from your consultation onward, based on what the doctor can assess. Backdating is not something any legitimate provider offers. If you’ve already returned to work, ask your employer whether a statutory declaration is acceptable.
How much does it cost?
A flat $19, privately billed (no Medicare rebate applies). Full pricing for all services is on our pricing page.
Who issues the certificate?
An AHPRA-registered doctor. MyGPOnline is part of Family Doctor, Australia’s largest 100% GP-owned medical group with 100+ clinics — so if you need an examination or follow-up, you can continue care at a clinic near you.
This service is not for emergencies — in a medical emergency call 000. Reviewed by the Family Doctor clinical team. Last updated 18 July 2026.
