Can a doctor give you a sick note for anxiety?

Yes. If you have anxiety, stress or feel burnt out, you can request a medical certificate for mental health from a registered medical practitioner in Australia. Stress leave is a real and lawful form of personal leave in Australia, and getting a sick note for anxiety falls under personal leave.

Important: In a medical emergency, call 000 immediately. If you are in crisis or thinking of harming yourself, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Breakdown on how stress leave works under the Fair Work Act

You are entitled to use your accrued personal leave for mental health reasons, including anxiety and depression. The Fair Work Act 2009 recognises mental health leave as personal leave taken for a mental health reason. A few notes:

• Mental health medical certificates for anxiety or stress leave certificates state that you’re unfit for work for a specified period. Your employer cannot legally require you to disclose your specific condition (e.g., “anxiety”). As per the AMA position statement, your right to medical privacy is preserved.
• You do not need a formal psychiatric diagnosis for a short-term certificate. The practitioner simply needs to assess that you are currently “unfit for work”.

Tip: Some employers offer additional well-being days, mental health days, or extended sick leave provisions. It is best to enquire about these at your workplace.

When do you need a sick note for anxiety?

Your employer can ask for a medical certificate for any absence for or over a single day. Most employers ask for a medical certificate for absences linked to a public holiday or weekend (Friday/Monday absences).

Tip: Before requesting a medical certificate for anxiety, check your enterprise agreement or HR policy on requirements.

What a mental health certificate actually says

• The practitioner’s name, address, and AHPRA registration number.
• The patient’s name and date of birth.
• The dates the patient is unfit for work.
• A formal signature.

What’s not mentioned:

• The condition is mental health-related.
• The diagnosis (e.g. anxiety, depression).
• Any details of your treatment plan.

Can a doctor refuse to give you a sick note for anxiety?

Yes. While doctors or nurse practitioners at Hola Health can certainly issue medical certificates for mental health conditions like anxiety or stress, it is not guaranteed. Here’s why –

• Clinical Discretion: A doctor must determine if a medical reason legitimately warrants an absence from work or school. If they feel the condition doesn’t impact your ability to work or if the symptoms are unclear, they may refuse.
• AHPRA Standards: Because medical certificates are legal documents, Australian-registered (AHPRA) doctors and nurse practitioners must adhere to strict ethical standards. They will only issue a note if it is clinically appropriate after reviewing your questionnaire or consultation.

With Hola Health, you can request a mental health medical certificate for anxiety or stress anytime and from anywhere in Australia. A few things to remember –

• The medical certificate is issued if deemed appropriate by our AHPRA-registered nurse practitioners or doctors.
• If a note is issued, you are entitled to privacy. The certificate will state you are “unfit for work” but does not disclose “anxiety” or any specific diagnosis to your employer.

Getting a mental health leave for anxiety with Hola Health

Hola Health is a 24/7 on-demand telehealth service that offers sick leave certificates for work, school, uni, within minutes from anywhere in Australia. Hola only works with AHPRA-registered GPs and medical practitioners in Australia. Here’s how to get a sick note for anxiety with Hola Health –

• Request Online: Fill out a quick form for review by our AHPRA-registered doctors or nurse practitioners.
• Clinical Review: If deemed appropriate, your certificate is issued.
• Instant Delivery: Your certificate is sent to your inbox, usually within minutes.

Request an online medical certificate for anxiety with Hola Health.