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    Leave of absence and extended sick leave in Australia

    Dr. Nelson Lau Medically reviewed by Dr. Nelson Lau, MBBS FRACGP. Last updated & reviewed on 5 Oct 2026.

    A Medical Leave of Absence (LOA) is an officially approved, extended break from your job or university studies due to a serious health condition. Under Australian workplace law, this often involves taking unpaid leave once your available paid sick leave has been exhausted, subject to agreement with your employer.

    Because standard paid sick leave (usually 10 days a year) isn’t always enough to cover a major illness, surgery, or mental health crisis, an LOA allows you to take a longer period of unpaid time off while protecting your job or student enrollment.

    This guide covers:

    • Taking leave from work. Moving from paid sick leave to an unpaid LOA, and what your employer can approve.
    • Taking leave from university. Pausing your studies before the census date, to avoid unfair penalties.
    • Required medical proof. Why a certificate from a registered doctor matters for approval.

    Related reading: Read Sick leave in Australia.

    How to apply for a Medical Leave of Absence in Australia

    A Leave of Absence (LOA) is an official, approved break from your work or studies. It is different from taking a few days off. An LOA is a formal process with a defined start date, an expected return date, and supporting documents that may be required as part of the application.

    There are two main types:

    • Workplace LOA — for employees, often once paid leave runs out.
    • University LOA — for students pausing enrolment for one or more study periods.

    In both cases, a medical certificate is usually key supporting evidence.

    Leave of Absence for university students

    If you’re dealing with a major health issue or personal emergency, you can pause your university studies. The trick is getting your application in on time so you don’t get hit with unfair fees.

    Taking an intermission for medical reasons

    Most Australian universities, including RMIT, La Trobe, the University of Melbourne, Victoria University, and UTS, allow students to pause their studies for one or more semesters.

    This is often referred to as a Leave of Absence, intermission, or suspension of studies. It does not mean your enrolment is cancelled. When your approved leave period ends, your place in your course is reserved, provided you re-enrol within the approved timeframe.

    At most universities, the maximum continuous leave of absence a student can take is 12 months. This varies, so you should check your university’s leave of absence policy for the maximum period that applies to your course.

    The census date and financial liability

    The census date is one of the most important deadlines in the academic calendar. It marks the final date after which you are financially and academically liable for your enrolled subjects.

    Before the census dateAfter the census date
    You can withdraw from subjects or apply for LOA without academic or financial penaltyYou remain liable for subject fees, and an academic record of the withdrawal or failure is created.
    Your application is assessed and, if complete, is typically approved as a matter of courseYou need to demonstrate compassionate or compelling circumstances to avoid penalties
    Recommended: apply as early as possibleA medical certificate is essential evidence; without it, your application will likely be refused. Depending on your circumstances, your university may also accept other documents such as hospital records, police report, or a counsellor letter.

    Applications submitted after the census date are generally considered only if a student can provide evidence of compassionate or compelling circumstances. These are circumstances beyond your control that have significantly affected your well-being and studies.

    Documented examples include serious illness or injury, bereavement of a close family member, major natural disaster, or a traumatic experience affecting your ability to study.

    Important: If you’re unwell and considering taking a leave of absence, apply before the census date of the relevant study period. Even if you are not sure whether your application will be approved, submitting early provides you the best chance of avoiding financial and academic penalties. Victoria University and UTS are explicit that incomplete or late applications without documented exceptional circumstances will not be assessed.

    International students and visa requirements

    If you hold an Australian student visa, the rules are stricter. Under the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 and the National Code of Practice 2018 (Standard 9), your visa status is directly tied to your enrolment.

    International students can only take an approved leave of absence on compassionate or compelling grounds, meaning serious, unexpected circumstances outside your control.

    However, if you leave without meeting these requirements, your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) could be cancelled. The Department of Home Affairs may reassess your visa status and, depending on the circumstances, may cancel your visa.

    Your visa may also be affected if you stay outside Australia for more than six months. It is therefore advisable to contact the Department of Home Affairs at 131 881 before applying for leave.

    Leave of Absence from work (employees)

    Paid vs. unpaid Leave of Absence

    Full-time employees are entitled to 10 days of paid personal/carer’s leave each year. Part-time employees receive this on a pro-rata basis. Unused leave carries over year to year.

    Once your paid sick leave balance reaches zero, you have two main options for counting your absence:

    OptionWhat it means
    Use accrued annual leavePaid time off drawn from your annual leave balance, by agreement with your employer.
    Unpaid Leave of Absence (LWOP)An approved absence with no pay. There is no automatic entitlement to this under the NES; it requires employer agreement
    NES-protected unpaid leaveSpecific types of unpaid leave cannot be refused, including unpaid carer’s leave, compassionate leave, parental leave, and community service leave

    Under the Fair Work Act, employees do not have a general right to take unpaid leave beyond the specific types of leave provided under the National Employment Standards (NES). If an employee requests another type of unpaid leave, the employer has discretion over whether to approve it, decline it, or approve it subject to certain conditions.

    To support a fair and consistent approach, employers should have clear processes for assessing unpaid leave requests. A clear written policy on unpaid leave can also help promote consistency and make the decision-making process easier to understand and justify.

    Valid reasons to request a Leave of Absence

    Common reasons employees request a medical leave of absence include:

    • Severe burnout or a mental health crisis — a medical assessment confirming you’re currently unfit to work may be needed.
    • Recovery after major surgery — recovery can take longer than your remaining sick leave.
    • Serious or chronic illness — conditions needing ongoing treatment or hospital care, including cancer.
    • Primary care responsibilities — caring for a seriously ill family member, once your leave is used up.
    • Birth or adoption of a child — some employees request extra unpaid leave once parental leave is exhausted.

    Clear supporting documents matter in every case. For health-related leave, a medical certificate is valuable evidence, and may be required.

    Why you need a medical certificate for your application

    Universities and workplace HR need documented evidence before approving extended leave.

    A medical certificate:

    • Confirms a qualified practitioner assessed you as unfit for work or study.
    • States the period of incapacity, helping determine how long the leave should run.
    • Supports university applications made after the census date.
    • Supports workplace requests, under section 107 of the Fair Work Act.

    It doesn’t need to name your diagnosis — just confirm you were unfit, and for how long.

    While a statutory declaration can cover short sick days, extended workplace and university leaves generally require a formal certificate from an Ahpra-registered practitioner.

    Need medical documentation for your Leave of Absence?

    With Hola, you can speak with an AHPRA-registered doctor online to get an assessment and supporting documentation for your leave application.

    Start a telehealth consult now.

    FAQ

    1. How long can a leave of absence be from work?

    There is no fixed maximum period for a general unpaid leave of absence under the Fair Work Act. The length of leave is usually agreed upon between you and your employer. However, the types of unpaid leave covered by the NES have specific limits.
    If your leave is covered by the NES, your employer may ask for evidence. A medical certificate is one of the strongest forms. For discretionary unpaid leave, approval is at your employer’s discretion — a certificate strengthens your case. Without documentation, your request may be declined or shortened.
    It can. If your institution approves your leave due to compassionate or compelling circumstances and records it correctly in PRISMS, your student visa should generally remain valid. However, if your leave does not meet the required criteria, your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) may be cancelled, leading the Department of Home Affairs to review your visa status.
    No. Annual leave and paid sick leave generally do not continue to accrue while you are on general unpaid leave. According to the Fair Work Ombudsman, your employment service may continue during unpaid leave, but the accumulation of paid leave entitlements is paused for the period you are away. Exceptions may apply, including some community service leave so check with your employer.
    Yes. Mental health conditions, including burnout, anxiety, depression, and other diagnosed conditions, can be valid reasons for requesting a leave of absence from work or university. The documentation requirements are generally the same as those for physical illness: a medical certificate from a registered health practitioner confirming that you were unable to work or study and indicating the relevant period.

    Reference links: 

    1. Unpaid leave – reference link
    2. The Institute of Melbourne – reference link
    3. Take leave of absence – reference link
    4. Leave of absence from your course – reference link
    5. Support for compassionate or compelling circumstances – reference link
    6. Educational Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Framework – reference link
    7. National Code of Practice for providers of education and training to overseas students 2018 – reference link
    8. Sick and carer’s leave – reference link
    9. Leave of absence – reference link

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