Yes. Employers and universities in Australia accept medical certificates issued online via trusted telehealth services. Online medical certificates issued by AHPRA-registered practitioners carry the same legal validity as in-person certificates under the Fair Work Act 2009, provided they meet the required standards. They are issued by a registered Australian doctor or a nurse practitioner, and employers should accept them, especially now that telehealth is common.
Do workplaces accept Hola Health medical certificates?
Yes. Australian employers generally accept Hola Health medical certificates. Under the Fair Work Act 2009, an employer must accept evidence that would satisfy a reasonable person that you were unfit for work due to illness, injury, or caring responsibilities. Because every Hola Health certificate is issued by an AHPRA-registered practitioner, it carries the same legal standing as a certificate from an in-person visit.
Why Hola certificates are accepted
- Issued by real Australian practitioners: All Hola certificates are reviewed and approved by AHPRA-registered healthcare professionals in Australia.
- Includes required details: Your certificate includes the practitioner’s name, registration number, date, and a confirmation that you’re unfit for work or study. The certificate also has Hola company’s details like physical address, contact, ABN and official logo.
- Protects your privacy: The certificate only states that you’re unfit to work or study and for how long. It does not include your diagnosis.
- Verified if needed: Employers can contact us to confirm the certificate’s authenticity.
- Short-term or multi-day leave: Hola certificates are valid for both single-day and multi-day absences, just like in-person certificates.
Get a medical certificate for sick leave with Hola Health.
Can an employer refuse a medical certificate?
Usually no, but there are some cases where an employer may question a certificate:
- Missing information: If the certificate doesn’t include the doctor’s details, date, or a clear statement of incapacity.
- Concerns about fraud: If the document looks altered or unofficial.
- Not a health-related reason: Employers may reject certificates issued for non-medical reasons.
- Not following workplace rules: If you don’t notify your employer on time or submit the certificate late, they may refuse it based on company policy.
What information should a medical certificate include to be valid?
A valid medical certificate, whether issued online or traditionally, must consist of the following information to meet the Australian guidelines –
- Provider’s name, contact and address
- Patient’s name
- Date of examination or consultation
- Period during which the patient is unfit for work or study
- Provider’s name, signature and registration number
How can I avoid having my medical certificate rejected?
If you are requesting a medical certificate online, here’s what you need to do:
- Choose an ADHA-registered, AHPRA-compliant service so the format meets Australian standards. Hola Health medical certificates are widely accepted at Australian workplaces.
- Trusted telehealth providers are generally registered with the Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA). Hola is an ADHA-registered platform and follows the guidelines under the Australian Privacy Principles.
- Be honest in your assessment process.
- Don’t try to change anything on the certificate. Any tampering with information may lead to rejection.
- Try to keep away from fraudulent providers; it is good to check whether the provider is based in Australia. It’s always better to get a legitimate medical certificate online through an accredited telehealth service or see an AHPRA-registered healthcare provider in person.
Employee’s right and privacy
- As an employee, you have a right to privacy regarding your medical information. In practical terms, this means you generally do not have to disclose your specific diagnosis or medical condition.
- The Australian Medical Association’s guidelines advise that a diagnosis is not required on a medical certificate, and employers should respect that this document is proof enough that you are unfit to work.
- When your employer asks for evidence of your sick leave, providing a valid medical certificate should be sufficient.
- Your medical info is private. A certificate should be treated as confidential.
- Employers should store it securely and only share it where necessary.
Employer’s right
- Your employer has the right to ask for evidence that you were genuinely ill or injured and unable to work. In practice, this usually means providing a doctor’s certificate (also called a medical certificate).
- The Fair Work Ombudsman specifically lists medical certificates as reasonable evidence that an employee was entitled to sick leave.
Can I really get a medical certificate online? How does it work?
Absolutely. Through telehealth services like Hola Health, you can request a medical certificate online. The process is fast and easy. Beyond convenience, Hola offers valid medical certificates by working only with AHPRA-registered Australian practitioners. Any certificate you get is from a real, registered doctor or a nurse practitioner (with their AHPRA details on the certificate).
Step-by-step guide to get a doctor’s certificate online
- Fill out a secure online form: To make it hassle-free, you will be asked to complete a simple guided questionnaire that asks you to list symptoms and needs, which the doctor or nurse practitioner will review.
- The practitioner reviews your request: The doctor or a nurse practitioner will assess your symptoms, review your request and, if appropriate, email you a medical certificate, often within minutes. It’s a convenient option if you’re too sick to travel to a clinic.
- Receive the medical certificate: Certificates are delivered via email. You can forward the PDF to your employer, and it’s easy to read and store.
For a medical certificate for more than one day, you will have a quick consult with a practitioner. This makes sure the certificates issued are reasonable and less likely to be questioned.
