Common reasons to get a medical certificate online

This blog is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice or diagnosis. If you have health concerns, consult an AHPRA-registered telehealth doctor or request a medical certificate online if clinically appropriate. Please note: Hola Health does not currently offer Mental Health Care Plans.

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Overview

In Australia, getting a medical certificate has become simpler and faster with telehealth. Post COVID-19 pandemic, workplaces, institutions, schools and universities are widely accepting online medical certificates from AHPRA-registered practitioners. It is legally valid and convenient, making thousands of Australians turn towards online sick leave certificates for minor illnesses and injuries that do not require a physical examination.

Whether you’re dealing with minor illnesses, needing time off work, or managing chronic conditions, an online medical certificate can be a quick and efficient solution. People often seek online medical certificates for conditions like the flu, simple injuries, carer’s leave or after-hours healthcare needs. It’s a simple way to obtain a sick note without the hassle of in-person visits, offering flexibility and peace of mind.

Why sick leave matters

Sick leaves are important to employee well-being in Australia. It helps students and employees get the much-needed time off when suffering from an illness. A sick leave certificate online acts as trustworthy proof of absence for employers and institutions.

Whether it is a simple flu or an infection such as COVID-19 that needs extended absence, sick leaves help in ensuring you can rest and recover without losing pay. According to the Fair Work Ombudsman, full-time and part-time employees get 10 days of paid sick or carer’s leave per year in Australia.

Sick leave trends in Australia

Here are some key statistics and sick leave trends in Australia. These statistics reflect the evolving nature of sick leave in Australia. Recent trends show the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, hybrid work environments, and increased awareness of mental health issues on sick leave.

• Full-time staff averaged at 8.3 days of sick leave in 2023
• By 2024, the average sick leave will have increased to 13.8 days per year for every employee.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, 3.4% of employed individuals took a week’s leave, which is 4 times the pre-pandemic average.
• In 2021-22, 3.5% of people who worked in the previous 12 months experienced a work-related injury or illness.
• According to a report by the Australian Institute of Family Studies ¹, about one in seven workers who have a living parent or parent-in-law took time off to provide help to a parent.
•  In 2017, 93% of women who worked while pregnant took leave.

Common reasons to get a sick note in Australia

Here are common reasons people seek medical certificates online:

Sick leave for minor illnesses:

You can get an online doctor’s note if you are suffering from minor illnesses such as colds, coughs, flu, minor infections, nausea, food poisoning and more. An online doctors certificate will act as proof of absence from your work, school or university.

Carer’s leave:

Need to take care of your loved one? Be it a sick child, an elderly parent or a spouse who needs your care, get a carer’s leave certificate online without taking time off from your carer duties.

Mental health days:

In Australia, a stress leave or mental health day is a valid reason to get a medical certificate online. You can get sick leave for stress, burnout, anxiety, depression and more.

Chronic conditions:

If there is a change in your chronic condition, such as an asthma flare-up, diabetes related issues, or hypertension, you can take sick leave. You can get an online doctor’s certificate from the comfort of your home.

Pregnancy issues:

If you need sick leave to cope with that morning sickness or pregnancy diarrhoea, you can do so with an online sick note.

Pains and injuries:

If you are injured or have any body pains or aches, you can claim sick leave through an online medical certificate.

University and school leave:

Get a valid proof for your sickness absence, which will help you in rescheduling deadlines or exam exemptions. You can get sick leave for your school or university for a single day’s absence or a multi-day absence.

Extended leave:

Some conditions require long absences. Through telehealth, you can obtain a multi-day medical certificate online up to 7 days. This is issued after a telehealth consultation with a registered practitioner, and if approved.

Top reasons Australians take sick leave

Common illnesses: Common illnesses such as cold, flu, fever, cough, stomach-ache and more are some of the main reasons for sick leave. Some of the common illnesses for which employees take sick leave include:

• Colds, fevers, and flu
• Stomach-ache, gastro, food poisoning, diarrhoea and vomiting
• Infections such as sore throat, viral illnesses and more
• Chronic conditions: Changes in chronic conditions such as asthma flare-ups, migraines and more might require some time off from work or school to recover, leading to sick leave. If you have some changes in conditions, such as high blood pressure, that affect you, you can get a day off as well.
• Mental health reasons: Mental health disorders, including anxiety, stress, and depression, are now widely accepted as valid reasons for taking sick leave. These conditions can significantly affect a person’s ability to focus, communicate with co-workers, and work performance. If you are feeling burned out or stressed due to work, these are also considered valid medical leave reasons in Australia.
• Injuries: You can take a day off from work or a long leave for injuries in personal life or at work. A sprain, an ankle injury, a back injury, fractures, accidents and physical trauma are some examples of injuries you can take sick leave for.
• Pregnancy issues: During pregnancy, women may require time off for health reasons, including morning sickness, complications, or medical appointments. You can get sick leave for pregnancy issues in Australia.
• Carer’s leave: Whether you need to take a day off to care for your loved one, assist your parent to the hospital or be with your child when sick, it is all accepted.
• Musculoskeletal disorders: Issues such as joint pain, back pain, and injuries due to physical strain are common reasons to take time off from work or school.

Why do workplaces require a medical certificate?

According to the Fair Work Act 2009, employees are entitled to paid sick leave every calendar year, and the employer has the right to ask for proof of this illness. This proof is none other than a medical certificate from a registered practitioner.

A medical certificate validates the illness for which an employee is taking leave. This helps in solving any trust issues that arise at the workplace or can be used as legal evidence in some cases. This is a formal letter from a qualified doctor or health practitioner in Australia, reaffirming your illness.

This ensures that sick leave is only taken when you have a valid reason. It prevents misuse of sick leaves, laying unnecessary workload on other colleagues and acts as a legal record in cases of disagreement.

Also read: Medical Certificate Rules in Australia

The purpose of getting a medical certificate in Australia

A medical certificate is considered a legal document in Australia, justifying your absence from your daily activities, such as work or school/university. Most Australian workplaces, universities and schools are accepting online medical certificates for minor illnesses, injuries, mental health days, carers’ leave, etc.

This certificate is considered valid only when approved by a registered practitioner. Here is why a medical certificate is required at various places in Australia:

• Workplaces: According to the Fair Work Act, all employees are entitled to 10 days’ sick leave or carer’s leave, and all employers retain the right to ask for proof of sickness. The proof in this case is a valid medical certificate.
• Universities: Universities might require a medical certificate for special consideration (special con), exam exemption or for pushing the assignment deadlines.
• Schools: Your child’s school might ask for a medical certificate for their absence.

What to say to a doctor to get a medical certificate?

A medical certificate is a legal document that represents the status of your health on the day of the request. A doctor or health practitioner will adhere to clinical and ethical guidelines before approving any request. They will only approve requests that are genuine. Here are some tips on what to say:

• Be honest and open about your symptoms.
• Be clear about the purpose of the certificate, such as whether it is for work or school.
• If it is a multi-day medical certificate, specify the number of days you might need it for.

How Hola Health may be able to help

Hola Health is an Australian telehealth platform that connects you with registered doctors and nurse practitioners — from the comfort of your home, at a time that suits you. Depending on your situation, a Hola Health clinician may be able to help with:

• 24/7 General medical advice via telehealth doctor consult — talk through symptoms or health concerns with a registered doctor or medical practitioner
• Medical certificate online — for work or personal leave, when clinically appropriate
• Referrals to specialists – or in-person services when needed
• Online prescriptions — at a clinician’s discretion and where clinically suitable
• Pathology or imaging requests — when assessed as appropriate by your treating clinician

Hola Health clinicians are AHPRA-registered Doctors and medical practitioners in Australia. They will always recommend an in-person consultation, specialist referral, or emergency care if that is in your best interest.

Note: Telehealth is not suitable for all conditions. Hola Health does not replace your regular GP, specialist, or emergency services. If you are unsure whether telehealth is right for your situation, we recommend speaking with your usual healthcare provider. In emergencies, call 000.