You do require some type of formal proof from a general practitioner in Australia for the confirmation of an illness, injury, or health condition. This will provide written evidence, sometimes referred to as a Dr certificate, to confirm your state of unfitness for work, school, or other activities on specific dates. It might be just a small piece of paper, but in terms of law and workplace policy in Australia, a medical certificate carries much weight.
Let's look at when you need one, who can issue it, and how you can make sure your certificate meets the right requirements.
A doctor's certificate, or medical certificate, is a signed statement from a registered medical practitioner confirming certain information about a person's state of health or their fitness for work. In Australia, this can only be issued by a qualified healthcare professional, such as a GP, specialist, or occasionally an allied health practitioner like a physiotherapist or dentist.
This medical fitness certificate can be used to confirm whether or not a patient was examined, diagnosed, or treated on a certain date, or medically unfit to work or study for a specified time. It may also be used for the verification of one's recovery progress or fitness to resume duties.
One of the most common reasons Australians request a doctor’s certificate is to support sick leave. According to Fair Work Australia, employers can request proof if an employee takes personal leave due to illness or injury, even if it is just for one day.
A properly issued certificate will protect your entitlements and help maintain trust with your employer. It should include the doctor's name, their registration number, date of issue, and confirmation that you were unfit for work for a stated period.
Ongoing certificates might be required for conditions that require more than a few days of rest or treatment to continue receiving sick leave or Centrelink benefits. A good example could be chronic back pain, anxiety, or long-term post-operative recovery that may require updated documents to prove one's status.
Your GP might issue follow-up certificates every few weeks or months, depending on your treatment plan.
Employees who require time off work to care for a dependant who is ill or injured may also need a certificate to confirm the dependency. GPs can supply carer certificates outlining the nature of the dependency without violating medical confidentiality.
This kind of documentation ensures that employers understand your absence is genuine and in accordance with the personal and carer's leave provisions under Fair Work.
Schools, TAFEs, and universities in Australia usually request medical certificates when students miss an exam, assessment, or compulsory classes due to illness. Most educational establishments have certain policies, for which a certificate must be issued by a doctor who examined the student during or after the illness.
Submitting a valid certificate will ensure your absence is recorded as excused and may allow resits or extensions, where permitted.
Some certificates are needed, not for absence, but to confirm that a person is fit to undertake certain activities. For example: