Get a medical certificate for work online. Same day

When you need a medical certificate for work

Under the Fair Work Act, Australian employees are entitled to personal leave (sick leave) when they are unwell or injured. If you are absent from work for more than one day, or if your employer's policy requires it, you will typically need to provide a medical certificate. Some employers request a certificate even for a single day of absence.

With NewDoc, you can get a medical certificate for work online without leaving home. This is especially useful when you are feeling unwell and cannot easily travel to a GP clinic. Book a telehealth consultation, speak with an AHPRA-registered GP, and receive your certificate by email the same day.

What employers accept

A medical certificate from a telehealth consultation is legally equivalent to one issued during an in-person visit. The certificate is signed by a fully qualified General Practitioner with FRACGP fellowship and includes their AHPRA registration number. All Australian employers are required to accept a valid certificate from a registered medical practitioner under the Fair Work Act.

Your certificate will state that you were assessed by a GP and found to be unfit for work on the specified dates. It does not need to disclose your diagnosis or specific medical condition. If your employer has questions about the validity of a telehealth certificate, the Fair Work Ombudsman confirms that certificates issued via telehealth are valid.

How to get your certificate

The process takes just a few minutes. Book a consultation on the NewDoc website, select a convenient time (same-day appointments are available seven days a week), and connect with a GP via video or phone. The doctor will assess your condition, and if a medical certificate is appropriate, it will be emailed to you immediately after the consultation.

If you are eligible for Medicare bulk billing, there is no cost for the consultation or the certificate. NewDoc does not charge the extra certificate fees that many other telehealth services add. You can forward the certificate directly to your employer or HR department from your email.

Important things to know

Doctors cannot issue a medical certificate with a date in the past, it is always dated the day of your consultation. However, your GP can document the symptoms you describe and when they first appeared, and based on that clinical assessment the certificate can state the period for which you have been unfit for work, including days before the consultation. Book as soon as you are able and explain when your symptoms started.

NewDoc is a telehealth service and does not operate physical clinics. If your condition requires a physical examination, the GP will advise you to attend a local GP clinic or emergency department for hands-on assessment.

Your rights regarding work medical certificates

Australian employees have clear rights when it comes to medical certificates and sick leave. Under the Fair Work Act, your employer must accept a medical certificate from any registered medical practitioner, including one issued via telehealth. Your employer cannot require you to visit a specific doctor or clinic, nor can they insist on a particular format for the certificate, provided it is issued by an AHPRA-registered practitioner.

Your medical information is protected under Australian privacy legislation. A work medical certificate will confirm that you were assessed and found to be unfit for work on certain dates, but it does not need to include a diagnosis. Your employer cannot lawfully pressure you to reveal the nature of your illness. If you feel your employer is not accepting a valid medical certificate or is requesting inappropriate medical details, the Fair Work Ombudsman can provide guidance.

What information is included on a work medical certificate

A medical certificate for work issued by a NewDoc GP typically includes the patient's full name and date of birth, the date and time of the consultation, the dates the patient is unfit for work, the GP's name, signature, and AHPRA registration number, and the practice details. The certificate may also note whether you are unfit for all duties or whether modified duties could be appropriate.

Importantly, the certificate does not need to state your diagnosis or the specific reason for your absence. If your employer requires additional information, such as a fitness for duty assessment before you return, a separate fitness for duty certificate may be arranged through a follow-up consultation.