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Carer's Leave

Need documentation for carer's leave? Request your Absence from Work Certificate online for $5, reviewed by an AHPRA-Registered Pharmacist. No appointment required.

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Jump to: What is carer's leave · Common situations · Evidence · How Sicknotes can help · FAQ

  • Only $5, no appointment required
  • Reviewed by AHPRA-Registered Pharmacists
  • Certificate delivered by email
  • No certificate, no charge

What is carer's leave?

Carer's leave can apply when you need to provide care or support to an eligible family or household member who is unwell, injured or affected by an unexpected emergency. It's a workplace entitlement, separate from the certificate or other evidence your employer might ask you to provide.

Sicknotes doesn't determine your leave entitlement or whether your situation qualifies. That's between you and your employer, based on your award, agreement or employment contract. What we can help with is the documentation: we call it an Absence from Work Certificate, though you might know it as a medical certificate or sick note.

Common situations

A few examples of when carer's leave may be relevant:

  • Caring for a sick child
  • Caring for a partner
  • Caring for a parent
  • Caring for another eligible family or household member
  • An unexpected illness or emergency affecting someone you care for

Not every relationship or situation will meet the definition of an eligible family or household member. Check your own entitlements if you're unsure.

Evidence for carer's leave

Under the Fair Work Act, employers can ask employees to provide reasonable evidence to support a claim for carer's leave. A medical certificate is one example of that evidence, although individual workplace policies, awards and enterprise agreements can set their own requirements.

Requirements can differ between workplaces, so if you're unsure what your employer needs, it's worth checking your own workplace policy before you submit anything.

How Sicknotes can help

If you need documentation to support carer's leave, Sicknotes lets eligible Australians request an Absence from Work Certificate online. Your request is reviewed by an AHPRA-Registered Pharmacist, and your certificate reflects the day of that review. Certificates can cover up to two days.

The certificate documents your own absence from work to provide care. It isn't a diagnosis or treatment for the person you're caring for, so if they need medical attention themselves, they should see their own GP or another appropriate healthcare professional.

  • Only $5, no appointment required
  • Reviewed by AHPRA-Registered Pharmacists
  • Certificate delivered by email
  • No certificate, no charge
Request a Certificate

Are you the one who's unwell? Read our guide to personal leave

How Sicknotes works

  1. 01

    Answer a few quick questions

    Tell us about your circumstances to help your pharmacist review your request. It only takes a few minutes.

  2. 02

    Pharmacist review

    An AHPRA-Registered Pharmacist reviews your request. If needed, the pharmacist may ask for some additional information to complete the review.

  3. 03

    Receive your certificate

    If appropriate, the reviewing pharmacist will issue an Absence from Work Certificate and we'll email it directly to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is carer's leave?
Carer's leave is a workplace entitlement that lets eligible employees take time off to care for a family or household member who is unwell, injured or facing an unexpected emergency.
Can I get a sick note for carer's leave?
Yes. Sicknotes lets eligible Australians request an Absence from Work Certificate online to support carer's leave. Some people call this a sick note.
Can I get a medical certificate for carer's leave?
Yes. Sicknotes provides an Absence from Work Certificate, which is what many people mean when they search for a medical certificate for carer's leave. It's reviewed by an AHPRA-Registered Pharmacist.
Can I use carer's leave to care for my sick child?
Yes, caring for a sick child is one of the most common reasons people take carer's leave. Sicknotes can review a request to support that absence, subject to the information you provide.
Who can I take carer's leave to care for?
Generally, you can take carer's leave to care for or support a member of your immediate family or household who is unwell, injured or affected by an unexpected emergency. This can include a partner, child, parent, grandparent or sibling. If you're unsure whether someone qualifies, check your own entitlements.
Do I need evidence for carer's leave?
Your employer can ask for reasonable evidence to support a claim for carer's leave. A medical certificate is one example, but requirements vary between workplaces.
Will my employer accept a Sicknotes certificate?
Requirements can vary between employers, so we can't guarantee that every employer will accept a certificate. Sicknotes provides an Absence from Work Certificate, reviewed by an AHPRA-Registered Pharmacist, through our standard request process. If you're unsure what your employer needs, it's worth checking your workplace policy, award or agreement before you submit it.
How much does it cost?
Sicknotes costs just $5. If a certificate can't be issued, you'll receive a full refund.
How quickly will I receive it?
We aim to review your request within one hour of submission. During busy periods, review times may be longer.
What if a certificate cannot be issued?
Every request is individually reviewed, and a certificate isn't guaranteed. If a certificate can't be issued, you'll receive a full refund. No certificate, no charge.

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Request your Absence from Work Certificate online today. Simple, affordable and built for a short-term absence from work.

Request a Certificate

Only $5 · No certificate, no charge