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Are Online Medical Certificates Accepted?

Online medical certificates can be used as evidence for work, but whether a particular certificate meets your employer's requirements depends on your workplace, award, agreement and policy.

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Jump to: Can it be accepted · What Fair Work says · What to check · Getting a certificate · FAQs

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Can an online medical certificate be accepted for work?

There are really two separate questions here. One is whether a medical certificate is requested and delivered online. The other is whether that certificate is appropriate evidence for your particular workplace.

An employer can generally ask an employee to provide reasonable evidence to support a claim for personal or carer's leave, and a medical certificate is one example of that evidence. Whether a specific certificate satisfies that requirement depends on your workplace's own arrangements, not simply on how it was obtained.

Workplace requirements can differ from one employer to the next, so what's accepted in one workplace won't necessarily apply in another.

What does Fair Work say about medical certificates?

Under the Fair Work Act, an employer can ask an employee for evidence that supports a claim for sick or carer's leave, including for an absence of a day or less. Medical certificates and statutory declarations are examples of evidence.

There's no strict, universal rule about the type of evidence required. It needs to satisfy a reasonable person and be reasonable in the circumstances. Awards and registered agreements can also set their own requirements about when evidence is needed and what form it should take.

For the current detail, see the Fair Work Ombudsman's guidance on sick and carer's leave.

Does it matter that the certificate is online?

"Online" describes how the request or consultation happens and how the certificate is delivered, for example by email instead of in person. It doesn't, by itself, establish whether your employer will accept the document.

What matters more is whether the certificate provides appropriate evidence for your leave and meets your employer's own requirements. If you're unsure, check your workplace policy, award, agreement or employment contract.

What should I check before submitting an online certificate?

A few things worth checking before you rely on any certificate for work:

  • Does your employer require evidence for the absence?
  • Does your workplace policy specify what type of evidence is required?
  • Does your award or enterprise agreement contain specific requirements?
  • Does the certificate identify the relevant registered health practitioner?
  • Does it cover the dates of your absence?
  • Does the documentation relate to the type of leave you're taking?

What does a Sicknotes certificate include?

An Absence from Work Certificate issued through Sicknotes includes:

  • The reviewing pharmacist's name
  • Their qualifications and AHPRA registration details
  • The relevant absence dates

It does not display Sicknotes branding.

If you're unsure whether your employer accepts online certificates

If your workplace has specific evidence requirements, it's worth checking your employer's policy or asking your manager or HR team before relying on an online certificate.

If your workplace doesn't specify a particular process, the evidence requirements that apply will still depend on your circumstances and your employment arrangements.

Need an Absence from Work Certificate?

If you need an Absence from Work Certificate, Sicknotes lets eligible Australians request one online for only $5. Your request is reviewed by an AHPRA-Registered Pharmacist.

A certificate isn't issued automatically. Every request is individually reviewed, and a certificate is only issued where the pharmacist determines it's appropriate.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Are online medical certificates accepted by employers?
Employers can ask for reasonable evidence to support a claim for personal or carer's leave, and a medical certificate is one example of that evidence. Whether a particular certificate is accepted depends on your workplace's requirements, and these can vary between employers, awards and agreements.
Will my employer accept an online medical certificate?
That depends on your employer's requirements and applicable workplace arrangements. If you're unsure, it's worth checking your workplace policy, award or agreement, or asking your manager or HR team.
Are online medical certificates valid in Australia?
Being requested or delivered online doesn't by itself determine whether a certificate meets a particular workplace's evidence requirements. What matters is whether the documentation is appropriate evidence for the leave you're taking and satisfies your employer's requirements.
Can I use an online medical certificate for sick leave?
You may need to provide evidence to support a claim for personal leave when your employer asks for it, and an online certificate can be one form of that documentation where appropriate. Your workplace's specific requirements still apply.
Does Fair Work require employers to accept online medical certificates?
No. Fair Work Ombudsman guidance deals with an employer's ability to ask for reasonable evidence of sick or carer's leave, not with any particular certificate provider or format. It doesn't mandate acceptance of an online certificate specifically.
What if my employer says they don't accept online medical certificates?
Workplace requirements can vary, so it's worth checking your policy, award or agreement and asking your employer what evidence they do require. This isn't something Sicknotes can resolve on your behalf.

Need evidence for your absence?

If you need documentation for a personal or carer's leave absence, you can request an Absence from Work Certificate online with Sicknotes.

Request a Certificate

Only $5 · No certificate, no charge