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Personal Leave

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

Request a CertificateWhen it may apply

Only $5 · Takes less than 5 minutes

Jump to: What is personal leave · When it may apply · 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 personal leave?

Personal leave, sometimes called sick leave, is a workplace entitlement that lets eligible employees take time off when they're unwell or injured and unable to work. It's separate from the certificate or other evidence an employer might ask you to provide to support that absence. Sicknotes doesn't determine your leave entitlement. That's between you and your employer, based on your award, agreement or employment contract.

When you need to provide evidence of your absence, that's where Sicknotes can help. We call our documentation an Absence from Work Certificate, though you might know it as a medical certificate or sick note.

When personal leave may apply

A few common situations where personal leave may be relevant:

  • You're unwell or injured and can't work
  • You need a day or two at home to recover
  • You have a short-term illness
  • Your employer has asked for evidence of your absence
  • You have an unplanned absence at short notice

Evidence for personal leave

Under the Fair Work Act, employers can ask employees to provide reasonable evidence to support a claim for personal 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 personal 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 of absence.

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

Need to take leave to care for someone else instead? Read our guide to carer's 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 personal leave?
Personal leave, sometimes called sick leave, is a workplace entitlement that lets eligible employees take time off when they're unwell or injured. Your specific entitlement depends on your employment type, award or agreement.
Is personal leave the same as sick leave?
They're generally used to mean the same thing. Under the Fair Work Act, this type of leave is called personal leave, though most people know it as sick leave.
Do casual employees get personal leave?
Casual employees don't receive paid sick leave under the National Employment Standards. Casual employees can take unpaid carer's leave in certain circumstances. Your workplace arrangements may provide additional entitlements, so check your award, agreement or employment contract if you're unsure.
Can I get a sick note for personal leave?
Yes. Sicknotes lets eligible Australians request an Absence from Work Certificate online to support personal leave. Some people call this a sick note or medical certificate.
Do I need a medical certificate for sick leave?
That depends on your employer's policy. Employers can ask for reasonable evidence of an absence, and a medical certificate is one example, but requirements vary between workplaces.
Can my employer ask for evidence for personal leave?
Yes. Under the Fair Work Act, employers can ask employees to provide reasonable evidence to support a claim for personal leave. What counts as reasonable can depend on your workplace policy, award or agreement.
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 a Sicknotes certificate 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.

Ready to get started?

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