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Medical Certificate for Teachers

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

Request a CertificateWhen you might need one

Only $5 · Takes less than 5 minutes

Jump to: Sick & carer's leave · When you need a certificate · Can't get a GP appointment · Your school's requirements · FAQ

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

Sick leave and carer's leave for teachers

Teachers, like other Australian employees, can generally access personal leave when they're too unwell to work, and carer's leave when they need to care for an eligible family or household member who is sick or facing an unexpected emergency. At Sicknotes, we call the supporting documentation an Absence from Work Certificate, though you might know it as a medical certificate or sick note.

Whether you're unwell before first period or staying home to care for a sick child, your school may ask for evidence of your absence. Sicknotes lets eligible Australians request that documentation online, without needing to book a GP appointment.

When might you need a certificate?

A few common situations where teachers request a certificate:

  • You're too unwell to attend school
  • You need to take personal leave at short notice
  • You need to care for a sick child or family member
  • Your school has asked for evidence of your absence

Can't get a GP appointment before school?

Feeling unwell early on a school morning doesn't always line up with GP opening hours, and booking an appointment just to get paperwork can take time you don't have. For eligible requests, Sicknotes is one option: complete your request online and have it reviewed by an AHPRA-Registered Pharmacist, without booking an appointment.

This isn't a substitute for medical care. If your symptoms are severe, persist or worsen, or you need diagnosis, treatment or ongoing care, please see your 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

Check your school's requirements

Teachers can be employed under different systems, including state and territory education departments, independent and Catholic school employers, awards and enterprise agreements, so requirements for providing evidence of an absence can vary between schools.

Under the Fair Work Act, employers can ask employees to provide reasonable evidence to support a claim for personal or carer's leave, and a medical certificate is one example of that evidence. If you're unsure what your school requires, check your workplace policy before submitting your certificate. For more on your leave entitlements, see the Fair Work Ombudsman's guidance on sick and 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.

Want to see how Sicknotes compares to other options? Compare your options

Frequently Asked Questions

Can teachers get a medical certificate online?
Yes. Eligible Australians, including teachers, can request an Absence from Work Certificate online through Sicknotes. Your request is reviewed by an AHPRA-Registered Pharmacist, and a certificate is only issued where the pharmacist determines it's appropriate.
Can I use Sicknotes for teacher sick leave?
Yes. Sicknotes is available for eligible personal leave requests, sometimes called sick leave, whether you're a classroom teacher, casual relief teacher or in another teaching role.
Can I use Sicknotes for carer's leave?
Yes. If you need documentation to support carer's leave, for example to care for a sick child or another eligible family or household member, you can request a certificate through Sicknotes for eligible circumstances.
I'm not a teacher but I work at a school. Can I still use Sicknotes?
Yes. Sicknotes is available to any eligible adult in Australia, whether you're a teacher, teacher's aide or another school staff member requesting documentation for personal or carer's leave.
Do I need a GP appointment to request a certificate?
No appointment is required to submit a request. If you need diagnosis, treatment or ongoing care, or your symptoms are severe, please see your GP or another appropriate healthcare professional instead.
How much does it cost?
Sicknotes costs just $5. If a certificate can't be issued, you'll receive a full refund.
Will my school accept the certificate?
Requirements can vary between schools and employers, so we can't guarantee that every school 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 school needs, it's worth checking your workplace policy before you submit it.
What if I can't receive a certificate?
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.
How quickly will I receive my certificate?
We aim to review your request within one hour of submission. During busy periods, review times may be longer.

Ready to get started?

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

Request a Certificate

Only $5 · No certificate, no charge