About Medical Certificates: For Sick Leave or Absence

In Australia, when you need to take time off from work or school due to illness, it is common for employers or schools to request a Medical Certificate.

A Medical Certificate is an official document confirming that you were medically unfit for work, study, or other duties for a specific period. In many cases, you will need to see a General Practitioner (GP) to obtain one.

Important: Medical Certificates Cannot Be Freely Backdated

Medical Certificates generally cannot be backdated to a period prior to your appointment with the doctor.
It is important to consider which dates you need the certificate for, and when you should book your GP appointment to ensure it is medically and legally valid.

Medical Certificate Issuance

A Medical Certificate can only be issued after a medical consultation with a GP.
Depending on your symptoms, the consultation may be either in-person or via telehealth.
The date on the certificate will reflect the date of your consultation, not when your symptoms began.
Certificates cannot be issued for periods during which you were not assessed by a GP.

What’s Included in a Valid Medical Certificate?

A proper Medical Certificate typically includes:

Your name
The date of your consultation
The date the certificate is written
The period you are (or were) unfit for work or study
The GP’s name, signature, and clinic details

Note: The diagnosis is not included unless you specifically request it.

When You Need a Medical Certificate

At Skyarch Medical Clinic Brisbane, we do our best to offer same-day appointments for patients who require a Medical Certificate.

To help us assist you efficiently:

Please book your appointment as early as possible on the day you begin feeling unwell.
Let our reception team know that you require a Medical Certificate.

If you have any questions about Medical Certificates, feel free to contact Skyarch Medical Clinic Brisbane.

Reference:

RACGP – Guidelines on Sickness Certification
https://www.racgp.org.au/getattachment/df5d82cf-8cc1-4937-8066-f443d73fb7fd/Sickness-certification.aspx