How to Get a Medical Certificate Online: Work, Uni and Carer’s Leave

You can get a medical certificate online by booking a phone or video consultation with an AHPRA-registered doctor. The doctor will ask about your symptoms and, if they assess that you’re unfit for work or study, or that you need to care for someone who is unwell, they’ll send you a certificate electronically. It usually takes one short consultation.

This guide walks through the process step by step, with practical tips for work, university and carer’s leave certificates.

Step by step: getting a certificate online

1. Book a consultation. Choose a telehealth service that uses AHPRA-registered Australian doctors and offers a real phone or video consultation. Questionnaire-only services don’t meet the Medical Board’s telehealth guidelines.
2. Have your details ready. You’ll need your full name, date of birth, contact details and, if relevant, your Medicare card.
3. Talk to the doctor. Explain your symptoms, when they started and how they’re affecting you. Be honest. The doctor needs accurate information to make a fair assessment.
4. Say what the certificate is for. Let the doctor know whether it’s for work, study or carer’s leave, and the dates you need covered.
5. Receive your certificate. If the doctor issues one, it’s sent to you electronically, usually by email or text, so you can forward it straight to your employer or uni.

The doctor may also give you advice on managing your symptoms, prescribe treatment if clinically appropriate, or recommend that you’re seen in person.

Medical certificates for work

Most employees need a certificate when their employer asks for evidence of sick leave. Before your consultation, it helps to know:

• Your workplace rules. Your award, enterprise agreement or employer policy may say when evidence is needed, for example after a set number of days or around public holidays.
• Whether you can do modified duties. If you could work with some limits, such as from home or without heavy lifting, tell the doctor. They may note this on the certificate.
• How long you expect to be off. The doctor will give a period that matches your condition. If you’re still unwell when it ends, book a follow-up.

For more on your rights and when an employer can ask for evidence, see When do you need a medical certificate in Australia? You can also read about our medical certificates for work.

Medical certificates for university and TAFE

Students usually need a certificate to apply for special consideration, an extension or a deferred exam. Universities often have stricter requirements than employers, so:

• Check your institution’s policy first. Some require their own form (often called a professional practitioner or health professional form) to be completed by the doctor.
• Note the deadline. Many universities only accept applications within a few working days of the missed assessment.
• Explain the impact on your study. Tell the doctor which assessment or exam you missed, or couldn’t complete properly, and on what dates. Universities often want to know how your illness affected your ability to study, not just that you were unwell.
• Book promptly. A doctor can only certify what they can reasonably assess, so it’s best to be seen while you’re unwell, not after the event.

Read more about our medical certificates for university.

Carer’s leave certificates

If you need time off to look after a member of your immediate family or household who is sick, injured or affected by an unexpected emergency, your employer may ask for evidence. A carer’s certificate confirms that the person you’re caring for was unwell and needed your care.

• The doctor usually needs to speak with, or about, the person who is unwell. For a child, the parent or carer can describe their symptoms. An older child or adult may need to join the call.
• The certificate is in your name as the carer, and confirms the dates you needed to provide care.
• Casual employees aren’t entitled to paid carer’s leave under the National Employment Standards, but are entitled to unpaid carer’s leave.

Find out more about medical certificates for carer’s leave.

Tips for a smooth consultation

• Find a quiet, private place with good phone reception or internet.
• Have a list of your symptoms, any medicines you take and any allergies.
• Check the certificate when it arrives. If a date or name is wrong, contact the service so it can be corrected.
• Keep a copy for your own records.

When a certificate can’t be done online

Telehealth works well for common illnesses like colds, flu, gastro and many flare-ups of existing conditions. It isn’t suitable for:

• emergencies. If you have chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of a stroke or a serious injury, call 000
• workers’ compensation certificates
• fitness-for-work or pre-employment medicals
• anything that needs a physical examination

Our article What telehealth can and can’t do explains more.

How Teldoc can help

Teldoc’s AHPRA-registered GPs consult by phone or video, 7 days a week from 9 am to 7 pm (Sydney time), and most patients are seen within 15 minutes. If the doctor assesses that a medical certificate is appropriate, it’s sent to you electronically.

General consultations are $55 on weekdays and $75 on weekends and public holidays, with no Medicare rebate. Some consultations are bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card, including consultations for babies under 12 months. See our fees page for details.

To understand what makes a certificate valid, read Medical certificates in Australia: requirements and basics.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a medical certificate online?

Book a phone or video consultation with an AHPRA-registered doctor, explain your symptoms and what the certificate is for, and if the doctor assesses that it’s appropriate, they’ll send the certificate to you electronically.

Will my university accept an online medical certificate?

Most universities accept certificates from telehealth consultations with registered doctors, but many have their own forms and deadlines for special consideration. Check your institution’s policy before your consultation.

Can I get a carer’s leave certificate online?

Yes. A doctor can issue a carer’s certificate after assessing the person you’re caring for, usually by speaking with you and, where appropriate, with them. The certificate confirms the dates you needed to provide care.

Is a certificate guaranteed if I book a consultation?

No. A doctor will only issue a certificate if, after assessing you, they believe it’s medically appropriate. They’ll explain their reasons if they don’t.

Can I get a certificate for days I’ve already had off?

Certificates are dated the day you’re seen. A doctor may note that you reported being unwell from an earlier date, but they can only certify what they can reasonably assess, so it’s best to book while you’re unwell.

Sources and further reading: Fair Work Ombudsman: Notice and medical certificates; Medical Board of Australia: Telehealth consultations with patients.

This article is general health information and isn’t a substitute for advice from your own doctor. If you’re worried about your health, speak to a GP. In an emergency, call 000.

Medically reviewed by Dr Vafa Derakshan (MBBS, FRACGP), September 2026