Do I Need a Medical Certificate for One Day Off Work?

Legislation around medical certificates in Australia

In Australia, employers are within their rights to request a medical certificate or other proof of illness for any period of sick leave, even if it’s just a single day. While not all companies will enforce this, many do require documentation to ensure that sick leave is being taken legitimately. This often depends on:

• Your Employment Contract: Some contracts may specify the requirement for a medical certificate for any sick leave, regardless of duration.

• Company Policies: Larger organisations and those in industries with high safety standards may enforce stricter policies regarding sick leave.

• Absence Circumstances: If your absence falls during a busy period or if there’s a pattern of frequent short-term sick leave, your employer might be more likely to request a certificate.

The challenge of securing a same-day GP appointment

When you’re feeling unwell, the last thing you want to do is to book a same-day appointment with your GP, just to get a medical certificate. Unfortunately, this can be difficult, especially in busy practices where appointments are booked out in advance.

Telehealth services like Our Sage offer a convenient solution. Instead of waiting for an in-person visit, you can access care from the comfort of your home. In today's evolving healthcare landscape, telehealth has become a valuable tool for quickly obtaining medical documents, including certificates for sick leave.

How Our Sage Telehealth makes getting a medical certificate easier

With Our Sage, you don't need to schedule an appointment days in advance. Once you book a consultation for a medical certificate, our GPs aim to call you within 15-30 minutes.

Additionally, all medical certificates issued by Our Sage are provided by licensed healthcare professionals and are legally recognised. Whether you need a certificate for one or multiple days off, we ensure that the process is reliable and accessible.

Do employers commonly request a medical certificate for one day off?

It’s not uncommon for employers to request a medical certificate for even a single day off. In some cases, it may be part of their general policy to document any sick leave to maintain clear records. While some companies may be more lenient, having quick access to a medical certificate through telehealth can help avoid potential disputes or delays in processing your leave.

Frequently Asked Questions about Medical Certificates

How to get a medical certificate for work

Fill out a short questionnaire here and one of our healthcare professionals will review your request and have a brief phone consultation with you. Once approved, the medical certificate will be in your inbox. Please double-check that your email address is correct and check your Junk / Spam folders after filling out the questionnaire.

If you are after a 3-4 day medical certificate, please start a telehealth consult here.

How will I receive my medical certificate?

After your consultation, your medical certificate will be available for download via the Our Sage app, or emailed to your nominated email address for web bookings.

How long will it take to get my medical certificate online?

If your request for a medical certificate is approved, it will be available in the Our Sage app almost instantly and / or emailed to your nominated email address for web bookings.