Why DoctorsNote
Cheap sick certificate sites sell convenience. DoctorsNote sells certainty.
Get a sick certificate online — A$14.95 flat, up to 2 days leave.
Sick Certificate Online Australia
Get a Sick Certificate Online in Australia
An online sick certificate reviewed by an AHPRA-registered GP — not auto-issued, not generated by an algorithm. A$14.95 flat, for today or tomorrow, reviewed within 24 hours. Get a sick certificate online when you have been too unwell to work, anywhere in Australia.
A$14.95 sick certificate Reviewed within 24 hours Usually no phone or video call QR employer verification
The short answer
A sick certificate issued online by an AHPRA-registered GP can be used as evidence to support personal (sick) leave under the Fair Work Act 2009, with acceptance determined by your employer. DoctorsNote reviews your application within 24 hours for A$14.95 flat, for today or tomorrow, individually reviewed and signed by a named Australian GP.
General information, not advice on your individual circumstances.
Key takeaways
- ✓ Reviewed & signed by Dr Walia (FRACGP) — never a bot or rotating pool
- ✓ A$14.95 flat — covers today or tomorrow (not charged per day)
- ✓ Usually no phone or video call unless more information is needed
- ✓ Reviewed within 24 hours, emailed as a PDF
- ✓ Employer-verifiable via QR code + verification page
- ✓ Full audit trail under CASI clinical governance
- ✓ A sick certificate Australia-wide, online, with no clinic visit
For employers: how do I know this sick certificate isn’t auto-generated?
Every DoctorsNote sick certificate is personally reviewed and signed by Dr Rupinder Singh Walia (AHPRA MED0001647256) — never auto-issued by an algorithm or a rotating pool. Scan the QR code or enter the reference at doctorsnote.com.au/verify to confirm, in seconds, the issuing doctor’s name, AHPRA registration, the exact issue time, and that the sick certificate has not been altered.
Sources & references
“While there are no strict rules on what type of evidence needs to be given, the evidence has to convince a reasonable person that the employee was genuinely entitled to the sick or carer’s leave.”— Fair Work Ombudsman
“Employers can ask employees to provide evidence for as little as 1 day or less off work.”— Fair Work Ombudsman
Further reading: Fair Work Act 2009 · Verify a doctor on the AHPRA register.
One doctor, not a poolDr Rupinder Singh Walia, FRACGP — AHPRA MED0001647256. Every sick certificate reviewed by the founding GP with 28 years of clinical practice.
A$14.95 flat, up to 2 days leave.No subscriptions. No surge pricing. No per-day charges. The price on the page is the price you pay.
Over 15,500 certificates issuedOperating since 2023. Not a startup experiment.
Employer verification built inEvery sick certificate includes a unique reference and QR code. Your employer can verify authenticity at doctorsnote.com.au/verify.
Meets Fair Work Act 2009 requirementsIssued in line with Fair Work Act 2009 evidence requirements and AMA guidance. Reviewed within 24 hours. No backdating.
The short answer
Get a sick certificate online from an AHPRA-registered Australian GP. A sick certificate — also written 'sick cert', and searched as 'online sick certificate' or 'sick certificate online' — is the document your employer may require when you have been unfit for work due to illness. DoctorsNote reviews your application within 24 hours and emails your sick certificate if approved. A$14.95 flat, up to 2 days leave. Usually no phone or video call is needed, no appointment, no waiting room, available as a sick certificate Australia-wide.
Our sick certificates are issued by AHPRA-registered GPs and can be used as evidence to support personal (sick) leave under the Fair Work Act 2009, with acceptance determined by your employer.
Ready to apply? Use the main medical certificate online form for your sick certificate online application.
What is a sick certificate?
A sick certificate is a document issued by a registered doctor confirming that you were unfit for work for a specific period because of illness. Employers commonly require it as evidence when you take personal (sick) leave. Whether you call it a sick certificate or a sick cert, the document is the same — clinical evidence of unfitness for work, signed by an AHPRA-registered Australian GP.
In Australia, a sick certificate can be issued by any AHPRA-registered practitioner, including through an online assessment. A sick certificate online issued by a registered GP can be used as evidence to support personal (sick) leave under the Fair Work Act 2009, with acceptance determined by your employer — whether the assessment was conducted in person or online.
A sick certificate typically includes the practitioner's name and registration number, the dates of unfitness, and a statement that the patient was unfit for their normal duties. It does not need to disclose the specific diagnosis or condition.
How to get a sick certificate online
Getting a sick certificate online through DoctorsNote takes about five minutes. The process has three steps.
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Step 1 — Complete the online formTell us about your symptoms and the dates you need covered. Usually no phone or video call is needed, and there is no clinic visit. You will need your full name, date of birth, contact details, and a description of your condition.
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Step 2 — Pay securelyYour sick certificate is A$14.95 flat, up to 2 days leave, with no hidden fees. Payment is processed securely by card or PayPal before your application enters clinical review.
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Step 3 — GP review and deliveryDr Rupinder Singh Walia (FRACGP, AHPRA MED0001647256) reviews your application. If clinically appropriate, your sick certificate is emailed to you as a PDF within 24 hours, with a unique reference number and QR code for employer verification.
Ready to get your sick certificate? It takes about 5 minutes.
Why Australians choose DoctorsNote for a sick certificate
Same GP, every sick certificate.
Every sick certificate is reviewed by Dr Rupinder Singh Walia — FRACGP with 28 years of clinical practice. Not a rotating pool of anonymous doctors. One identified practitioner, consistent clinical decisions.
Verifiable and recorded.
Every sick certificate includes a unique reference number and QR code. Employers can verify authenticity at any time through our verification page. Your sick certificate's record is maintained in our audit system. See how employer verification works.
No backdating.
DoctorsNote does not issue backdated sick certificates. Your sick certificate covers today or tomorrow only, issued in line with AMA guidance and Fair Work Act 2009 requirements.
A$14.95 flat, up to 2 days leave — no surprises.
One price for every sick certificate. No subscriptions, no surge pricing, no per-day charges. The price on the page is the price you pay.
What Fair Work says about sick certificates
Under the Fair Work Act 2009, employees can take paid personal (sick) leave when they are genuinely unwell. Your employer may request evidence — a sick certificate from an AHPRA-registered GP can be used to support your leave, with acceptance determined by your employer.
- Full-time and part-time employees accrue 10 days paid personal leave per year
- A sick certificate must be issued by a registered health practitioner
- Employers cannot require you to attend a specific clinic or GP
- An online sick certificate from an AHPRA-registered GP can be used as evidence
Your entitlements as an Australian employee
Australian employees are covered by the National Employment Standards (NES) under the Fair Work Act 2009. This means:
- You are entitled to paid personal (sick) leave if you are a permanent employee
- Casual employees are entitled to 2 days unpaid leave per occasion
- Your sick certificate does not need to disclose your diagnosis — only that you were unfit for work
Can your Australian employer reject an online sick certificate?
Provided the sick certificate is issued by an AHPRA-registered GP, your employer should not reject it solely because it was obtained online. DoctorsNote sick certificates meet the documentation standards expected under the Fair Work Act 2009; acceptance of any individual sick certificate is ultimately determined by your employer.
If you have concerns, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman at fairwork.gov.au.
When your employer asks for a 'sick certificate'
Some Australian employers, awards and enterprise agreements use the term "sick certificate" in their leave policies, while others say "sick note" or simply "evidence of illness". They generally mean the same thing — written confirmation from a registered practitioner that you were genuinely unfit for work. If your workplace policy specifically asks for a sick certificate, a DoctorsNote certificate from an AHPRA-registered GP meets that requirement.
A sick certificate you hand to your employer should show:
- your name and the dates you were unfit for work or study;
- that you were assessed by a registered practitioner, with the practitioner's name and AHPRA registration number;
- a reference number and QR code so your employer can confirm it is genuine — your diagnosis is never disclosed.
Under the Fair Work Act 2009, an employer can ask for evidence for as little as one day off, so it is worth requesting your sick certificate for the actual day or days you are unwell rather than after the fact. DoctorsNote does not backdate sick certificates.
Privacy
Will my employer see my diagnosis?
No. A sick certificate confirms that you were unfit for work on specific dates. It does not disclose your diagnosis, symptoms, or treatment details. Your employer receives only the information needed to support your leave — that a registered practitioner assessed you and confirmed your unfitness for the relevant period. Your information is protected under the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles.
This applies equally to physical illness and mental health. If you are taking leave for stress, anxiety, or depression, your sick certificate states unfitness for work without specifying the underlying condition.
Our clinical governance layer
DoctorsNote doesn't auto-issue a sick certificate in seconds. Each application is clinically reviewed by Dr Rupinder Singh Walia and logged in our governance system (CASI).
This creates an audit trail: employers can verify your sick certificate via QR code, the clinical review can be traced if needed, and you have proof that a named doctor assessed your situation — not an algorithm.
Sick certificate FAQs
Is an online sick certificate valid in Australia?
A sick certificate from an AHPRA-registered Australian GP can be used as evidence to support personal (sick) leave under the Fair Work Act 2009, whether issued online or in person. Acceptance is determined by your employer.
What is the difference between a sick certificate and a sick cert?
None — 'sick cert' is simply shorthand for a sick certificate. Both refer to the same document confirming you were unfit for work due to illness.
Can I get a sick certificate anywhere in Australia?
Yes. DoctorsNote issues an online sick certificate Australia-wide — you complete the form online and receive your sick certificate by email, wherever you are. A sick certificate Australia-wide, with no clinic visit.
How quickly will I get my sick certificate?
Your application is reviewed within 24 hours by an AHPRA-registered GP. Sick certificates are A$14.95 flat, up to 2 days leave, with no hidden fees. If clinically appropriate, your sick certificate is emailed as a PDF.
Do I need a phone or video call?
Usually no phone or video call is needed. Dr Walia reviews the form details you submit and may contact you if more information is required.
Can I get a sick certificate for 2 days?
You can apply for a sick certificate covering one or two consecutive days. The assessment fee is A$14.95 for either duration, with no per-day charge. Dr Walia reviews the requested dates and issues a certificate only when clinically appropriate.
Can I use an online sick certificate for work?
An online sick certificate issued after an appropriate review by an AHPRA-registered Australian GP can be provided to your employer as evidence for personal leave. Your employer considers the evidence under the Fair Work reasonable-person standard and any applicable workplace policy.
Can my employer verify my sick certificate?
Yes. DoctorsNote sick certificates carry a unique reference number and QR code linking to a verification page. Employers can confirm authenticity in seconds at doctorsnote.com.au/verify/, and can confirm the certifying GP's AHPRA registration on the public AHPRA register.
Can I get a backdated sick certificate?
No. DoctorsNote does not issue backdated sick certificates. Every sick certificate reflects the date of the GP's clinical assessment — the day the application is submitted. Backdating is not consistent with AHPRA clinical and legal standards.
Ready to apply
Get a Sick Certificate Online in Australia
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