Student Medical Certificate for Missed Exams & Assignment Extensions

What is a student medical certificate?

A student medical certificate is a document issued by an AHPRA-registered Australian doctor confirming that a student is unfit to attend classes, sit an examination, or complete an assessment due to illness, injury, or other health-related circumstances.

It serves as supporting evidence for academic processes that require medical documentation, including:

• Assignment extensions and missed submission deadlines
• Missed exams, deferred exams and supplementary assessments
• Absence from compulsory attendance in classes, tutorials, or placements
• Late withdrawal from a unit due to medical reasons
• Mitigating circumstances documentation for fee remission or grade review

Unlike a workplace medical certificate, student evidence is assessed under the academic policy of the individual education provider. Each university, TAFE and college sets its own form, timing and evidence requirements, so check the relevant policy before applying.

When you'd need a student medical certificate

Missed examinations

You were unwell on the day of an exam and need to apply for a deferred or supplementary examination. Most universities require medical evidence dated on or near the examination day.

Late assignment submissions

Illness or injury affected your ability to complete an assessment by the due date. Lecturers and unit coordinators typically require a medical certificate before granting an extension.

Assessment affected by illness

You attended an exam or completed an assessment while unwell, and your performance was affected. Most Australian universities allow you to submit supporting medical evidence.

Class, tutorial, or placement absence

Some courses — particularly clinical placements, laboratory units, and attendance-graded subjects — require medical certificates for any absence affecting your participation.

Withdrawal without academic penalty

If illness has substantially affected your ability to continue a unit, your university may permit withdrawal without academic penalty when supported by medical documentation.

Fee remission applications

Some institutions permit fee refund or remission in special circumstances. The Australian Government guidance identifies medical circumstances as one possible category, but the provider decides the application using its policy and the evidence supplied. See the Department of Education guide to special-circumstances decisions.

How to get a student medical certificate online

The application takes around 5 minutes. There is no appointment, no waiting room, and no clinic visit required.

Ready to apply? It takes about 5 minutes.

What's on a student medical certificate?

A DoctorsNote student medical certificate includes:

• Your full name and date of birth
• The dates you are unfit for classes, exams, or study
• A general statement that you are medically unfit (not a specific diagnosis)
• The name and AHPRA registration number of the issuing GP
• A unique reference number and verification QR code
• Issuing entity: Walia Medical Pty Ltd (ABN 52 158 069 080)

The certificate does not disclose your specific diagnosis or condition. This protects your medical privacy while providing the evidence your institution needs.

Submitting to your university, TAFE or college

DoctorsNote certificates are issued by an AHPRA-registered Australian GP and can be submitted as supporting medical evidence. Acceptance and any additional documentation requirements are decided by the individual university, TAFE, college or training provider.

• Group of Eight universities (Melbourne, Sydney, Monash, UNSW, ANU, UQ, UWA, Adelaide)
• Australian Technology Network universities
• Regional Universities Network institutions
• TAFE NSW, TAFE Queensland, TAFE SA, TAFE WA, TAFE Victoria
• Independent and private higher education providers
• Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and vocational colleges

Each institution has its own extension and assessment policy. Most require:

• A medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner
• Dates that align with the period of impact
• Submission within a specified time after the affected assessment

We recommend reviewing your university's specific policy before applying. Look for "academic adjustment" or "extension procedures" in your student handbook.

Privacy — your diagnosis stays private

Your medical privacy is protected throughout the process:

• Your specific diagnosis is never disclosed on the certificate
• Your university or institution sees only the dates of unfitness
• Your application data is stored under Australian Privacy Act 1988 (APP 6 and APP 11)
• Your information is not shared with any third party except as required by law
• Your application is reviewed only by AHPRA-registered Australian GPs bound by professional confidentiality

This is the same standard of privacy you would receive from any registered Australian medical practice.

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