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Yes, they are! If an online medical certificate is issued by an AHPRA-registered medical practitioner (like the Partner Doctors on the Updoc Platform) they are legal in Australia. Under the Fair Work Act 2009, medical certificates are generally accepted as evidence for sick leave or carer’s leave.
Updoc makes it easy, quick, and convenient to get a valid medical certificate online. Through our state-of-the-art health platform, you can have an AHPRA-registered Partner Doctor review your request within 60 minutes (on average).
They will assess your needs and determine if an online medical is suitable. If it is, you’ll get your online medical certificate delivered to your phone via SMS and email.
This means you can get the documentation you need without the stress of calling around to find a doctor with same-day availability, and then travelling to a doctor’s office or an after-hours clinic - just what you need, when you need it, so you can rest.
For a medical certificate to be valid in Australia, it must be issued by an AHPRA-registered practitioner.
With Updoc, you can request an online medical certificate, online doctor’s certificate, sick certificate, or carer's leave certificate in minutes. It’s easy and convenient.
Step 1: Request a consult and complete a quick questionnaire. (This should only take a few minutes.)
Step 2: An AHPRA-registered Partner Doctor will review your request (including your symptoms), and if needed, ask any follow up questions.
Step 3: If approved, your online medical certificate will be delivered to your phone via SMS and email.
All of this takes place 100% online, 24/7, from the convenience of your home, anywhere in Australia.
With Updoc, getting an online medical certificate is easy, secure, and convenient.
When you’re feeling under the weather, the last thing you want to do is call around for an appointment, travel to the clinic, find parking, and hang out in the waiting room.
We make it fast, easy, and convenient. Whether you're looking for a medical certificate online, a doctor’s certificate online, or a sick certificate online, you can have an AHPRA-registered Partner Doctor review your request within 60 minutes.
All from the comfort of your own home.
Here are some of the benefits of getting an online medical certificate through Updoc.
1. It’s convenient. You can request a consult 24/7 from the comfort of your own home, from anywhere in Australia.
2. It’s accessible. No appointment needed – our intelligent platform always has time for you, and requests are reviewed within 60 minutes (on average).
3. It’s a time-saver. You don’t need to travel to and from the clinic or spend hours hanging around the waiting room.
4. It’s comfortable and private. You (or the person you’re caring for) can stay in pyjamas (we don’t mind) and consult with an AHPRA-registered Partner Doctor from the privacy of your own home.
With Updoc, you can focus on rest and recovery instead of all the tedious admin stuff.
So – whether you think you’re suffering from a cold, COVID, the flu, gastro, migraines, or anything else, request a medical certificate from an AHPRA-registered Partner Doctor now and get well soon.
There is no legal difference between a medical certificate issued online/ virtually or in-person as long as both meet Fair Work Act requirements and are issued by an AHPRA-registered practitioner.
This means that telehealth consults by phone or video are just as valid as an in-person appointment.
When you use Updoc, every consultation and certificate is completed by an AHPRA-registered Partner Doctor, so you can be confident it meets all legal and professional requirements.
If you need to speak with a doctor, you can book a consultation now.
For a medical certificate to be legally valid in Australia, it must be issued by a health practitioner registered with AHPRA and based on a real-time assessment, whether that’s in person, by video, or over the phone.
According to the Australian Medical Association, a valid certificate should include:
Putting your diagnosis on the certificate is not required. However, you can request that information to be included if that’s your preference.
When you use Updoc, every certificate is provided by an AHPRA-registered Partner Doctor, so you can be confident it meets the legal requirements.
Getting a medical certificate for work when you are sick is important.
The function of medical certificates is to give employees an official document, provided by an AHPRA-registered practitioner, which can then be provided to employers.
If your employer has any concerns about your certificate, they can request further evidence. This might include contacting Updoc to verify your medical certificate. Updoc will then provide a brief validation of whether we have a medical certificate on record matching the information provided.
Your employer cannot request details about your medical condition unless you give express consent for us to provide it.
Tip: If you’re unsure whether your workplace requires a medical certificate, speak with your employer first so expectations are clear on both sides.
A valid medical certificate, whether issued online or in person, should generally be accepted under Australian employment laws. However, there are situations where a certificate might be either questioned or rejected.
This may happen if:
Misuse is another reason a certificate won’t protect you. In 2024, a Melbourne lawyer lost his job after claiming sick leave to attend the AFL. The Fair Work Commission found he was dishonest, and the certificate he later tried to provide did not excuse that.
On the flip side, employers must have reasonable grounds to reject evidence, and a blanket refusal of online certificates could be considered unreasonable.
If an employer is unsure about your certificate, they can verify it by contacting Updoc. However, keep in mind that they cannot request any private medical details unless you give consent, which you aren’t obligated to do.
The majority of online medical certificates are accepted without issue. However, if you are concerned, here are a few steps you can take to make sure your employer accepts your medical certificate.
Online medical certificates are valid for sick leave, as long as they are issued by an AHPRA registered medical practitioners
To make sure your certificate is accepted, use a trusted platform like Updoc, check that all details are included, and be upfront with your employer if you need more time off.
Updoc makes it easy to get a valid medical certificate online. An AHPRA-registered Partner Doctor will review your request and, if suitable, your certificate will be sent straight to your phone and email.
We also offer:
Need a doctor, anywhere, anytime? Updoc also offers prescriptions, telehealth consults, mental health support, weight management, sexual health services, and specialist referrals, all online.
Book your consultation now to get the care you need, without the wait.
Yes, medical certificates for school or educational institutes can be accepted as a form of evidence when a student is absent due to illness or injury, or if they need a concession for their exams. As with workplaces, certificates must be issued by an AHPRA-registered practitioner in Australia.
Doctors may provide a medical certificate that notes that a sickness started earlier than the date of the consultation. However, there are strict medical certificate rules in Australia, and healthcare professionals cannot change the date that the medical certificate is issued.
Certificates are issued for the period the doctor believes is reasonable. This could be a single-day medical certificate, a certificate for multiple days, or a longer sick leave certificate. The length depends on the illness or injury and the doctor’s assessment.
A sick certificate or carer certificate is a legal form of evidence. Misusing one to skip work or school when you’re not genuinely unwell or caring for someone could lead to disciplinary action. Please only ask for a medical certificate if you are genuinely unwell. Partner Doctors rely on your honesty when requesting a medical certificate or other health outcomes.
If your employer asks for proof, yes.
You can provide a medical certificate from a healthcare professional confirming that the care was needed.
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