Can I Get a Medical Certificate from a GP Online?

Yes — Australian GPs can issue medical certificates through telehealth video or phone consultations. The doctor must consult with you first and be clinically satisfied a certificate is appropriate; they cannot simply sell you one. A certificate issued online by an AHPRA-registered doctor carries the same standing as one written in person, and is generally accepted as evidence for sick leave under the Fair Work Act.

How does an online medical certificate work?

The process mirrors an in-person visit: you book a telehealth consultation, the doctor asks about your symptoms, how long you have been unwell and what work you do, and assesses whether time off is clinically justified. If it is, the certificate is emailed to you, usually shortly after the consultation. The certificate states the dates you are unfit for work — it does not disclose your diagnosis to your employer.

Will my employer accept an online medical certificate?

Generally, yes. Under the Fair Work Act, an employee taking sick leave must provide evidence that would satisfy a reasonable person — and a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner is the standard form of that evidence, whether the consultation happened in a clinic room or over video. The certificate shows the doctor’s name and provider details, which can be verified against the public AHPRA register. Individual workplace policies can set their own notice requirements, so check yours if you are unsure.

What are the limits of an online certificate?

A doctor can only certify what they can genuinely assess. Certificates are typically issued from the day of the consultation — backdating to cover days before you saw the doctor is only possible in limited circumstances and at the doctor’s clinical discretion. Some presentations also need a physical examination; if the doctor cannot safely assess your condition by video or phone, they will ask you to attend in person instead. Our guide Telehealth vs in-person GP explains which problems suit which format.

Can my regular GP issue a certificate by telehealth?

Yes — and if you are already unwell, a phone or video appointment with your usual practice is often the easiest route. Medicare-subsidised telehealth generally requires that the practice has seen you face-to-face in the previous 12 months, with some exceptions. If you are a regular patient, book a telehealth slot with your local Family Doctor clinic the same way you would any appointment. Billing works as it does for other consultations: some clinics bulk bill eligible patients, others charge a fee with a Medicare rebate for eligible patients — fees vary, so check with the clinic.

What if I need a certificate outside clinic hours?

If your practice is closed — evenings, weekends, or you simply cannot get an appointment in time — MyGPOnline, Family Doctor’s private online GP service, issues medical certificates by telehealth, including after hours. Because it is a private service, fixed fees apply and there is no Medicare rebate; the fee is shown before you book. You can also check whether a clinic near you is open late for an in-person appointment.

Can I get a certificate for carer’s leave or my child online?

Yes. The same telehealth process covers carer’s leave: if you are caring for an unwell child or family member, the doctor consults with you (and, where appropriate, the person you are caring for joins the call) and can issue a carer’s certificate if it is clinically justified. For children, video consultations work well for many common short illnesses, but a doctor who is not comfortable assessing a child remotely will ask you to bring them in — young children with fever, breathing difficulty or drowsiness should be seen in person without delay.

When should I see a doctor in person instead?

If you are more than mildly unwell, the consultation matters more than the certificate. Chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe abdominal pain, confusion, or a fever that will not settle need proper assessment — in person, or in an emergency via 000. A telehealth doctor who hears symptoms like these will direct you to the right care rather than simply issuing a certificate; that is the system working as it should.

Reviewed by the Family Doctor clinical team. Last updated 25 July 2026. This article is general information, not personal medical advice. In a medical emergency, call 000.