What a medical certificate includes, and what your employer can’t ask

What does a medical certificate usually include?

There’s no format set by the Fair Work rules, and layouts vary between practitioners. What matters is that the evidence would convince a reasonable person that you were genuinely entitled to the leave, so it needs to make clear who it’s about, which dates it covers and why.

As one example, a Click Clinic certificate shows:

• your name
• the date it was issued
• the dates covered, meaning the dates you’re unfit for work or study, or the dates you needed to provide care
• a general reason, without private medical details
• the practitioner’s name and registration details

A carer’s certificate covers the same ground, but confirms that you needed to care for or support someone rather than that you were unwell yourself.

If you’re comparing document types, such as a sick note versus a carer’s certificate, our comparison guide covers that. This guide focuses on what’s on the page and what your employer can reasonably expect from it.

Does a certificate have to say what’s wrong with you?

The Fair Work rules don’t require it. The evidence has to convince a reasonable person, and a general reason with the relevant dates can do that.

That fits with how the Fair Work rules work. The Fair Work Ombudsman says there are no strict rules on what type of evidence you give. The evidence has to convince a reasonable person that you were genuinely entitled to the sick or carer’s leave.

For sick leave, that means showing you weren’t able to work because of an illness or injury. For carer’s leave, it means showing you needed to provide care or support to an immediate family or household member because of an illness, injury or unexpected emergency. A certificate can do this with a general statement and the relevant dates.

What can your employer ask for?

Under the National Employment Standards, your employer can ask for evidence when you take paid sick or carer’s leave. The Fair Work Ombudsman says:

• Employers can ask for evidence for as little as one day off, or less.
• Your award or registered agreement can set the rules. It can specify when you need to give evidence and what type. The type of evidence requested must always be reasonable in the circumstances.
• Medical certificates and statutory declarations are both examples of acceptable evidence.

For pre-arranged medical appointments and elective surgery, sick leave only applies if you aren’t able to work because of a personal illness or injury. Your employer can ask for evidence confirming you were unfit for work. That helps decide whether sick leave or a different type of leave should apply.

If you don’t provide evidence when asked, you may not be paid for that leave. See when you legally need a medical certificate for work for more on when evidence comes into play.

What can’t your employer ask for?

The Fair Work Ombudsman sets out two things it doesn’t consider reasonable:

What an employer might want	Fair Work Ombudsman’s view
Going to a medical appointment with you	Not reasonable, unless you ask them to
Contacting your doctor for further information	Not reasonable

If you’re being asked for something that doesn’t seem reasonable, the Fair Work Ombudsman can help on 13 13 94.

What if your certificate doesn’t cover everything?

Check it as soon as you receive it. Make sure:

• your name is spelled correctly
• the dates match the days you were, or will be, away
• the practitioner’s details are shown

If the dates don’t cover your whole absence, tell your employer and ask what they need. You must give notice as soon as possible, and this can be after the leave has started. If you were sick on a day you didn’t get a certificate for, a statutory declaration may be acceptable evidence. Our guide to using a statutory declaration for sick or carer’s leave explains how.

Does the type of practitioner matter?

Sometimes. An award, agreement or education provider may ask for a certificate from a particular type of practitioner, such as a doctor. Before you get one, check what you’ve been asked for. Our guide to who can issue a medical certificate explains the options.

Getting a certificate through Click Clinic

Click Clinic requests are assessed by registered practitioners, and a certificate is issued only when it’s clinically appropriate. A certificate from a nurse practitioner is titled an absence certificate. You can start an assessment for work, study or carer’s leave.

This guide is general information, not legal or medical advice.