Who can issue a medical certificate in Australia? Doctors, pharmacists and nurse practitioners

What counts as a medical certificate under the Fair Work Act?

Section 12 of the Fair Work Act 2009 defines a medical certificate as a certificate signed by a medical practitioner. In everyday terms, that means a registered doctor.

That definition matters if your award, agreement or workplace policy specifically asks for a “medical certificate”. It’s worth knowing exactly what you’ve been asked for before you get any document.

Does sick leave evidence have to be a medical certificate?

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

Medical certificates and statutory declarations are the two examples the Ombudsman gives. Other documents may also work, depending on the circumstances.

The catch is that an award or registered agreement can say what type of evidence you need, as long as the requirement is reasonable. So the answer to “who can issue my certificate?” often depends on who is asking for it. Read more on when you legally need a medical certificate for work.

Who issues what?

Practitioner	Document they commonly issue	Worth knowing
Doctor (medical practitioner)	Medical certificate	Matches the Fair Work Act definition of a medical certificate
Pharmacist	Absence from work certificate	Issued within the pharmacist’s own scope of practice; you check whether your employer accepts it
Nurse practitioner	Varies by provider; at Click Clinic, an absence certificate	A registered health practitioner, but not a medical practitioner

Can a doctor issue a medical certificate?

Yes. A certificate signed by a registered doctor fits the Fair Work Act definition of a medical certificate. If your award, agreement or policy asks for a medical certificate by name, this is the document that clearly meets that wording.

Can a pharmacist issue a certificate for time off work?

Pharmacists can provide absence from work certificates. The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia publish guidelines for pharmacists who offer this service. The guidelines were first developed in 2008 and have been updated since.

Under those guidelines:

• each pharmacist must define their own scope of practice, as set by the Pharmacy Board of Australia
• a pharmacist should consider issuing certificates only within that scope
• the guidelines give pharmacists guidance on matters such as how many days a certificate can cover

The PSA also notes that the responsibility lies with the employee to check with their employer about accepting a certificate from a pharmacist. So if you plan to use one, ask first.

What about nurse practitioners?

Nurse practitioners are registered health practitioners, and you can find them on the Ahpra register. They aren’t medical practitioners, so a certificate from a nurse practitioner isn’t a “medical certificate” in the Fair Work Act sense.

That doesn’t mean it can’t be used as evidence. The reasonable person test still applies. But if your award, agreement or education provider specifically asks for a certificate from a doctor, check before you rely on one.

At Click Clinic, a certificate issued by a nurse practitioner is titled an absence certificate rather than a medical certificate.

How can you check a practitioner is registered?

Use the public Ahpra register of practitioners, which you can search to check a practitioner’s registration.

Ask the issuer for the practitioner’s name so you can check it on the register.

What should you check before you get a certificate?

A few minutes of checking can save you from getting the wrong document:

• Your award or registered agreement. Look for wording about evidence for personal or carer’s leave, and whether it names a particular type.
• Your workplace leave policy. It may say when a certificate is needed and who it should come from.
• Your education provider’s rules. Rules vary between providers, and some ask for a specific form, practitioner type or consultation method. Check your own university or TAFE’s policy.
• What your manager has already told you. If they’ve asked for a “doctor’s certificate”, clarify whether another practitioner’s certificate will do.

If you’re not sure whether a requirement is reasonable, the Fair Work Ombudsman can help on 13 13 94. For the difference between sick notes, medical certificates and carer’s certificates, see our comparison guide.

Getting assessed through Click Clinic

Click Clinic requests are assessed by registered practitioners, and a certificate is issued only when it’s clinically appropriate. If a nurse practitioner assesses you, your certificate is titled an absence certificate. If your employer or provider needs a certificate from a doctor, check that before you start an assessment.

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