What the Numbers Tell Us About Medical Certificates
Key Takeaways
- Australian employees are entitled to 10 days of paid sick leave per year, with medical certificates serving as the primary form of evidence.
- Employers can legally request a certificate for any absence, even just one day, as long as the request is reasonable under the Fair Work Act.
- Sick leave usage is rising, with the average reaching 14 days per employee and absenteeism costs climbing to $4,025 per worker in 2024.
- Valid medical certificates must be issued by a registered practitioner, include the consultation date, and confirm unfitness for work—without requiring a diagnosis.
- Telehealth certificates are legally accepted and increasingly popular, especially among younger workers and for mental health-related absences.
- Privacy laws protect employee health information, ensuring only incapacity needs to be disclosed—not the specific condition.
Sick leave is a legal entitlement and a public health safeguard. Under the Fair Work Act 2009, full-time employees in Australia receive 10 days of paid personal/carer’s leave per year, with part-time workers entitled on a pro-rata basis.
Medical certificates are the primary form of evidence for sick leave. They protect employee rights, help employers manage absenteeism, and support the health system by encouraging responsible time off.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in August 2024, 2.6 million employees — 22% of all employees — had no paid sick leave entitlements, a proxy for casual employment.
Legal and Policy Framework for Medical Certificates
Under the National Employment Standards, employees must provide evidence if requested by their employer. Acceptable forms include:
- Medical certificate from a registered health practitioner
- Statutory declaration
Employers can request evidence for any length of absence, even just one day, provided the request is reasonable. This is why medical certificates have become such a common part of workplace absence management.
How Often Are Medical Certificates Used?
While precise national statistics on how often medical certificates are required are limited, workplace surveys give us useful insights. The 2023 Absence Management & Wellbeing Report found:
- The average sick leave taken in 2022 was 14 days per employee.
- Sick leave has increased by 2.5 days (23%) since 2019 (DHS Report).
Many employers enforce a certificate requirement after 1–2 days of absence, but some require evidence for any sick leave. This makes medical certificates central to workplace attendance policies.
The Economic Cost of Sick Leave
Sick leave affects productivity and the economy:
- Absenteeism costs rose to $4,025 per employee in 2024, up from $3,395 in 2019 (1)
- 80% of employers attribute rising absences to COVID-related disruptions (1)Work-related injuries and illnesses cost $61.8 billion annually, with mental health and presenteeism adding another $6.3 billion (1)
(1) Source: https://advancedpartners.com.au/2024/05/20/employees-taking-more-sick-days-and-its-getting-worse/
What Makes a Medical Certificate Valid?
To be valid, a medical certificate must:
- Be issued by a registered medical practitioner. Eg. Your regular GP or legal telehealth provider like Instant Consult.
- Include the date of consultation
- State that the employee was unfit for work (without needing to disclose personal health details)
Employers are not entitled to demand a diagnosis. Privacy laws ensure employees only need to confirm their incapacity for work.
Trends and Changes in Sick Leave Patterns
Sick leave patterns have shifted significantly in recent years:
- Pre-COVID vs Post-COVID: The pandemic drove higher rates of absenteeism, with employees more cautious about attending work while unwell.
- Remote and Hybrid Work: Some employers reported fewer short-term absences where flexible work was available.
- Rising Use of Telehealth: Online GP consultations and instant medical certificates have grown rapidly, making access easier and reducing delays.
- Younger workers (age 18-34) are more likely to request certificates, often for mental health reasons, according to AIHW.
Practical Guidance for Employees and Employers
For Employees
- Notify your employer as soon as possible if you can’t attend work.
- Provide a medical certificate if requested—even for short absences.
- Remember: you don’t need to share your diagnosis, just proof you are unfit for work.
For Employers
- Have a clear sick leave policy that outlines when certificates are required.
- Apply policies consistently to avoid disputes.
- Consider the role of telehealth certificates in providing flexible, fast, and valid documentation.
- Respect privacy laws.
Conclusion
Sick leave is both a personal right and a national workforce issue. Statistics show that sick leave and medical certificates are deeply embedded in workplace culture, and their use is only increasing. With the rise of telehealth, accessing valid medical certificates is faster and more convenient than ever—making it easier for employees to meet workplace requirements while protecting their health.
Read our blog “What Is An Absence From Work Certificate?” to discover the 9 most frequently asked questions about medical certificate.
