Information for employers about online medical certificates

Our online medical certificates are backed by certified doctors and trusted by hundreds of thousands of Australians.

Over 2 million patients

Australian-Registered Doctors

Highly Rated Customer Service

Australian Digital Health Agency registered

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Australia’s leading online medical clinic

InstantScripts has helped over 2 million Australians manage their healthcare conveniently online.

Accessing prescriptions for everyday medications, speaking to a doctor, obtaining a medical certificate or getting blood test requests are just some of the online services offered by InstantScripts.

We provide access to prescriptions for over 300 medications and work with over 2,500 pharmacies across Australia to ensure everyone has access to the medicines and care they need.

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How online medical certificates work

In Australia employers are entitled to ask an employee for a medical certificate if they need to take a day off work due to illness, injury or carer’s leave.

Sometimes people are too sick to leave the house to attend a doctor’s appointment, or they can’t get in to see their regular GP, or they have COVID and are in isolation.

In these situations InstantScripts is a welcome option for patients who need a medical certificate.

Patients fill out a digital consultation form and, if approved by our doctors, the medical certificate will be sent to the patient’s inbox within 5-10 minutes.

If a patient requires a medical certificate for more than one day, they are directed to a telehealth consultation where they will speak to one of our doctors about their condition.

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Medical certificates employers can trust

Our medical certificates have a unique 3-step validation process that delivers confidence for employees and employers.

1. Clinically formulated questions

Our online medical certificate forms have been developed by our team of doctors and approved by our clinical governance board. There are forms for work, uni and carer’s leave for single day medical certificates.

2. Approved by Australian-registered doctors

We have over 80 doctors registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). Our doctors are available 24/7 from anywhere in Australia.

3. QR code validation for employers

InstantScripts certificates include a unique code that can be scanned to check the certificate’s authenticity. This helps patients and employers easily check certificate authenticity.

Can employers question a medical certificate?

The short answer is no. According to The Fair Work Act 2009 employers must accept a genuine certificate at face value.

Employers also have no right under the Act to ask the medical practitioner for specific information regarding the employee’s illness or injury.

Here is a quick summary of the rights and responsibilities of employers under the Act:

You have a legal right to ask an employee for evidence supporting their absence.
You can ask employees for evidence after each and every absence.
If the employee refuses your request, you do not need to pay them for the absence.
You can’t demand a detailed diagnosis, but they can (and should) ask for confirmation that the employee is fit to do their job.
You must accept a genuine medical certificate as conclusive proof of the employee’s illness.
You should introduce a comprehensive workplace policy dealing with absences and evidence requirements.

For more information visit our FAQS