How to Get A Legal Medical Certificate for Free

If you're feeling under the weather and need a medical certificate online in Australia, you might be wondering if there's a way to get one for free or at least very cheaply. The good news is, there are a couple of options that won’t break the bank. In fact, you can either use a statutory declaration (which is free) or get an online doctor's certificate for a small fee (around $20) instead of paying $50 or more at a clinic. This post will explain how Aussies can obtain a free or almost free medical certificate, step-by-step. We’ll cover using a statutory declaration as a free alternative, and highlight NextClinic – an online service where a legitimate doctor’s certificate online costs just $19.90 (virtually free for the convenience it offers). We’ll also compare the two options in a handy table. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to sort out your sick leave evidence without spending a fortune.

Before we dive in, a quick caution: Beware of websites that claim to offer “100% free instant certificates” – some shady sites prey on people searching for a free medical certificate online but aren’t run by real Australian doctors​. Always make sure any online medical certificate comes from an AHPRA-registered Australian doctor or an official process. The methods below are safe, legal, and accepted in Australia.

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Statutory Declarations: The Free Medical Certificate Alternative

One completely free way to provide proof of illness in Australia is by using a statutory declaration. A statutory declaration (stat dec) is a written statement that you sign and declare to be true in front of an authorized witness​. In the context of sick leave, it means you write a statement declaring you were sick on certain date(s) and that this is the truth. Under Australian law, a stat dec carries legal weight – lying on a statutory declaration is a criminal offence with serious consequences (fines or even jail)​. Because of this legal status, employers must accept a stat dec as evidence for sick leave in most cases, just as they would a medical certificate​. In fact, Fair Work Ombudsman guidance explicitly lists medical certificates or statutory declarations as acceptable forms of proof for sick leave. The Victorian Department of Justice also notes stat decs are commonly used to apply for sick leave at work.

Using a statutory declaration can save you a trip to the doctor and money, making it essentially a free medical certificate alternative. It’s especially useful if your illness was short or you couldn’t see a doctor in time. Many Australians use stat decs for one-day bugs or minor illnesses that resolve quickly. Keep in mind, because you are declaring the truth in a legal document, you should only use a stat dec if you were genuinely sick. Most employers are reasonable about accepting stat decs for short sick leave, though some may prefer a doctor’s note for longer absences​. Always check your workplace policy – a few employers or industry awards might limit when stat decs are accepted (e.g. only for one-day sick leave or in special circumstances). But under the Fair Work Act, a truthful statutory declaration is valid evidence of your illness.

How to Get a Statutory Declaration for Sick Leave (Step-by-Step):

1. Obtain the Statutory Declaration Form: Download an official stat dec form. For Commonwealth matters (including general purposes like sick leave), you can use the Commonwealth statutory declaration form. Each state also has its own stat dec form (e.g. Victoria’s form is available on the Justice department website​). Make sure to get the correct form and do not sign it yet.
2. Fill in Your Details and Statement: Complete the form with your name, address, etc., and write your statement declaring the days you were unfit for work due to illness. For example, “I was ill on [date] and unable to work.” Be truthful and specific about the dates. Do not sign the declaration at this stage.
3. Find an Authorized Witness: To make it official (if using the paper form), you need a witness who is authorized to witness stat decs. Many professionals can do this, such as a Justice of the Peace, pharmacist, doctor, lawyer, police officer, nurse, teacher, etc. There’s a broad list of who qualifies, and it varies slightly by state, but common options include pharmacists and police officers which are relatively easy to find. If you’re unsure, check your state government’s list of authorized statutory declaration witnesses. Tip: Call ahead to your local pharmacy or courthouse – many have a JP or pharmacist available to witness documents, usually for free.
4. Sign in Front of the Witness: Bring your filled stat dec (and usually a photo ID for the witness to verify you, if required). In front of the witness, sign the document. The witness will then sign as well, stating that they witnessed you signing and confirming your identity. They will add their qualification (e.g. “Pharmacist” or “Justice of the Peace”) and maybe a registration number or address as needed. Once it’s signed and witnessed, your statutory declaration is official.
5. Submit the Stat Dec to Your Employer: Provide a copy of the stat dec to your employer or keep it on record as your evidence of sick leave. This now serves as your “medical certificate” equivalent for proving your sick day. There is no cost involved – it’s completely free, aside from perhaps printing the form or a few minutes of your time to find a witness.

Using the New Digital Stat Dec (No Witness Needed): As of early 2024, the Australian government has made it even easier to create a stat dec. You can now complete a digital Commonwealth statutory declaration online through your myGov account for free​. This digital stat dec uses your verified digital identity (through myGovID) as a substitute for a physical witness. In other words, if you have a myGov account with a linked Digital ID, you can fill out and submit a stat dec entirely online – no need to hunt down a JP or pharmacist to witness it​. The digital stat dec is legally binding just like the paper one, since the system verifies your identity. To use this option, log in to myGov and follow the instructions to create a digital statutory declaration​. You’ll need to have set up myGovID (which involves confirming your identity with documents like driver’s license, Medicare card, etc.). Once done, you can declare your sick leave statement online and download the completed stat dec PDF. This saves time and is completely free. It’s a great option if you’re home sick and can’t easily get a witness in person. Just remember that the same honesty rule applies – a false digital stat dec is just as much an offence as a paper one.

By using a statutory declaration, you have a zero-cost solution to provide evidence for sick leave. It’s recognized by law and many employers as valid proof. This is the best route if you want a free medical certificate in Australia in terms of not paying any fee. However, there are a couple of considerations: (1) Make sure you follow the process correctly (a stat dec isn’t valid if not witnessed or completed via the proper digital method), and (2) Use it for genuine illness only – abuse of stat decs (lying) can lead to job discipline and legal trouble. As long as you’re truthful, a stat dec is an easy, free way to justify your sick day.

NextClinic: An Almost Free Online Medical Certificate

What if you prefer an actual doctor’s certificate but don’t want to spend too much? That’s where NextClinic comes in – it offers a fast and affordable online medical certificate service for Australians. For only $19.90, you can have a legitimate medical certificate issued by a registered doctor and sent to you within an hour​. At under twenty bucks, it’s about as “almost free” as a paid service can get, especially considering the convenience (no travel, no waiting room, and available from home).

NextClinic is an Australia-based telehealth service staffed by AHPRA-registered doctors. It operates Australia-wide and is designed for situations just like yours – when you’re unwell, need a medical certificate for work or university, and want to sort it out quickly online. Here’s how it works in a nutshell: you fill out an online form about your symptoms, a doctor reviews it, and you receive a valid medical certificate by email, usually in well under an hour​. The service runs long hours (doctors online from 6am to midnight AEST) to cover most of the day​. It’s available for adults 18+ and covers common short-term illnesses. The process is straightforward and user-friendly, even if you’re bedridden with the flu.

For $19.90, you get a one-day medical certificate (or you can opt for a two-day certificate for a bit more if you need two consecutive days off)​. Compared to the typical $50+ some clinics charge for a consultation just to get a doctor’s note, $19.90 is a steal – effectively almost free when you weigh in the time and travel saved. Payment is only taken if you are approved and issued the certificate, so if for some reason the doctor cannot issue one (for example, if your condition isn’t suitable for an online consult), you wouldn’t be charged. This policy ensures you’re not paying for nothing.

The certificate you receive from NextClinic is a fully legal medical certificate, with an Australian doctor’s details and signature, meeting all requirements (doctor’s name, provider number, date, stating you are unfit for work from X to Y date, etc.). Employers will accept an online doctor’s certificate from NextClinic just as they would a paper certificate from a GP, because it’s issued by a licensed practitioner. In fact, under the Fair Work Act’s “reasonable evidence” rules, any certificate from a registered health practitioner is acceptable evidence​. NextClinic emails you the certificate (and you can download it from your account), so you can forward it to your boss or print it if needed. The process is confidential and secure, and since it’s an Australian service, it complies with privacy laws and medical standards.

If you need to get an online medical certificate quickly without leaving home, you can request one through NextClinic’s website in minutes. The platform will guide you through a short questionnaire about your illness. For example, you might indicate that you have a migraine or a cold and need a day off. Shortly after submission, one of NextClinic’s doctors will review your case. If appropriate, they’ll approve and issue the medical certificate right away. It’s then emailed directly to you. Many users have their certificate in hand (or rather, in inbox) within an hour of reaching out – perfect for those mornings when you wake up sick and need documentation for work ASAP. With a price of just $19.90, NextClinic provides peace of mind at almost no cost. You avoid sitting in a clinic waiting room (potentially spreading germs or picking up new ones) and you still get an official doctor’s note. It’s an ideal solution if you value your time and comfort but also want a doctor’s confirmation for your sick leave.

In summary, NextClinic’s online medical certificate service is nearly free when you consider the low fee and high convenience. It ensures you have a genuine doctor-issued certificate, which some people prefer or require (for instance, if your employer is hesitant about self-written declarations or if you simply feel more comfortable with a doctor’s note). Between the statutory declaration and NextClinic, Australians have two excellent low-cost options to cover their bases when ill. Now, let’s directly compare these options to help you decide which suits your situation best.

Statutory Declaration vs NextClinic Medical Certificate

To make the decision clearer, here’s a side-by-side comparison of using a statutory declaration versus getting an online medical certificate from NextClinic. Both can serve the same purpose – proving you were sick – but they have different pros and cons.

Statutory Declaration

• Accepted - Yes! It is accepted as evidence under Fair Work guidelines, as long as they are truthful and proper. Most employers accept them for short illnesses, though some prefer a certificate for longer absences.
• Cost - Free
• How to Obtain - To get one, you just fill out a form and have it witnessed. You can download the stat dec form and write your statement. Then sign it in front of an authorized witness (or use the digital myGov stat dec service to do it all online)​. No doctor visit required.
• Convenience - You can complete most of it at home, but you may need to find a witness which can take some effort (unless using the new digital method). It’s usually same-day doable. Digital stat decs are very convenient if you have myGov set up.
• Credibility - High. A stat dec is a legally binding document, so it carries weight. Employers know you wouldn’t lightly sign a false stat dec due to legal penalties. However, some employers subjectively prefer a doctor’s certificate, especially for extended time off.
• When to use? Use a stat dec if you truly cannot see a doctor or prefer not to spend money. Great for short illnesses or if you forgot to get a certificate at the time. It’s your go-to free option. Just ensure honesty.

NextClinic Medical Certificate

• Accepted - Yes. It’s a standard medical certificate issued by a doctor, so it is universally accepted by employers as proof of illness. It meets all legal requirements and is signed by an AHPRA-registered doctor.
• Cost - $19.90 for a one-day certificate (two-day certificates available for around $29.90). And you only pay if your request is approved and a certificate is issued.
• How to Obtain - Fill a quick online form about your illness and submit. A doctor reviews it (usually within 1 hour) and emails you the certificate upon approval​.
• Convenience - Extremely convenient – you can do everything from bed. No need to travel anywhere, or find a witness. You typically get your certificate within an hour, which is faster than most clinic visits.
• Credibility - Highest. This is a doctor’s certificate, identical to one you’d get from a clinic. It likely feels more “official” to some employers since it’s signed by a medical professional. Using a service like NextClinic can reassure strict employers who insist on a medical certificate.
• When to use? Use NextClinic if you want a quick doctor’s note with minimal fuss. Ideal when you’re too sick to go out or can’t get a GP appointment soon. For a small fee, you get the assurance of an official certificate with minimal effort.

Both options have their place. You might even use them in combination – for example, some people get a stat dec for a one-day illness, but if they fall sick for longer or repeatedly, they might switch to doctor’s certificates to keep the boss happy. The key is you don’t have to pay $50 or more each time you need a sick note. A statutory declaration can cover you for free, and services like NextClinic provide an almost-free alternative that is doctor-approved.

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