Published on Apr 09, 2025
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.
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):
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.
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.
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.
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.
Q: Where can I get free medical certificate?
If you need a truly free medical certificate in Australia, your best option is to use a statutory declaration. You can download the stat dec form for free and declare your illness (with a witness signing it) at no cost. There’s no charge – it’s a legal document you create yourself. Alternatively, visiting a bulk-billing GP in person can get you a free medical certificate (since Medicare covers the visit), but this depends on availability and requires a trip to the doctor. For an online option, there’s no completely free doctor’s certificate service – be cautious of “free certificate” websites, as genuine certificates must come from real doctors or official stat decs.
Q: Can I get a medical certificate online in Australia?
Yes, you can absolutely get a medical certificate online in Australia. Telehealth services like NextClinic allow you to request an online doctor’s certificate via an internet form or consultation. The doctor will review your case and email you the certificate, usually on the same day. This is a convenient way to obtain a legitimate medical certificate without visiting a clinic. Just ensure you use a reputable Australian service with registered doctors (NextClinic is an example that operates nationally and is staffed by AHPRA-registered doctors).
Q: Are online medical certificates valid and accepted by employers?
Yes – an online medical certificate is just as valid as a paper one, as long as it’s issued by a registered Australian doctor. Employers should accept medical certificates obtained online because they meet the same legal requirements. The certificate will typically include the doctor’s details and registration number, and it states that you were unfit for work for the given period. In Australia, what matters is that the evidence would “satisfy a reasonable person” that you were sick, and a real doctor’s certificate (whether electronic or paper) meets that test. Thousands of Australians use online medical certificates from services like NextClinic, and these are widely accepted by employers across both private and public sectors.
Q: Does a statutory declaration count as a medical certificate for sick leave?
In practice, yes. A statutory declaration, when used to declare you were ill, counts as acceptable evidence for sick leave under the Fair Work Act. It’s not a “medical certificate” per se (since it isn’t written by a doctor), but legally it carries similar weight because it is a sworn statement. Employers generally accept a stat dec especially for short-term illness, because it’s a signed legal declaration of the truth. Just make sure the stat dec is properly completed (witnessed or done via the digital system) so it’s valid. Keep in mind some employers prefer medical certificates for longer sick leaves or might have policies about stat dec use, so check your company’s guidelines. But overall, a stat dec is an effective stand-in for a medical certificate when you can’t get a doctor’s note.
Q: How much does an online medical certificate cost?
The cost of an online medical certificate in Australia can vary by provider. Many telehealth services charge anywhere from $20 up to around $50 for a sick note. NextClinic, in particular, charges only $19.90 for a one-day certificate, which is one of the most affordable rates available. (For comparison, some other services or after-hours clinics might charge $30-$50 for a consultation and certificate.) With NextClinic’s $19.90 option, you’re paying a small fee for the convenience of instant online service. There are currently no reputable providers offering it for free, so $19.90 is about as low as it gets – and it’s a great value considering you get an official doctor’s certificate without leaving home.
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