Using Sick Leave for Health Check-Ups

Ever wondered if you could use a sick day for a routine health check-up? It's a common dilemma for working Australians. For example, during World Glaucoma Week, you might be reminded to schedule an eye exam with your ophthalmologist – but if you're feeling perfectly fine, can you take that time off as sick leave? This article explores whether employees in Australia can use sick leave for preventative health appointments (like eye exams, annual GP check-ups, or specialist visits), what alternatives exist if sick leave doesn’t apply, and how to plan these visits strategically to avoid disrupting your work. We’ll also discuss the importance of staying on top of your health even when you’re not sick, and the role of a medical certificate online in justifying your time off (and how to get one easily through [telehealth platform name]).

Let's have a look at using sick leave for health check-ups – and make sure you can take care of your well-being and keep your boss happy!

Looking for a 1 or 2 day medical certificates?

Starting from $19.90

Request Now

Looking for a 1 or 2 day medical certificates?

Starting from $19.90

Request Now

Can You Use Sick Leave for Preventative Health Check-Ups?

In Australia, what we colloquially call sick leave (officially personal/carer’s leave) is meant to cover you when you can’t work due to illness or injury – or when you need to care for a family member who’s ill. The Fair Work Act and National Employment Standards give most full-time employees 10 days of paid personal leave per year for these purposes (pro-rata for part-timers). But does this include time off for a preventative health appointment when you’re not actually sick?

According to the Fair Work Ombudsman​, pre-arranged medical appointments or elective surgeries are generally only covered by paid sick leave if you are unfit for work due to a current illness or injury. In other words, if you’re taking time for a routine check-up or a screening test while you feel healthy, it might not meet the criteria for sick leave. It comes down to whether an illness/injury is affecting your ability to work at that time. For example, if you wake up with a painful eye infection and need to see an ophthalmologist, that clearly qualifies as sick leave. But if you only have an annual eye exam scheduled as a precaution, your employer could argue that’s not what sick leave is intended for.

HR experts tend to agree on this point. One HR consultancy explains that personal leave is for when an employee is actually unwell or injured, not for regular appointments when the person is otherwise fit for work​. So if you want a general check-up or to “just make sure everything’s okay” with your health, technically that doesn’t fall under sick leave. This might come as a surprise – many of us assume any medical appointment is fair game for a sick day, but the intention of sick leave is to cover genuine illness (or caring duties) rather than preventative care.

That said, there are some nuances and exceptions to consider:

• Appointments related to a chronic condition: If your routine check-up is part of managing an existing health issue, it blurs the line. For instance, say you have a chronic condition like diabetes or hypertension and you need periodic blood tests or specialist reviews. You might feel fine on the day, but these appointments are directly tied to an illness. In such cases, using personal sick leave is often acceptable because it’s part of treating an ongoing medical issue. (You should still inform your employer that the absence is health-related and provide evidence if required.)
• Employer discretion: Some employers are more flexible and understanding. They may allow employees to take sick leave for preventative health appointments as a matter of policy or goodwill, even if the law doesn’t strictly require it. It often depends on your workplace culture, any enterprise agreements, or your award. Always check your company’s leave policy or speak with HR if you’re unsure. You might find that your employer has a provision for “medical appointments” or allows a few hours of personal leave for check-ups. Don’t just assume – it’s better to clarify upfront than to accidentally misuse your sick leave.
• Public sector or special agreements: In some sectors, there’s a push to support preventative health. For example, the Australian Public Service recently included a right for federal employees to use personal leave for preventative health appointments like dental check-ups​. This kind of arrangement “locks in” the ability to take sick leave for routine health maintenance. While this is great progress, it’s specific to those agreements – most private sector jobs don’t explicitly offer this. It does show a trend, however, that some organizations recognize the value of preventative care and are willing to be flexible.

Bottom line: Under standard Australian workplace law, *you generally cannot use sick leave for routine preventative health check-ups if you’re not actually sick. If you do, your employer could refuse the leave or ask you to take it as a different type of leave. It ultimately “depends on each individual circumstance”​ – if the check-up is tied to being unfit for work, then sick leave may cover it; if not, you’ll need to consider other options. In the next section, we’ll explore what those alternatives are.

Alternative Leave Options for Health Appointments

So, if sick leave isn’t a sure bet for your regular health exams, what can you do? Thankfully, you have alternative leave options and strategies to ensure you still attend those important appointments. Here are some common ways Australian employees handle time off for preventative health visits when sick leave doesn’t apply:

• Annual Leave: This is the most straightforward alternative. You can plan to use a few hours or a day of your annual leave (paid vacation time) for a medical appointment. Employers are typically quite amenable to this since annual leave is yours to use for any personal reason (with approval). The upside is you’re still getting paid, and it’s an approved absence. The downside is you’re using up holiday time for something that isn’t exactly a holiday – but investing a day of annual leave in your health is usually worth it! Just be sure to request it in advance as per your company’s normal annual leave process.
• Personal Time/Flex Time: If your workplace offers flexible hours, accrued time in lieu (TOIL), or rostered days off, you might use those options. For example, you could make up the hours by working a bit longer on other days, and then take a half-day off for your check-up. Some employers informally allow making up time – say, you come in an hour early for a few days, and then leave an hour early on appointment day. This isn’t leave per se, but it’s a common way to handle appointments without tapping into formal leave balances. Coordinate with your manager on a plan that ensures your work is covered.
• Unpaid Leave: If you’re out of paid leave or want to save it, you can request a short period of unpaid leave for a health appointment. Many employers will approve a few hours or a day of leave without pay for this purpose, especially if you give notice. The trade-off is you won’t get paid for that time off, but sometimes that’s preferable to not attending the appointment at all. Think of it as taking a short-term hit for a long-term benefit (your health!). Most bosses appreciate the honesty if you say, “I’d like to take Friday morning off for a medical check-up; I’m happy for it to be unpaid if necessary.”
• Schedule Outside Work Hours: This isn’t a leave type, but it’s worth mentioning. Whenever possible, schedule your health appointments outside of standard work hours – early morning, late afternoon/evening, or even weekends. We know this isn’t always feasible (specialists especially seem to keep 9–5 hours only!), but many GPs, dentists, and even some specialists offer extended hours or Saturday slots. If you can snag an appointment at 8 AM or 5:30 PM, you might only miss a sliver of work (or none at all). Likewise, some pathology labs for blood tests open very early, and optometrists often have weekend availability. Using these off-hour options means you don’t even have to dip into your leave balance.
• Carer’s Leave (for family appointments): While your own preventative check-ups might not qualify for sick leave, remember that carer’s leave (which comes from the same personal leave pool) applies when someone you care for is ill or needs care. Routine appointments for a healthy family member typically wouldn’t count any more than your own would. However, if, say, your child or partner has a medical appointment related to an existing condition or they’re unwell, you could use your carer’s leave to take them. Always check the specifics – carer’s leave is there for when your immediate family or household member needs your support due to illness/injury. (Taking your perfectly healthy child to a routine dentist check-up isn’t really within that definition; you’d likely use annual or other leave in that case.)
• Work-from-Home or Hybrid Arrangements: If your job allows remote work, consider working from home on the day of your appointment. This way, you eliminate commute time and can log off just for the duration of the appointment. For instance, if you have a 3 PM check-up, working from home means at 2:45 you’re off to the doctor’s, and by 4 PM you might be back at your desk at home. You’ll only “lose” an hour or so of work time, which you could either make up or take as a short unpaid break, with your manager’s agreement. Many employers are flexible with work-from-home days for personal matters – it shows you’re committed to getting your work done and managing your health responsibly.

As the HR experts mentioned earlier, using annual leave or other arrangements is the proper route for regular medical appointments if sick leave isn’t appropriate. The key is to communicate with your employer. Most will be reasonable if you propose a solution that balances your needs and the business’s needs. Now, aside from choosing the right type of leave, how you schedule and plan the appointment can greatly reduce the impact on your workday – which we’ll cover next.

Tips to Schedule Check-Ups with Minimal Work Disruption

Attending health check-ups is important, but so is maintaining your workflow and not causing extra stress at work. The good news is you can often plan appointments strategically so that there’s minimal disruption. Here are some smart scheduling tips:

• Plan Ahead and Give Notice: Whenever possible, book your medical appointments well in advance. This gives you the best chance to choose a convenient time slot (and it gives your team a heads-up). As soon as you lock in an appointment, let your manager and colleagues know the date and time you’ll be out. Early notice allows everyone to plan around your brief absence – meetings can be scheduled around it, deadlines adjusted if needed, or someone can cover for you if necessary. Early communication = less inconvenience for all.
• Pick the Least Busy Time of Day: Try to schedule your check-up at a time that has the smallest impact on your work. For many, that’s first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon. For example, an 8:00 AM dentist appointment might mean you only arrive an hour late to work, which you could possibly make up by skipping the coffee run and diving straight into work when you get in. A 4:30 PM doctor’s visit means you can finish most of your workday, head out a bit early, and maybe log back in from home after if needed. Mid-day appointments can be trickier as they split the day, but if it’s the only option, try to wrap it into your lunch break or a slow period in the office.
• Avoid Peak Work Periods: Be mindful of your team’s busiest times. If Mondays are always hectic with planning meetings, or end-of-month is crunch time for reports, avoid scheduling non-urgent check-ups during those windows. Instead, choose a calmer day when your absence will be barely noticed. It shows consideration and professionalism – your boss will appreciate that you booked your physical after the big client presentation, not smack in the middle of prep time.
• Cluster Multiple Appointments Together: If you have several different check-ups due (say, a GP visit, a blood test, and a specialist follow-up), consider grouping them on the same day. You might take one larger block of time off once, rather than many small chunks on different days. For instance, you could arrange an eye exam in the morning and your GP check-up in the afternoon of the same day – then you’ve effectively taken one day (or one half-day) off instead of two or three separate days with disruptions. It requires planning and maybe a bit of stamina to do a “health day,” but many people find it efficient.
• Leverage Extended Hours and Weekends: As noted, lots of healthcare providers offer appointments outside the traditional 9–5. GP clinics with extended hours, 24/7 telehealth services, weekend specialist clinics – these can be a godsend for full-time workers. If your regular doctor only works weekdays, you could look for a GP that has Saturday mornings for your annual check, or visit an optometrist on a Sunday for that eye test. Yes, it uses some of your personal time, but it saves using work time. Even using a lunch break for a quick nearby appointment can work if the timing aligns. Many pathology labs open early (some at 7 AM), perfect for getting that blood work done and grabbing a coffee before heading into the office.
• Use Telehealth When Possible: Not every medical consultation needs an in-person visit. These days, telehealth appointments can handle a lot of health issues – from getting advice, to routine prescription renewals, to discussing test results. If your check-up can be done over the phone or video, opt for that. You could do a telehealth GP consultation during a break or from home without the commute and waiting room time. This is especially handy if you just need to touch base with your doctor or have a minor check that doesn’t require a physical examination. Telehealth can drastically cut down the time away from work (and as a bonus, you can often schedule telehealth outside normal clinic hours). Tip: Make sure you have a private, quiet space and a good internet connection for your telehealth call, so it’s as effective as possible.
• Coordinate with Your Team: Simple coordination can go a long way. Perhaps you can swap a shift or trade days with a co-worker if your job has shift work. Or if you manage a team, delegate tasks for the time you’ll be out and ensure everyone knows who is point of contact while you’re at your appointment. By arranging backup and making your short absence a non-event, you reduce any anxiety about being away. It’s also courteous to offer to return the favor if colleagues need the same flexibility for their appointments.

With these strategies, you can attend to your health and keep work running smoothly. Most employers won’t bat an eyelid about you going to a doctor, especially if you’ve clearly minimized the impact. Remember, a couple of hours for a health check is far better than being out for weeks because something was missed by not going at all. Which brings us to the next point: why those preventative check-ups are so important in the first place.

Why Preventative Health Check-Ups Matter

It’s easy to put off a medical appointment when you’re feeling healthy and busy with work. Many of us think, “If it ain’t broke, why fix it?” or we simply can’t find the time. However, preventative health check-ups are crucial – they can literally be life-saving. Staying on top of your health through regular screenings and exams means you’re more likely to catch any potential issues early, when they’re easier (and cheaper) to treat.

Early detection is key: The Victorian Government’s Better Health Channel notes that regular health check-ups can identify early signs of health issues, and finding problems early increases your chances for effective treatment​. Many serious conditions – think high blood pressure, certain cancers, high cholesterol, glaucoma, diabetes – often start silently, with no obvious symptoms. You might feel perfectly fine while an issue slowly develops. A routine exam or test could reveal a warning sign that allows you to act right away. Treating a health problem in its early stages is usually more successful and less disruptive than dealing with a full-blown illness that’s progressed.

To illustrate, consider the example of glaucoma (often called the “silent thief of sight”). Glaucoma is a leading cause of preventable blindness, and it typically has no symptoms until significant vision loss has occurred. In fact, it’s estimated that 50% of Australians with glaucoma are unaware of it because they haven’t noticed any symptoms​. This is why events like World Glaucoma Week emphasize getting your eyes checked. An eye exam can catch glaucoma early, and with treatment, you can slow or halt vision loss. The people who skip those routine eye checks might only discover the issue once damage is done. The same concept applies to many health conditions — from cancers detectable by screening (like skin checks, mammograms, or colonoscopies) to blood sugar tests for pre-diabetes.

Preventative check-ups = long-term health (and career) protection. By taking care of small health concerns now, you potentially avoid major health crises later. Imagine you skip your annual physical for years, and then one day a serious issue lands you in the hospital. Not only is that bad for you, it could mean extended sick leave down the track. In contrast, regularly seeing your GP might catch a problem early so you can address it with minimal time off and minimal impact on your life. It’s truly a case of “a stitch in time saves nine.”

Some key benefits of regular health check-ups include:

• Catching problems early: Routine tests can alert you to emerging medical issues while they’re still minor. For example, a simple blood test might show elevated cholesterol, giving you the chance to improve your diet or start medication before you have a heart attack.
• Assessing future risks: Your doctor can evaluate your health and assess your risk of future problems based on your family history and lifestyle. Knowing you’re at risk for something (say, type 2 diabetes or melanoma) means you can take preventative actions and be monitored more closely.
• Encouraging healthy habits: Regular check-ups often include advice and reminders for healthy living – they prompt you to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes just having that appointment keeps you accountable (you might think twice about smoking or start exercising more if you know the doctor will ask!).
• Staying up-to-date on vaccinations and screenings: Your GP will ensure you keep vaccinations current and might recommend screening programs (like bowel cancer screening kits or pap smears) appropriate for your age. This proactive approach keeps you protected and informed.
• Peace of mind: There’s also the mental relief of getting a clean bill of health. Checking in with your doctor and hearing that everything looks good can be a huge stress reducer. And if something is off, you can address it with a clear plan rather than worrying “what if” in the back of your mind.

In short, preventative health check-ups are an investment in yourself. Work will always be there, and yes, we all get busy. But prioritizing those appointments is an act of self-care that benefits you, your family, and even your employer (a healthier employee is a more productive employee, after all!). Employers these days are increasingly recognizing the value of prevention too – some even run wellness programs or free health check days for staff. So don’t feel guilty about taking time for your health. As we’ve discussed, there are ways to do it that respect your job responsibilities. Next, we’ll discuss one of those ways in detail: using a doctor’s certificate online to cover your bases when you take time off for health reasons.

How an Online Medical Certificate Can Justify Your Time Off

One practical concern when taking any time off for health reasons (even just a few hours) is providing evidence to your employer. In Australia, employers have the right to request proof that your sick leave is genuine – even if it’s just one day off​. Typically, this proof comes in the form of a medical certificate or a statutory declaration. A medical certificate is simply a letter from a doctor stating that on a certain date(s), you were under their care and, in their professional opinion, unable to work due to a medical reason. Traditionally, getting that certificate meant booking a GP appointment, sitting in the waiting room (often while you actually feel sick – not fun), then asking the doctor for a note. But now there’s a much easier way: you can obtain a medical certificate online through telehealth.

Online medical certificates have become a convenient and legally accepted solution in Australia. In fact, as long as the certificate is issued by a doctor or other registered medical practitioner, it carries the same legal weight whether the consultation was in-person or via telehealth​. Employers should accept a valid certificate from an Australian-registered doctor, no matter if you saw them face-to-face or through a video call. The Fair Work guidelines say the evidence must convince a reasonable person that you were entitled to the leave – and a proper medical certificate (even an electronic one) does exactly that.

Here’s how getting an online medical certificate typically works:

1. Book a telehealth appointment – You choose a reputable telehealth service (for example, [telehealth platform name], which operates 24/7 across Australia) and book a consultation. Many services allow you to do this on short notice, often within the same day. You might fill out a brief form about your issue or reason for the appointment.
2. Consult with a doctor or practitioner – At the scheduled time, you’ll have a phone or video call with a registered doctor. Explain why you need time off – whether you’re feeling unwell, or you had a specialist check-up, etc. Be honest and clear about your situation. (If it’s a preventative check-up, you might say it was medically recommended or needed for your health – some doctors will issue a certificate if they believe attending that appointment was important for your well-being.) The doctor will assess and ask any necessary questions. Telehealth consultations for certificates are usually pretty quick.
3. Get your certificate via email – If the practitioner deems it appropriate, they will issue you a doctor’s certificate online immediately after the consult. This digital medical certificate will be emailed to you (some services even text a link). The certificate will contain the essential details: your name, the date of consultation, the date(s) you are or were unfit for work, the practitioner’s name and provider number, and their signature. Notably, the certificate does not have to specify your illness or the details of your appointment – it typically just confirms you were “unfit for work for medical reasons on [date]”. This protects your privacy while giving your employer the proof they need.

The whole process can take as little as 10-15 minutes of your time, and you can do it from home (or anywhere). Compare that to possibly half a day of organizing an in-person visit just to get the same piece of paper! It’s a game-changer for busy people and one of the reasons online medical certificates have surged in popularity.

Now, you might wonder, “Will my boss actually accept an online doctor’s certificate?” The answer is yes – online medical certificates are completely legal and generally accepted by employers in Australia, as long as they’re from a qualified practitioner. Employers cannot discriminate against a certificate just because it was done via telehealth. (If you ever encountered skepticism, you could politely remind them that the certificate was issued by a registered doctor under Australian law, and it’s a valid document. But most will not even question it.)

With that reassurance, an online certificate becomes a handy tool, especially for short absences. Maybe you took the morning off for that eye exam – technically you weren’t “sick,” but you know your employer expects a medical certificate for any leave. You could quickly use a telehealth service to explain the situation to a doctor and obtain a certificate stating you were under medical care that morning. Problem solved. Or perhaps you did feel a bit ill after a vaccination or screening and decided to rest for the day; a telehealth doctor can issue a certificate so you can recuperate without worry.

Online certificates are also useful if you wake up sick on the day of an important preventative appointment. Imagine you have your annual GP check-up booked, but on that morning you come down with a fever. Rather than cancel the check-up (you don’t want to miss it!), you can see the doctor as planned and ask them to provide a certificate for your employer that you were unwell and sought treatment. If you forget to ask on the spot, a telehealth doctor later in the day can still certify that you were unfit for work.

Let’s not forget convenience: maybe you only need a day or two off work – that’s where telehealth shines. [Telehealth platform name], for example, provides medical certificates online for 1-2 day absences, which is perfect for quick health matters. It means you can legitimately take that day to focus on your health check (or recovery) without jumping through hoops. The service is usually fast and user-friendly, allowing you to download or forward the certificate directly to your employer.

"Pro Tip: Keep a digital or printed copy of any medical certificate you receive (online or otherwise). It’s part of your records. Australian employers will file it with your leave request, but it’s good for you to have it too. And always ensure the certificate covers the exact date(s) you were off – if your appointment was in the morning and you returned to work after, the doctor might note you were under care for a portion of the day. Clarify if needed, so the certificate matches your absence."

In summary, getting a doctor’s certificate online is a smart way to cover yourself when taking time off for health reasons. It provides peace of mind that your leave is documented and legitimate. Plus, it reinforces to your employer that you took the time off for a valid reason – not to slack off, but to look after your health (which in turn makes you a better employee in the long run!). With telehealth and online certificates, there’s really no excuse to neglect your preventative health needs; you can take care of yourself and have the proper paperwork sorted in one fell swoop.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Work and Health

Juggling your job and your health can be challenging, but it’s absolutely doable with a bit of planning and open communication. Preventative health check-ups are an essential part of staying well, and being “not sick right now” isn’t a good reason to skip them. Australian employees might face some restrictions on using sick leave for these routine appointments, but as we’ve explored, there are plenty of ways to make it work – from using annual leave or flexible arrangements, to smart scheduling, to leveraging telehealth services.

Remember, in the grand scheme, your health is your most valuable asset. Employers increasingly understand that a healthy workforce is a productive one. By proactively managing your health, you’re potentially preventing bigger issues that could impact your work far more down the line. So take that eye exam, get that annual blood test, see the specialist your GP referred – even if it means taking a bit of time out of your workday. You have options to minimize the impact on your job, and tools like online medical certificates make the whole process smoother.

So the next time you’re debating whether to schedule a check-up during the work week, go for it. Do right by your health. Plan it well, inform your employer, and use the supports available (like [telehealth platform name] for a quick online doctor’s certificate if you need one). In the end, a healthy you is a win-win for everyone. Take care of yourself – you deserve it!

TLDR

Disclaimer

This medical blog provides general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your regular doctor for specific medical concerns. The content is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication and may change. While we strive for accuracy, we make no warranties regarding completeness or reliability. Use the information at your own risk. Links to other websites are provided for convenience and do not imply endorsement. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily representative of any institutions.