How to Get a Carer's Leave Certificate in Australia
When a family member is sick, you shouldn't have to choose between caring for them and keeping your job. Here's how to get a carer's leave certificate quickly and legally.
What is Carer's Leave?
Carer's leave (also called compassionate leave for illness) allows you to take paid time off work to care for an immediate family member or household member who is sick, injured, or experiencing an unexpected emergency.
Who Can You Take Carer's Leave For?
Under the Fair Work Act 2009, you can take carer's leave to care for:
- Immediate family: Spouse, de facto partner, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling
- Household members: Anyone who lives with you
The person you're caring for must have an illness, injury, or unexpected emergency that requires your care and support.
How Much Carer's Leave Are You Entitled To?
Full-time and part-time employees get 10 days of paid personal/carer's leave per year. This is the same pool of leave used for your own sick leave.
Note: Casual employees don't get paid carer's leave, but they can take 2 days of unpaid carer's leave per occasion.
Do You Need a Certificate for Carer's Leave?
Your employer can request evidence that you needed to take carer's leave. Under section 107 of the Fair Work Act, acceptable evidence includes:
- A medical certificate or statutory declaration
- Documentation from a registered health practitioner
Important: The certificate is about YOUR need to provide care — not necessarily a full medical assessment of the person you're caring for.
How to Get a Carer's Leave Certificate Online
Book a phone consultation
Select "Carer's Leave" when booking. Provide details about who you're caring for and their relationship to you.
Quick phone assessment
Our pharmacist will ask about the situation and confirm that care is required.
Certificate emailed instantly
Your Carer's Leave Certificate is emailed as a PDF, stating you needed time off to care for a family member.
What Does a Carer's Leave Certificate Include?
The certificate will state:
- Your name (the person taking leave)
- That you required time off to care for an immediate family/household member
- The relationship (e.g., "child", "parent", "spouse")
- The dates of leave
- The pharmacist's AHPRA registration number
Privacy note: The certificate does not include detailed medical information about the person you're caring for. It simply confirms that care was required.
Example Situations for Carer's Leave
👶 Child with gastro
Your child woke up with vomiting and can't go to daycare. You need to stay home to care for them.
👵 Elderly parent unwell
Your mum has a bad flu and needs someone to bring medication and check on her.
💑 Partner recovering from surgery
Your partner had minor surgery and needs assistance at home for a day or two.
Carer's Leave vs Personal Leave
| Type | When to use | Who's sick |
|---|---|---|
| Personal leave | You're unwell | You |
| Carer's leave | Family member needs care | Family/household member |
Both come from the same pool of 10 days per year for full-time employees.
Need to care for a loved one?
Get a carer's leave certificate in minutes. $13.99 — only charged if issued.
Get Carer's Leave Certificate →FAQs
Can my employer refuse carer's leave?
No — if you have leave available and provide appropriate evidence, your employer cannot refuse your carer's leave request.
Do I need to provide details about my family member's illness?
No. You only need to provide evidence that you required time off to provide care. The specific medical details are private.
What if I run out of paid carer's leave?
You can request unpaid carer's leave. Full-time and part-time employees can take up to 2 days of unpaid carer's leave per occasion if they've exhausted their paid leave.