Do I Need a Medical Certificate for 1 Day Off Sick?
You woke up feeling terrible and need to call in sick. But do you actually need a medical certificate for just one day? Here's what Australian law says.
The Short Answer
It depends on your employer's policy. Under the Fair Work Act, employers can request evidence for any period of sick leave — including a single day. However, many employers only require certificates for absences of 2+ days.
Check your employment contract, enterprise agreement, or company policy to know what applies to you.
What Does the Fair Work Act Say?
Section 107 of the Fair Work Act 2009 states that an employer may require an employee to provide "evidence that would satisfy a reasonable person" that the leave was taken for a genuine reason.
This means:
- Employers can ask for evidence for any sick leave
- The evidence must be "reasonable" — a medical certificate or statutory declaration
- The law doesn't set a minimum number of days before evidence is required
When Do Most Employers Require a Certificate?
In practice, most Australian workplaces follow these common patterns:
1-2 days: Often no certificate needed
Many employers allow self-certification for short absences. You just notify your manager.
2-3+ days: Certificate usually required
Most enterprise agreements and company policies require a certificate for absences of 2 or more consecutive days.
Pattern of absences: Certificate may be required
If you frequently call in sick on Mondays/Fridays or before holidays, your employer may start requiring certificates for any absence.
When Your Employer CAN Require a Certificate for 1 Day
Your employer can require a medical certificate for a single day off if:
- Your employment contract or enterprise agreement specifies it
- It's part of a documented company policy
- There's a pattern of suspicious absences
- They have reasonable grounds to doubt the genuineness of your absence
Warning: If your employer asks for a certificate and you don't provide one, they may not be required to pay you for that sick day.
How to Get a Certificate Quickly for 1 Day
If you need a certificate but don't want to spend hours at a clinic for a minor illness, you have options:
- Pharmacist certificate (fastest): Services like SorryBoss offer phone consultations with AHPRA-registered pharmacists. 5 minutes, $13.99, certificate emailed instantly.
- Telehealth GP: Video call with a doctor. 15-30 minutes, $40-80.
- In-person GP: Traditional clinic visit. 1-3 hours including wait time, $40-80+ (may be bulk-billed).
Can I Write a Statutory Declaration Instead?
Yes — the Fair Work Act accepts a statutory declaration as evidence of illness. However:
- You need to find a witness (JP, pharmacist, lawyer, etc.)
- It's a legal document — false statements are a crime
- Many employers prefer medical certificates anyway
For most people, getting a quick medical certificate is easier than organising a statutory declaration.
Tips for Calling in Sick
- Notify early: Contact your employer as soon as possible, ideally before your shift starts
- Follow the process: Use whatever method your workplace requires (phone, email, app)
- Keep it simple: You don't need to share detailed medical information
- Get a certificate if in doubt: Better to have one and not need it than vice versa
Need a certificate? Get one in 5 minutes
Phone consult from bed. AHPRA pharmacist. $13.99 — only charged if issued.
Get Your Certificate →Summary
- Employers can legally ask for a certificate for 1 day off sick
- Most employers only require certificates for 2+ days (check your policy)
- If asked for a certificate, it's easier to get one than to argue about it
- Pharmacist certificates are the fastest and cheapest option