The short answer
A stress leave certificate is an ordinary medical certificate saying you were, or are, unfit for work for a set period. It doesn't need to mention stress or name a diagnosis, and a general certificate shouldn't include one unless you agree [3][4]. Your employer can ask for evidence for as little as 1 day off, and a medical certificate or statutory declaration will usually do [1]. A GP will only issue one if, after assessing you, they're satisfied you're genuinely unfit for work [3].
On this page
What is a stress leave certificate?
There's no special "stress leave certificate". It's a normal medical certificate that says you were, or are, unfit for work for a stated period. You give it to your employer as evidence for paid sick leave, which Fair Work says can be used for stress [2].
Your employer can ask for evidence that you couldn't work because of illness, even for 1 day or less [1]. Medical certificates and statutory declarations are both examples of acceptable evidence [1]. There are no strict rules about the type of evidence, but it has to convince a reasonable person that you were genuinely entitled to the leave, and what your employer asks for must be reasonable in the circumstances [1].
For the bigger picture on how much leave you have and what it pays, see our main stress leave guide.
What does a medical certificate for stress say?
Medical defence organisations advise doctors that a certificate should be legible and in plain language, and should include [3]:
- the doctor's name and practice address
- your name
- the date of the examination and the date the certificate was issued
- the matter being certified, such as being unfit for work
- the period it applies to
Does it have to say "stress" or give a diagnosis?
No. A general medical certificate should not include your diagnosis [3]. Doctors are advised to make sure they have your authority to disclose what's in the certificate, and not to include other information without your express consent [3][4].
So a certificate for stress leave usually says something like "unfit for work due to a medical condition" for certain dates. You can ask your GP to keep it that general. Some situations do need a diagnosis, such as a workers compensation claim [3].
If you want your employer to make changes to support you, such as adjusted duties when you return, you might choose to share more. That's your choice, and you can talk it through with your GP first.
Who can issue a certificate for stress leave?
A GP is the usual choice, and a doctor's certificate is the most widely accepted evidence. The Fair Work rules don't set a strict list of acceptable evidence. The test is whether it would satisfy a reasonable person [1].
Legal commentary notes that the Fair Work Act defines a "medical certificate" as one signed by a medical practitioner, but that other evidence can still meet the reasonable person test in the right circumstances [8].
If you couldn't get an appointment, a statutory declaration can be enough. Fair Work gives the example of an employee who couldn't see a doctor, gave a statutory declaration when she came back to work, and was paid for her sick day [1].
Timing matters for one protection. One way to rely on the protection against dismissal for a temporary absence due to illness is to give a medical certificate or statutory declaration within 24 hours of the absence starting, or a longer period that's reasonable in the circumstances [13]. The protection can also apply if you follow your award or agreement's rules for notifying and backing up an absence, or if you've given your employer evidence for paid sick leave when they asked for it [13].
Can you get a stress leave certificate through telehealth?
Yes, if the GP thinks it's clinically appropriate. The Medical Board of Australia expects telehealth care to meet the same standards as an in-person consultation as far as possible, and doctors should arrange to see you in person if telehealth alone isn't appropriate [7].
What the Board doesn't support is care without a real consultation. It says providing healthcare, including issuing certificates, through questionnaire-based online tools without a real-time doctor-patient consultation is not good practice [6]. A video appointment with a GP is a real-time consultation.
The evidence test for your employer is the same either way: would it satisfy a reasonable person [1].
Can a stress leave certificate be backdated?
Not in the way people usually mean. The certificate must show the real date of the examination, and the issue date should never be backdated [3][4].
A GP can, after careful consideration, certify a period that started before your appointment. For example, a certificate might say you were unwell and unable to attend work for the previous few days [3]. In that case the certificate should clearly state the date of the examination and make clear the assessment is based on your history and the examination findings [3]. If you report symptoms from earlier that the doctor can't verify or see any evidence of, a certificate may not be appropriate [3].
The practical message: see a GP as early as you can, ideally on the first day you're off.
What will the GP need from you?
A medical certificate should always be supported by a clinical assessment [3]. Under the Medical Board's code of conduct, doctors must be honest and not misleading when writing certificates, and only sign documents they believe to be accurate [4][5].
That means your GP will want an honest picture of what's been happening: your symptoms, how long they've lasted, how they're affecting your work and life, and whether you're safe. Our guide on how to get stress leave explains what the GP will ask and how to describe things clearly.
If a doctor isn't satisfied that you're unfit for work, they should decline and explain why [3]. If your illness looks likely to continue, they might give a certificate for a limited period and review you again [3].
How is a workers comp certificate different?
If your stress is caused by work and you're making a workers compensation claim, you'll need a certificate of capacity (in Queensland, a work capacity certificate). It's a different document with different rules.
| Medical certificate for sick leave | Workers compensation certificate | |
|---|---|---|
| Used for | Evidence for paid sick leave [1] | Only for workers compensation claims [9] |
| Diagnosis | Generally not included [3] | Included [9][12] |
| What it covers | The period you're unfit for work [3] | Diagnosis, how the injury happened, treatment needed, capacity for work and helpful workplace changes [9] |
| Who can complete it | Usually a doctor, though other evidence can be enough [1] | Queensland: doctors including GPs and psychiatrists, not psychologists [9]. Victoria: the first certificate must come from a medical practitioner [10] |
| How long it can cover | Whatever the doctor considers appropriate | NSW: no more than 28 days [11]. Victoria: up to 14 days for the first certificate, then up to 28 days [10] |
In NSW, certificates of capacity for psychological injuries should include the diagnosis, treatment plan and functional capacity for work [12]. Read more about claims in our guide to workers compensation for stress.
When to see a GP
If stress, anxiety or low mood is stopping you from working, see a GP. A certificate is only one part of it: the more useful part is a proper assessment and a plan to help you recover.
At Mental Health Clinic, your first appointment is a GP mental health assessment by video, about an hour long. Your GP can start treatment if it's right for you, arrange follow-up, and refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist if needed. GPs can issue medical certificates where clinically appropriate, but a certificate isn't guaranteed. Your GP decides based on their assessment. You can request an appointment.
If you're in crisis or thinking about suicide, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 000 in an emergency.
This page is general information, not legal or medical advice.
Common questions
Does a medical certificate for stress have to say stress?
Can I get a stress leave certificate online?
A GP can issue a certificate after a telehealth consultation if it's clinically appropriate. The Medical Board says issuing certificates through questionnaire-only online tools, without a real-time consultation with a doctor, is not good practice [6]. A video consultation with a GP is a real-time consultation.
Can a doctor backdate a stress leave certificate?
The date of the examination and the date the certificate was issued can't be backdated [3][4]. A GP can sometimes certify that you were unwell for a period before the appointment, if they're satisfied after careful consideration, and the certificate should say it's based on your history and their examination [3].
Can my employer reject a stress leave certificate?
The legal test is whether your evidence would convince a reasonable person that you were genuinely entitled to the leave [1]. A genuine certificate from a doctor usually meets that test. If you're in a dispute, the Fair Work Ombudsman can give you information about your rights.
Can a psychologist give me a certificate for stress leave?
Fair Work doesn't set strict rules on the type of evidence, as long as it would satisfy a reasonable person [1]. For workers compensation it's stricter: Queensland doesn't accept work capacity certificates from psychologists [9], and in Victoria the first certificate must come from a medical practitioner [10].
References
- Fair Work Ombudsman. Notice and medical certificates. Accessed November 2026. fairwork.gov.au/leave/sick-and-carers-leave/paid-sick-and-carers-leave
- Fair Work Ombudsman. Paid sick and carer's leave. Accessed November 2026. fairwork.gov.au/leave/sick-and-carers-leave/paid-sick-and-carers-leave
- Avant Mutual. Medical certificates: your responsibilities. November 2019. Accessed November 2026. assets.avant.org.au/cdf6134c-01d7-0292-26f5-2f5cf1db96f8/6161abb8-1762
- Walter J. Tips for writing medical certificates. MDA National. 9 December 2020. Accessed November 2026. mdanational.com.au/advice-and-support/library/articles-and-case-studie
- Medical Board of Australia. Good medical practice: a code of conduct for doctors in Australia, section 10.9. October 2020. Accessed November 2026. medicalboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Policies/Code-of-conduct
- Medical Board of Australia. Revised telehealth guidelines now in effect. 1 September 2023. Accessed November 2026. medicalboard.gov.au/News/2023-09-01-Revised-telehealth-guidelines-now-
- Medical Board of Australia. Guidelines: Telehealth consultations with patients. Effective 1 September 2023. Accessed November 2026. medicalboard.gov.au/codes-guidelines-policies/telehealth-consultations
- Australian Emergency Law. Can absence from work certificates be signed by paramedics? 24 February 2023. Accessed November 2026. australianemergencylaw.com/2023/02/24/can-absence-from-work-certificat
- WorkCover Queensland. Work capacity certificate. Accessed November 2026. workcoverqld.com.au/claims-and-payments/claims/how-to-make-a-claim/wor
- WorkSafe Victoria. Claims Manual 3.2.4 Who can sign certificates and 3.2.5 Diagnosis. Accessed November 2026. www1.worksafe.vic.gov.au/vwa/claimsmanual/Claims%20Manual/3-weekly-pay
- icare NSW. How to complete a certificate of capacity. Accessed November 2026. icare.nsw.gov.au/practitioners-and-providers/gps-and-treating-doctors/
- State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA). For medical or health providers: workers compensation updates. Updated 7 July 2026. Accessed November 2026. sira.nsw.gov.au/workers-compensation/workers-compensation-reforms/for-
- Fair Work Regulations 2009 (Cth), regulation 3.01 Temporary absence: illness or injury. Federal Register of Legislation. Accessed November 2026. legislation.gov.au/F2009L02356/2026-11-01/2026-11-01/text/original/epu
Published by Mental Health Clinic. Last updated 6 November 2026. This page is general information only and isn’t a substitute for advice about your own situation. If you or someone else is in danger, call 000.