If you’re unsure whether you need a medical certificate assessment or a GP telehealth consultation, we are here to help. As both services can be accessed through telehealth appointments, it is important to understand the difference between them.
A medical certificate assessment focuses on whether someone is medically unfit for work or study and whether a certificate of absence is appropriate. A GP telehealth consultation provides a broader medical assessment when someone needs to discuss symptoms, treatment options, prescriptions, referrals or other health concerns.
In this blog, we will explore what medical certificate assessments and GP telehealth consultations are and what they involve. We will also cover when to use them, what the process looks like for each, and which option may be right for you.
The Difference Between a Medical Certificate Assessment and a GP Telehealth Consultation
Telehealth refers to healthcare provided remotely. Whether through an online questionnaire or by phone, telehealth allows you to access health services, such as doctor appointments and medical certificate assessments, without attending a clinic in person. This can make healthcare more convenient, particularly when travelling to a clinic is difficult.
A medical certificate assessment is a focused clinical assessment carried out by an AHPRA-registered health practitioner to determine whether a medical certificate is appropriate. The assessment considers the information you provide and whether your health concerns mean you are unfit to attend work or university on a specific date.
A GP telehealth consultation, on the other hand, offers a broader medical assessment with an AHPRA-registered doctor through a remote consultation. It allows you to discuss symptoms, health concerns, treatment options, prescriptions, referrals, or other clinical needs with a doctor, depending on what is clinically appropriate.
When Is a Medical Certificate Assessment Appropriate?
A medical certificate assessment is designed for common, short-term illnesses or health concerns that prevent you from attending work or study. It is the appropriate option when:
- You have a mild respiratory infection that requires you to stay home to recover
- You are experiencing a migraine or headache that prevents you from working
- You are dealing with stress or burnout that is impacting your ability to work or study
- You are managing a mental health concern that requires time away
- You are experiencing a reproductive health issue
- You are a casual, part-time, or full-time worker who needs to document a short absence formally
- You need to provide evidence for missing a class or lecture at university
When a Medical Certificate Assessment Is Not Appropriate
There are situations where a medical certificate assessment is not the right service for you, such as when you have the following concerns:
- Serious or rapidly worsening symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or severe headache (call 000 or attend an emergency department if you are experiencing these)
- Workplace injuries that require a Certificate of Capacity
- Requests for multi-day or extended leave
- Backdated certificates
- Ongoing or complex health conditions that require active monitoring
When Is a GP Telehealth Consultation Appropriate?
A GP telehealth consultation is appropriate when you need to discuss a health concern directly with a doctor and your situation requires a broader medical assessment than a certificate alone. This includes when:
- You need a prescription, referral, or advice on treatment options from a doctor
- Your symptoms are unclear or have been present for more than a day or two
- You want to discuss a health concern directly with a qualified doctor
When a GP Telehealth Consultation Is Not Appropriate
GP telehealth consultations are for non-emergency medical conditions. If a doctor determines that your symptoms require urgent in-person assessment, they will advise you accordingly.
A face-to-face consultation may also be more appropriate when your condition requires an examination or assessment that cannot be properly completed remotely. Referrals, prescriptions or other clinical documents are only provided when the doctor considers them clinically appropriate, and not every telehealth consultation will result in one.
How To Get a Medical Certificate Assessment or GP Telehealth Consultation
Medical Certificate Assessment Process
At OnCare Health, we provide sick leave certificates, carer’s leave certificates and university sick leave certificates following a medical certificate assessment. To request a certificate, you can follow these steps:
- Select your certificate type (sick, carer’s or university leave).
- Complete the secure online questionnaire.
- Pay the $12.99 fee (or $20.99 for a phone assessment).
- An AHPRA-registered practitioner reviews your request.
- If approved, we will email your certificate to you, usually within minutes.
Learn more about our service by visiting our sick certificate page.
GP Telehealth Consultation Process
A GP telehealth consultation allows you to speak with a doctor remotely about your symptoms, health concerns or other medical needs. During the consultation, the doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, assess your situation, and use their clinical judgement to determine the appropriate next steps.
The process generally involves the following steps:
- Book a telehealth appointment with a GP through an online booking platform.
- Provide information about your reason for the consultation and any relevant medical details.
- Complete any required payment or patient registration steps.
- Join the consultation.
- Following the consultation, the doctor may provide medical advice, referrals or other documents where clinically appropriate.
Please note: Telehealth availability, consultation fees, eligibility requirements and the documents may vary between healthcare providers.
Who Reviews Each Type of Request at OnCare Health?
All medical certificate assessments are reviewed by an AHPRA-registered practitioner. The review is based on the information submitted in the online questionnaire, and the practitioner may request more information through email or phone if needed to make an informed decision about whether a certificate is appropriate.
GP telehealth consultations are conducted by an AHPRA-registered Australian doctor through a secure video or phone consultation. The doctor applies their clinical judgement to assess your health concern and determine the appropriate next steps, which may include medical advice, treatment options, prescriptions, referrals or other clinical documents where appropriate.
Both services are provided by qualified, registered practitioners and may be delivered through telehealth appointments. The main differentiating factors are the purpose and scope of the assessments and what you may need from the service.
Privacy and Security at OnCare Health
OnCare Health stores all personal and health information on encrypted servers in full compliance with Australian privacy laws. For medical certificates, your medical diagnosis is not included on the certificate itself. The document confirms only that you were unfit for work on a specific date. If you would like your employer or institution to know why you were unfit for work or study, we can provide a separate confirmation email for you to share with them.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Medical Certificate Assessment vs GP Telehealth Consultation
| Factor | Medical Certificate Assessment | GP Telehealth Consultation |
| Purpose | Focused clinical assessment to determine whether a certificate is appropriate | Broader medical assessment, advice, treatment options, prescriptions, referrals and other clinical documents |
| Practitioner | AHPRA-registered health practitioner | AHPRA-registered Australian doctor |
| Medicare or IHI number required | No | Yes |
| Cost | From $12.99 (phone assessment $20.99) at OnCare Health | Varies depending on the provider |
| Suitable for | Common short-term illness and documented work or study absences | Symptoms or health concerns requiring broader medical assessment or clinical advice |
| Not suitable for | Serious symptoms, multi-day or backdated requests, workplace injuries | Emergency conditions or concerns requiring urgent in-person assessment |
| Outcomes | Certificate emailed if approved, with self-care guidance | Medical advice, treatment guidance, prescription or referral where clinically appropriate, and other relevant clinical documents |
| Privacy | No diagnosis on certificate, encrypted servers | Secure consultation link, encrypted servers |
Getting the Right Help When You Need It
Understanding the difference between a medical certificate assessment and a GP telehealth consultation helps you access the right level of care at the right time. For a short-term absence from work or study, a medical certificate assessment may be the more appropriate option. For situations that call for a more detailed discussion with a doctor, a GP telehealth consultation can help you access clinical advice and determine the next steps.
Telehealth services can make it easier to request a medical certificate without visiting a clinic in person. If you need a medical certificate for work or study, you can complete an assessment online and provide details about your health and reason for requesting the certificate. A healthcare professional will review the information and, where clinically appropriate, issue the certificate electronically.
