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Conditions
Insomnia&SleepProblems
Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early. Can significantly impact energy, mood, health, and work performance.
Speak with a doctor
From $24.95 · No appointment needed
6 min
avg cert turnaround
13 min
avg doctor review
2
days a week
30%
refund if declined
Symptoms
CommonsymptomsofInsomnia&SleepProblems
An AHPRA-registered doctor assesses these symptoms online - no in-person visit required.
Difficulty falling asleep
Waking during the night
Waking too early
Not feeling rested after sleep
Daytime tiredness or fatigue
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability or mood changes
Our Scope
Howwecanhelp
InstantMed handles many common conditions entirely online. Here's what fits our service.
What we can help with
- Assessment of sleep problems
- Discussion of sleep hygiene strategies
- Medical certificates for fatigue-related absences
- Referral for sleep studies if appropriate
What needs in-person care
- In-lab sleep studies
- Treatment for sleep apnea (needs specialist)
- Long-term sleeping medication management
Depending on your situation, an AHPRA-registered doctor may be able to issue a medical certificate or arrange a repeat prescription after reviewing your request online.
Clinical Guidance
Whentoseeadoctor
These indicators suggest you should seek professional medical advice promptly.
Signs you need a doctor
- 1Sleep problems lasting more than a few weeks
- 2Fatigue affecting work or driving safety
- 3Sleep issues causing mood problems
- 4You've tried sleep hygiene with no improvement
Seek emergency care if
- Severe depression or thoughts of self-harm
- Breathing stops during sleep (witnessed apnea)
- Unable to function due to fatigue
Call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department
Clinical Insight
Adoctor'sperspectiveonInsomnia&SleepProblems
InstantMed Clinical Team
AHPRA-registered medical team · Reviewed 2026-03
Insomnia is both underdiagnosed and overtreated with the wrong interventions. Many people assume they need sleeping tablets, but the evidence strongly favours Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) as the first-line treatment - it is more effective than medication in the long term and has no side effects. When assessing insomnia, I look for underlying causes: is it anxiety or depression driving the sleeplessness? Pain? Medication side effects? Shift work? Sleep apnoea? These need different approaches. A medical certificate for insomnia-related exhaustion is entirely appropriate - chronic sleep deprivation impairs cognitive function to a degree comparable to alcohol intoxication. If you are too exhausted to function safely, taking a day off is not indulgent, it is sensible.
Treatment
TreatingInsomnia&SleepProblems
Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia and is more effective than medication long-term. When medication is needed, short-term use of non-benzodiazepine hypnotics or melatonin may be appropriate. Benzodiazepine sleeping pills are generally avoided due to dependence risk.
Melatonin (prolonged-release)
Circadin
Class:Melatonin receptor agonist
Typical dose:2mg once daily, 1-2 hours before bedtime
PBS:PBS listed for primary insomnia in patients aged 55+
- First-line medication option for insomnia in older adults
- Non-habit-forming - no dependence or withdrawal concerns
- Helps regulate sleep-wake cycle rather than sedating
- 3-week trial recommended to assess effectiveness
Suvorexant
Belsomra
Class:Orexin receptor antagonist (DORA)
Typical dose:20mg once nightly (10mg for elderly)
PBS:PBS listed for insomnia in adults with documented CBT-I failure
- Newer class of sleep medication with lower dependence risk
- Blocks wakefulness signals rather than sedating the brain
- May cause next-day drowsiness - assess before driving
- PBS requires prior trial of non-pharmacological therapy
Temazepam
Normison, Temaze
Class:Benzodiazepine hypnotic
Typical dose:10mg once nightly (short-term use only, max 2-4 weeks)
- Reserved for short-term use only (2-4 weeks maximum)
- High risk of dependence and tolerance with prolonged use
- Not recommended as first-line - CBT-I and melatonin preferred
- Falls risk in elderly patients
Source: Therapeutic Guidelines - Psychotropic, 2024. This information is educational only and does not replace clinical assessment.
Specialist referral: Referral to a sleep physician is recommended if insomnia persists despite CBT-I and medication trials, if sleep apnoea is suspected (snoring, witnessed apnoeas, daytime sleepiness), or for complex sleep-wake cycle disorders.
Insomnia & Sleep Problems in Australia
Insomnia affects approximately 1 in 3 Australian adults to some degree (Sleep Health Foundation)
Inadequate sleep costs the Australian economy $66.3 billion annually in lost productivity and health costs
Only 20% of Australians with chronic insomnia discuss it with their doctor
The Sleep Health Foundation recommends 7-9 hours of sleep per night for adults aged 18-64
Recovery
Whattoexpect
Typical recovery timeline and return-to-work guidance for most patients.
Typical recovery
Acute insomnia (triggered by stress or life events) often resolves within days to weeks once the trigger passes. Chronic insomnia (3+ months) typically improves significantly within 4-8 weeks of CBT-I treatment.
Return to work
If you are too fatigued to work safely - especially in roles involving driving, operating machinery, or making critical decisions - staying home is the right call. Most people can return after a single recovery day, but persistent insomnia warrants a conversation with your GP about ongoing management.
When to reassess
See your GP if insomnia persists for more than 3 months, if you snore loudly or gasp during sleep (possible sleep apnoea), if you have restless legs at night, or if daytime fatigue is affecting your safety or quality of life.
Self-Care
ManagingInsomnia&SleepProblemsathome
Evidence-based tips to support your recovery alongside medical treatment.
Maintain a consistent sleep and wake time - even on weekends. This is the single most important sleep hygiene measure
Avoid screens for 30-60 minutes before bed - blue light suppresses melatonin production
Keep your bedroom cool (16-18°C), dark, and quiet
Avoid caffeine after midday and alcohol within 3 hours of bedtime - alcohol disrupts sleep architecture
If you cannot sleep after 20 minutes, get up and do something quiet in dim light, then return when sleepy
Regular exercise improves sleep quality, but avoid vigorous exercise within 3 hours of bedtime
FAQ
CommonquestionsaboutInsomnia&SleepProblems
Answers to the most common questions from patients.
Yes, if your sleep problems are significantly affecting your ability to work safely or effectively, this can be a valid reason for a medical certificate.
Key strategies include consistent sleep/wake times, a dark and cool bedroom, limiting screens before bed, avoiding caffeine after midday, and regular exercise (but not too close to bedtime).
Sleeping tablets are generally a short-term solution. They can help break a cycle of poor sleep but aren't ideal for long-term use. Other approaches are usually tried first.
Yes, many conditions can cause sleep problems including anxiety, depression, sleep apnea, chronic pain, and certain medications. Identifying the underlying cause is important.
Ready to get help with Insomnia & Sleep Problems?
Australian-registered doctors review your request when available.
Full refund if the doctor declines.