Verifying InstantMed Medical Certificates for Universities

Since the expansion of telehealth during 2020, the Medical Board of Australia has formally recognised telehealth as a legitimate healthcare delivery method. Certificates issued via telehealth by AHPRA-registered practitioners carry identical legal and clinical weight to those from in-person consultations.

TEQSA's Higher Education Standards Framework requires institutions to have fair and transparent processes for managing student grievances, including illness-related academic adjustments. Telehealth-issued certificates from registered practitioners meet the evidentiary standard expected for special consideration, deferred examinations, and assessment extensions.

For university administrators, this means a medical certificate from InstantMed should be treated identically to one from any other registered medical practice in Australia.

A valid Australian medical certificate should include: the practitioner's full name, their AHPRA registration number (verifiable at ahpra.gov.au), the date of the clinical assessment, the patient's name and date of birth, the specific dates the patient is certified unfit for duties, and the practitioner's signature. Digital signatures are accepted under Australian law.

InstantMed certificates also include a unique verification ID and QR code for instant verification. This provides an additional layer of authenticity that traditional paper certificates from most GP clinics do not offer. You can verify any certificate at instantmed.com.au/verify.

Most Australian universities require students to submit a medical certificate within 3-5 business days of a missed assessment. InstantMed certificates are typically issued within 30 minutes, available 24/7 — meaning students can obtain documentation promptly, even on weekends, public holidays, or during after-hours exam periods when GP clinics are closed.

Our certificates contain all elements typically required by university special consideration policies: practitioner details, AHPRA registration, consultation date, period of unfitness, and the practitioner's signature. Faculties should assess the certificate on its merits, applying the same standards as any certificate from a registered medical practice.

Under Australian privacy law, students are not required to disclose their specific diagnosis. The certificate confirms unfitness for study or assessment — that is the extent of what institutions are entitled to know. Requiring students to provide additional clinical details beyond what appears on the certificate may breach privacy obligations.

InstantMed complies with the Australian Privacy Principles and stores patient health information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988. We do not share patient clinical details with educational institutions beyond what is stated on the certificate itself.

InstantMed provides instant certificate verification at instantmed.com.au/verify. Enter the unique certificate ID to confirm authenticity. This is more robust than paper certificates from traditional clinics, which typically have no verification mechanism beyond calling the practice directly.

If you encounter a certificate that does not verify, contact us at support@instantmed.com.au. We investigate all reports and cooperate with academic integrity processes where appropriate.