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Got the flu or a bad cold and need to stay home? Get a medical certificate online without dragging yourself to a clinic. Our AHPRA-registered doctors issue valid certificates for work or uni, delivered straight to your email.
Flu and cold symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, body aches, headache, and fatigue. If you're experiencing these symptoms and aren't fit for work, our doctors can assess you online and issue a medical certificate. Most colds need 2-3 days rest, while flu can require 5-7 days recovery.
Important: Seek in-person care if you have: severe difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, blue lips, severe dehydration, or symptoms lasting >10 days without improvement. These may indicate complications like pneumonia.
Understanding the difference between influenza and the common cold helps determine how long you'll need off work. A cold typically comes on gradually — runny nose, sore throat, mild cough — and most people feel functional (if miserable) within 3-4 days. Influenza hits harder and faster: sudden onset of high fever, severe body aches, exhaustion, and dry cough. Flu can leave you bedridden for 3-5 days and fatigued for up to two weeks. When you request a certificate, describing your symptoms accurately helps the doctor determine an appropriate duration. Don't downplay how you're feeling — a doctor would rather give you adequate recovery time than have you return to work too early and relapse.
Presenteeism — going to work while sick — costs the Australian economy an estimated $34 billion annually, significantly more than absenteeism. When you stay home with the flu, you're not just recovering — you're protecting your colleagues, customers, and the broader community. This is particularly important during flu season (typically June to September in Australia) and in workplaces with vulnerable populations. A medical certificate legitimises your absence and removes the pressure to "push through." Getting a certificate online means you don't need to sit in a waiting room spreading the virus to other patients, either.
Annual influenza vaccination remains the most effective preventive measure, reducing your risk of catching the flu by 40-60% in well-matched seasons. In Australia, the flu vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program for people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over, and those with chronic medical conditions. For everyone else, the vaccine typically costs $15-$25 at a pharmacy. Even if you've been vaccinated, you can still catch the flu — but symptoms are usually milder and shorter in duration.
Important: Most employers don't require a "fitness to return" certificate after a cold or flu — your original medical certificate covering specific dates is sufficient. However, some workplaces (particularly healthcare and aged care) may require clearance before you return. If your employer needs a return-to-work certificate, you can request one through our service once you've recovered.
Yes — if you're too unwell to work, you can get a certificate for a cold. Most employers accept certificates for any illness that prevents you from working safely.
Typically 2-3 days for a cold, 5-7 days for flu. Your doctor will determine appropriate duration based on your symptoms and job requirements.
Many employers require a medical certificate if you're absent for more than 2-3 days or if you've used all casual sick leave. Check your workplace policy.
Our Australian-registered doctors are available 7 days a week. Most requests reviewed within an hour.
Get Flu Certificate