Guide to Sick & Carer’s Leave in Australia
Read our comprehensive guide to sick and carer’s leave in Australia. Understand your entitlements, rights, and how to manage leave effectively.
Sick and carer’s leave are important entitlements for employees, providing support during times of personal illness or when caring for a loved one. Understanding your rights and responsibilities under the Fair Work Act 2009 is essential for both employees and employers. Here’s what you need to know.
What is Sick Leave?
Sick leave, also known as personal leave, allows employees to take time off work when they are unwell and unable to perform their duties.
• Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to 10 days of paid sick leave per year (pro-rata for part-time).
• Sick leave accumulates from the start of employment and carries over each year.
• Employers may request evidence (e.g., a medical certificate) to verify the leave.
What is Carer’s Leave?
Carer’s leave allows employees to take time off to care for or support a family member or household member who is sick, injured, or facing an emergency.
• Carer’s leave is drawn from the same entitlement as sick leave.
• Employees can take paid carer’s leave for immediate family or household members.
• Evidence, like a medical certificate, may be required.
Who is Eligible?
Sick and carer’s leave is available to full-time and part-time employees. Casual employees are only entitled to unpaid carer’s leave in situations where it’s needed to support a family or household member.
Notice and Evidence Requirements
Employees must notify their employer as soon as possible if they need to take sick or carer’s leave. Employers may require evidence, such as:
• A medical certificate from a GP or pharmacist.
• A statutory declaration if a certificate is not available.
Online Medical Certificates: Services like MyMedicalCert allow employees to quickly obtain pharmacist-approved certificates, which are valid under the Fair Work Act.
How Does Leave Accrual Work?
• Sick and carer’s leave accrues based on ordinary hours worked.
• Unused leave rolls over into the next year but isn’t paid out upon resignation or termination.
Can Unpaid Leave Be Taken?
If an employee has no paid sick or carer’s leave left, they can request unpaid leave. This is at the employer’s discretion and can be granted in cases of genuine need.
Employer Responsibilities
Employers must:
• Provide employees with their entitlements under the Fair Work Act.
• Maintain clear policies on leave notice and evidence requirements.
• Respect employee privacy when handling medical information.
Using Online Medical Certificates
For minor illnesses or caregiving needs, an online medical certificate is a quick and convenient way to provide valid evidence. Services like MyMedicalCert issue pharmacist-approved certificates within minutes for just $12.99, saving employees the time and expense of visiting a GP.
Final Thoughts
Sick and carer’s leave entitlements are designed to protect employees during difficult times while ensuring workplace productivity. By understanding your rights and responsibilities, you can make the process of applying for leave smoother. Whether you’re recovering from an illness or caring for a loved one, valid evidence like a pharmacist-issued medical certificate can streamline the process.
Need a fast and affordable medical certificate? Visit MyMedicalCert today to get started in minutes!
Frequently asked questions
Sick leave, also called personal leave, allows eligible employees to take time off work when they are unwell, injured, or unable to perform their normal duties. Full-time and part-time employees are generally entitled to paid sick leave, while casual employees have different unpaid leave entitlements.
Carer’s leave allows an employee to take time off work to care for or support an immediate family member or household member who is sick, injured, or affected by an unexpected emergency.
Yes. In Australia, sick leave is usually part of personal/carer’s leave. This entitlement covers both time off for your own illness or injury and time off to care for an eligible family or household member.
Full-time employees are generally entitled to 10 days of paid personal/carer’s leave per year. Part-time employees receive this entitlement on a pro-rata basis, based on their ordinary hours of work.
Yes. Unused paid sick and carer’s leave generally accumulates and carries over from year to year. However, it is usually not paid out when employment ends unless an award, agreement or contract says otherwise.
Casual employees are generally not entitled to paid sick leave. However, they may be entitled to unpaid carer’s leave in certain situations, such as caring for a sick or injured family or household member.
Yes. Your employer may ask for evidence that would satisfy a reasonable person that you were entitled to take sick leave or carer’s leave. This evidence may include a medical certificate, pharmacist-issued certificate, or statutory declaration.
Your employer may request evidence even for one day of sick leave, depending on your workplace policy, award, agreement or employment contract. It is best to check your workplace’s leave policy if you are unsure.
Yes. Online services such as MyMedicalCert allow eligible Australians to request a medical or absence from work certificate online for suitable short-term illnesses or carer’s leave needs.
