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WORKPLACE HEALTH TERMS
Absence from Work Glossary
Understand the key terms behind Absence from Work Certificates issued by pharmacists. This glossary provides clear, concise definitions for professionals, employers, and patients navigating sick leave, carer responsibilities, pharmacist consultations, and related workplace policies.
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A–Z DEFINITIONS
Glossary terms
28 terms
A
C
Carer’s Leave
Leave taken to care for a member of one’s immediate family or household who is ill, injured, or facing an emergency.
Paid or unpaid leave that allows employees to take time off work to care for an immediate family or household member who is ill, injured, or experiencing an unexpected emergency.
Certificate for Absence from Work
A certificate issued by a pharmacist confirming that an employee is unable to attend work due to illness, injury, or caring responsibilities.
A certificate issued by a pharmacist indicating that an employee cannot attend work due to personal illness or the need to care for a family or household member. Also known as: Certificate
Conflict of Interest
Situations where a pharmacist must not issue a certificate (e.g., for themselves or family members).
Consultation
The pharmacist's interview with the individual to assess whether issuing a certificate is appropriate.
D
Documentation
All written records, including consultation notes and issued certificates, kept securely and confidentially.
E
Employee
An individual defined under the Fair Work Act 2009 and respective state industrial relations legislation as performing work under an employer’s direction in exchange for payment.
Employment
The relationship between an employee and employer, where work is performed under the employer’s direction in return for payment. Also known as: Work
F
H
Household Member
A person who lives in the same house as the employee; not necessarily a relative.
Any individual living in the same residence as the person requesting a certificate for absence from work.
I
Immediate Family Member
Includes a spouse, de facto partner, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling (including step and adoptive relations) of the employee or their partner.
A person’s spouse, de factoe partner, former spouse, former de facto partner, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling. It also includes these relations of a spouse or de facto partner and encompasses step-relations (e.g., step-parents, step-children) and adoptive relations.
Informed Consent
The requirement that a person understands and agrees to the terms and limitations of the service before it is provided.
M
Medical Certificate
A document signed by a medical practitioner confirming illness or injury.
A document signed by a medical practitioner to verify a person’s fitness for work or lack thereof. Also known as: Doctor’s Certificate
Medical Practitioner
A healthcare professional registered with the Medical Board of Australia under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). This includes general and specialist registrations. Also known as: General Practitioner, Doctor
Minor Ailment
A self-limiting condition treatable within a pharmacist’s scope, e.g., cold, cough, minor pain.
A condition that is generally self-limiting, with symptoms easily identified by the patient and manageable within a pharmacist’s training and knowledge (e.g., colds, minor burns, allergies, nausea).
P
Period of Absence
The length of time certified for an employee to be away from work, generally up to two days by a pharmacist.
Personal Leave
Leave taken when a person is unfit for work due to their own illness or injury.
Paid or unpaid leave taken when an employee is unable to work due to illness or injury. Also known as: Sick Leave
Privacy and Confidentiality
Requirement for pharmacists to safeguard personal health information during the consultation and documentation process.
R
Record of Consultation
Documentation retained by the pharmacist detailing the reason for absence and consultation findings.
Referral
Recommendation for the individual to seek further assessment from a medical practitioner when outside a pharmacist's scope.
Registered Pharmacist
A health professional registered with the Pharmacy Board of Australia who may issue absence certificates within their scope of practice.
A pharmacist registered with the Pharmacy Board of Australia and listed on the AHPRA’s online Register of Practitioners.
Regulated Health Service
A service provided by or typically associated with a registered health practitioner, as defined in Australian health legislation.
S
Scope of Practice
The range of responsibilities and practices a health practitioner is legally allowed to perform.
Statutory Declaration
A written legal statement declared true in front of an authorised witness, sometimes used as evidence of absence.
A legally binding written statement declared as true in the presence of an authorized witness.
V
Video/Phone Consultation
Alternative modes of pharmacist consultation when the individual is not physically present.
W
Workers’ Compensation
Insurance payment for work-related injuries or illnesses; pharmacists do not issue certificates for this purpose.
Insurance benefits provided to employees who are injured or become ill due to their employment.
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Terminology content consolidated from the former terminology guide. Reference: PSA Guidelines for Pharmacists.
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Request a one-day certificate for today's sick leave or carer's leave. A registered pharmacist assesses your request and issues an absence-from-work certificate only if appropriate.
- $12.99 assessment fee
- Email delivery if approved
- Australian registered pharmacists