In Australia, employees are entitled to take a certain amount of sick leave each year. This article will explain the rules and regulations that govern taking sick leave in Australia, including how many sick days you can take without a doctor’s certificate.
Sick Leave Entitlements in Australia
Under the Fair Work Act 2009, employees in Australia are entitled to 10 days of paid personal/carer’s leave per year, including sick leave. This leave accumulates and can be taken at any time. This entitlement applies to full-time, part-time and casual employees, who have been employed for at least 12 months.
Employers may also choose to offer more generous sick leave entitlements than the legislated minimum, and so it is important to check with your employer to find out what your specific entitlements are.
Requirements for Taking Sick Leave
Generally, you can take sick leave without a doctor’s certificate for any period of time up to two days. If you are unwell for more than two days, you may be required to provide a doctor’s certificate in order to take further sick leave.
It is important to note that if you take sick leave, your employer is entitled to ask you for evidence that you were actually sick. This could be in the form of a doctor’s certificate, or other evidence such as a pharmacy receipt for medication you have purchased.
If your employer does ask for evidence and you are unable to provide it, you may not be able to take sick leave.
In summary, employees in Australia are entitled to 10 days of paid personal/carer’s leave per year, including sick leave. You can take sick leave without a doctor’s certificate for any period of time up to two days, but if you are unwell for more than two days, you may be required to provide a doctor’s certificate. It is important to check with your employer to find out what your specific entitlements are.
