Medical Certificate Consultations FAQs

• How long does it take to receive a medical certificate when consulting via the updoc platform?

At updoc, we provide a technology platform that allows you to request a medical certificate consultation through a Partner Practitioner. Your Partner Practitioner, after providing the consultation including the review of relevant information, will determine whether you are eligible for a medical certificate, and for how long.

There are two popular options: standard and express.

The standard option is a regular service that takes less than 24 hours for the consultative process to occur.

The express option is a fast-track service that prioritises your request, which typically takes less than an hour for the consultative process to occur. During busy periods this may be longer.

• Am I guaranteed to receive a medical certificate?

You are not guaranteed to receive a medical certificate when using the updoc platform. It is solely up to your Partner Practitioner’s discretion and clinical judgment to determine the most suitable outcome for you.

• What should I do if I don't receive my medical certificate within the estimated time frame?

If you do not receive your medical certificate within the stated time frame, please contact us at [email protected]. One of our team members will be happy to assist you and investigate the delay.

• Can Partner Practitioners backdate medical certificates?

If you are requesting the date a medical certificate is generated by a Partner Practitioner to be in the past, this is what you would traditionally call "backdating", which is not in compliance with the guidelines in Australia. For example, if you receive a consultation on the 25th of July, but you want the certificate to state that this was provided on the 24th of July, this is not allowed.

If, however, you consider a scenario where you request a medical certificate consultation on the 25th of July, and you were too sick on the 24th of July to make the request. If your Partner Practitioner deems it suitable they can provide you a medical certificate which covers the medically justifiable period up to a day prior to the request date. This means you could be covered for the 24th and the 25th of July. The date the certificate is generated can only be from the date it is requested, which would be the 25th of July in this case.

• Can Partner Practitioners extend medical certificates for future dates?

Medical certificates must be issued for the specific duration of the medical condition or treatment and cannot be extended beyond the date indicated on the certificate. This is based on the Australian guidelines and principles of good medical practice to avoid fraudulence.

• What should I do if my medical condition lasts longer than the duration indicated on my medical certificate?

If your medical condition lasts longer than the duration indicated on your medical certificate, you will need to schedule another consultation with a Partner Practitioner, or visit a doctor in-person.