A Decade of Telehealth Medical Certificates- what we’ve learned.

For more than a decade, Qoctor has been providing medical certificates via telehealth to hundreds of thousands of Australians. During that time, the telehealth landscape has evolved rapidly. Many new providers have entered the market — and while competition is healthy, it can make it difficult for patients, employers, and universities to know which services are legitimate, compliant, and trustworthy.

Based on our experience, here are the key insights we’ve learned — and what you should look for when choosing an online medical certificate provider.

Online medical certificate consultations in Australia typically range from $10 to $50.

A low-cost telehealth consultation with a real doctor — such as $14.99 for a same-day doctor-issued certificate — can represent excellent value. However, paying even a small fee for an automated, form-only service offers poor value if no clinical time or assessment is involved.

When comparing providers, consider:

• Is there a real doctor consultation?
• Can you ask for medical advice during the appointment?
• Are there hidden subscription fees?

Be cautious of services advertising “free medical certificates.” A legitimate certificate requires a consultation with a registered practitioner. Similarly, watch for services that advertise low upfront costs but require ongoing subscriptions.

Backdating is one of the most misunderstood topics in Australian healthcare.

When patients ask about backdating, they usually mean: can a certificate cover days in the past when I was unwell?

The answer is yes — a doctor may issue a certificate covering previous dates, provided it is clinically appropriate and based on their professional assessment.

However, this must not be confused with falsely altering the issue date of a certificate. The issue date must always reflect the actual date the document was created. Changing this date to make it appear earlier is not permitted.

It is entirely reasonable that a patient may be unwell for a day or two before seeing a doctor. If, after assessment, the doctor is satisfied that you were medically unfit during that time, they are permitted to certify those earlier dates.

Confusion sometimes arises when practitioners take a cautious approach or misunderstand the distinction between covering previous dates and altering the issue date. Australian medical guidance is clear: covering past dates is allowed when clinically justified; falsifying dates is not.

A medical certificate consultation is still a medical appointment.

Patients should feel comfortable asking for advice on managing symptoms — whether it’s a viral illness, gastroenteritis, stress, insomnia, or another common condition. A proper consultation should include:

• Clinical assessment
• Appropriate advice
• Clear guidance on recovery and return to work or study

A certificate without genuine medical attention is not best practice care.

Telehealth is now an established and regulated model of care in Australia.

A certificate issued by an AHPRA-registered doctor following a proper consultation is generally accepted by employers and universities.

In our experience, organisations occasionally contact providers to verify legitimacy. Being able to confirm that a real-time consultation occurred provides strong reassurance. Established telehealth providers that stand behind their clinical processes are typically viewed as credible and reliable.

In medical training, it is repeatedly emphasised to medical students that the majority of diagnoses are made based on history alone.

For many common short-term illnesses — such as viral infections, gastro, migraine, or stress-related conditions — a thorough history is the key component of assessment. An experienced doctor can ask targeted questions, identify red flags, and determine whether a medical certificate is appropriate. 

If necessary, the doctor may also advise in-person follow-up. Telehealth is not about cutting corners; it is about using clinical judgement efficiently and appropriately.

Online medical certificates can be convenient, affordable, and legitimate — when delivered properly.

The key is ensuring that your certificate is:

• Issued by a registered doctor (or other appropriate healthcare professional)
• Based on a real-time consultation, with adequate time for any questions about your health.
• Transparently and fairly priced 

After a decade in telehealth, one lesson stands out: trust and clinical integrity matter.