How much sick leave do I get in Australia?

Full-time employees: 10 days of paid personal/carer's leave per year (NES s96). Part-time employees: pro-rata based on ordinary hours (e.g. a 19-hour-per-week employee gets 5 days/year). Casuals: do NOT accrue paid personal leave but get 2 days unpaid carer's leave per occasion under s102. Leave accrues progressively across the year and rolls over indefinitely if unused.

Can my boss ask for a doctor's certificate for one sick day?

Yes, but the request must be 'reasonable' under section 107 of the Fair Work Act. For a single, isolated sick day, a brief written explanation or statutory declaration is usually acceptable. Employers can reasonably require a certificate where there's a pattern (Monday/Friday absences), where the absence extends beyond 2 days, or where the workplace policy requires it from day one. Routine demands for single-day certificates without context can themselves be unreasonable.

Do I need a doctor's certificate for sick leave in Australia?

Section 107 of the Fair Work Act requires employees to give 'evidence that would satisfy a reasonable person' that the leave is for the qualifying reason. In practice: 2+ days = certificate is usually required. 1 day with no pattern = stat dec or written explanation usually fine. Employer's policy may set stricter rules — if your contract or workplace policy requires a cert from day 1, comply. Carer's leave for a family member usually only needs a stat dec, not a cert (you shouldn't disclose someone else's medical details).

Can I be sacked for taking too much sick leave?

Generally no — sick leave is a workplace right. Dismissing you because you took protected leave is adverse action under s340 of the Fair Work Act (general protections). However, if absences are persistent and you can't perform the inherent requirements of the role even with reasonable adjustments, dismissal may eventually be valid — but only after proper process including medical assessment. If you're being threatened with dismissal over sick leave, get advice immediately.

Do casual employees get sick leave in Australia?

Not paid sick leave — casuals are paid the 25% casual loading instead. They do get 2 days UNPAID carer's leave per occasion under s102 (e.g. when a family member is unwell or in emergency). Some EAs and individual contracts give casuals paid sick leave on top of loading, so check yours. The new Casual Conversion regime (s66AAC, since 26 Aug 2024) lets eligible casuals notify their employer they want to convert to permanent — at which point they accrue NES leave.

Sick Leave Balance + Doctor's Cert Decision

Two tools in one: how much paid personal/carer's leave you've accrued under the NES, plus a quick decision tree on whether your employer can reasonably ask for a doctor's certificate.

Last verified: 1 July 2025

Your sick leave balance

Employment type

Ordinary hours per week

Months of continuous service

Days taken this year

Days remaining

10.0

76.0 hours

Days accrued total

10.0

76.0 hours

How your accrual works

• At 38h/week, your full annual entitlement is 10.0 days (76.0 hours).
• Personal/carer's leave accrues progressively across the year based on ordinary hours worked. Unused days roll over to the next year (no use-it-or-lose-it).
• If you've served more than 1 year, you may have rolled-over balance from prior years that this calculation doesn't account for. Check your most recent payslip — accrued personal leave is usually shown.

Do I need a doctor's cert?

Sources

• Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) ss87, 96, 102, 107 — personal/carer's leave + evidence requirements
• National Employment Standards (NES) — paid personal/carer's leave
• Last verified 2026-05-02.

Useful tools

→ Annual Leave Calculator → Casual Conversion Checker → Leave Loading Calculator → Annual Leave Payout

Sick Leave Rights: 10 Days, Proof & Casuals

Full-time workers get 10 paid sick days per year. When do you need a medical certificate? Can your boss say no? What about casuals?

Sick Leave & Personal Leave Rights: How Many Days, Proof & Casual Rules

Your complete guide to sick leave and personal/carer's leave in Australia. Covers the 10-day entitlement, medical evidence requirements, casual worker rules, carer's leave, and how personal leave accumulates year to year.

Small Business Fair Work Guide 2026: Simple Compliance for Under 15 Employees

Straightforward Fair Work compliance guide for Australian small businesses with fewer than 15 employees. Covers the small business fair dismissal code, casual conversion, simplified record keeping, common mistakes, free resources, and when to seek legal advice.

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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.