Certificates and Pathology Requests, Online

What it is
A certificate confirming you were unfit for work or study on certain dates.

Use it when
You've had a short illness that resolves on its own, such as a cold, a 24-hour gastro bug or a migraine you get regularly, and your employer or university needs evidence. It can also be used for carer's leave when your child was unwell and you've told us about it.

Don't use it when
You need more than three days off, the illness is new, severe or ongoing, or the certificate is for WorkCover, insurance, Centrelink, a court matter, or fitness to drive or fly. These all require an appointment.

Backdating
We can only certify the days you tell us about at the time. We can't certify an illness from weeks ago, because we weren't able to assess you then.

Turnaround
Within 48 hours. Add the same-day option if you need it today.

Fee
$35, or $50 same-day. Nothing if we decline.

A letter confirming that someone has recovered well enough to return to childcare, school or work after an infectious illness.

Read this first: for most common childhood infections, NSW exclusion periods are based on time, not a doctor's letter. Your child stays home for the set period and then returns. Schools and childcare centres often ask for clearance letters when the guidelines don't require one, so please check your centre's policy against the NSW Health exclusion periods before requesting a letter.

Use it when
The exclusion period requires a medical certificate of recovery (for example, whooping cough, measles or typhoid), or we diagnosed the original illness and your centre requires written confirmation.

Don't use it when
We didn't diagnose the original illness, as we can't provide clearance for an infection we haven't confirmed. A return-to-work clearance after an injury or significant illness also requires an examination.

Turnaround
Within 48 hours. Add the same-day option if the return date is tomorrow.

Fee
$35, or $50 same-day. Nothing if we decline.

What the form asks
Because the doctor can't see your child in person, they rely on the dates you provide. The questions are specific for this reason.

• Who the certificate is for, and whether it's for work, childcare, school or something else
• The date you or your child intend to return
• When the illness or symptoms began
• When the last fever of 38°C or higher was, or that there was none
• When the last episode of vomiting was, or that there was none
• When the last episode of diarrhoea or loose bowel motion was, or that there was none
• Whether symptoms are now completely resolved, mild and clearly improving, unchanged, or worsening
• Whether you or your child can comfortably take part in normal work, school or childcare activities

What you'll be asked to declare
Before submitting, you'll need to confirm each of the following. Please read them carefully, as they explain what this certificate does and doesn't cover.

• The information I've given is true, accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.
• I understand this assessment relies substantially on what I've told you, and may happen without a physical examination.
• I understand a certificate cannot guarantee that I or my child am no longer infectious.
• I understand a certificate does not override advice from NSW Health, a Public Health Unit or another authority.
• I understand my employer, school or childcare service may have additional requirements for returning.
• I confirm I or my child is well enough to undertake normal work, school or childcare activities.
• I understand that if symptoms recur, worsen, or new symptoms develop, we may need to stay home and seek further advice.
• I understand that providing this information does not guarantee a certificate will be issued.
• I consent to a registered medical practitioner reviewing this information and deciding whether certification is clinically appropriate.

An electronic pathology request for sexually transmitted infection screening. You can take it to any collection centre.

Use it when
You have no symptoms and would like a routine check, for example after a new partner or a condom failure, as part of regular sexual health care, or because a partner has asked you to.

Don't use it when
You have symptoms such as discharge, pain when passing urine, sores, ulcers, a rash, or pelvic or testicular pain. Symptoms need an examination and sometimes same-day treatment.

Why we ask about sex
A urine test alone can miss some infections. Throat and anal infections can only be detected with swabs from those sites, so we need to know which sites to test. The questions are direct for this reason, and your answers are kept in your confidential record.

Timing matters
Testing too soon after exposure can give a false negative result. We'll let you know the right time to test for each infection.

If something is positive
We'll call you. Treatment is usually straightforward. Some STIs must be reported to NSW Health, and we'll help you work out who else needs to be told.

Turnaround
Request issued within 48 hours. Results typically 2–3 days after you attend.

Fee
$35 for the request. Medicare covers most STI pathology at the lab.

The Cervical Screening Test replaced the Pap smear in 2017. It checks for HPV, the virus that causes nearly all cervical cancers, and is due every five years instead of every two. You can now collect the sample yourself using a vaginal swab, without a speculum examination.

Who's eligible
Anyone with a cervix aged 25 to 74 who is due or overdue, and who has no symptoms.

Don't use it when
You have unusual bleeding (between periods, after sex or after menopause), or unexplained discharge or pelvic pain. These symptoms need an assessment and a different test.

How it works here
No appointment is needed. One of our doctors reviews your request, checks your screening history on the National Cancer Screening Register, and sends the request with written instructions for taking the swab. Self-collection must be arranged through a healthcare provider who is responsible for following up your result, which is why a doctor reviews every request.

Worth knowing
A self-collected sample can be tested for HPV but not for cell changes. If HPV is found, you'll usually need a clinician-collected sample or a referral, which means booking an appointment with its own consultation fee. Around nine in ten people won't need this follow-up.

Turnaround
Request issued within 48 hours. Results typically within two weeks.

Fee
$35 for the request. Further costs only if follow-up is needed.

A blood test (serum hCG) that can confirm pregnancy earlier and more reliably than a home urine test.

Use it when
You've had a positive or unclear home test and would like confirmation, or your period is late and home tests are still negative.

Don't use it when
You have abdominal pain, shoulder-tip pain or any bleeding with a possible pregnancy. Please go to an emergency department, as an ectopic pregnancy needs urgent care and can't be managed online.

What happens next
We'll book you in for a follow-up whatever the result. A positive result is the start of antenatal care or a discussion about your options. A negative result with ongoing symptoms still needs to be looked into.

Turnaround
Request issued within 48 hours, or same day if you need it urgently. Results usually next day.

Fee
$35, or $50 same-day.

A blood test (serum hCG) that can confirm pregnancy earlier and more reliably than a home urine test.

Use it when
You've had a positive pregnancy test and will see your GP for ongoing care.

Don't use it when
You have abdominal pain, shoulder-tip pain or any bleeding with a possible pregnancy. Please go to an emergency department, as an ectopic pregnancy needs urgent care and can't be managed online.

What happens next
We'll book you in for a follow-up whatever the result. If more blood tests are needed, you may need to attend another collection.

Turnaround
Request issued within 48 hours, or same day if you need it urgently. Results usually next day.

Fee
$35, or $50 same-day.

Repeat blood tests for conditions we already monitor, including iron studies, thyroid function, cholesterol, HbA1c, kidney and liver function, and vitamin D.

Use it when
Your doctor asked you to repeat a test in three, six or twelve months and it's now due, or you need regular monitoring for a medication you already take.

Don't use it when
You want tests for a new symptom, or a general check because you haven't been feeling well. Tests ordered without a clear reason can show minor abnormalities that lead to unnecessary worry and further scans. Please book an appointment to discuss this with your doctor.

What we won't order
Tests that aren't supported by evidence, such as food intolerance panels, hair mineral analysis, hormone screens without a clinical reason, and whole-body tumour marker panels. We'll explain why if you ask for one.

Turnaround
Request issued within 48 hours.

Fee
$35 for the request, regardless of how many tests are included.

Online-only services are available and can be quick, but they don't have your medical history. Our doctors review your history before issuing a certificate, and it's added to your ongoing record.

Unfortunately not. After 12 months, a doctor can no longer reasonably rely on the information in your record. Once you've had a standard appointment, you'll be eligible again straight away.

For children under 16, a parent or guardian submits the request. Young people aged 14 and over can request confidential sexual health testing in their own name, and we'll handle it confidentially.

Select the same-day option when you submit. For an extra $15, a doctor will review your request that working day, as long as it's received during business hours. Choosing this option doesn't affect whether your request is approved.

No. You're only charged once a document is issued. If a doctor decides you need to be seen, the request is closed at no cost and we'll help you book an appointment.

Most requests take five to ten minutes. STI testing takes a little longer because of the sexual history questions.

You can nominate your usual GP. If they're not working that day, your request will go to the doctor on the review roster so you're not kept waiting.

Please call the practice to discuss it. If you're still not satisfied, our feedback and complaints policy explains how to take it further, including to the Health Care Complaints Commission.