How Much Sick Leave Per Year in Australia? Everything You Need to Know

Sick leave is a critical part of workplace rights in Australia. But how much sick leave per year are you actually entitled to? Whether you’re a full-time employee, part-time worker, or navigating casual roles, knowing your leave entitlements is key to protecting your income and managing your health.

Let’s explore the facts around sick leave, your rights under Australian law, and how to easily access a medical certificate if you need time off.

What Is Sick Leave and Why Does It Matter?

Sick leave allows employees to take time off work to recover from a personal illness or injury or to care for an immediate family or household member who is unwell. This helps create a fair and supportive workplace environment where health is prioritised.

Sick leave is part of your personal leave entitlements under the National Employment Standards (NES), as outlined in the Fair Work Act 2009.

How Much Sick Leave Per Year in Australia?

If you’re a full-time employee, you are entitled to:

• 10 days of paid sick and carer’s leave per year.

If you work part-time, your leave is pro-rata based on your ordinary hours of work. For example, someone working 3 days per week would accrue 6 days of personal leave annually.

This includes both sick leave and carer’s leave combined.

Leave accumulates progressively throughout the year and rolls over if unused. That means if you don’t use your full balance, it adds to your leave in the following year.

What About Casual Employees?

Casual employees are not entitled to paid sick leave. However, they can take 2 days of unpaid carer’s leave per permissible occasion to care for a sick family or household member.

When Can You Take Sick Leave?

You can take paid sick leave when:

• You are unfit for work due to personal illness or injury.
• You need to care for an immediate family or household member due to illness, injury, or an unexpected emergency.

You can also take unpaid carer’s leave in certain situations if your paid leave has run out.

Proof Required: Do You Need a Medical Certificate?

Yes. Employers can ask for evidence, such as a medical certificate or statutory declaration, to verify your absence. The Fair Work Ombudsman states that this can be required even for 1 day of leave, depending on company policy.

Getting a certificate has never been easier thanks to Telehealth services like Telehealthdr, where you can:

• Book an online consultation.
• Speak to an AHPRA-registered doctor.
• Receive your medical certificate via email.

This makes getting a sick certificate fast and hassle-free, especially when you’re too unwell to visit a clinic.

What Happens to Unused Sick Leave?

Unused paid sick leave carries over from year to year but is not paid out when you resign unless it’s part of a specific award or agreement.

This is different from annual leave, which is usually paid out when employment ends.

Sick Leave and Carer’s Leave: What’s the Difference?

Both are part of the same entitlement under NES, but:

• Sick leave is when you are ill or injured.
• Carer’s leave is when you take time off to care for someone else (e.g., child, parent, partner).

You still need to provide evidence if required by your employer.

Can You Take Sick Leave for Mental Health?

Yes, you can use sick leave for mental health concerns. Conditions like anxiety, depression, or burnout fall under personal illness, and employers cannot discriminate against employees for taking time off to recover.

Again, a telehealth certificate is valid and can be used for these circumstances.

How to Access Sick Leave Easily

If you’re feeling unwell, you don’t need to push yourself to a clinic. At Telehealthdr, we offer same-day online medical certificates that are legally valid across Australia. Whether you’re a full-time or part-time worker, you can:

• Get assessed through a video consultation.
• Have your certificate sent directly to your email.
• Submit it to your employer with no hassle.

Visit Telehealthdr today and book your appointment from the comfort of home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many sick days do full-time employees get?
A: 10 days per year, which includes both sick and carer’s leave.

Q: Do you need a medical certificate for 1 day off?
A: Your employer can ask for one, depending on internal policies.

Q: Is unused sick leave paid out when you leave a job?
A: No, unless it’s specified in your award or agreement.

Q: Can casual workers get sick leave?
A: No paid leave, but they can access 2 days of unpaid carer’s leave per occasion.

Q: Is sick leave the same as carer’s leave?
A: They share the same entitlement balance but serve different purposes.

Take Control of Your Sick Leave

Understanding how much sick leave you get is important. It helps you recover without stress, care for loved ones, and stay compliant with workplace policies. And with services like Telehealthdr, getting a medical certificate online is faster and more convenient than ever.

Stay well, and when you’re not, take the time you need to heal properly.