What is Carer’s Leave? All You Should Know About

Carer’s leave is a form of workplace leave available to Australian employees who need to care for a family member or household member experiencing illness, injury, or an emergency. It falls under the broader category of personal leave in Australia and is protected under the National Employment Standards (NES), as outlined in the Fair Work Act 2009.

Understanding your entitlements is important, especially when unexpected life events arise, and you need time off work to support someone close to you.

How Much Carer’s Leave Do You Get?

Under the National Employment Standards (NES), full-time and part-time employees are entitled to:

• 10 days of paid personal/carer’s leave each year (pro-rata for part-time employees).
• This leave covers both personal illness/injury and carer responsibilities.

Casual employees are not entitled to paid personal/carer’s leave. However, they are entitled to 2 days of unpaid carer’s leave per occasion when a family or household member requires care or support.

Paid carer’s leave accumulates progressively and carries over from year to year if not used.

Examples of eligible relationships include:

• A spouse or de facto partner
• Child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling
• A member of the employee’s household

How to Get a Carer’s Certificate

To access carer’s leave, your employer may ask for evidence of the need for care. This is where a carer’s certificate, also known as a medical certificate, plays a vital role.

In 2025, getting this certificate has never been easier. You can now request a medical certificate online through services like TelehealthDr.

All it takes is:

• Booking an online consultation with an AHPRA-registered doctor
• Explaining the situation and who requires care
• Receiving your digital certificate instantly, ready to forward to your employer

This process saves you time, avoids unnecessary travel when you’re already stressed, and ensures compliance with the Work Act 2009 and employer policies.

Do You Need a Certificate for Carer’s Leave?

Yes, in most cases, employers have the right to request reasonable evidence to approve carer’s leave. Acceptable forms include:

• A medical certificate from a registered practitioner
• A statutory declaration outlining the situation

For short periods, especially when leave is unpaid or only for a day, some employers may waive the need for evidence. However, providing it is always a safe option to protect your leave entitlements.

Do You Get Paid for Carer’s Leave?

• If you’re a full-time or part-time employee, yes you are entitled to paid carer’s leave.
• If you’re a casual employee, your entitlement is to 2 days of unpaid carer’s leave per eligible occasion.

Remember, this paid leave is deducted from your total personal leave balance.

How Many Carer’s Leave Days Per Year?

• Full-time employees get 10 days of paid personal/carer’s leave annually.
• Part-time employees get a pro rata amount based on their regular hours.
• Casual employees get 2 days of unpaid leave per occasion.

This allocation includes both sick leave and carer’s leave. So, if you’ve already used some of your leave for sick days, the remaining balance applies to the carer’s leave.

How Many Days Carer’s Leave Are You Entitled To?

You’re entitled to take:

• As much paid carer’s leave as your accrued balance allows (for permanent staff)
• 2 days of unpaid carer’s leave per instance (for casual workers or when paid leave is exhausted)

This flexibility allows employees to take leave as needed, especially in emergencies involving close family or household members.

Get a Carer’s Certificate Online in Minutes

Need a carer’s certificate today? TelehealthDr makes it easy.

You can book a video consultation, speak to a registered Australian doctor, and receive a valid medical certificate within minutes without leaving your home.

Whether it’s for a family emergency or a long-term health condition affecting a loved one, having your documentation ready helps ensure your workplace supports you and remains compliant with Australian law.

Final Thoughts

Caring for someone else is a big responsibility, and thankfully, Australian employment law recognises this. Whether you’re looking after a sick child, aging parent, or another dependent, a carer’s leave ensures you don’t have to choose between your job and your family.

And with online medical certificates now widely accepted, there’s no need to add stress to an already difficult situation. Take action today: book your carer’s certificate through TelehealthDr and get peace of mind fast.