Frequently asked questions

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About Dr Jimmy

Why us?

One doctor

Unlike other online services, you will get a more personable, transparent and consistent experience by dealing with Dr Jimmy only.

He will be the only one issuing your medical certificates and writing your prescriptions.

Dr Jimmy is easily approachable via email or chat if you're ever unsure about the services he offers or would like to request for something more customised.

Affordable

We are an owner-operator business, so we can keep our services affordable and make improvements quickly based on your suggestions to better serve you.

Complete service

We deliver a complete online General Practice service and not just a Medical Certificate service.

This ensures that all your demands are met in the one place and handled by the same doctor.

Specialist GP

Dr Jimmy is an Australian-trained AHPRA-registered specialist GP and not a hospital or trainee doctor.

Who are we?

We are an easy-to-use online healthcare platform that provides affordable and easily accessible on-demand GP services Australia wide.

Our mission is to combine the convenience of online healthcare with the accountability and continuity of care that is characteristic of traditional services.

To achieve this, you will be dealing directly with Dr Jimmy who is committed to providing innovative and quality healthcare.

Who is Dr Jimmy?

Dr Jimmy is an Australian-trained GP who is based in Melbourne, Victoria.

He has been practising medicine since 2011 (GP since 2013), and has been involved in educating and examining GP trainees and medical students.

He is registered with AHPRA as a Specialist General Practitioner and is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP).

His special interests include:

  • online medicine
  • mental health
  • sexual health
  • health promotion, coordination and patient advocacy

His clinic details can be found here should you wish to see him in person.

Are your services covered by Medicare?

Our services are completely private and are not covered by Medicare.

How is my data protected?

We believe that prevention is better than cure. We therefore do not ask for logins or passwords and do not store any of your personal details on our website.

Instead, data collected when you make a booking (including payment details) is handled by Halaxy which is the online clinical software we use to conduct our services.

They have "256-bit bank grade security and encryption", which means your "records, notes, and payment information are protected to the same level required by banks".

Medical Certificate

What is a Medical Certificate?

A Medical Certificate, also known as a "(dr) doctor's certificate" or "sick leave certificate" or "sick note" or "sick certificate" or "med cert", is a legal document issued by a doctor containing evidence that a person is entitled to sick leave due to suffering from a medical condition.

Check if you are eligible to use our Medical Certificate service.

Am I eligible for a Medical Certificate?

You are eligible for a Short Consult if you are:

  • 18 years or older, and generally healthy
  • unable to attend work or university (absence from class only)
  • unwell with the common cold or a mild stomach bug

A Standard Consult fee of $45 applies if you:

  • are suffering from any other illness not mentioned above
  • need the certificate for other reasons, such as for a missed university assignment or exam, or for cancelling a flight
  • are an adolescent from 13 to 17 years old (younger children are not eligible)
  • require a Backdated Medical or Carer's Certificate
  • need a multi-day (maximum 7 days) certificate

A Priority Consult fee of $89 applies if you:

  • need an urgent appointment especially after hours
  • need university forms completed
  • require prescription medication
  • require a specialist referral
  • require tests done

If you are unsure about which appointment to book, please email us first.

We DO NOT provide:

  • centrelink certificates
  • certificates for court or police matters
  • fit for work or return to work certificates where you have sustained a severe injury and require an examination

We have an easy, no-fuss refund policy (see Privacy & Terms).

See how to organise a consultation by reviewing "How to get a Medical Certificate?" here.

Are online Medical Certificates legal in Australia?

Our Medical Certificates are valid and comply with Fair Work Act 2009 s.107 and Australian Medical Association (AMA) guidelines .

Our Certificates are also verifiable by email.

Can I get a Single-Day or Multiple-Day Medical Certificate?

We offer both a 1-Day TODAY ONLY and 2-Day TODAY AND TOMORROW Medical Certificate.

See how to get a Medical Certificate here.

How to get a Medical Certificate?

Step 1 - Eligibility

Check that you are eligible to use our Medical Certificate service.

Step 2 - Select Appointment Type

Click on "BOOK NOW", which will take you to our online bookings page.

Select either a Medical Certificate for "TODAY only" or "TODAY and TOMORROW" (with reference to Melbourne time).

Step 3 - Select Appointment Time

Choose either the 10AM or 2PM session times.

Step 4 - Enter Your Details

Enter your name as you would like it to appear on the certificate and verify that your email address is correct.

Step 5 - Complete Intake Form

Complete the online intake form. This can be done either via a link on the final page once your booking is confirmed or via a link sent to your email.

This step is mandatory as the intake form contains an important screening questionnaire. You only need to complete it once.

Step 6 - Live Chat Consultation

At your appointment time, you will need to initiate a live chat consultation by sending Dr Jimmy a message via:

  • either the online live chat feature on our website (click on the chat bubble icon)
  • OR WhatsApp (link provided in the booking confirmation email). WhatsApp is preferable as it allows Dr Jimmy to pick up a conversation if there is any interruption.

Further information will be provided to you once the consultation begins. There will be no telephone calls unless Dr Jimmy has arranged this with you beforehand.

If you have missed your appointment, you may try again at the next appointment session or initiate a consultation on WhatsApp and wait for Dr Jimmy to pick up the conversation when he is free. The current appointment sessions are:

  • 10AM (from 10-11am Melbourne time)
  • 2PM (from 2-3pm Melbourne time)

Step 7 - Get Certificate

If there are no concerns, you will receive your Medical Certificate in your email. That's it!

What's written on our Medical Certificates?

It is not a legal requirement to state what medical condition you have. In some instances, it can be counterproductive disclosing your medical condition to a third party.

We therefore do not state it in our certificates in order to protect your privacy and maintain strict patient confidentiality.

The exception is if you need to have "URTI" (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection) annotated on the certificate. You may select this option in the intake form.

Can I get a Medical Certificate for university or school?

Yes, our Medical Certificates can also be used for your university or school.

When completing the intake form, you may choose to have "university" or "school" written on the certificate instead of "work".

If you need a letter of support or help in completing special consideration forms, you will need to book a Priority Consult.

Carer's Certificate

What is a Carer's Certificate?

A Carer's Certificate, also known as a "Carer's leave certificate", certifies that you are unable to work because you are caring for someone who is unwell.

The certificate will include the name of the person being cared for and their relationship to you. You will be asked to provide these details in the intake form as well as details about their medical condition.

See how to get a Carer's Certificate here.

How to get a Carer's Certificate?

Step 1 - Suitability

Check that a Carer's Certificate is right for you.

Step 2 - Select Appointment Type

Click on "BOOK NOW", which will take you to our online bookings page.

Select either a Carer's Certificate for "TODAY only" or "TODAY and TOMORROW" (with reference to Melbourne time).

Step 3 - Select Appointment Time

Choose the appointment time that suits you.

Step 4 - Enter Your Details

Enter your name (the carer) as you would like it to appear on the certificate and verify that your email address is correct.

Step 5 - Complete Intake Form

Complete the online intake form. This can be done either via a link on the final page once a booking is confirmed or via a link sent to your email.

This step is mandatory. You will be asked here to provide the day or days that you require, the name of the person you're caring for, their relationship to you and details about their medical condition.

Step 6 - Live Chat Consultation

At your appointment time, you will need to initiate a live chat consultation by sending Dr Jimmy a message via:

  • either the online live chat feature on our website (click on the chat bubble icon)
  • OR WhatsApp (link provided in the booking confirmation email). WhatsApp is preferable as it allows Dr Jimmy to pick up a conversation if there is any interruption.

Further information will be provided to you once the consultation begins. There will be no telephone calls unless Dr Jimmy has arranged this with you beforehand.

If you have missed your appointment, you may try again at the next appointment session or initiate a consultation on WhatsApp and wait for Dr Jimmy to pick up the conversation when he is free. The current appointment sessions are:

  • 10AM (from 10-11am Melbourne time)
  • 2PM (from 2-3pm Melbourne time)

Step 7 - Get Certificate

If there are no concerns, you will receive your Carer's Certificate in your email. That's it!

Backdated Medical Certificate

Can I get a Medical Certificate for yesterday?

You will need to get a Backdated Medical Certificate.

Can doctors backdate Medical Certificates?

According to the Australian Medical Association (AMA) guidelines , the term "backdate" can have two distinct meanings:

  • First meaning: changing the date that a certificate is issued or written to a previous date (strictly prohibited)
  • Second meaning: certifying that the patient was unfit for work prior to the date that they were seen or assessed (consistent with guidelines)

Certificates must be dated on the day on which they are written. The terms "backdate" or "backdated" used by us will therefore always refer to the second meaning.

See Backdated Medical Certificate.

What is a Backdated Medical Certificate?

A Backdated Medical Certificate certifies that you were unfit for work prior to the date that you were seen or assessed. It is issued after careful consideration of your circumstances.

This is not to be confused with the issue date of the certificate, which is the date on which the certificate is written. This date cannot be backdated or forward dated.

You are eligible if:

  • you had a minor short-term illness from which you have already recovered
  • the duration of your illness did not exceed 7 consecutive days
  • there are no concerns raised by Dr Jimmy

See how to get a Backdated Medical Certificate here.

How to get a Backdated Medical Certificate?

Step 1 - Eligibility

Check that you are eligible for a Backdated Medical Certificate.

Step 2 - Select Appointment Type

Click on "BOOK NOW", which will take you to our online bookings page.

Select the Backdated Medical Certificate option.

Step 3 - Select Appointment Time

Choose an appointment time that suits you.

Step 4 - Enter Your Details

Enter your name as you would like it to appear on the certificate and verify that your email address is correct.

Step 5 - Complete Intake Form

Complete the online intake form. This can be done either via a link on the final page once your booking is confirmed or via a link sent to your email.

This step is mandatory. You will need to provide details of your medical condition.

Step 6 - Live Chat Consultation

At your appointment time, you will need to initiate a live chat consultation by sending Dr Jimmy a message via:

  • either the online live chat feature on our website (click on the chat bubble icon)
  • OR WhatsApp (link provided in the booking confirmation email). WhatsApp is preferable as it allows Dr Jimmy to pick up a conversation if there is any interruption.

Further information will be provided to you once the consultation begins. There will be no telephone calls unless Dr Jimmy has arranged this with you beforehand.

If you have missed your appointment, you may try again at the next appointment session or initiate a consultation on WhatsApp and wait for Dr Jimmy to pick up the conversation when he is free. The current appointment sessions are:

  • 10AM (from 10-11am Melbourne time)
  • 2PM (from 2-3pm Melbourne time)

Step 7 - Get Certificate

If there are no concerns, you will receive your Backdated Medical Certificate in your email. That's it!

Priority Consult

What does a Priority Consult include?

When you book a Priority Consult, Dr Jimmy will arrange a time to consult you when it suits you.

He offers all GP services that can be safely delivered online. These include, but are not limited to:

  • after hours service (including weekends and public holidays)
  • providing medical advice
  • counselling
  • coordinating, planning and managing your health care
  • providing a letter of support or completing special consideration forms for your university/school (ID required)
  • issuing extended/customised medical certificates when appropriate
  • issuing online prescriptions (such as for UTIs, the contraceptive "birth-control" pill, etc. please see online prescriptions)
  • requesting pathology (lab) and radiology (imaging) tests, and discussing the results with you
  • providing specialist referrals
  • liaison - connecting with specialists, and other health professionals, on your behalf where necessary to optimise your health care

Dr Jimmy is passionate about all areas of general practice and brings a holistic approach to health care. Find out more about him here.

Can I get online prescriptions if I don't have a Medicare card?

Yes. However, you will need to provide us with your Individual Health Identifier (IHI) which can be obtained from IHI - Services Australia .

Other

Can I get a "Fit For Work" or Clearance Certificate?

A fit-for-work certificate, also known as a "fit to work" certificate or a "clearance certificate", is essentially the opposite to a medical certificate.

Instead of stating that you are unfit for work, the certificate clears you as being safe to return to work.

Usually it is a requirement by some workplaces where suffering from a certain medical condition could pose a safety hazard.

For example, you may be suffering from sleep problems and need to operate heavy machinery at work. Or a child needs to be cleared to return to childcare.

In either case, a thorough assessment is required. A Priority Consult is necessary to review any documentation or evidence to support your return to work.

If you've sustained a serious injury and an examination is required, you will need to see a doctor in person.

In the case of a child, a face-to-face assessment is needed to ensure they are well enough to return to childcare.

Can my child get a Medical Certificate?

A Standard Consult $45 is required for adolescents from ages 13 to 17.

Younger children will require a face-to-face assessment.

If you are located in Melbourne, Dr Jimmy is more than happy to examine your child at his clinic .

You may get a Carer's Certificate if you are caring for a child of any age.