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Choose your certificate
Select Sick Leave Certificate on the booking page and describe your symptoms. From 9.99, takes about 2 minutes.
SICK LEAVE
Sick Leave Certificate for Panic Attacks
A panic attack, even a single one, can leave you shaken and genuinely unfit to return to work that day.
Book a real-time consult with an AHPRA-registered GP today. If the GP determines that a certificate is clinically appropriate, it's issued and emailed the same day
AHPRA-registeredAustralian GPs
Real-time consultation7 days a week
Same-day deliveryif approved
From 9.99Transparent pricing
Full refund if not clinically appropriate • Your diagnosis stays confidential
Is a Single Panic Attack a Valid Reason for a Day Off?
Yes. A panic attack, with a racing heart, chest tightness, shortness of breath and intense fear, is a genuine physiological event, not something to simply push through. A sick leave certificate recognises that recovering and feeling safe again takes time, whether it was a single episode or part of an ongoing pattern.
If a panic attack has left you unable to work, book a real-time consultation with an AHPRA-registered GP.
- Sudden intense fear with a racing heart or chest tightness
- Shortness of breath or a feeling of losing control
- Physical exhaustion following the episode
- Difficulty feeling settled enough to safely return to work that day
What Your GP Assesses During the Consultation
The GP will ask about what happened, whether this was a one-off or part of a recurring pattern, and how you're feeling now. A video consultation is required for this type of presentation so the GP can properly assess how you're coping and rule out anything that needs more urgent care.
Panic Attack vs Cardiac Emergency: Know the Difference
Panic attack symptoms, chest tightness, a racing heart, shortness of breath- can closely resemble a cardiac event. If this is your first episode, if the chest pain is severe or crushing, or if you're unsure, this isn't something to assess by telehealth: seek emergency care to rule out a cardiac cause first.
Triage before certification
A First Panic-Like Episode Should Not Be Assumed to Be Panic
Chest tightness, racing heart and shortness of breath can occur during a panic attack, but those symptoms can also overlap with other medical problems. A known recurrent panic pattern and a first severe episode are not always assessed the same way.
If urgent physical causes are not suspected, the GP can then assess how the episode affected the person's ability to work and whether short-term leave is clinically appropriate. Healthdirect explains common panic-attack symptoms and the broader assessment pathway.
Work Capacity After the Acute Episode
Driving, public-facing duties, complex decision-making and safety-sensitive work may remain difficult for a period even after the peak panic symptoms settle. The assessment should consider the person's actual duties rather than whether they simply appear calmer during the consultation.
When Recurrent Attacks Need Ongoing Care
Repeated panic episodes belong in a longer-term mental-health assessment and management plan rather than a cycle of one-off absence notes. Healthdirect's anxiety guidance outlines the broader care options available.
Chest or Breathing Symptoms May Need Another Care Pathway First
A first severe panic-like episode should not automatically be treated as a routine certificate request when chest pain, marked breathlessness or other concerning physical symptoms are present.
First severe or unexplained episode
If the person is genuinely unsure whether severe chest or breathing symptoms are panic or something else, prompt medical assessment can be more appropriate than waiting for a certificate consultation.
Severe or worsening chest pain
Do not assume severe, crushing or worsening chest pain is caused by anxiety. Healthdirect's chest pain guidance explains when emergency assessment is needed.
Immediate mental-health crisis support
If there is immediate danger or a life-threatening emergency, call 000. For crisis support, Lifeline provides 24-hour support in Australia.
Australian context
Anxiety and Panic in Australia
Anxiety disorders are Australia's most common group of mental health conditions. These population figures provide context, but a certificate decision still depends on the individual's current symptoms and functional impact.
17.2%
12-Month Anxiety Disorder
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that 17.2% of Australians aged 16 to 85 had a 12-month anxiety disorder in 2020–2022.
3.4m
Australians Affected
That represented approximately 3.4 million Australians experiencing an anxiety disorder during the 12-month period measured by the national study.
1 in 4
Lifetime Experience
Beyond Blue notes that anxiety conditions affect around 1 in 4 Australians at some point in their life.
Will my consultation be by phone or video?
Your consultation will take place in real time with an AHPRA-registered GP by phone or video, depending on the clinical assessment and the consultation method arranged for your appointment.
Certificate details
What Your OMC Health Certificate Includes
If a certificate is clinically appropriate, the issued document includes the key information needed to identify the consultation, certified period and issuing practitioner.
Assessment date
Date of the GP consultation.
Certified period
Dates covered by the certificate.
Practitioner details
Issuing GP's name and professional details.
Practice details
Details of the issuing partner practice.
Signature
Digital or written practitioner signature.
Verification
QR code or unique verification details.
Focused on the Evidence Needed
The certificate's purpose is to document the GP's assessment and the relevant period or work capacity. Clinical details are included only where appropriate to the consultation and document purpose.
Why Book With OMC Health
AHPRA-registered GPs, available 7 days a week
Video consult, no need to leave home while unwell
Certificate emailed the same day if approved
Full refund if the GP determines a certificate is not clinically appropriate
Your diagnosis stays confidential, the certificate does not disclose it to your employer
Simple steps, fast certificates.
Get your medical certificate online the same day.
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See an AHPRA Registered Doctor
Connect with an Australian registered doctor by video, required for this type of presentation.
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Get your certificate
If the GP determines it's clinically appropriate, your certificate is digitally issued and emailed the same day.
Secure, private and confidential.Your information is encrypted and never shared.
PRICING
Simple, transparent pricing
One-off payment. No hidden fees. If the GP declines, you get a full refund.
FROM$9.99
One-off payment. All prices include GST.
View full pricing details- AHPRA reviewed by a registered GP
- Delivered on the same day if approved
- Secure and confidential
- Full refund if GP declines
- No hidden fees
Secure payment
Same-day delivery
Frequently asked questions
View all FAQsYes. A single panic attack can genuinely leave you unfit to work that day, and the GP can assess this the same way as any other condition affecting your capacity to work.
Mental health and emotional presentations are assessed by video so the GP can better evaluate how you are coping and gather the visual information needed for a more complete clinical assessment during the telehealth consultation.
If it's your first episode, if the chest pain is severe, or if you're at all unsure, don't rely on a telehealth consult; seek emergency care to rule out a cardiac cause first.
No. The certificate confirms you were assessed and unfit for work without disclosing the specific reason. Employers can independently verify a certificate through certificate verification portal.
A telehealth certificate covers this episode. For recurring panic attacks, your regular GP or a mental health professional can help develop an ongoing management plan alongside any certificates you need.
Get Your Certificate Today
If a panic attack has made you unfit for work, book a phone consult now.
Support and Resources
Mental Health Sick Leave CertificateFor a multi-day medical certificate, if your condition requires more days to manage your health.
Panic attacks can cause sudden intense fear with symptoms such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, shaking or chest discomfort. They can temporarily affect work, driving and concentration. A doctor can assess the symptoms, consider other possible causes and discuss whether leave, follow-up care or further evaluation is appropriate.