Medical Certificate for Skin Conditions and Dermatitis
Rash, dermatitis or sore skin stopping you from working? A telehealth GP can review your symptoms and, if clinically appropriate, issue a medical certificate for skin conditions.
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
Full refund if not clinically appropriate • Your diagnosis stays confidential
What a GP Can and Can't Assess Without Seeing Your Skin in Person
Skin problems are visual, so remote consults have limits. A GP starts with your history: where the rash is, how it started and what it's been in contact with.
If the GP can't assess you properly, they'll say so. Otherwise, they'll decide on a sick leave certificate.
- Where the rash is on your body
- How and when it started
- Anything new the skin has touched
- Which tasks, gloves or gear make it worse
How a Skin Consult Runs
Consults start by phone, and the GP decides whether to switch to video to see the skin. A consult for someone under 18 is by phone or video, as the GP decides, with a parent or guardian present.
Why Telehealth Has Limits for Skin
The Australasian College of Dermatologists' telehealth guide notes telehealth isn't always suitable, and a dermatologist may ask to see you in person.
Getting the Skin Ready for a Video Check
Lighting decides what the GP can see on video.
A Well-Lit, Quiet Space
The college's guide suggests a well-lit, quiet space, and testing your camera, speaker and microphone first.
Light in Front of You
It also says not to sit with a bright light or window behind you.
Clues From the Rash
Think about the rash itself too. Does it happen where a watch, glove, or collar rubs? Did it start after a new product, a shift change or a different task?
Those clues count for more than a vague description.
Occupational Contact Dermatitis and Workplace Exposure
Healthdirect's contact dermatitis page says it's caused by contact with irritants or allergens, and work triggers can cause it. Safe Work Australia names chemicals and wet work as the main workplace causes.
Safe Work Australia adds that wet-work dermatitis is particularly common in cleaners, healthcare workers, food handlers and hairdressers. Think work caused your rash? Tell the GP. Whether a workers compensation claim applies is a separate question for your employer or insurer.
Irritant or Allergic
Irritant contact dermatitis happens when the skin's natural barrier is irritated or damaged, usually by repeated or long exposure. Allergic contact dermatitis is a reaction to a particular material.
A Delayed Reaction
According to Safe Work Australia, allergic contact dermatitis can be delayed and appear up to 72 hours after contact. That delay matters at work. A rash on Tuesday morning might trace back to a weekend task, making the trigger hard to pin down. Healthdirect says the rash should slowly go away once you avoid the trigger.
What Counts as Wet Work
The agency defines wet work as having any part of your body in water or other liquids for longer than 2 hours a shift. Waterproof gloves worn for more than 2 hours in a shift count too. Washing your hands more than 20 times per shift also counts.
Common Irritants
Healthdirect lists water from frequent hand washing, hand sanitisers, soaps and detergents among the irritants.
How to Get Started
We operate as a platform that connects you with trusted Australian medical practices.
Book Your Certificate
Select the sick leave medical certificate type on the OMC Health booking page, and tell us a bit about your situation.
Consult with an AHPRA-Registered GP
Receive Your Certificate If Approved
Ready to get started?
Book a real-time consult with an AHPRA-registered GP. From $9.99.
Food Handling and Healthcare Roles With Skin Lesions
Food handlers have specific duties under the food safety standards. Food Standards Australia New Zealand's health and hygiene factsheet says they must report a skin sore if food could be contaminated. An exposed sore should be covered with a bandage and a waterproof covering.
Duties Beyond the Handler
The same factsheet also places a duty on the business.
Reasonable Measures
A business that knows or suspects a handler has an infected skin sore must ensure the person takes all reasonable measures to prevent contamination.
Who Can Be Told
A supervisor who is told can't pass it on without the handler's consent, apart from the business owner or a food enforcement officer.
A Separate Step
A certificate isn't that notification, so telling your supervisor is a separate step.
Healthcare and Aged Care
Healthcare and aged care workers may have their own infection control rules. Check your workplace policy, and tell the GP what your role involves.
Widespread Rash With Fever as an Urgent Sign
These signs need medical care first, not a certificate consult.
Spots That Don't Fade
Healthdirect's rashes page describes small, bright red or purple spots that don't turn white when pressed. Fever, headache, a stiff neck, or back pain may come with them. This may be a meningococcal infection. Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
A Sudden, Painful Rash
A widespread, sudden rash that's painful or comes with a fever also needs prompt medical attention.
After Scratching
Scratching can cause its own trouble. Healthdirect says to see a doctor if you feel unwell or have a fever with a rash, or if blisters fill with pus. If a rash isn't improving, is spreading, or is worsening, see a doctor.
Call 000 in an emergency. OMC Health does not provide emergency care.
Telling Rashes Apart at a Glance
| Irritant dermatitis | Allergic dermatitis | Hives | Spots that don't fade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Dry, red, sore, cracked | Itchy, can blister | Itchy, raised swellings | Small red or purple spots |
| Timing | After repeated exposure | Up to 72 hours later | Can be pinhead to dinner-plate size | With fever, headache or stiff neck |
| Next step | Avoid the trigger | Avoid the trigger | Call 000 if with breathing trouble or throat swelling | Emergency, call 000 |
The table is a rough guide to what the sources describe. It can't diagnose your own rash.
Looking After the Skin While It Settles
Healthdirect suggests keeping your skin cool, avoiding scratching and using gentle moisturisers. It recommends skipping fragranced soaps and harsh detergents. For contact dermatitis, it also advises keeping nails short.
Patch testing is a different matter. Healthdirect describes small patches of suspected triggers left on the skin for 2 days, then checked for a reaction. A later check usually follows within 7 days. That needs in-person care, not a phone call.
What the Certificate Covers
The certificate states capacity for work on the dates covered. It doesn't name the rash, work out the trigger or replace a skin check.
Repeat Flares
Repeat flares are better handled by a regular GP or a dermatologist, who can look at the skin itself and arrange testing if needed.
A Rash and a Working Week
Say a cleaner develops cracked, sore hands after a run of double shifts. Gloves hurt, and the cracks bleed when they wring out a cloth.
What the GP Asks
The GP asks which tasks cause the pain, how long they spend in water and what they use. Where the assessment allows, a certificate may cover a short break while the skin recovers.
A Milder Rash
Another worker, with a mild rash that doesn't affect the job, may not need one.
General information only, not a substitute for personalised advice; speak with a qualified practitioner.
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
Phone 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, transparent pricing
- Reviewed by AHPRA registered GP
- Delivered on the same day if approved
- Secure and confidential
- Full refund if GP declines
- No hidden fees
Issued through our partner practice network
Your consultation is conducted by an AHPRA-registered GP from one of 20+ partner practices across Australia. The certificate is issued under that GP's own registration.
Frequently asked questions
View all FAQsSometimes. Healthdirect says hives often disappear within 24 hours, but they can last longer or come back. If itching or swelling stops you working, the GP can assess whether time off is supported. If you have shortness of breath or swelling of the face, lips, neck, or throat, call triple zero (000).
It can, especially if your hands are cracked, bleeding or painful. Jobs that involve gloves, water, cleaning products or constant hand washing can make it worse. The GP asks which tasks you can't manage and decides whether time off or a short break from certain tasks is supported.
It can be during a bad flare. What matters is how the flare affects your ability to work, such as pain, broken skin, poor sleep from itching or infection risk. The GP assesses the current episode. For long-term eczema management, see your regular GP or a dermatologist.
Not on its own. An uncomfortable-looking rash isn't the same as being unfit for work. The GP considers pain, broken or weeping skin, infection risk and what your job involves. Your employer sets rules about covering skin or working with customers, so check your workplace policy too.
It can, if the rash sits where a collar, gloves, mask or boots press or rub. Tell the GP exactly where the rash is and what you wear at work. They may suggest a short break from certain equipment, where the assessment supports it. Your employer then works out alternatives or other duties.
Chickenpox
Medical certificate for chickenpoxHow a GP assesses chickenpox for a sick leave certificate.
Browse Conditions
Browse all conditionsSee the other conditions a GP can assess for a sick leave certificate.
Skin problems like contact dermatitis can make some jobs painful or unsafe, especially work involving water, chemicals or food. A GP can assess the impact and, where appropriate, certify time off. A rash of small red or purple spots that don't fade when pressed, with fever, is an emergency.