Guide
Medical Certificate vs Statutory Declaration, What's the Difference?
25 Sept 2026
Guide
How Employers Verify a Telehealth GP Certificate, AHPRA Check and QR Code Guide
A practical step-by-step guide for HR managers and employers: QR code portal, AHPRA register search and what to do when verification fails.
5 min readMedically reviewedAustralia-wide
To verify a medical certificate, use the certificate's QR code or verification reference on the issuer's official verification page. Check that the patient name, dates, issuing doctor's details and certificate status match the document presented. Verification should confirm authenticity only and should not reveal the patient's diagnosis, clinical notes or private health information.
Two Ways to Verify an OMC Health Certificate
| Method | Steps | Time |
|---|---|---|
| QR code scan | Open phone camera → point at QR code on certificate → tap link that appears → portal opens | Under 10 seconds |
| Certificate ID | Visit onlinemedicalcertificate.au/verify-certificate/ → type in the certificate ID (format: OMC-XXXX-XXXX) → press verify | Under 30 seconds |
What the Verification Portal Displays
The portal shows only what is needed to confirm authenticity; it deliberately withholds clinical information to protect patient privacy under the Privacy Act 1988.
• Certificate status, Genuine / Not found / Revoked
• Certificate type, e.g. Sick Leave Certificate
• Date of issue
• Period covered (from and to, inclusive)
• Issuing GP's full name
• GP's AHPRA registration number with direct link to AHPRA national register
• Partner practice name
• Verification timestamp
How to Check the GP's AHPRA Registration Independently
If you want to verify the GP separately from the OMC Health portal, go to the AHPRA register. Search for the name or registration number from the certificate. A valid registration shows 'Registered' status. Medical practitioner numbers begin with 'MED', followed by 10 digits, for example, MED0001234567.
What a valid AHPRA medical practitioner number looks like
Every AHPRA-registered GP has a unique registration number in the format MED0001234567. If the number on the certificate doesn't exist on the AHPRA register, or belongs to a different name, the certificate should be questioned.
What the Portal Does NOT Show
Patient privacy is protected throughout. The verification portal never shows the patient's diagnosis, clinical notes, medications, reason for absence or any consultation details. This is by design; employers are entitled to confirm a certificate is genuine, but not to access the patient's health information.
What to Do If Verification Fails
If the certificate ID returns 'Not found' when verified:
• Request the original certificate PDF from the employee; it may have come from a different legitimate provider
• Ask the employee to resend the original email from OMC Health
• Check that the certificate ID has been entered exactly as printed, case-sensitive
• If none of these resolves it, seek HR or legal advice before taking any action
• Do not dismiss or discipline based on suspicion alone; follow proper procedural fairness
When Verification Isn't Necessary
For most routine personal leave cases with a regular employee and a straightforward illness, verifying every certificate is not standard HR practice. Verification is most useful when the certificate is from an unfamiliar service, the certificate details appear inconsistent, or a pattern of suspicious absences is under review.
Book a Consultation
If you need a certificate, OMC Health provides real-time AHPRA-registered GP consultations 7 days a week. From 9.99. Full refund if the GP determines a certificate is not clinically appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
Scan the QR code on the certificate with your phone camera, or visit onlinemedicalcertificate.au/verify-certificate/ and enter the certificate ID. The portal confirms the certificate is genuine and shows the GP's name and AHPRA registration number. Takes under one minute.
Certificate status, type, date of issue, period covered, issuing GP's name and AHPRA number, partner practice name and verification timestamp. It does not show the patient's diagnosis or clinical information.
Go to ahpra.gov.au/registration/registers-of-practitioners.aspx. Enter the GP's name or registration number (format: MED0001234567). A valid result shows 'Registered' status. The OMC Health verification portal also links directly to this search.
Request the original certificate PDF from the employee. Ask them to resend the OMC Health confirmation email. If the issue persists, seek HR or legal advice. Do not take adverse action based on suspicion alone, procedural fairness applies.
No. OMC Health cannot disclose patient health information to employers under the Privacy Act 1988. Employers can verify certificate authenticity through the QR portal. Health details stay confidential between the GP and patient.
