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Medical Certificates for University Exams: What You Need, When You Need It
A complete guide to getting the right medical evidence for deferred exams and special consideration at any Australian university.
5 min readMedically reviewedAustralia-wide
A medical certificate for university exams can provide evidence when illness or injury affects your ability to attend, prepare for or complete an assessment. The doctor should assess your condition and the relevant dates. Universities may have strict special consideration deadlines, forms and fit-to-sit rules, so check your institution's requirements as early as possible.
When Students Need a Medical Certificate for a University Exam
Medical certificates are needed when illness, injury, or other medical circumstances have affected a student's ability to: sit a scheduled exam or assessment; adequately prepare for an exam due to illness in the lead-up period; submit an assignment on time; attend compulsory class sessions; or maintain enrolment at a full-time load.
Special Consideration vs Deferred Assessment: What Is the Difference?
| Process | What it means | Typical outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Special consideration | Formal application acknowledging health-affected performance | Grade adjustment, alternative task, aegrotat pass, or other accommodation |
| Deferred assessment | Application to sit a replacement examination at a later date | Replacement exam, same format, different date |
| Extension request | Request for more time to submit an assignment | Extended submission deadline |
| Leave of absence | Temporary withdrawal from enrolment | Semester or academic year break with re-enrolment guaranteed |
| Medical withdrawal | Academic withdrawal with fee refund/credit | Course or semester fees credited or refunded |
University-Specific Portals
Where to Submit Your Certificate
Every Australian university has its own submission process. The certificate itself is the same: an AHPRA-registered GP certificate from OMC Health, but where you submit it varies.
• University of Sydney (USyd), Student One Stop Shop portal
• UNSW Sydney, myUNSW portal
• University of Melbourne, Student Portal
• Monash University, eSolution portal
• UQ, mySI-net
• QUT, HiQ portal
• ANU, ISIS student portal
• UTS, UTS Online
• RMIT, RMIT Connect
• Griffith University, online submission portal
• Check your institution's current student services website for the correct portal URL
Timing: The Single Most Important Factor
The timing of your certificate relative to the exam is the most common reason applications fail. Most universities require:
Getting a certificate on exam day or the day after
If you are too unwell to sit an exam, contact your university's special consideration office immediately and book a GP consultation the same day or the following morning. OMC Health is available 7 days a week. A same-day certificate obtained quickly after the missed exam is much stronger evidence than one obtained a week later.
• Evidence submitted within 3–5 business days of the affected assessment
• Certificate dated as close to the exam or assessment date as possible
• Application lodged BEFORE the assessment where possible, or immediately after
• Late applications require additional explanation and may be considered at the university's discretion
What the GP Needs to Know
During the OMC Health consultation, describe to the GP: exactly when your symptoms began, how they affected your ability to prepare for or attend the exam, whether you attempted the exam while unwell, and the specific exam or assessment that was affected. The GP will assess the clinical picture and determine the appropriate period to certify.
What Happens After You Submit
The university's special consideration team reviews your application and evidence. They determine the outcome, which may be a deferred exam, a grade adjustment, an alternative assessment, or another accommodation. The university makes the final decision. OMC Health provides the medical evidence component; the academic decision rests with your institution.
Get Started, Book a Consultation Today
If you need a medical certificate, OMC Health connects you with an AHPRA-registered GP for a real-time phone or video consultation. If the GP determines a certificate is clinically appropriate, they issue it and email it the same day. From 9.99. Full refund if not approved.
Frequently asked questions
Most Australian universities require a certificate from an AHPRA-registered GP confirming that a health condition affected your ability to sit the exam. The certificate should include the GP's AHPRA registration number, the consultation date, and the period during which your health was affected. Check your institution's current policy.
Through OMC Health, if the GP determines a certificate is appropriate, it is emailed the same day. This allows you to submit your special consideration application immediately after the consultation, critical when deadlines are tight. Available 7 days a week, starting at 9.99.
A deferred exam allows you to sit a replacement exam at a later date. Special consideration may result in grade adjustments, alternative tasks or other accommodations. Which option is available depends on your university's policies and the specific circumstances.
Yes. If you sat an exam while unwell and performed poorly, a GP can document your health condition during that period. This can support a special consideration application even after the exam has been submitted.
Most Australian universities accept certificates from AHPRA-registered GPs regardless of consultation mode. OMC Health certificates include the GP's AHPRA registration number for easy verification. Always check your institution's current policy, as requirements can change.
