The RACGP says a loophole in telehealth legislation has led to a proliferation of online medical services offering ‘farcical’ sick certificates, putting both doctors and patients at risk.

For less than $20, providers will email a sick note for 1-2 days based on an online application. 

The form asks applicants to declare they are not experiencing chest pains, broken bones or other emergency conditions and then promises a certificate delivered to their inbox within the hour. 

In some cases, the requests are reviewed by a nurse practitioner, not a doctor.