Upcoming changes to Centrelink medical certificates

From 1 January 2025, Centrelink medical certificates can be up to 24 months.

Health practitioners can provide a medical certificate to patients unable to participate in work or other activities due to an illness or injury.

Services Australia use the medical certificate to assess if patients can get an exemption from their payment requirements.

How long the exemption period is will depend on our assessment.

The maximum exemption time is currently 13 weeks. It increases up to 24 months from 1 January 2025 for some job seekers with requirements.

Read more about completing a Centrelink medical certificate.