How long should I stay off work after contracting a gastro?

Usually, medical practitioners advise patients to stay home for 24 to 48 hours after symptoms have completely resolved. This is an effective measure to prevent the spread of infection to colleagues in the workplace.

Can I get a certificate for food poisoning?

Yes. Food poisoning is essentially gastroenteritis. A doctor's certificate can be issued based on your symptoms, even if a virus or food contamination infected you.

Do I really need a clearance note to return to work as a waiter?

Most probably, yes. Food safety regulations are stringent. some employers may require a Fit-to-Work certificate before returning to food handling duties stating that you have been symptom-free for 48 hours.

Is a video call enough to diagnose gastro?

Well, yes, if you intend to claim sick leave. Since the doctor will first need to review your medical history and current condition, this can be done easily via a video call. However, if they happen to identify the signs of severe appendicitis, the doctor will order you to go to the nearest hospital for further treatment.

Documentation for Recovery From Gastroenteritis

Introduction

Gastroenteritis, commonly called "gastro" or "stomach flu," is one of the most disruptive short illnesses in Australian workplaces. Its sudden onset with vomiting and diarrhea makes work impossible; also, because it is highly contagious and often caused by norovirus or rotavirus, going to work while still having symptoms poses a significant safety risk.

While the acute phase lasts only 24-48 hours, the recovery period may require additional rest due to dehydration and fatigue. For employees, especially those working in food, healthcare, or childcare, it is equally important to demonstrate that you are safe to return as it is to indicate that you were sick.

Prime Medic helps you manage the paperwork associated with this unpleasant experience. AHPRA-registered doctors at our clinic can assess your condition through telehealth and consider whether medical documentation supporting absence or return to work is appropriate.

Important Safety Note: This document is for administrative records of simple gastroenteritis. However, if you have blood in your vomit/stool, signs of severe dehydration (no urination for eight or more hours), or severe stomach pain, get medical help immediately.

Have to stay near the bathroom? It's no problem - just go ahead and request a gastro recovery certificate online.

Gastro Symptoms Warrant Absence Documentation

Symptoms of gastroenteritis leave one with no energy. The mix of nausea, stomach aches, and the need to constantly be in the bathroom not only makes it pretty unsafe to go to work but also very undignified.

Public Health and Safety

The primary purpose of recording sick leave is infection control.

Food handlers: Australian food safety standards require that food handlers who have experienced foodborne illness not come into contact with food. Therefore, workplace policies and food safety standards may require exclusion from duties while symptomatic.
Healthcare/Childcare: Those who care for children and older adults are at high risk of transmitting the virus to vulnerable populations. Therefore, the exclusion period is rigorous (usually 48 hours after symptom resolution).
Office Environments: Norovirus causes significant illness in open-plan offices, where there are many shared surfaces such as door handles and kettles.

A doctor's note may support documentation of absence or return-to-work considerations and that the absence has been an essential measure to comply with the food safety workplace rules, not just for your recovery.

Return-to-Work after Gastroenteritis

It is best not to return to work until you are fully recovered. However, "well" in this case means more than just "not throwing up."

48-Hour Rule

This is a rule that many industries and best-practice guidelines consider necessary: a person must abstain from work for 48 hours after symptoms (vomiting or diarrhoea) have ceased. This period is critical because you can still transmit the virus even after you no longer feel sick.

Return-to-Work Certificate

Employees in high-risk industries are often required by their employers to obtain a clearance certificate (Fit-to-Work note) before returning to work.

Assessment: The doctor will ensure you have no signs of the disease, have consumed sufficient fluids, and have adequate energy to start working safely.
Document: It may outline work capacity or return-to-work considerations following assessment.

We offer a return-to-work clearance assessment to help you confirm that you meet the requirements of these rigorous safety standards.

Employer agreement and fair work rules

Generally, employees are concerned: "Suppose I do a video call. Will my boss believe I have gastro?"

Fair Work Legitimacy

A medical certificate issued via a telehealth consultation is valid evidence of illness under the Fair Work Act 2009.

Telehealth Suitability: The diagnosis of gastroenteritis is primarily based on the patient's history (symptoms and duration). Unless complications occur, a physical examination is rarely necessary. Telehealth consultations are commonly used for assessment in certain cases and are generally recognised under workplace laws.
Privacy: Your employer has the right to know that you are medically "unfit for work." However, they are not entitled to the "gruesome" details of your symptoms.

Our certificates comply with Fair Work return rules and include all necessary provider information for authentication, to support workplace documentation processes.

Doctor Availability for Sudden Gastro Illness

Usually, gastroenteritis comes suddenly, sometimes even in the middle of the night. At 2:00 AM, when you wake up, you feel so sick that you realise there is no way you could make it to your 7:00 AM shift.

You don't feel like going out, and waiting until the clinic opens only adds to your stress. Now, with Prime Medic, you are covered after hours.

Instant Access: Any time of the day, you can get a doctor consultation from your home.
Quick Certificate: The doctor will email the certificate immediately, which you can then send to your manager before your shift starts.

If you happen to fall ill at night, going to an after-hours clinic will help you to meet your work obligation in terms of notifying your workplace "as soon as practicable".

Hygiene Expectations Upon Return to Work

After a bout of gastroenteritis, you should be extra careful when you return to work. Even after symptoms have resolved and documentation has been provided, it is advisable to maintain high standards of hygiene; this is a sign of courtesy to your coworkers and helps prevent the spread of infection, protecting others from becoming infected again.

Hand Hygiene: One of the most important things you can do is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water (hand sanitiser is less effective against norovirus)
Surface Awareness: Be especially careful when cleaning the kitchen, bathroom or any other shared areas that you and your colleagues use.

Employers should be proactive in ensuring employees have clean, suitable working conditions. In addition to providing hygienic facilities, they also need to recognise the hygiene measures required upon return to work to ensure a healthy resumption of work and related activities.