Rising Workplace Stress Driving More Patients to GPs

Rising Workplace Stress Driving More Patients to GPs

29 Jan 2026

A newsGP poll found 82% of GPs have noticed an increase in patients requesting medical certificates to take time off over the past two years.

Dr Karen Spielman, Chair of RACGP Specific Interests in Psychological Medicine, said this reflects a mix of system pressures, limited mental health services, and rising awareness of mental health issues.

Data from the Fair Work Commission shows workers’ claims also rising, with 40,190 lodgements in 2023–24, up 27% from 2022–23—the highest since 2010.

Dr Spielman says workplace pressures, financial stress, and employment insecurity are fuelling both absenteeism and presenteeism, where employees go to work despite being unwell. She called for simple workplace changes, like allowing short absences without needing a GP certificate, to ease stress for employees and GPs alike.

https://www1.racgp.org.au/

Source: newsGP, RACGP, Fair Work Commission

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