Burnout vs Depression: An Australian GP's Guide

An Australian GP is the right starting point for both burnout and depression. The treatment paths differ, but the doorway is the same.

A consult typically includes:

A thorough conversation. A GP will ask about your work, your sleep, your energy, what's changed, what's going on outside of work, how long this has been building, and what you've tried. Validated screening tools are sometimes used to help distinguish burnout from depression and anxiety.

Ruling out medical contributors. Some physical conditions (thyroid disorders, iron deficiency, sleep disorders) can mimic or worsen the picture. A GP may run blood tests where the symptom pattern suggests them.

A view on what you're dealing with. A GP can help you make sense of whether this is primarily burnout, depression, anxiety, an adjustment reaction, or a combination. The plan flows from that.

Stress leave where appropriate. Burnout often needs a real break, not a long weekend. A GP can issue a medical certificate for stress leave where it's clinically warranted. The certificate doesn't need to disclose the underlying reason to your employer. More in our stress leave guide.

Treatment categories at the class level. Treatment is matched to the picture, and is discussed in categories rather than specific brands.

• For burnout primarily. The cornerstones are workload review, recovery time, sleep, exercise, and behavioural strategies. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helps with rumination and the relationship to work. A GP can prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan to access Medicare-rebated psychology sessions.
• For depression primarily. A Mental Health Treatment Plan and talk therapy are usually the starting point. Where moderate to severe depression is involved, antidepressant medication may be discussed, with the two main first-line classes being selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Specific medications are matched to the individual.
• Where the two coexist. Many people get a combined plan: time off work, talk therapy, and where indicated, medication.

A Mental Health Treatment Plan. This unlocks Medicare-rebated sessions with a psychologist or other allied mental health professional. Any Australian GP can prepare one. More in our Mental Health Care Plan guide.

Ongoing review. A GP will usually book a follow-up within two to four weeks of starting any plan, and continue to review at intervals.

Abby Health is an online-first clinic where Australian GPs see mental health patients seven days a week. Burnout, work stress, and depression are among the most common reasons people book, and our clinicians treat them as the substantial, treatable issues they are.

The format suits this kind of care. Many people find it easier to have an honest conversation about work, exhaustion, and how they've really been from the privacy of home, often outside their working hours, rather than from a waiting room near the office. Continuity is built in: the next time you see an Abby GP, your history, symptoms, and previous plan are already in front of them, so you don't have to repeat the whole story. Abby AI, our medical AI, supports the doctor by surfacing your history before the consult, never replacing clinical judgment.

Abby Health is bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card. Strict eligibility criteria apply. To start, schedule an appointment.

Can I get a medical certificate for burnout?

A GP can issue a medical certificate to support sick leave when you are unwell, including when you are unwell due to mental health reasons. The certificate states that you are unfit for work for a defined period. It does not generally state the underlying diagnosis unless you specifically request that.

Is burnout a recognised diagnosis in Australia?

Burnout is recognised by the World Health Organization in the ICD-11 as an occupational phenomenon. It is not classified as a medical condition in the same way as depression. In practice, GPs and mental health professionals in Australia use both the framing of burnout and the formal diagnostic criteria for any coexisting mental health conditions.

Should I see a GP or go straight to a psychologist?

A GP appointment is usually the right starting point in Australia. A GP can assess, prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan that gives access to subsidised psychology sessions, and identify whether anything else needs investigation. Direct private access to a psychologist is also possible but generally costs more without the Medicare-rebated pathway.

Will taking time off work fix burnout?

Time away can help, but it rarely fixes burnout on its own if the underlying work pattern continues. A more durable improvement usually involves changes to workload, role design, recovery time, and sometimes professional support. A GP can help you think through what changes are realistic.

What if my workplace is the problem?

A GP cannot fix your workplace, but they can validate what you are experiencing, write a medical certificate where appropriate, support workers compensation claims when relevant, and refer to a psychologist who specialises in workplace mental health. They can also help you think about whether the role is the right one for you longer term, which sometimes matters most.