Burnout vs Depression: An Australian GP's Guide

A GP can do quite a lot for both burnout and clinical depression in a single consultation. The work in front of them is to assess what is in play and start the appropriate plan.

In practice, that means:

• Take a structured history covering work, sleep, mood, energy, and any history of mental health.
• Screen using validated tools such as the PHQ-9 for depression and structured questioning for burnout.
• Examine for physical contributors and arrange blood tests if indicated, such as thyroid function, iron, vitamin D, and fasting glucose.
• Discuss lifestyle and behavioural strategies that can help in both burnout and depression.
• Prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan, which entitles eligible patients to Medicare-rebated psychology sessions.
• Discuss whether a medical certificate is appropriate to support sick leave or workplace adjustments.
• Refer to a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other specialist when the situation calls for it.
• Discuss medication options where clinically appropriate. This article does not name specific medications.
• Arrange follow-up to review progress.

The GP visit is also a planning visit. Many people leave with a clearer picture of what is happening and a set of practical next steps. That itself reduces some of the pressure.

Abby Health is one of Australia's largest online-first clinics. Workplace mental health is one of the most common reasons working-age patients reach us.

Our care network includes more than 300 clinicians available seven days a week. All Abby Health practitioners hold current AHPRA registration. Consultations are bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card. Strict eligibility criteria apply.

Two things matter most when work is the trigger: discretion and timing.

Discretion: many patients do not want a consultation visible at the local clinic or the office. An online consultation from home or a private space removes that visibility.

Timing: appointments outside standard work hours, seven days a week, mean a consultation does not require sitting in a waiting room during the workday.

Continuity supports the longer arc. Seventy-one per cent of our patients who rebook see the same doctor again, which is the right model for mental health where context matters across appointments.

Abby AI, our medical AI, prepares a clinical brief before every consultation. It surfaces relevant history, medications, and previous notes. It never diagnoses, never prescribes, and never replaces clinician judgment.

If work is wearing you down, book a consultation. If you are in crisis, call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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.