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CTP Psychology Rates NSW 2026: What SIRA Pays and What You Pay

Last reviewed: June 2026. Sources: Motor Accidents Injuries Act 2017 (NSW); SIRA Motor Accidents Medical Treatment Guidelines; sira.nsw.gov.au

How CTP Psychology Rates Are Set in NSW

The NSW CTP (Compulsory Third Party) scheme is administered by SIRA (State Insurance Regulatory Authority) under the Motor Accidents Injuries Act 2017. SIRA sets maximum fees for treatment services through the Motor Accidents Medical Treatment Guidelines, which include a fee schedule for allied health services including psychology.

The gazetted rate is the maximum amount an insurer is required to fund for an approved session. A SIRA-registered psychologist who accepts the gazetted rate in full means you pay nothing. If a psychologist charges above the gazetted rate and bills you for the difference, that gap is your responsibility unless the insurer agrees to fund it.

In practice, most psychologists treating CTP claimants accept the SIRA gazetted rate as full payment. This is different from, say, Medicare-funded treatment in private psychology, where gap fees are common.

What the CTP Rate Covers

A standard individual psychology session under the CTP scheme covers a 50-minute consultation with a SIRA-registered psychologist. The session must be for an approved, treatment-related purpose linked to your injury from the motor accident. Sessions used for assessment (initial diagnostic assessment) may be billed under a different item than sessions used for ongoing psychological treatment.

The SIRA fee schedule uses item codes from the Motor Accidents Medical Treatment Guidelines for psychology. Key items include:

Exact dollar amounts are set in SIRA's Motor Accidents Medical Treatment Guidelines, updated periodically. Always confirm current rates at sira.nsw.gov.au or with your treating psychologist before beginning treatment.

CTP Psychology Rates vs Workers Comp Psychology Rates

Many people ask how CTP psychology rates compare to rates under NSW workers compensation. Both schemes are administered by SIRA but use different fee schedules and approval processes. The table below summarises the key differences:

The Approval Process for CTP Psychology

CTP psychology sessions are not automatically funded from the first appointment. The process is:

1. Report the accident and register your claim

   Lodge your CTP claim with the at-fault insurer (or SIRA if the insurer is unknown). Your accident must involve a registered motor vehicle in NSW. Confirm the insurer has your claim number before booking psychology.

2. Initial assessment

   Your treating GP or specialist may refer you to a psychologist for an initial assessment. The assessment report documents the psychological injury arising from the accident. Some initial sessions may be covered under the early treatment provisions without a separate approval.

3. Treatment request submitted

   Your psychologist submits a treatment request to the insurer outlining the proposed number of sessions, clinical rationale, and goals. The insurer has a set timeframe under the Motor Accidents Injuries Act 2017 to respond.

4. Approved sessions begin

   Once approved, sessions proceed. The insurer pays your psychologist directly at the SIRA gazetted rate. You pay $0 for approved sessions.

5. Further treatment blocks

   If ongoing treatment is recommended, your psychologist can submit further treatment requests for additional blocks. Each block requires insurer approval. There is no automatic limit to the number of sessions if treatment is clinically justified and approved.

What to Check Before Booking

Before making your first psychology appointment under a CTP claim, confirm:

• Is the psychologist SIRA-registered for Motor Accidents? Not all psychologists hold SIRA registration for the CTP scheme. Verify with the practice before booking. You can search SIRA's provider register at sira.nsw.gov.au.
• Do they charge a gap above the SIRA rate? Most CTP-registered providers accept the SIRA gazetted rate in full. Ask explicitly whether they charge a gap on CTP claims.
• Has your insurer acknowledged your claim? You need a claim number before your psychologist can bill the insurer. If your claim is pending, keep your own records and seek reimbursement once the claim is accepted.
• Is telehealth available? Telehealth psychology is available under CTP claims and is billed at the same rate as in-person. Particularly useful if you have anxiety around driving following the accident.

Fault Determination and Treatment Access

Under the Motor Accidents Injuries Act 2017, your access to statutory benefits (including funded treatment) depends partly on fault determination:

• Not-at-fault claimants (accidents on or after 1 April 2023): access statutory benefit payments including treatment funding for up to 52 weeks from the accident date while the claim is being assessed.
• At-fault claimants: more limited access to statutory benefits; treatment funding may be restricted depending on the circumstances. You may still be able to access treatment via Medicare while the CTP claim is assessed.
• Disputes: if your insurer disputes your claim or fault determination, contact SIRA (1300 137 322) or seek independent legal advice. Treatment may still be accessible via Medicare during a dispute.

Source: Motor Accidents Injuries Act 2017 (NSW), as amended April 2023 (52-week statutory benefit period for not-at-fault claimants). Verify current provisions at legislation.nsw.gov.au.

CTP Psychology Rates: Frequently Asked Questions