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Can I Use Telehealth for Workers Compensation Psychology in NSW?

Yes. Telehealth psychology is available under NSW workers compensation. Here is how approval works and what you need to get started.

Telehealth Under NSW Workers Compensation

The NSW workers compensation system (administered by icare for most workplace claims) includes provisions for telehealth psychology. Telehealth is not an unofficial workaround: it is a recognised treatment format with specific SIRA billing item codes.

In practice, telehealth workers compensation psychology works as follows:

• Your GP issues a workers compensation certificate of capacity and refers you to psychology
• Your psychologist submits an Allied Health Treatment Request (AHTR) specifying telehealth as the treatment format
• The insurer approves (or requests clarification on) the telehealth format
• Sessions proceed via secure video call, billed at SIRA rates with no gap to you

How Telehealth Is Billed Under SIRA

Telehealth psychology sessions under SIRA are billed using the same item codes as in-person sessions:

• PSY301: initial consultation (50 to 60 minutes), applicable for the first appointment
• PSY302: subsequent consultation (50 to 60 minutes), applicable for ongoing sessions

The SIRA gazetted rates for these items apply equally to in-person and telehealth delivery. From 1 February 2026, these rates were updated with indexation. Your psychologist will be familiar with the current rates.

The practical implication: if your sessions are approved, you pay nothing out of pocket for telehealth, the same as in-person.

Getting Telehealth Approved

The key step is ensuring that telehealth is specified in your AHTR. This is your psychologist's responsibility, not yours, but it is worth flagging your preference explicitly when you first contact a psychologist. Ask: "I want to use telehealth. Can you confirm that is approvable for my claim?"

If you have an existing in-person approval and want to switch to telehealth:

1. Speak to your psychologist; they will need to update or resubmit the AHTR specifying telehealth
2. Confirm with your case manager that the format change is approved before attending a telehealth session

Attending telehealth sessions before insurer approval is confirmed carries the same risk as any unapproved psychology treatment: you may be liable for the session fee.

Why Telehealth Is Particularly Useful for Workers Compensation

For workers making a NSW workers compensation claim, telehealth has some specific practical advantages:

• No travel burden. A workplace injury may limit your mobility or make commuting difficult. Telehealth removes the need to physically attend a clinic, reducing strain during recovery.
• Access to SIRA-experienced psychologists beyond your suburb. Not every suburb has a SIRA-approved psychologist nearby. Telehealth expands your access to the full pool of SIRA-experienced practitioners across NSW.
• Scheduling flexibility. Some telehealth practitioners have scheduling options (early morning, evening) that in-person practices with fixed clinic hours do not offer: useful if your injury affects your ability to keep regular daytime appointments.
• Privacy. Some workers prefer not to be seen attending a psychology practice. Telehealth removes that concern.

What Technology Do You Need?

The setup is straightforward:

• A device with a camera and microphone (a laptop, tablet, or smartphone all work)
• A stable internet connection (standard home broadband or 4G/5G is sufficient)
• A private, quiet space

Your psychologist will send you a secure video link before the session. No special software is typically required. Most platforms used in Australian telehealth psychology comply with Australian privacy law for data storage and handling.

Workers Outside Sydney

Telehealth removes the geographic constraint for accessing a SIRA-approved psychologist. If you are in a regional or rural area of NSW with limited local access to SIRA-experienced practitioners, telehealth significantly expands your options. SIRA approval and billing apply regardless of where in NSW you are located during the session.