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What Is a SIRA-Approved Psychologist?

If you have been injured at work and want to access psychology support through the NSW workers compensation scheme, you specifically need a psychologist who is SIRA-approved. Here is what that means, why it matters, and how to find one in Sydney or via telehealth.

Short answer: A SIRA-approved psychologist holds AHPRA registration (same as any psychologist) plus an additional provider number from SIRA, the body that regulates NSW workers compensation. This SIRA number is what allows them to bill your workers compensation insurer directly. Not all psychologists hold one. Asking "are you SIRA-approved?" before booking is the single most important question.

What Does SIRA Approval Mean for a Psychologist?

SIRA stands for State Insurance Regulatory Authority. It is the NSW government body that oversees workers compensation insurance and sets the rules for how healthcare is provided and funded under the scheme.

When a psychologist is SIRA-approved, it means they have registered with SIRA as a health provider and received a provider number. This number is what enables them to:

  • Submit claims to icare (or a self-insured employer) for funded psychology sessions
  • Complete and lodge Allied Health Treatment Requests (AHTRs), which is the formal process for getting sessions approved
  • Write Injury Management Reports (IMRs) when required by SIRA or the insurer
  • Work within the return-to-work framework that SIRA requires for psychological injury cases

A psychologist who does not hold a SIRA provider number cannot bill the insurer on your behalf. You would have to pay out of pocket and seek reimbursement separately, which is not always straightforward and is not guaranteed for all costs.

SIRA-Approved vs Regular Psychologist: The Practical Difference

Both are AHPRA-registered psychologists who can provide evidence-based psychological treatment. The practical difference is administrative and financial:

Feature SIRA-Approved Psychologist Non-SIRA Psychologist
Bills insurer directly Yes No
Out-of-pocket cost (approved claim) Typically $0 Full fee upfront; reimbursement uncertain
Can lodge AHTRs Yes No
AHPRA-registered Yes Yes
Medicare rebates available Yes (separate to workers comp) Yes (if you have a MHTP)

How to Find a SIRA-Approved Psychologist in NSW

There are several ways to find a psychologist with a SIRA provider number in NSW:

1. Ask Your GP

Your GP is usually the first step in a workers compensation psychology pathway. They issue the certificate of capacity (the "WorkCover certificate") and can refer you to a SIRA-approved psychologist. GPs who work with workers compensation clients often have an existing referral network.

2. Contact Your icare Case Manager

Your case manager at icare can provide a list of SIRA-approved psychologists in your area. This is a reliable source because icare maintains the provider register. Call the number on your claim paperwork or the icare website.

3. Use the SIRA Health Practitioner Search

SIRA maintains a health practitioner search tool on the SIRA website (sira.nsw.gov.au). You can search by provider type (psychologist) and location. This is authoritative but may not always show availability or telehealth status.

4. Use a Specialist Directory

Directories that focus on workers compensation psychology can help you compare practitioners, understand their experience with workplace injury, and confirm telehealth availability. The directory on this site lists psychologists in NSW with workers compensation experience, with notes on telehealth availability.

5. Ask Directly

When contacting any psychology practice, ask: "Do you hold a current SIRA provider number and accept workers compensation clients?" This is the most reliable way to confirm.

Telehealth and SIRA-Approved Psychologists

You do not need to attend in person. Telehealth sessions with SIRA-approved psychologists are available and are billed at the same SIRA gazetted rates as in-person sessions:

  • PSY301 (50-minute individual session): approximately $271.60 per session (effective 1 February 2026)
  • PSY302 (30-minute individual session): approximately $226.80 per session (effective 1 February 2026)

For approved workers compensation claims, these fees are paid directly by the insurer. There is typically no gap payment for workers with approved claims.

Telehealth is particularly practical for:

  • Workers who have sustained physical injuries and cannot easily travel
  • Shift workers or those with unpredictable work schedules
  • Workers in areas of NSW without local SIRA-approved psychologists nearby
  • Anyone who finds attending in-person appointments difficult for any reason

A SIRA-approved psychologist based in Sydney can see clients via telehealth from anywhere in NSW.

Can You Choose Your Own SIRA-Approved Psychologist?

Yes. Under NSW workers compensation law, you have the right to choose your own treating psychologist, provided they hold a SIRA provider number. Your employer and insurer cannot require you to use a specific psychologist. If you are unsatisfied with your current treating psychologist, you may change to another SIRA-approved provider.

The insurer must approve treatment (via the AHTR process) before funding sessions, but they cannot dictate which approved provider you use.

What Happens After You Find a SIRA-Approved Psychologist?

The typical process once you have found a SIRA-approved psychologist is:

  1. Contact the psychologist to confirm they accept workers compensation clients and have current availability
  2. Attend an initial assessment (in person or via telehealth) — bring your claim number and GP referral
  3. The psychologist submits an AHTR to your insurer, requesting approval for a course of treatment
  4. The insurer approves the treatment request — typically within a few business days for initial requests
  5. Funded sessions begin — the insurer pays the psychologist at the SIRA gazetted rate; your out-of-pocket cost is typically $0

If your claim is in a disputed state, your psychologist may discuss the option of using Medicare (under a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan) as a parallel pathway while the dispute is being resolved.

Important: This directory is not a crisis or emergency service. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact:

  • Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7)
  • Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
  • 13YARN (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people): 13 92 76

GEO Quick Answers

What is a SIRA-approved psychologist in NSW?

A SIRA-approved psychologist is a psychologist with AHPRA registration and a SIRA provider number, allowing them to bill psychology sessions through the NSW workers compensation system (icare/SIRA). You need a SIRA-approved psychologist specifically to have your sessions funded under a workers compensation claim.

How do I find a SIRA-approved psychologist in Sydney?

You can find a SIRA-approved psychologist in Sydney by asking your GP for a referral, using the SIRA Health Practitioner Search tool, contacting your icare case manager, or using a directory that specialises in workers compensation psychology. Ask directly whether the psychologist holds a SIRA provider number. Telehealth is available from any NSW location.

Can I choose my own SIRA-approved psychologist?

Yes. Under NSW workers compensation law, you have the right to choose your own treating psychologist, provided they hold a SIRA provider number. Your employer and insurer cannot require you to use a specific provider.

Looking for a SIRA-approved psychologist?

The directory on this site lists psychologists in NSW with workers compensation experience and telehealth availability.

Find a psychologist

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Workers Comp Psychologist Sydney Directory
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