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WorkCover Psychology NSW: What It Is and How to Access It

Many people search for a "WorkCover psychologist" after a workplace injury in NSW. This page explains the terminology, how the scheme currently works, and how to find a SIRA-approved psychologist via telehealth in Sydney.

What Is a WorkCover Psychologist?

In NSW, a "WorkCover psychologist" is a common way of referring to a psychologist who accepts workers compensation clients. More precisely, they are a psychologist who:

• Holds AHPRA registration as a psychologist
• Holds a current SIRA provider number, allowing them to bill the NSW workers compensation system
• Has experience working with psychological injuries arising from workplace incidents, including trauma, anxiety, depression, and adjustment disorders
• Understands the AHTR (Allied Health Treatment Request) process and the return-to-work framework SIRA requires

Not every AHPRA-registered psychologist in Sydney is SIRA-approved. This is why finding one with a SIRA number specifically matters: a psychologist without SIRA approval cannot bill your workers compensation insurer.

WorkCover NSW: What Happened in 2015?

WorkCover NSW was the state authority that previously administered both workplace safety regulation and workers compensation insurance. In 2015, the NSW Government restructured these functions into three separate bodies:

• SafeWork NSW: workplace safety regulator (formerly the injury prevention role of WorkCover)
• icare (Insurance and Care NSW): the insurer that funds approved workers compensation claims, including psychology sessions
• SIRA (State Insurance Regulatory Authority): the regulator that oversees the workers compensation and CTP schemes, approves health providers, and sets gazetted fee schedules

Despite this change, "WorkCover" remains the dominant everyday term for workplace injury claims in NSW. Many GPs, injured workers, and psychology practices continue to use it. When a provider lists themselves as a "WorkCover psychologist," they mean they hold a SIRA provider number and accept workers compensation clients.

How to Access Psychology Under the Scheme (WorkCover / Workers Comp)

Whether you call it WorkCover or workers compensation, the pathway to funded psychology sessions in NSW is the same:

1. Report your injury and see your GP

   Tell your employer about the workplace injury (in writing if possible). See your GP, who will issue a workers compensation certificate of capacity (sometimes still called a WorkCover certificate) and can refer you to psychology services.

2. Ask your GP specifically for a workers compensation referral to psychology

   This is different from a Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan. Tell your GP you want a referral under your workers compensation claim to a SIRA-approved psychologist.

3. Contact a SIRA-approved psychologist

   In most cases, you do not need insurer pre-approval for your first appointment. You can contact a SIRA-approved psychologist directly (including via telehealth) and they will guide you through the rest of the process.

4. Your psychologist submits a treatment request (AHTR)

   After your initial session, your psychologist submits an Allied Health Treatment Request to your insurer (icare or a self-insurer). This outlines the diagnosis, proposed treatment approach, and number of sessions. The insurer approves ongoing treatment.

5. Sessions funded, no gap fee

   Once approved, sessions are billed directly to the insurer at the SIRA gazetted rate. For approved claims, you typically pay nothing out of pocket, regardless of whether sessions are in person or via telehealth.

For more detail on each step, see the complete NSW workers compensation psychology guide.

Why Telehealth Matters for WorkCover Psychology

A significant practical advantage of telehealth for workers compensation psychology is that it gives you access to any SIRA-approved psychologist in NSW, not just those near your suburb. Given that only a subset of AHPRA-registered psychologists hold SIRA provider numbers, telehealth substantially broadens your options. It also removes travel burden, which is particularly relevant if your workplace injury limits mobility.

Telehealth sessions are billed under SIRA items PSY301 and PSY302 at the same gazetted rates as in-person sessions, so there is no financial difference for approved claims.