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NSW WorkCover & Workers Compensation Psychology: Complete Guide

Last reviewed: June 2026 • Sources: SIRA NSW, icare NSW, PACFA

If you have a workplace injury claim in NSW and need psychological support, this guide explains exactly how to access it, including whether you can see someone via telehealth, what it will cost you, and how to find a SIRA-approved psychologist.

Who Can Access Workers Compensation Psychology?

You may be eligible for psychology support under NSW workers compensation if:

• You have a work-related injury or illness that has been accepted as a workers compensation claim
• The injury has a psychological component, either as a primary psychological injury (such as workplace trauma, bullying, or harassment) or as a secondary condition arising from a physical injury (such as anxiety or depression following a physical accident)
• Your nominated treating doctor (GP) has recommended psychology as part of your treatment

Primary psychological injuries in NSW workers compensation must meet a specific threshold: there must be one or more "relevant events" with a real and direct connection to employment, and employment must be the main contributing factor to the injury. NSW passed further workers compensation reforms in February 2026 (commencing 27 March 2026 with entitlement changes effective 1 July 2026) that affect weekly income payments for psychological injuries. Weekly payments for primary psychological injuries are capped at 130 weeks unless the worker is assessed at 21% or higher Whole Person Impairment. These reforms do not change psychology treatment session funding: approved sessions continue to be funded with no out-of-pocket cost. If you are unsure whether your claim qualifies, your GP or a workers compensation solicitor can advise.

The Pathway: Step by Step

1. Report your injury to your employer

   Tell your employer about the injury as soon as possible, ideally in writing. Employers are required to assist you in lodging a workers compensation claim. In NSW, all employers with workers must hold workers compensation insurance through icare (the Nominal Insurer) or a self-insurer.

2. See your GP: get a certificate and referral

   Your GP is your "nominated treating doctor" in the workers compensation system. They will issue a workers compensation certificate of capacity, which certifies your injury and capacity for work. Ask your GP specifically to refer you to psychology services under your workers compensation claim. Bring any documentation about the incident if you have it.

3. Find a SIRA-approved psychologist

   You do not need your insurer's approval before booking your first appointment. You can contact a SIRA-approved psychologist directly. This directory lists Sydney-based psychologists who are SIRA-approved and offer telehealth. You can also use SIRA's provider search tool.

4. Initial assessment session

   Your first appointment is an assessment. Your psychologist will gather a history of the injury, your current presentation, and your goals for treatment. They will not need your insurer's pre-approval for this session in most cases; confirm with them when you book.

5. Your psychologist submits an AHTR (Application for Health Treatment Request)

   After the initial session, your psychologist submits an AHTR to your insurer. This outlines: the assessment findings, the proposed treatment plan (approach, number of sessions, telehealth vs in-person), and goals. Insurers aim to respond within a set timeframe.

6. Insurer approves sessions: treatment begins

   Once the AHTR is approved, sessions proceed. Your psychologist bills the insurer directly at the SIRA gazetted rate. You pay nothing for these sessions. After 8 sessions, a further AHTR may be required to continue treatment.

Telehealth and Workers Compensation in NSW

Telehealth psychology sessions are available under NSW workers compensation. The relevant SIRA billing items are:

• PSY301: initial consultation via telehealth (equivalent to PSY001 in-person)
• PSY302: subsequent consultations via telehealth (equivalent to PSY002 in-person)

The gazetted rates for telehealth sessions are the same as for in-person sessions (as at 1 February 2026). This means your insurer pays the same amount regardless of whether you attend in person or via video.

Requirements for telehealth under workers comp

SIRA guidelines require that telehealth must be:

• Consented to by both the worker and the psychologist
• Provided in combination with some in-person services unless specifically pre-approved for exclusive telehealth delivery, or unless the services are "allied health mental health treatment services" (which psychology sessions generally are)
• Conducted using appropriate video or phone technology

In practice, many workers comp psychologists offer telehealth either exclusively or as a primary delivery method for psychology services. Your psychologist will include the telehealth arrangement in the AHTR when seeking approval for ongoing sessions.

Telehealth is particularly useful for workers whose physical injury limits travel, for those in areas with limited face-to-face availability, or for those who prefer the convenience and privacy of attending from home.

Fees and What the Insurer Pays

What are the gazetted rates?

The SIRA fee schedule is updated periodically and indexed annually. As at 1 February 2026 (4.57% increase):

• Initial consultation (60 min): PSY001/PSY301: approximately $271.60
• Subsequent session (60 min): PSY002/PSY302: approximately $226.80

These are the maximum amounts the insurer pays to the practitioner. The worker pays nothing additional. Source: SIRA NSW fees page and PACFA February 2026 notice.

How Many Sessions Can I Access?

Unlike Medicare's fixed 10 sessions per calendar year, workers compensation psychology in NSW does not have a single hard cap. Session numbers are determined through the AHTR process based on clinical need and insurer approval.

SIRA guidelines suggest session ranges by diagnosis type:

• Adjustment disorders: typically 8 to 16 sessions
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) / complex trauma: typically 16 to 24 sessions
• Complex presentations: 20 or more sessions may be approved with clinical justification

In practice, your psychologist's recommendations carry significant weight in the AHTR. Insurers generally follow clinical recommendations for psychological injury treatment. If further treatment is needed after an initial approval period, a renewed AHTR is submitted.

More detail on session limits →

What Makes a Psychologist SIRA-Approved?

To work within the NSW workers compensation system, a psychologist must hold:

• AHPRA general registration as a psychologist (required to practice as a psychologist in Australia)
• A SIRA provider number, issued by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority, specific to NSW workers compensation

Psychologists apply for SIRA approval separately from their AHPRA registration. Not all AHPRA-registered psychologists hold a SIRA provider number. This is why finding a SIRA-approved practitioner specifically matters: a psychologist without SIRA approval cannot bill your workers comp insurer.

You can verify a practitioner's SIRA status via the SIRA provider search tool.

Workers Comp Psychology vs Medicare Psychology

In general, you cannot claim Medicare rebates for sessions that are also being funded under workers compensation for the same injury. Speak with your GP if your situation involves both an active workers comp claim and a desire to use Medicare for psychology.