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NSW Workers Compensation Psychology Guides
Plain-English information for workers in NSW who have, or are considering, a psychological injury claim under workers compensation (SIRA/icare). Covers the claims process, treatment funding, and how to find a SIRA-approved psychologist.
icare psychology NSW: what icare covers and how billing works What icare funds for psychological treatment, how direct insurer payment works (and why you pay nothing for approved sessions), AHTR approval timelines, the session funding model, and how telehealth fits into the icare/SIRA system. Read guide SIRA-approved psychologists NSW: what approval means, how to verify, and telehealth What a SIRA provider number actually means, how it differs from AHPRA registration, step-by-step instructions for checking the SIRA provider register, telehealth billing items (PSY301/PSY302), and what to ask before starting treatment. Read guide Psychological injury claims under NSW workers compensation What counts as a psychological injury, how to get treatment funded through SIRA/icare, the AHTR process, SIRA gazetted fees, the 2026 reforms, and what the treating psychologist does in your claim. Read guide How to choose a workers compensation psychologist in NSW The non-negotiable SIRA approval check, treating vs IME distinction explained, what to look for in a treating psychologist, questions to ask before starting, switching psychologists during your claim, and telehealth under the scheme. Read guide List of SIRA-approved psychiatrists vs psychologists: workers comp NSW Is there a list of SIRA-approved psychiatrists in NSW? Yes. This guide covers the training and scope difference from psychologists, when each is typically funded, the IME distinction, and how to access a SIRA-approved psychiatrist if medication or a complex diagnosis is involved. Read guide Work-related stress claims NSW: what counts as a compensable injury and the section 11A exclusion The difference between stress and a compensable psychological injury, the section 11A reasonable management action exclusion in depth (including where it does and does not apply), what evidence supports a claim, and what to do if your claim is disputed. Read guide Returning to work after a psychological injury: the RTW process in NSW workers compensation How graduated return to work is structured for psychological injuries, what your employer must do, the treating psychologist's role in RTW planning, employer obligations, and what to do when returning feels unsafe. Read guide Work-related psychological injury in NSW and Australia: what the public data shows All available public data on work-related psychological injuries: ABS injury survey figures (6.8% of all work injuries, 43.7 days average recovery), claim rates, compensation access, how the SIRA treatment framework compares to Medicare, and what data SIRA does and does not publish. Real figures, all sources cited. Read guide NSW workers compensation claim timeline: how long does psychology approval take? Step-by-step timeline from injury to funded ongoing psychology sessions: provisional liability (7 days), first session, treatment request approval (21 business days). Why telehealth typically means shorter wait times, and what to do if your claim is disputed. Read guide Workplace bullying and psychological injury claims in NSW Whether workplace bullying can give rise to a compensable psychological injury under NSW workers comp, how the section 11A exclusion works in bullying cases, what to do if your claim is disputed, and how to find a SIRA-approved psychologist for bullying-related trauma. Read guide Healthcare worker psychological injury claims in NSW Nurses, paramedics, and allied health workers have the highest rate of work-related psychological injury of any sector. Covers icare vs TMF (public sector) scheme distinction, PTSD, burnout, vicarious trauma, and how to access funded psychology via workers comp. Read guide Teacher and education worker psychological injury claims in NSW Teachers and support staff are among the most common NSW workers comp psychological injury claimants. Covers the icare/GIO scheme for NSW public school workers, work-related stress and behavioural stress, the section 11A exclusion in education, and how to access funded psychology via telehealth. Read guide Workers compensation psychology cost NSW: SIRA gazetted fees and what you pay How icare direct billing works, the SIRA gazetted fee table (PSY101/PSY201/PSY301 by provider type), when costs can arise (disputed claim, non-SIRA provider, mixing with Medicare), the no-fixed-session-cap model versus Medicare's 10-session limit, and public sector scheme distinctions (GIO/TMF/icare). Read guide Police and emergency services psychological injury NSW Workers compensation for police, paramedics, firefighters, and first responders: PTSD and cumulative trauma, the section 11A exclusion for operational injury, which scheme applies, why telehealth suits shift workers, and how to find a psychologist with first-responder experience. Read guide Workers comp psychology claim rejected or disputed NSW What to do if your NSW workers compensation psychology claim is rejected or disputed. Internal review, SIRA merit review, and Personal Injury Commission: your review rights explained. How to continue psychology through Medicare while a dispute is underway. Read guide Construction worker psychological injury NSW Workers compensation for construction workers dealing with psychological injury: traumatic incident exposure, cumulative stress, workplace bullying, subcontractor coverage, and why telehealth suits construction work patterns and remote site locations. Read guide CTP psychology NSW: accessing psychology after a motor accident How to access psychology services in NSW after a motor vehicle accident through CTP insurance (MACA/SIRA): how it differs from workers compensation, what types of psychological injury are covered, and telehealth options. Read guide How to find a WorkCover-approved psychologist in NSW (SIRA provider list explained) NSW replaced WorkCover with SIRA in 2015. This guide explains what "WorkCover-approved" means now, how to search the SIRA health care provider register, your right to choose your own psychologist, gap fees, and how telehealth billing works under PSY301/PSY302. Read guide WorkSafe vs SIRA: psychology under workers compensation in NSW vs Victoria WorkSafe is Victoria's scheme; NSW uses SIRA/icare. If you searched for a WorkSafe psychologist but are in NSW, this guide explains which scheme applies, the differences in provider requirements, and how to find the right psychologist for your state. Read guide Comcare psychology in NSW: a guide for federal workers and Commonwealth employees Comcare is the federal workers compensation scheme for Commonwealth Government employees and licensed self-insurers (Australia Post, NBN Co, Toll Group). This guide explains who Comcare covers, how psychological injury claims work, whether you need a "Comcare-approved" psychologist, and how telehealth fits in. Read guide SIRA vs Medicare for psychology NSW: which should you use? Workers compensation (SIRA/icare) and Medicare's Better Access scheme both fund psychology in NSW, but they work very differently. This guide compares costs, session limits, provider requirements, and eligibility so you can choose the right pathway for your situation. Read guide Psychological injury compensation NSW: weekly payments, WPI thresholds, and lump-sum entitlements What you are financially entitled to for a psychological injury under NSW workers compensation: weekly income replacement rates, how treatment funding works separately, WPI thresholds for lump-sum compensation (updated for 2026 reform), and when to request an assessment. Read guide NSW workers compensation reform 2026: what psychological injury claimants need to know Key changes from 1 July 2026: the 130-week cap on weekly payments for primary psychological injuries, the WPI threshold rising from 15% to 25% for weekly-continuation and common law access (lump sum stays 15%), what stays the same for treatment funding, and what to do if your claim may be affected. Read guide Transport worker psychological injury NSW: truck drivers, bus drivers, and logistics workers Workers compensation for transport workers dealing with psychological injury from road trauma, PTSD, cumulative stress, or assault. Covers who is covered (including owner-operator status), the section 11A defence, telehealth access for non-standard schedules, and the claims process. Read guide Retail and hospitality worker psychological injury NSW Workers compensation for retail workers, hospitality staff, and customer-facing employees dealing with psychological injury from armed robbery, customer aggression, or cumulative work stress. Covers the icare/SIRA pathway, section 11A, and telehealth access. Read guide Public sector and government worker psychological injury NSW Workers compensation for NSW public servants, local council workers, statutory authority staff, and frontline government employees. Covers workplace bullying, section 11A, how to claim under icare, and telehealth psychology access. Read guide Aged care worker psychological injury NSW Workers compensation for residential aged care and home care workers in NSW dealing with psychological injury from occupational violence, burnout, PTSD, or vicarious trauma. Covers the icare/SIRA pathway, the section 11A exclusion, and telehealth psychology access. Read guide Legal and professional worker psychological injury NSW Workers compensation for solicitors, barristers, paralegals, accountants, and professional services workers in NSW. Covers secondary traumatic stress, burnout, section 11A and billing target disputes, and telehealth psychology access via the icare/SIRA pathway. Read guide Mining and resources worker psychological injury NSW Workers compensation for mining, resources, and FIFO workers in NSW with psychological injury. Covers icare vs Comcare jurisdiction, the section 11A exclusion for traumatic incidents, FIFO worker coverage, and how telehealth psychology works for remote and FIFO workers. Read guide WorkCover stress leave NSW: what it means and how to access it "Stress leave" isn't a separate legal category - it's usually either paid personal/sick leave or a workers comp claim. Covers the difference, how each is paid, and what your GP's certificate needs to say for a work-caused claim. Read guide Workers compensation for mental health in NSW: can you claim, and how Plain-English answer to whether NSW workers comp covers mental health conditions, what's compensable, the section 11A exclusion in brief, and how it compares to Medicare mental health care. Read guide Psychological injury: the fastest-growing workers compensation claim type in Australia Mental health condition claims grew 161% nationally over the past decade, the largest increase of any workplace injury category (Safe Work Australia). What the national data shows, what SIRA's own NSW figures show, and what it means for injured workers. Read guide SIRA psychology claim pocket guide: 5-step process NSW (printable reference) A printable one-page reference to the NSW workers compensation psychology claim process: the 5-step pathway from injury to funded sessions, key SIRA contacts (phone 13 10 50, myAccount, fee schedule), and how to find a SIRA-registered psychologist. Print-optimised CSS included. Read guide Workers compensation psychologist for construction workers NSW How construction workers in NSW find a SIRA-approved registered psychologist for workers compensation claims. What to look for, session costs (PSY301/PSY302 2026 rates), why telehealth suits shift patterns and site locations, and the 2026 reform summary. Read guide Workers compensation psychologist for healthcare workers NSW How nurses, midwives, paramedics, and allied health workers in NSW find a SIRA-approved psychologist for workers compensation claims. Covers the icare vs TMF scheme distinction, what to look for, session costs (PSY301/PSY302 2026 rates), and why telehealth suits shift patterns. Read guide Workers compensation psychologist for transport workers NSW How truck drivers, bus operators, rail workers, and delivery workers in NSW find a SIRA-approved psychologist for workers compensation claims. Covers the icare vs TMF vs Comcare scheme split, road trauma and driver assault presentations, owner-operator coverage gaps, and why telehealth suits non-standard transport hours. Read guide Workers compensation psychologist for aged care workers NSW How residential aged care and home care workers in NSW find a SIRA-approved psychologist for workers compensation claims. Covers patient aggression, vicarious trauma, burnout, and COVID aftermath presentations; the icare vs TMF scheme split; contractor coverage gaps; and why telehealth suits split rosters and home care schedules. Read guide NSW psychological injury claims: cost and return-to-work statistics The average NSW workers comp psychological injury claim cost $288,542 in 2024-25, up from $146,000 five years earlier - 12% of claims but 38% of total cost. What the NSW Treasurer's own March 2025 statement to Parliament shows. Read guide
Is there a gap fee?
No out-of-pocket for approved sessions. How direct insurer payment works.
How many sessions are covered?
No fixed cap. How the AHTR renewal process works.
Can I use telehealth?
Yes. PSY301/PSY302 telehealth items, and how approval works.
Find a SIRA-approved psychologist in Sydney
Browse our directory of psychologists who accept workers compensation funding (SIRA/icare). No gap fee for approved claims.
Browse the directoryFree to use. We are a directory, not a clinical service.