List of SIRA-Approved Psychiatrists vs Psychologists: Workers Comp NSW

Who does what: the key difference

Both psychiatrists and psychologists are registered with AHPRA and can treat workplace psychological injuries. The core distinction is training and scope:

• Psychiatrists are medical doctors who completed medical school and then specialist training in psychiatry. They can diagnose psychiatric conditions, prescribe medication, and provide some therapeutic interventions. In NSW, they are registered with AHPRA under the medical profession.
• Psychologists are allied health professionals with undergraduate and postgraduate training in psychology. They provide evidence-based psychological therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Psychologists cannot prescribe medication. They are registered with AHPRA under the psychology profession.

Both professions require current AHPRA registration to practice, and both must hold a current SIRA provider number to bill your workers compensation insurer for treatment sessions.

Psychiatrist vs psychologist for workers comp: comparison at a glance

The table below summarises the key differences for workers navigating NSW workers compensation treatment:

Source: SIRA NSW, AHPRA, Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW). Verify current provider status and rates at sira.nsw.gov.au.

When a psychologist is typically the primary treating provider

For the majority of workplace psychological injuries in NSW, the treating psychologist is the central figure in a worker's Recovery Plan. A psychologist is typically the primary treating provider when:

• The injury involves anxiety, adjustment disorder, or PTSD: These are the most common diagnoses in NSW workers compensation psychological injury claims. Psychological therapies (particularly CBT and trauma-focused approaches such as EMDR) are the first-line, evidence-based treatments for these conditions.
• Medication is not currently required: Many workers with workplace psychological injuries do not need medication, at least in the early stage of treatment. A psychologist can provide effective therapy without a psychiatric referral.
• Telehealth access is a priority: Psychologists are significantly more accessible via telehealth in NSW than psychiatrists. For workers in regional areas, or those with limited capacity to travel due to their injury, telehealth psychology under workers comp offers the same SIRA-gazetted rate as in-person.
• The GP has referred directly: After issuing a Workers Compensation Certificate of Capacity, your GP will typically write a referral to a SIRA-approved psychologist as the first treatment step. Psychiatric referral is a separate, additional step.

To find a SIRA-approved psychologist who can start telehealth sessions, see our psychologist directory or read our guide on how to choose a workers compensation psychologist in NSW.

When a psychiatrist is typically involved under workers comp

Psychiatric involvement under a workers compensation claim is less common than psychological treatment, but it is appropriate and SIRA-funded in certain situations:

• Medication management: If your GP or treating psychologist believes medication would help (for example, antidepressants for depression arising from a workplace injury, or medication for severe anxiety), a referral to a SIRA-registered psychiatrist for medication review is appropriate. The psychiatrist manages prescriptions while the psychologist continues therapy.
• Complex or disputed diagnosis: Some workplace psychological injuries involve overlapping diagnoses or contested medical evidence. A psychiatrist's opinion may be sought by the treating team, or requested by the insurer, to clarify the diagnosis.
• Independent Medical Examination (IME): Insurers are entitled to request an IME by a specialist, which may be a psychiatrist, to assess your condition and the appropriateness of ongoing treatment. This is different from your treating psychiatrist. An IME psychiatrist is appointed by the insurer and is assessing, not treating, your condition. You are entitled to the IME report. If you dispute the IME findings, seek advice from a workers compensation solicitor.
• Inadequate response to therapy alone: If your treating psychologist believes therapy is not producing expected gains and medication may assist, they can recommend a psychiatric consultation in the Recovery Plan submitted to your insurer.
• Severe or acute psychiatric presentation: Conditions such as severe depression with suicidal ideation, psychosis, or bipolar disorder may require urgent psychiatric involvement rather than or in addition to psychological therapy.

Is there a list of SIRA-approved psychiatrists in NSW?

Yes. SIRA maintains a public register of approved health providers, including psychiatrists, alongside psychologists. It is the same register, filtered by provider type, not a separate psychiatrist-only list. To find a SIRA-approved psychiatrist:

1. Go to sira.nsw.gov.au/health-providers/find-a-health-provider
2. Select "Psychiatrist" from the provider type list
3. Filter by location or postcode for in-person appointments, or leave blank to see all providers
4. Confirm with the provider that they are accepting workers compensation referrals before booking

Be aware that wait times for SIRA-registered psychiatrists in NSW can be significantly longer than for psychologists. Many workers begin psychological therapy while waiting for a psychiatric appointment. This is generally encouraged under the SIRA model, which supports early access to treatment under provisional liability.

For SIRA-approved psychologists who are available now via telehealth, see our directory. For a guide to the SIRA approval process for psychologists, read our SIRA-approved psychologist guide.

How to access a psychiatrist under workers compensation

The pathway to psychiatric treatment under NSW workers compensation is similar to the pathway for psychology:

1. Workers Compensation Certificate of Capacity: Your GP issues this document, which certifies your incapacity due to a workplace psychological injury. This is the starting point for all workers compensation treatment referrals.
2. GP referral to a SIRA-registered psychiatrist: Your GP writes a referral specifically for workers compensation purposes. This is not a Medicare referral. Make sure your GP knows you need a SIRA provider for workers comp billing.
3. Insurer approval (if required): For initial assessment, provisional liability usually covers the first few appointments. For ongoing treatment, your treating psychiatrist submits a treatment request to your insurer (via icare or your self-insurer). The insurer approves sessions based on the clinical evidence provided.
4. Billing: A SIRA-registered psychiatrist invoices your insurer directly at the rates in the Workers Compensation (Medical Practitioner Fees) Order. You should not receive a bill for approved sessions.

If your claim is disputed or you have difficulty getting insurer approval for psychiatric treatment, seek legal advice from a workers compensation solicitor (many offer free initial consultations).