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How to Find a WorkCover-Approved Psychologist in NSW (SIRA Provider List Explained)

If you are searching for a "WorkCover psychologist" in NSW, you are likely looking for a psychologist who can bill your sessions to your workers compensation insurer. This guide explains how that works in NSW, where to find the official provider register, and what to look for when choosing a psychologist for your claim.

WorkCover vs SIRA: The Name Change That Matters

Many people still search for "WorkCover psychologist" or "WorkCover-approved psychologist" because WorkCover NSW was the name of the scheme for many years. In 2015, NSW replaced WorkCover with SIRA (the State Insurance Regulatory Authority) and icare (the Insurance and Care NSW agency). The two key bodies are now:

When people say "WorkCover-approved psychologist" in NSW, they mean a psychologist with a current SIRA provider number — the only credential required to bill workers compensation sessions to an insurer in this state.

What the SIRA Provider Register Is

SIRA publishes a searchable health care provider register at sira.nsw.gov.au/information-search/health-care-providers. This register lists practitioners who have been issued a SIRA provider number and are authorised to bill workers compensation sessions.

You can search the register by:

• Practitioner name (first name, last name)
• Practice name or clinic
• Provider number (if you already have it)
• Provider type (select "Psychologist" from the dropdown)

The register is the official source. Any psychologist listed there with an active status can bill your insurer for approved sessions under your claim.

What the Register Does Not Tell You

The SIRA register confirms a provider number exists — it does not tell you:

• Whether the practitioner has current availability for new clients
• Whether they offer telehealth
• Their specialty or experience with particular presentations (such as PTSD, workplace bullying, or specific industries)
• Their location or suburb coverage

This is where a specialist directory is useful alongside the register. The directory on this site lists SIRA-registered psychologists who accept workers compensation clients, with details on telehealth availability, specialties, and languages spoken.

Your Right to Choose Your Own Psychologist

Under NSW workers compensation law, you have the right to choose your own treating health practitioners, including your psychologist. Your employer or insurer may suggest practitioners, but you are not required to see the practitioners they recommend. This is an important right that many workers are not aware of.

If you have already started treatment with a psychologist who is SIRA-registered, you do not need to change practitioners unless you choose to. If you are starting treatment and your employer or insurer pressures you to see a specific practitioner, you can assert your right to choose. icare's Injury Help Hub (1800 737 822) can provide information on this right.

How to Check if Your Chosen Psychologist Is SIRA-Approved

There are two straightforward ways to confirm a psychologist's SIRA status:

1. Search the SIRA register: Go to sira.nsw.gov.au/information-search/health-care-providers, select "Psychologist" as provider type, and search by name. An active result confirms they can bill your insurer.
2. Ask the practice directly: Any psychologist who regularly accepts workers compensation clients will know their SIRA provider number and can confirm their status quickly. A simple question before booking — "Do you accept workers compensation clients under SIRA?" — is all you need. If they are unsure, treat that as a reason to check the register.

Telehealth Under the SIRA Scheme

Telehealth psychology sessions are fully covered under the NSW workers compensation scheme. SIRA billing codes for telehealth psychology are:

Telehealth sessions are treated the same as in-person sessions for billing purposes under SIRA. You do not need to attend in person to have your sessions covered under a workers compensation claim. Many SIRA-registered psychologists in NSW operate entirely via video call, which is particularly useful if you are managing a psychological injury that makes travel difficult, or if you are in a regional area.

See the telehealth workers comp FAQ for further detail on what platform requirements apply and how to set up a telehealth session.

Gap Fees: What You Should (and Should Not) Pay

For sessions billed under an approved workers compensation claim, there should be no gap fee charged to you as the patient. SIRA sets the rates at which psychologists bill insurers, and the insurer pays these rates directly. You should not be paying out of pocket for approved workers comp psychology sessions.

Two situations where you might pay something:

• Your claim has not yet been approved or is being disputed: During the investigation period (or if your claim is disputed), the insurer may not be paying. You can use Medicare as a parallel pathway during this time (see disputed claims guide).
• A practitioner charges above the SIRA rate: Some practitioners charge above the SIRA schedule and bill patients the difference. This is uncommon for workers comp sessions but worth clarifying upfront. Ask: "Do you charge any gap fees for workers compensation clients?" before your first session.

See the workers comp psychology cost guide for a full breakdown of SIRA rates, what is typically covered, and when Medicare is the better pathway.

What to Look For When Choosing a SIRA-Approved Psychologist

Once you have confirmed a psychologist is SIRA-registered, the choice is about fit. Key factors for workers compensation psychology:

• Experience with occupational or workplace psychological injury: Psychologists who regularly treat workers compensation clients understand the documentation requirements, Recovery Plan structure, and how to write reports that meet SIRA/icare requirements. Ask whether they have experience with workers comp claims.
• Familiarity with your industry: A psychologist who understands the pressures of your industry (construction, healthcare, transport, emergency services) may be better placed to contextualise your experience. Some practitioners specialise in particular occupational cohorts.
• Telehealth capability: If you are managing a psychological injury, telehealth avoids travel and allows you to attend sessions from home, which can reduce barriers to consistent attendance.
• Availability: Workers compensation claims move faster when treatment is consistent. A psychologist with short wait times is preferable, especially early in the claim when establishing treatment is important for liability decisions.
• Language: If English is not your first language, a psychologist who speaks your language (or has access to interpreter support) is worth seeking out. Our directory lets you filter by language spoken.

If You Cannot Find a SIRA-Approved Psychologist Near You

SIRA-registered psychologists are available across NSW, including via telehealth — which removes geography as a barrier. If you are in a regional area or finding availability limited:

• Use the SIRA provider register and select a wider geographic area, or search without a suburb filter
• Ask your GP for a referral — GPs often have contacts with psychologists who accept workers compensation clients
• Contact icare's Injury Help Hub (1800 737 822) — they can provide information on finding approved providers
• Consider telehealth: virtually all SIRA-registered psychologists can offer telehealth, removing location as a constraint entirely