Home › SIRA Psychologist Sydney
SIRA Psychologist Sydney: Workers Comp Psychology in NSW
A SIRA psychologist is a psychologist who works with NSW workers compensation claims, billing icare directly so you typically pay nothing out of pocket. Here is what to look for, how to access the scheme, and how to find an experienced practitioner in Sydney.
No gap fee in most cases. Workers compensation psychology sessions are usually fully funded under an approved icare/SIRA claim. You do not pay a gap as you would under Medicare Better Access.
Telehealth available across NSW
What is a SIRA psychologist?
"SIRA psychologist" is the common term for a psychologist who works within the NSW workers compensation system, regulated by SIRA (State Insurance Regulatory Authority). They are:
- AHPRA-registered psychologists (registered psychologists or clinical psychologists)
- Experienced in treating workplace psychological injuries: PTSD, adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety, burnout, and bullying-related conditions
- Familiar with the icare/SIRA system: how to write a Recovery Plan, submit progress reports to the insurer, and bill icare directly
- Able to work within the approval and reporting requirements of a workers compensation claim
There is no formal "SIRA-approved" registration list for psychologists in the same way there is for some medical specialists. What matters is that the practitioner has experience with the workers compensation billing and reporting process, and that your GP coordinates their treatment under your Recovery Plan.
Source: SIRA NSW (State Insurance Regulatory Authority) and icare NSW. This is general information about the workers compensation scheme, not legal or medical advice.
SIRA workers compensation vs Medicare: the key difference
| Feature | SIRA workers compensation | Medicare Better Access |
|---|---|---|
| Who it covers | Workers with an accepted psychological injury from employment | Any eligible Medicare cardholder with a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan |
| Gap payment | Usually $0 -- icare pays practitioner directly | Partial rebate only; typical gap $80-$150 per session |
| Sessions per year | No hard annual limit -- funded as long as clinically necessary and approved under Recovery Plan | Up to 10 rebated sessions per year |
| Referral | GP under a Recovery Plan; coordinated with icare | GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) |
| Telehealth | Available; fully funded when approved | Available; same rebate as in-person |
If you have a workers compensation claim, you should use the SIRA pathway -- it typically costs you nothing out of pocket, has no annual session limit, and is designed specifically for workplace psychological injury. You cannot generally use both Medicare and workers compensation for the same injury at the same time.
How to access a SIRA psychologist in NSW
- Lodge your workers compensation claim. Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible and get a WorkCover certificate from your GP. Your employer notifies icare. For psychological injuries, a Certificate of Capacity from your GP is the starting point. Source: icare NSW: injured workers.
- Get a referral from your GP under a Recovery Plan. Your GP plays a central role in NSW workers compensation. They prepare a Recovery Plan that includes psychological treatment. Tell your GP you are experiencing psychological symptoms (anxiety, depression, PTSD, difficulty returning to work) and ask them to include a psychologist referral in your Recovery Plan.
- Choose a psychologist with SIRA/icare experience. Ask the practitioner: do you have experience with NSW workers compensation claims? Can you bill icare directly? Do you understand the Recovery Plan and progress reporting requirements? These questions quickly identify whether the psychologist can work within the scheme.
- icare approves the treatment. Your GP and psychologist work with your case manager at icare to get treatment approved. Once approved under the Recovery Plan, sessions are billed directly to icare and you typically pay nothing.
What to look for in a SIRA psychologist
When choosing a psychologist for a workers compensation claim, look for:
- AHPRA registration: All practising psychologists in Australia must be registered with AHPRA. You can verify any psychologist at AHPRA's register.
- Workers compensation experience: The psychologist should have direct experience treating clients under NSW workers compensation (icare/SIRA), including writing Recovery Plans and progress reports, and billing the insurer directly.
- Relevant treatment expertise: Look for experience in conditions common in workers compensation claims: PTSD, adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety, occupational stress, and bullying-related presentations.
- Evidence-based practice: CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy), and trauma-focused approaches are well-supported for workplace psychological injury.
- Communication with your case manager: A good SIRA psychologist understands how to work with icare case managers and provide the progress notes required to maintain funding approval.
What do SIRA psychology sessions cost?
For most injured workers with an approved claim: $0 out of pocket.
icare pays the psychologist directly at the SIRA fee schedule rate. Unlike Medicare, where the practitioner charges their own fee and you claim a partial rebate, workers compensation psychology is billed directly to icare at an approved rate. You are not invoiced for the difference.
The SIRA fee schedule for psychology sets the maximum claimable rate per session. Most workers compensation psychologists bill at the schedule rate. If a practitioner charges above the schedule rate, you may be liable for the gap -- always confirm before your first session.
Full breakdown of costs, what icare pays, and how sessions are funded: Workers comp psychology: is it free? NSW cost guide →
Telehealth SIRA psychology in Sydney
Telehealth psychology is fully available under NSW workers compensation. Many SIRA-experienced psychologists offer video sessions that are funded in the same way as in-person sessions when approved under your Recovery Plan.
Telehealth is particularly useful if you:
- Live outside Sydney or in an area with limited access to workers compensation specialists
- Have difficulty travelling due to your injury
- Have work or carer responsibilities that make in-person appointments difficult
- Prefer the privacy of attending sessions from home
Ask your psychologist directly: do you offer telehealth, and is it covered under my Recovery Plan?
Find a SIRA psychologist in Sydney
The Workers Comp Psychologist directory lists psychologists in Sydney and NSW with workers compensation experience. All practitioners are AHPRA-registered. Filter by suburb, specialty, or telehealth availability.
Browse the directory of SIRA-experienced psychologists
View all practitioners →Telehealth available. No gap fee in most cases.
If you need immediate support
This directory is not a crisis service. If you are in immediate distress, please contact:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 (24/7 mental health support)
- 13YARN: 13 92 76 (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
- Emergency: 000
Frequently asked questions
What is a SIRA psychologist?
A SIRA psychologist is a registered psychologist who works with NSW workers compensation claims through the SIRA (State Insurance Regulatory Authority) scheme. They bill icare directly, understand Recovery Plans and progress reporting requirements, and specialise in treating workplace psychological injuries such as PTSD, adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety, and bullying-related conditions.
How do I find a SIRA-approved psychologist in Sydney?
Start with a GP referral under a Recovery Plan. Ask your GP to include psychology in your Recovery Plan and recommend a practitioner experienced in SIRA/icare claims. You can also browse the Workers Comp Psychologist directory and contact practitioners directly to ask about their workers compensation experience and billing process.
Do I need to pay a gap for a SIRA psychologist?
No, for most workers with an approved claim. icare pays the psychologist directly at the SIRA fee schedule rate. Unlike Medicare, you do not pay the full fee and claim a rebate -- the insurer pays the practitioner directly. Confirm the billing arrangement with your psychologist before your first session.
Is a SIRA psychologist different from a Medicare psychologist?
Yes. Workers compensation uses the SIRA pathway, which is fully funded with no gap for approved sessions. Medicare Better Access provides a partial rebate, leaving a typical gap of $80-$150 per session. If you have a workers compensation claim, use the SIRA pathway -- it usually costs you less (often $0), has no annual session limit, and is designed for workplace injury. You cannot generally use both Medicare and workers compensation for the same injury simultaneously.
Can I see a SIRA psychologist via telehealth?
Yes. Telehealth is available under NSW workers compensation and is fully funded when approved under your Recovery Plan. Many SIRA-experienced psychologists offer video sessions. Telehealth is particularly useful if you have difficulty travelling due to your injury, live far from a specialist, or prefer the privacy of home sessions. Confirm with the practitioner that they offer telehealth under workers compensation.