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Is My Workers Comp Psychology Treatment Covered?
A step-by-step guide to find out whether your NSW workers compensation (icare/SIRA) claim covers psychology sessions — and exactly what to do next.
This tool provides general educational information only. It is not legal or clinical advice. For advice on your specific situation, contact icare (13 44 22), SIRA (1300 656 919), or a workers compensation lawyer.
This checker covers the most common scenarios for NSW workers seeking funded psychology under workers compensation. Answer each question honestly — it's just for your own reference.
Question 1 of 5
Have you experienced a psychological injury or condition that you believe was caused or made significantly worse by your work?
Examples: anxiety, depression, PTSD, adjustment disorder arising from workplace events, bullying, harassment, or a traumatic incident at work.
Question 2 of 5
Have you reported the injury to your employer and lodged a workers compensation claim?
A claim must be lodged with icare or your employer's insurer before treatment can be funded.
Question 3 of 5
Has your claim been accepted by the insurer (icare or self-insurer), or is it still under assessment?
Question 4 of 5
Has your GP issued a workers compensation certificate of capacity and referred you to psychology?
This is a workers comp referral — different from a Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan.
Question 4 of 5
Have you seen a GP and received a workers compensation certificate of capacity?
Question 5 of 5
Do you have a SIRA-approved psychologist in mind, or do you need help finding one?
You may still have a claim worth exploring
Psychological injuries are sometimes secondary to a physical workplace injury (for example, depression arising from a back injury), or may develop over time from ongoing workplace conditions. A GP assessment and, if helpful, a workers compensation lawyer's initial advice can clarify whether your situation may be compensable.
Psychology sessions can only be funded once a claim is lodged and has provisional liability. The steps are: (1) report your injury to your employer in writing; (2) see your GP for a certificate of capacity; (3) lodge a claim with icare (13 44 22) or your employer's insurer. Provisional liability must be decided within 7 days.
A disputed or declined claim does not end your options. You can: (1) request an internal review from the insurer; (2) apply to SIRA for a Merit Review; (3) escalate to the Personal Injury Commission (PIC). A workers compensation lawyer can advise at no upfront cost in many cases. In the meantime, Medicare Better Access (up to 10 sessions/year) may provide partial-cost coverage. icare: 13 44 22 | SIRA: 1300 656 919.
If you are in crisis, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or 13YARN on 13 92 76.
Next step: see your GP for a certificate of capacity
Your GP is the gateway to funded psychology. Ask for: (1) a workers compensation certificate of capacity (form 2888) — this documents your injury is work-related; (2) a referral for workers compensation psychology. Tell your GP the injury is work-related and that you want psychology under workers comp, not Medicare. This is a separate process from a Mental Health Treatment Plan.
With a lodged claim, GP certificate, and a SIRA-approved psychologist ready, the next step is your first appointment. The psychologist will assess you and submit an AHTR to your insurer. Cost to you: $0 for approved sessions. The insurer pays the psychologist directly at the SIRA gazetted rate (~$271.60 initial / ~$226.80 subsequent from 1 Feb 2026). Before attending, confirm: (1) the psychologist holds a current SIRA provider number; (2) the first session is funded while the AHTR is pending.
You are ready — you just need a SIRA-approved psychologist
With a lodged claim and GP certificate, the last step is finding a SIRA-approved psychologist who accepts workers compensation and offers telehealth. Our directory lists practitioners in Sydney who meet these criteria. For approved sessions: $0 out-of-pocket.
Does my workers comp claim automatically cover psychology?
Not automatically — you need a GP referral and an approved Allied Health Treatment Request (AHTR). Once the AHTR is approved by your insurer, psychology sessions are funded at the SIRA gazetted rate with no gap fee. The key steps are: (1) GP certificate of capacity, (2) workers comp psychology referral, (3) contact a SIRA-approved psychologist, (4) psychologist submits AHTR.
Can I get workers comp psychology for stress from management actions?
This depends on circumstances. Under section 11A of the Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), a psychological injury is not compensable if it results "wholly or predominantly from reasonable action taken or proposed to be taken by the employer" — for example, lawful performance management, restructuring, or demotion conducted reasonably. If the injury resulted from unlawful, unreasonable, or procedurally unfair management action, it may be compensable. A GP and workers compensation lawyer can advise. Work stress claims guide →
Can I switch to telehealth mid-claim?
Yes. Telehealth psychology is funded under the same SIRA gazetted rates as in-person sessions (PSY301/PSY302 for telehealth, PSY001/PSY002 for in-person). If you are already receiving funded sessions and want to switch to telehealth, ask your psychologist — they may be able to accommodate this, or you can request a change of treating practitioner through your insurer. Note that switching practitioners may require a new AHTR.
What if I already used Medicare sessions — can I also use workers comp?
Workers compensation and Medicare are separate funding streams. If your psychological injury is work-related, workers comp is the appropriate pathway. You should not use your Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan sessions for sessions funded under workers comp — these must be kept separate. Discuss with your GP and psychologist to ensure sessions are billed to the correct scheme. Mixing the two pathways incorrectly can complicate your claim.
Find a SIRA-approved telehealth psychologist
Browse our directory of psychologists in Sydney who accept workers compensation (icare/SIRA) referrals and offer telehealth. No gap fee for approved claims.
Free to use. We are a directory, not a clinical service.
If you need immediate mental health support
This tool is a general information guide, not a crisis service. If you are in distress, please contact: Lifeline 13 11 14 (24/7) • Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 (24/7) • 13YARN 13 92 76 (24/7, First Nations)