What is WorkCover psychology?

Under the NSW Workers Compensation scheme, individuals who have been physically or mentally impacted by a workplace incident can seek WorkCover psychology services to get the support they need to recover and return to work. 

After experiencing a workplace accident, individuals may suffer from mental and emotional impacts in addition to their physical injuries. Professional counselling from a psychologist can help alleviate the symptoms of these mental health concerns by providing strategies for management and an outlet for relief.

How do I access counselling services under workers compensation?

After reporting your work injury, you should proceed to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. If your doctor recommends or refers you to psychological services, you can then look for a SIRA accredited psychologist to provide you with the necessary support. The appointment will then be processed as part of your WorkCover claim.

What is a SIRA accredited psychologist?

This refers to a psychologist approved by SIRA to provide psychological and counselling treatment services to workers in the NSW workers compensation scheme. 

These psychologists meet specific professional standards, hold relevant qualifications and have undergone specialised training to understand the workers compensation scheme, focusing on workplace-related psychological issues and return-to-work strategies.

To make a claim under the NSW workers compensation scheme, you will need to see a SIRA accredited psychologist.

What do I need to provide to New Vision Psychology for WorkCover or workers compensation claims?

You will just need to provide us with an approval letter or email from your insurance company, stating that you have been approved to see a psychologist. 

Here are the steps to take when you sustain an injury at work:

1. Report the accident to your employer. The incident will be lodged with your employer’s workers compensation insurer.
2. See a GP to get a diagnosis and a referral letter for psychological treatment.
3. Send your GP’s referral letter to your insurance company to gain approval for psychological treatment. 
4. The insurance company provides you with an approval letter, stating how many sessions you have been approved for. This approval letter will also contain details such as your claim number, case manager’s name and contact details. 
5. Submit these details here (SIRA/CTP Referral Form) or simply email your approval letter to olivia.c@newvisionpsychology.com.au. We will get in touch with you to book your sessions with a SIRA accredited psychologist. 
6. Please do not book online for any workcover or CTP, please call 1300 001 778 to make your booking. 

What about making claims for motor vehicle accident injuries?

Besides workers compensation claims, SIRA also deals with Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance claims, which provides compensation to individuals injured in motor vehicle accidents. 

If you are suffering from psychological injuries as a result of a motor vehicle accident, New Vision Psychology has a range of qualified psychologists who provide psychological services under the CTP scheme.

How do I make a CTP insurance claim?

1. See a GP to get a diagnosis and a referral letter for psychological treatment to initiate your CTP claim. 
2. Send your GP’s referral letter to your insurance company to gain approval for psychological treatment. 
3. The insurance company provides you with an approval letter, stating how many sessions you have been approved for. This approval letter will also contain details such as your claim number, case manager’s name and contact details. 

Submit these details here (SIRA/CTP Referral Form) or simply email your approval letter to olivia.c@newvisionpsychology.com.au. We will get in touch with you to book your sessions with a psychologist who works with CTP claim clients.

 How do I make an appointment with a psychologist for a workcover or CTP claim?

Once you submit your details via the SIRA/CTP referral form or email, we will get in touch with you to book your sessions with a psychologist. 

To make an appointment immediately, call us at 1300 001 778. 
Please note that we do not accept online bookings for Workcover and CTP sessions as we will need your approval letter to process the booking.

Do I need to pay for these sessions?

If you have made a workers compensation or CTP claim, there will be no out-of-pocket costs for you for these sessions. The insurance company will pay for your sessions.

 What is the aim of workers compensation or CTP counselling?

Counselling and therapy aims to help affected individuals: 

• come to terms with the incident
• acknowledge and understand the effects on their mental health
• work through their emotions or trauma in a safe and guided environment
• recover and return to work  without affecting future performance
• return to a normal or better quality of life

How do I choose the right therapist for me?

Finding the right WorkCover psychologist to support your recovery starts by ensuring that they have SIRA accreditation. Only SIRA-accredited psychologists are eligible to provide psychological services for workers compensation claims. 

For CTP claims, psychologists do not need to be accredited by SIRA, but they do need to be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and abide by SIRA treatment guidelines.

Your therapist should also be able to provide counselling that resonates clearly with you — you may want to choose one that speaks your preferred language and understands your culture or specific issues to get the most out of it. 

New Vision Psychology has a wide range of SIRA-accredited psychologists and CTP psychologists who come from various cultural and professional backgrounds,  and are fluent in multiple languages, to meet the needs of different individuals. 

How many sessions will I need?

The number of sessions you will need depends on the extent or complexity of your unique situation and mental condition. When you meet with our psychologists, they will be able to better understand your condition and symptoms to provide a treatment plan and schedule for recovery.