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The provision of psychology services
These guidelines are in line with the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 (WIRC Act) and the Accident Compensation Act 1985.
They aim to inform the provision of psychology services to people who have an accepted claim under the Victorian Workers Compensation Scheme.
These guidelines also apply when a person is entitled to provisional payments on a claim that includes a mental injury. Throughout these guidelines, any reference to WorkSafe also includes WorkSafe’s agents and self-insurers.
Psychology services
WorkSafe can fund psychology services to assist people to effectively recover from workplace injuries and safely return to work and life.
Psychologists are qualified mental health professionals who have an understanding of mental and biological functions that drive behaviour. Psychologists:
- assess and treat mental injury
- assist people to cope with mental health problems and life challenges
- provide interventions to promote recovery
- develop self-management and relapse prevention skills.
Psychologists can provide services, together with other health professionals, to plan and manage treatment. A treatment plan will consider a person’s lifestyle, activities and general health.
What WorkSafe can pay for
WorkSafe can pay the reasonable costs of psychology services a person needs as a result of a work-related injury or illness under Victorian workers compensation legislation.
WorkSafe can also pay for the reasonable costs of psychology services for people who are entitled to provisional payments that include a mental injury.
The treatment or service must meet the following criteria.
- Be clinically justified, safe and effective.
- Be likely to achieve measurable improvement in a person’s functioning.
- Promote progress toward a person’s functional independence, participation and self-management.
- Be for rehabilitation purposes for a work-related injury only.
- Be delivered in line with the Clinical Framework.
The treatment or service must be referred by a medical professional.
WorkSafe will periodically review a person’s entitlement to psychology services to make sure treatment and services remain reasonable, clinically justified, outcome focused and payable under the legislation.
For more information see WorkSafe’s Telehealth policy.
Services we will not pay for
Under the Victorian workers compensation legislation, WorkSafe cannot pay for the following services.
- Services that are not required as a result of a worker’s accepted injury or illness.
- Services for a person other than the person with an accepted claim.
- Services that are not a reasonable cost as determined in accordance with the Victorian workers compensation legislation.
- Services provided outside of Australia without prior approval from WorkSafe.
Services provided by a person who, under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law either:
- is not registered
- is registered as a student, or
- holds provisional registration
to practice in the relevant profession.
- Services that were provided without a referral from a medical practitioner.
Under WorkSafe’s determination of reasonable cost, WorkSafe will not pay for the following costs relating to psychology services.
- More than one psychology service, face-to-face or telehealth, occurring on the same day. Group psychology sessions are excepted.
- Non-attendance or cancellation of appointments.
- Telehealth services not provided in line with WorkSafe’s telehealth policy.
- Any services, diagnostic testing or reports not covered by the fee schedule, unless there is prior approval from the agent.
- Services delivered by a provider not approved by WorkSafe to provide the services.
How much WorkSafe can pay
WorkSafe can pay for psychology services in line with our fee schedules.
Sometimes there is a difference between what a provider charges and what WorkSafe will pay as the reasonable cost. If the provider charges more than what WorkSafe will pay, workers will need to pay the difference. In this instance, WorkSafe recommend the provider advise the worker prior to providing any services.
Who can provide these services
WorkSafe will only fund psychology services delivered by providers that meet the following conditions.
- Approved by WorkSafe to provide psychology services.
- Hold general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia in conjunction with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
- Be able to provide evidence of current professional indemnity insurance coverage of at least $2 million.
WorkSafe cannot fund provisional psychologists to provide services.
Find out how to register for approval as a provider.
Accessing services
WorkSafe can fund psychology services only if a medical practitioner provides a referral before the commencement of the service. Psychologists cannot provider referrals to other health services.
Service delivery expectations
WorkSafe expects that all providers delivering psychology services as part of the Victorian workers compensation scheme follow the below principles.
- Provide culturally safe and respectful services.
- Protect the person’s human rights and report any concerns of abuse, neglect or discrimination to an appropriate regulatory or complaints body.
- Support the person to maximise their independence, promote recovery and self-advocacy.
WorkSafe also expects that any treatment provided is reasonable, clinically justified, outcome focused, and in line with the Clinical Framework.
Reporting and engagement expectations
WorkSafe has reporting and engagement expectations for all providers delivering services to workers. WorkSafe expects providers to communicate, collaborate and provide information to WorkSafe and other relevant parties as required.
For example:
- Providers should work with treating health practitioners or other providers, such as medical practitioners to enable the most appropriate treatment.
- Providers should work with occupational rehabilitation providers, treating health practitioners and employers in relation to return to work.
WorkSafe also expects psychologists to consult, cooperate and exchange information with the following parties.
- Other treating practitioners or providers, such as GPs, to enable the most appropriate treatment.
- Occupational rehabilitation providers, treating practitioners or providers, such as GPs, and employers in relation to return to work.
WorkSafe expects psychologists to submit the following forms to meet service expectations.
- Psychology and neuropsychology treatment planning form
Psychologists use the treatment planning form to:
- advise that treatment for the work-related injury has started
- provide information about the goals, strategies, and proposed outcomes of treatment.
Psychologists should complete the planning form during the session with the worker in line with the below timings.
- Early in treatment and submitted by the sixth session, although earlier is preferred.
- When the worker re-engages with treatment after a significant gap in sessions.
- When treatment has continued for a period and there is no current planning form on the file.
If there is an existing treatment plan on the file, a treatment review form should be completed after 10 sessions or 6 months, whichever is earlier.
- Psychology and neuropsychology treatment review form
Psychologists use the treatment review form to assess the progress of the goals described in the planning form.
Psychologists should complete the review form in session with the worker, when clinically appropriate (and within the first 9 months of funded treatment), or when requested by the agent.
WorkSafe also expects psychologists to use the following methods to engage with it and other treating providers to meet service expectations.
- Treatment and recovery planning conferences
Treatment and recovery planning (TARP) case conferences provide valuable opportunities throughout a claim to discuss a worker’s:
- recovery
- goals
- treatment
- support needs
TARP conferences usually include providers involved in the worker’s care as well as WorkSafe representatives including a case manager and mental injury specialist. The case manager or mental injury specialist will organise the conference. They can conduct conferences in person, by videoconference or by telephone for up to 30 minutes.
An agent or provider can request a TARP conference. It can be useful to have a TARP conference early during treatment to establish and coordinate the most appropriate approach.
A TARP conference may also be necessary if a worker is not ready to take part in a return to work case conference.
- Psychologist return to work case conferences
Return to work (RTW) case conferences provide valuable opportunities throughout a claim to discuss:
- a worker's recovery status
- steps towards returning to work
- support required to maintain or improve progress.
RTW case conferences usually involve the case manager, an occupational rehabilitation provider (OR) and other providers involved in the worker’s care. The employer and other parties may also attend if appropriate.
The OR or case manager will organise a RTW case conference. They can conduct conferences in person, by videoconference or by telephone for up to 30 minutes.
These case conferences are useful for clarifying goals both before the worker has capacity to work, as well as when they are ready for work. WorkSafe, the OR or the psychologist may also request a RTW case conference.
- Certificates of Capacity
Psychologists should engage with medical practitioners, physiotherapists, osteopaths or chiropractors responsible for a worker’s certificates of capacity for work.
Although psychologists are unable to complete certificates of capacity, their expertise can provide valuable feedback to:
- guide certification
- guide DSM diagnosis
- consider current capacity
- advise on any restrictions or supports needed
- suggest treatment recommendations to improve recovery and return to work.
Providers are required to comply with the requirements set out in these guidelines and in the Application for registration to provide services to workers.
If a provider does not meet these requirements, or WorkSafe has concerns about the provider’s conduct or services delivered, WorkSafe may take appropriate action in accordance with the legislation.