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How to get psychology approved under Workers Compensation in NSW
Quick answer: In most cases, your GP provides a referral and supporting documentation, and your psychologist submits an Allied Health Treatment Request (AHTR) to the insurer. The insurer reviews whether the treatment is reasonably necessary and confirms approval, after which your sessions can begin. Where treatment is approved, there are generally no out-of-pocket costs.
The approval process is one of the most common sources of confusion and frustration for injured workers. The steps themselves are straightforward, but the paperwork and the waiting can feel opaque when you're already dealing with the injury itself. This guide walks through how it usually works in NSW, so you know what to expect and where things sit.
The usual steps
Your treating doctor (usually your GP, or your nominated treating doctor for the claim) discusses your psychological symptoms and provides a referral for psychological treatment, along with the documentation the scheme requires.
The psychologist completes an Allied Health Treatment Request (AHTR), the standard form used to request approval and funding for a course of treatment, and submits it to the insurer, setting out the proposed treatment and goals.
The insurer or case manager reviews whether the treatment is reasonably necessary in relation to your injury. Once approved, a number of sessions is funded, and treatment can begin.
As the approved sessions are used, your psychologist reviews progress and, where ongoing treatment is needed, submits a further AHTR to continue. This cycle repeats as your recovery requires.
What "reasonably necessary" means
Treatment under Workers Compensation needs to be reasonably necessary in relation to your work injury. In practice, that means the psychological treatment is connected to the injury and aimed at your recovery. A well-prepared referral and AHTR, describing your symptoms, how they relate to the injury, and the goals of treatment, helps the insurer make that assessment. This is one of the reasons it helps to see a psychologist who works in this area regularly and understands what the scheme is looking for.
If approval is delayed
Approval timeframes vary between insurers and claims. If things are taking a while, your psychologist and GP can follow up with the insurer on your behalf. In some situations, an initial assessment session can proceed while ongoing treatment is still being approved. If treatment is declined, there are review pathways available, and your treating team can advise on the options. The key thing to know is that delays are common and usually procedural. They do not mean treatment will not be approved.
Frequently asked questions
Generally, your GP provides a referral and the supporting documentation, and the psychologist submits an Allied Health Treatment Request (AHTR) to the insurer. The insurer reviews whether the treatment is reasonably necessary and confirms approval, after which sessions can begin.
An Allied Health Treatment Request (AHTR) is the standard form a treating allied health provider, such as a psychologist, submits to the insurer to request approval and funding for a course of treatment under the NSW Workers Compensation scheme.
Timeframes vary by insurer and individual claim. Some approvals come through quickly, others take longer. Your psychologist and GP can help follow up, and an initial assessment can sometimes proceed while ongoing treatment is being approved.
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If you'd like help understanding the approval process for your situation, call or email directly. All enquiries are handled personally.
This page is general information for people in NSW and is not personal or clinical advice. Eligibility and funding depend on your individual claim and insurer approval. Please speak with your treating doctor about your situation.