SIRA-Approved Psychologist NSW for WorkCover & Workers Compensation
Quick answer: Revamp Psychology provides SIRA-approved psychological treatment for injured workers across Sydney and NSW, primarily by telehealth. If you already have a Workers Compensation claim, have been referred for psychology, or are unsure what is required to start treatment, you are welcome to contact the practice.
If you have been injured at work in NSW, you may be able to access psychological treatment through the Workers Compensation scheme, commonly known as WorkCover.
Matt Semsar is a Registered Psychologist and SIRA-approved psychologist (Provider No. 24705) whose clinical practice focuses on NSW Workers Compensation and CTP clients.
Treatment is available for psychological injuries as well as psychological difficulties that develop following a physical workplace injury. This may include anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, trauma-related symptoms, chronic pain-related distress and reduced confidence.
A psychologist who understands the Workers Compensation system
Psychological treatment within Workers Compensation can be different from seeing a psychologist privately.
Alongside the injury itself, injured workers may be dealing with insurer communication, treatment approvals, medical assessments, rehabilitation, uncertainty about work and the stress of an ongoing claim.
Matt has more than a decade of experience across personal injury and workplace rehabilitation in addition to his clinical work. This provides a detailed understanding of both psychological recovery and the system surrounding a Workers Compensation claim.
You do not need to spend your sessions explaining how the compensation and rehabilitation system works. Treatment considers both your psychological symptoms and the broader recovery context.
Help navigating the treatment side of your WorkCover claim
Dealing with psychological treatment while also managing a Workers Compensation claim can be confusing and stressful.
As your treating psychologist, I can help you navigate the treatment side of your claim, including:
- understanding what is required to commence psychological treatment
- communicating relevant clinical information with your insurer or case manager
- completing Allied Health Treatment Requests (AHTRs) when required
- providing clinical justification for ongoing psychological treatment
- communicating with your nominated treating doctor, rehabilitation consultant and other treating professionals where appropriate
- monitoring progress using appropriate clinical measures
- providing treatment reports required under the Workers Compensation scheme
- helping clarify treatment approval requirements where possible.
My role is clinical rather than legal. I do not determine whether a claim is accepted, provide legal advice or act as a legal representative.
However, when it comes to the psychological treatment and recovery side of your claim, you do not need to navigate the process on your own.
Who this service is for
This service is for people with a NSW Workers Compensation claim who are experiencing psychological difficulties related to their workplace injury or recovery.
Psychological treatment may be appropriate following a primary psychological injury arising from work. For primary psychological injury claims first notified on or after 1 July 2026, specific NSW eligibility requirements apply.
Anxiety, low mood and depression can develop following a workplace injury, particularly where pain, disability, uncertainty or time away from work continues for an extended period.
Workplace accidents, assaults, threatening incidents and other traumatic events can result in intrusive memories, heightened alertness, avoidance, sleep disturbance and post-traumatic stress symptoms.
Persistent pain can affect mood, sleep, confidence, activity and quality of life. Psychological treatment can address fear-avoidance, pain-related distress and the impact of chronic pain on everyday functioning.
An injury can affect work, routine, independence, relationships and a person's sense of identity. Treatment can assist with adjusting to changed circumstances and rebuilding confidence and functioning.
Anxiety, fear of reinjury, avoidance and reduced confidence can make returning to normal activities or work more difficult. Psychological treatment can address these barriers as part of the broader recovery process.
Conditions treated under Workers Compensation
Psychological treatment may address:
- anxiety and excessive worry
- depression and persistent low mood
- adjustment disorder
- post-traumatic stress and trauma-related symptoms
- chronic pain-related psychological distress
- sleep difficulties associated with injury or stress
- fear of movement or reinjury
- reduced confidence and avoidance
- difficulty adjusting to changes in work or everyday functioning
- psychological distress associated with prolonged recovery
- tinnitus-related distress following workplace noise exposure or injury.
Treatment is individually tailored rather than determined simply by diagnosis.
How psychological treatment under WorkCover usually starts
A referral from your nominated treating doctor is required before psychological treatment commences under the NSW Workers Compensation scheme. Your nominated treating doctor remains an important part of your treatment team and may recommend psychological treatment as part of your recovery.
Once referred, you can contact Revamp Psychology to discuss your circumstances and whether the service is appropriate. Before the first appointment, the practice confirms the relevant claim and treatment arrangements with the insurer.
The initial consultation focuses on understanding your symptoms, injury, current functioning, treatment needs and recovery goals. Not every psychology consultation requires prior insurer approval.
In specified circumstances, up to four consultations with a SIRA-approved psychologist may be provided without prior insurer approval where psychological treatment begins within three months of the injury and the injury has not previously been treated by a psychologist or counsellor. Eligibility and claim arrangements should still be confirmed with the insurer before treatment begins.
Where insurer approval is required for further treatment, an Allied Health Treatment Request (AHTR) is submitted. The AHTR communicates relevant clinical information, treatment goals, functional progress, barriers to recovery, expected outcomes and the clinical rationale for further treatment. Read how psychology approval works under Workers Compensation.
Treatment continues in a structured and evidence-based manner. Progress is reviewed throughout treatment, and further treatment is requested where clinically appropriate. Under the current NSW Workers Compensation scheme, treatment must meet the applicable reasonable and necessary requirements.
Psychological treatment focused on recovery
Treatment is tailored to the individual rather than using the same approach for every injured worker.
Depending on your presentation, treatment may draw on:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- trauma-focused psychological therapy and EMDR
- pain management psychology
- Progressive Goal Attainment Program (PGAP)
- behavioural and functional recovery strategies.
The aim is not simply to reduce psychological symptoms. Treatment also focuses on improving day-to-day functioning, confidence, independence, participation in meaningful activities and, where appropriate, recovery at work.
Working with your treating team
Workers Compensation treatment often involves several professionals.
With your consent and where clinically appropriate, communication may occur with your:
- nominated treating doctor
- medical specialists
- rehabilitation consultant
- physiotherapist or other allied health professionals
- insurer or case manager.
This can help keep psychological treatment coordinated with your broader recovery plan while maintaining appropriate clinical boundaries and confidentiality.
SIRA-approved psychology by telehealth across NSW
Revamp Psychology provides Workers Compensation psychology primarily through telehealth. This means injured workers can access treatment throughout New South Wales, including Sydney, regional NSW and rural areas, without needing to travel to appointments.
In-person appointments are also available in Strathfield where appropriate.
If you are recovering from a motor vehicle accident rather than a workplace injury, see the dedicated CTP psychologist page.
Frequently asked questions
A SIRA-approved psychologist is a psychologist approved by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority to provide specified psychological treatment services within the NSW Workers Compensation scheme. Matt Semsar is a Registered Psychologist and SIRA-approved psychologist, Provider No. 24705.
Yes. Psychological treatment may be available under NSW Workers Compensation where it relates to the compensable injury and meets the applicable reasonable and necessary treatment requirements.
You need a referral from your nominated treating doctor before psychological treatment can commence under the NSW Workers Compensation scheme. If your nominated treating doctor is your GP, your GP can provide that referral.
Generally, yes. Your employer, insurer or rehabilitation provider may suggest a psychologist, but injured workers can generally choose their own treating psychologist, provided the practitioner meets the applicable scheme requirements.
I can help with the psychological treatment side of your claim. This can include helping you understand the treatment pathway, completing AHTRs and treatment requests, communicating relevant clinical information with your insurer and treating team, monitoring your recovery and providing appropriate clinical documentation supporting treatment. I do not provide legal advice, determine claim liability or act as a legal representative.
Potentially. Psychological treatment may be appropriate where anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, chronic pain-related distress, adjustment difficulties or other psychological symptoms develop following a physical workplace injury.
In some circumstances. Up to four consultations with a SIRA-approved psychologist may be provided without prior insurer approval where psychological treatment starts within three months of the injury and the injury has not previously been treated by a psychologist or counsellor. This does not mean every worker automatically receives four sessions without approval. The practice should still confirm your eligibility and claim arrangements with the insurer before treatment begins.
Different rules apply. Where the injury has not previously been treated by a psychologist or counsellor and treatment begins more than three months after the injury, up to three consultations may be available without prior approval under the current guidelines. Further treatment may require an AHTR and insurer approval.
An Allied Health Treatment Request is the form used by SIRA-approved allied health practitioners to communicate with the insurer and request treatment where approval is required. It includes information about the clinical presentation, functional difficulties, recovery goals, progress, treatment plan and expected outcomes.
Where psychological treatment is payable under the Workers Compensation scheme, eligible treatment is funded according to the applicable scheme requirements and approvals. The practice confirms the relevant claim and treatment arrangements with the insurer before proceeding where required.
Yes. Revamp Psychology provides telehealth psychology throughout New South Wales, including Sydney, regional NSW and rural areas. In-person consultations are also available in Strathfield.
Yes. Psychological treatment can be provided in English or Farsi/Persian.
SIRA-approved psychologist for WorkCover in NSW
Matt Semsar is a Registered Psychologist with a clinical focus on workplace injury, psychological injury, trauma, chronic pain and recovery within the NSW Workers Compensation system.
AHPRA Registration: PSY0002620326
SIRA-Approved Provider: 24705
If you already have a Workers Compensation claim, have been referred for psychology, or are unsure about accessing psychological treatment, you are welcome to contact Revamp Psychology.
GPs, specialists, rehabilitation providers and other professionals can use the referrer information page for copy-ready practice details and referral information.
Helpful resources
- What is a SIRA-approved psychologist?
- How to get psychology approved under Workers Compensation in NSW
- How many psychology sessions does WorkCover cover?
- Can I choose my own psychologist under WorkCover?
- Psychological recovery after a workplace injury
- The stress of dealing with a Workers Compensation claim
Make an enquiry
To discuss psychological treatment under WorkCover or Workers Compensation, contact Revamp Psychology directly.
Referrals are welcomed from injured workers seeking information, nominated treating doctors, medical specialists, rehabilitation providers, insurers and allied health professionals. A nominated treating doctor referral is required before Workers Compensation psychological treatment commences.