Psychological Workplace Injury Claims NSW
Work-related stress, burnout, bullying, PTSD — our WorkCover psychologists and doctors treat psychological injury as seriously as physical injury, with treatment fully covered.
Every appointment on this page is paid by the insurer under your NSW workers compensation claim. You don't receive an invoice for any of it — not for our doctors, physios, psychologists, rehab providers or compensation lawyers.
Yes — psychological workplace injury is a standard NSW WorkCover claim
If work caused or aggravated it, NSW workers compensation covers it. You don't need a single dramatic incident, and you don't need a pre-existing-condition-free history. Here's the short version of what that means for psychological workplace injury.
Work caused or aggravated it
Sudden or cumulative, new or aggravated — psychological workplace injury from work-related causes qualifies. Our doctors document the mechanism so the insurer can accept the claim.
Book a WorkCover doctorEvery appointment is paid
Doctors, physios, psychologists, rehab providers and compensation lawyers — all paid by the insurer under your accepted claim. You never receive an invoice.
See our workcover psychologistDisputes are handled for you
If the insurer pushes back, our compensation lawyers step in at no cost to you. You don't fight the system alone.
See how our lawyers helpHow psychological workplace injury happens at work
Most claims in this category come down to a handful of mechanisms. If yours fits any of these, it's almost certainly claimable — and even if it doesn't, book an assessment anyway. The list isn't exhaustive.
- Workplace bullying and harassment
- Exposure to traumatic incidents at work
- Sustained excessive workload and burnout
- Witnessing or being involved in serious incidents
- Vicarious trauma in frontline and care roles
- Secondary psychological injury from a physical workplace injury
Not sure if your cause fits? It usually does. Take the 60-second eligibility check →
When to see a WorkCover doctor
Any of these symptoms after a work-related incident or from a work-related activity means it's time to get assessed. Early assessment gives psychological workplace injury the best chance of fast recovery.
- Persistent anxiety, dread or panic symptoms
- Low mood, hopelessness or loss of interest
- Sleep disturbance and intrusive thoughts
- Inability to return to the workplace
- Irritability, emotional blunting or withdrawal
- Physical symptoms — headaches, fatigue, nausea
Don't push through. The workers who recover fastest are the ones who see a doctor in the first week.
What NSW WorkCover pays for with psychological workplace injury
Once your claim is accepted (or under provisional liability), the insurer pays for every line below directly. You don't receive an invoice for any of it.
- Confidential assessment with a WorkCover doctor
- Ongoing sessions with a registered psychologist
- Psychiatric review where clinically indicated
- Prescribed medication related to the injury
- Workplace mediation and return-to-work planning
- Weekly income payments while unable to work
- Compensation lawyer costs if your claim is disputed
What the NSW data says
You would not be the first person to claim for psychological workplace injury. The national and NSW data makes that very clear.
Growth in mental health claims, 2013–14 → 2023–24
The fastest-growing category of serious claim in Australia. Source: Safe Work Australia.
Share of serious claims that are mental health
One in every eight serious claims. Psychological injury is now a core part of the scheme. Source: Safe Work Australia, 2023–24.
Want the full picture? See WorkCover in numbers →
How we handle psychological workplace injury claims
Our doctors, physios, psychologists, rehab providers and compensation lawyers all work under one roof. One phone call gets the whole team involved.
Our WorkCover doctors handle the initial assessment and issue the Certificate of Capacity. Our registered psychologists run the treatment — confidential, trauma-informed, and fully paid under your claim. If a return to the same workplace isn't safe, our rehabilitation providers coordinate redeployment or a new-employer pathway. And if the insurer disputes the claim, our lawyers take it on at no cost to you.
WorkCover Psychologist
The frontline team for psychological workplace injury. Most workers in this category see our workcover psychologist team first after the initial doctor assessment.
See our workcover psychologistWorkCover Doctors
Part of our integrated psychological workplace injury care team. Looped in as your recovery needs dictate — fully paid under your claim.
See our workcover doctorsCompensation Lawyer
Part of our integrated psychological workplace injury care team. Looped in as your recovery needs dictate — fully paid under your claim.
See our compensation lawyerWondering what weekly payments would look like? Use the Payment Calculator →
Related resources
Three starting points for digging deeper — an explainer on our blog, the eligibility quiz, and other injury types our team handles.
When to Consult a WorkCover Psychologist After a Workplace Injury
Read articleHesitating?Should I Claim WorkCover? 8 Reasons People Hesitate
Read the answer60-Second QuizAm I Eligible for WorkCover?
Check eligibilityOther Injury Types
Psychological Workplace Injury claims — what workers ask
The same questions come up in every consult. Here are the answers in short form.
More WorkCover reading for your injury
Back Injury WorkCover claims
Related injury our team handles under the same NSW workers compensation pathway.
Read moreContinueNeck Injury WorkCover claims
Related injury our team handles under the same NSW workers compensation pathway.
Read moreContinueHealthcare & nursing WorkCover claims
The NSW industry with the highest psychological claim rate.
Read moreContinueWorkCover Psychologist — how our team helps
The frontline service for psychological workplace injury recovery — fully paid under your claim.
Read moreInjured your psychological workplace? Start with one phone call.
Our WorkCover doctors book same-week appointments. One call covers the Certificate of Capacity, the insurer paperwork, and the referral to our physios, psychologists or lawyers as needed.
Book a WorkCover Doctor