Psychological Workplace Injury Claims NSW
Work-related stress, burnout, bullying, PTSD — we get you to a WorkCover doctor and a psychologist who treat psychological injury as seriously as physical injury, with treatment billed to the insurer on accepted claims.
Every appointment on this page is billed to the insurer under an accepted NSW workers compensation claim. The insurer pays the doctor, physio, psychologist or rehab provider directly, so you don't get an invoice. Our help is free.
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. The doctor records how it happened, so the insurer has what it needs to accept the claim.
Book a WorkCover doctorEvery appointment is paid
Doctors, physios, psychologists and rehab providers — the insurer pays them directly on your accepted claim, so you never get an invoice. Our help is free.
Learn about workcover psychologistHelp if the claim is disputed
If the insurer pushes back, we put you in touch with a compensation lawyer. Most WorkCover disputes qualify for IRO funding, which usually means the legal costs aren't yours. You don't fight the system alone.
How we help with disputesHow 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 right start to 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 help with psychological workplace injury claims
One phone call is all it takes. We answer your questions, book the doctor, and line up physio, psychology, rehab or a lawyer when you need one.
We book you in with a WorkCover doctor for the initial assessment and the Certificate of Capacity. We line up a registered psychologist for treatment — confidential, trauma-informed, and paid under your accepted claim. If a return to the same workplace isn't safe, we help you choose a rehab provider to coordinate redeployment or a new-employer pathway. And if the insurer disputes the claim, we put you in touch with a compensation lawyer, funded through IRO's ILARS scheme rather than by you.
WorkCover Psychologist
Where most workers with psychological workplace injury start after the first doctor visit. Call us and we'll book it, in person or by telehealth.
Learn about workcover psychologistWorkCover Doctors
Lined up when your psychological workplace injury recovery needs it. We book it, and on an accepted claim the insurer pays.
Learn about workcover doctorsCompensation Lawyer
Lined up when your psychological workplace injury recovery needs it. We book it, and on an accepted claim the insurer pays.
Learn about 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 we help with.
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 on almost every call. Here are the answers in short form.
More WorkCover reading for your injury
Back Injury WorkCover claims
Related injury we help with under the same NSW workers compensation pathway.
Read moreContinueNeck Injury WorkCover claims
Related injury we help with 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 — billed to the insurer under your accepted claim.
Read moreCar accident injuries are funded under NSW CTP, not workers compensation. We help with those too: call us and we'll get you seen.
Injured your psychological workplace? Start with one phone call.
We book same-week appointments with a WorkCover doctor, who writes your Certificate of Capacity. We sort the insurer paperwork and line up physio, psychology or a lawyer as needed.
Book a WorkCover Doctor