Fitness to Work &
Return to Work Assessments

I am a WorkSafe Victoria provider and an AHPRA-endorsed organisational psychologist. I conduct Fitness for Work (FFW) and Return to Work (RTW) psychological assessments for matters managed under workers' compensation, motor vehicle accident (CTP) claims, and internal human resources or risk management processes.

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The assessment gives the insurer, employer or legal team an objective opinion on a person's psychological readiness and functional capacity to perform their role safely and sustainably after an injury, illness or period of absence.

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What the report provides

The report answers the referral questions with findings that can be acted on.

• A capacity opinion. Whether the person is fit for full duties, fit for modified duties with stated restrictions, or unfit for work, with a prognosis and a review timeframe where relevant.

• The psychological barriers to a return to work, such as fear of re-injury, loss of confidence, reduced stress tolerance, unresolved trauma symptoms or unresolved workplace conflict.

• Practical recommendations for reasonable adjustments, including changes to hours, tasks to avoid, communication arrangements or environmental modifications.

• Treatment recommendations where further psychological or medical treatment is needed to restore capacity.

 

How the assessment is conducted

Every assessment includes four stages.

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1. A file review of all relevant documentation, including medical reports, treatment plans, job demands analyses and claims history.

2. A structured clinical interview covering the injury history, current symptoms, psychosocial factors, motivation, and the person's own view of their work environment and capacity.

3. Standardised psychometric testing to measure symptom severity (depression, anxiety, trauma-related symptoms), coping and stress tolerance, cognitive function where the role demands it, and response validity.

4. A functional analysis that brings this information together into an opinion on the person's current capacity against the psychological and cognitive demands of their specific role.

 

When to refer

Referral is appropriate where there is uncertainty about an employee's psychological status and work capacity.

• After a psychological injury, to determine readiness and the conditions for a return to work plan.

• After a physical injury complicated by psychological factors such as chronic pain, low mood or loss of confidence.

• Where changes in behaviour or performance raise concern about an employee's ability to perform their duties safely.

 

Fees

Assessments are quoted as a fixed fee to the referring organisation before work begins. The fee reflects the total professional time across the stages of the assessment, which is billed at an hourly rate.

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Standard rate. Assessments commissioned by an employer or insurer for internal decision making are billed at $250 per hour plus GST.

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Medicolegal rate. Assessments commissioned by or for legal representatives, or where the report may be relied on in a tribunal, court or formal dispute process, are billed at $350 per hour plus GST. The higher rate reflects the evidentiary standard, the additional documentation required and the liability involved.

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Scheme rates. Where a compensable body such as WorkSafe Victoria, the Transport Accident Commission or Comcare requests the assessment and its fee schedule governs, the scheme's published rates apply in place of the hourly rates above.

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Estimated time and cost

Assessment component                               Estimated time

File review and preparation                          2 to 4 hours

Client interview and assessment.                 1.5 to 3 hours

Psychometric testing and scoring.               1 to 2 hours

Report writing and synthesis.                         4 to 8 hours

Total professional time.                                  8.5 to 17 or more hours

 

At the standard rate, a comprehensive FFW or RTW assessment and report ranges from approximately $2,100 to $4,250 plus GST. At the medicolegal rate, the same work ranges from approximately $3,000 to $6,000 plus GST. Complex matters involving several hundred pages of documents, multiple diagnoses or significant psychosocial barriers sit at or above the upper end.

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Every quote itemises the estimated time for file review, client contact (interview and testing), and report writing and finalisation. Fees are not contingent on the content of the opinion. The client is not responsible for payment unless they have commissioned a private assessment that is not covered by their claim or their employer.

Short-form independent assessments and expert reports for proceedings are described on the Independent Psychological Assessment page.

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Contact

For a confidential discussion or to submit a referral, contact me directly at sarah.fischer@behaviouraledgepsychology.com.