What is WorkCover in Victoria?

WorkCover is the workers' compensation scheme in Victoria, managed by WorkSafe Victoria. If you have been injured at work or become unwell because of your work, and you have an accepted WorkCover claim, WorkSafe can fund psychological treatment to support your recovery and return to work.

How do I access WorkCover-funded psychology?

You will need an accepted WorkCover claim or provisional payments, a referral from your GP or treating doctor, and your WorkSafe claim number and agent details. Provisional payments may be available while your claim is being assessed.

What psychological conditions can be treated under WorkCover?

WorkCover-funded psychology covers workplace psychological injury, post-traumatic stress from workplace events, psychological impacts of physical injuries, return-to-work challenges, and complex presentations where a workplace injury has interacted with pre-existing mental health conditions or neurodivergence.

Is there a gap fee for WorkCover psychology sessions?

WorkSafe funds psychology services at their scheduled rate. Where the provider's fee exceeds the WorkSafe rate, there may be a gap fee payable by you. Behavioural Edge Psychology will always discuss any out-of-pocket costs before commencing treatment.

Can I see a psychologist while my WorkCover claim is still being assessed?

Yes. Provisional payments are available for up to 13 weeks from the date a claim is lodged, even before a decision is made on whether the claim is accepted. You do not need to wait for your claim to be accepted before starting therapy.

WorkSafe Victoria and WorkCover Psychology in Melbourne

At a glance

Service. Psychology treatment for workers with accepted WorkSafe Victoria (WorkCover) psychological injury claims.
Status. WorkSafe-approved treating provider.
Locations. Caulfield South VIC 3162 and St Kilda VIC 3182, with telehealth across Victoria.
Practitioner. Dr Sarah Fischer, PhD, MPsych (Organisational), AHPRA-endorsed in organisational psychology.
Funding. WorkSafe Victoria direct billing, with provisional payments available for the first 13 weeks from claim lodgement.
Related services. Independent psychological assessment (medicolegal) and fitness-for-work and return-to-work assessments.

Last updated. 12 May 2026.

WorkSafe-approved treating provider for workers with accepted psychological injury claims. Caulfield South, St Kilda, and telehealth across Victoria.

A psychological injury at work affects more than income and capacity. It reaches into identity, daily routine, professional confidence, and the relationships that surround the work. Recovery requires both clinical care and a clear pathway through a compensation system that has become significantly more complex since the 2024 reforms. Behavioural Edge Psychology in Caulfield South and St Kilda is a WorkSafe-approved treating provider. Dr Sarah Fischer is AHPRA-endorsed in organisational psychology, with deep experience working at the intersection of trauma therapy and Victoria's workers' compensation scheme. Treatment is trauma-informed, evidence-based, and aligned to the practical realities of an active claim.

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Who this page is for

This page is the right starting point for four groups.

Injured workers with an accepted WorkSafe psychological injury claim who need a treating psychologist. Workers in the provisional payments window (the first 13 weeks from lodgement) where psychology treatment is funded ahead of full claim acceptance.
GPs and case managers needing a WorkSafe-approved psychologist to add to a treatment plan for a worker with a psychological injury claim.
Lawyers acting for injured workers, who may need a psychologist for treating-provider services, supporting evidence for the claim, or referral to an independent psychological assessment (which is handled through our medicolegal service page).
Employers, return-to-work coordinators, and rehabilitation consultants who need a psychologist to support a worker's recovery and graduated return to work.

What the 2024 WIRC Act amendments changed

The Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (WorkCover Scheme Modernisation) Act 2024 (Vic), in force from 31 March 2024, materially changed how psychological injury claims are made and maintained. Three changes matter most for workers and their treating teams.

A narrower definition of mental injury, which now requires a DSM diagnosis from a medical practitioner (GP or psychiatrist). A stress or burnout label on a medical certificate no longer satisfies the statutory definition.

A new "predominant cause" test, replacing the previous "significant contributing factor" test. Work must now be the strongest contributing factor relative to all other causes combined.

A 130-week impairment threshold for ongoing weekly payments, requiring a whole person impairment assessment of more than 20 percent for payments to continue beyond that point.

Detailed explanation of each change, including what it means for an active claim, is in our companion article on the 2024 WorkCover reforms.

What treatment looks like

Psychological treatment under WorkSafe Victoria typically includes the following.

Initial assessment, conducted across the first one or two sessions. This establishes the presenting difficulty, the injury context, the worker's history, and the early treatment plan. The assessment also identifies any safety considerations, current capacity for work, and the realistic timeframe for recovery.
Active treatment, delivered weekly or fortnightly across the agreed treatment plan. Treatment is trauma-informed, with the modality matched to the presentation. For example, cognitive behaviour therapy and trauma-focused approaches for post-traumatic stress, schema-informed approaches for cumulative workplace harm, and structured interventions for adjustment difficulties. The pace is set collaboratively, with attention to nervous system regulation and to the practical demands of managing a live claim.
Return-to-work support, where appropriate. This includes graduated return-to-work planning in collaboration with the rehabilitation consultant and employer, capacity for work reviews, and (where requested) liaison with the case manager. Fitness-for-work and return-to-work assessments are also available as a separate service.

Funding and billing

Psychology treatment under WorkSafe Victoria is billed directly to WorkSafe, not to the worker. The worker typically does not pay anything out of pocket for sessions covered under an accepted claim.

Provisional payments. Even before a claim is fully accepted, WorkSafe Victoria provides provisional payments covering psychology and medical treatment for the first 13 weeks from claim lodgement. This means workers can begin treatment immediately while the claim is being assessed.

Accepted claims. Once the claim is accepted, treatment continues under the standard WorkSafe arrangement, with the case manager approving ongoing sessions based on the treating psychologist's reports.

Disputed claims. If a claim is disputed or rejected, treatment can still be arranged on a private basis, with Medicare Better Access rebates where the worker has a Mental Health Treatment Plan from a GP.

Related services

Independent psychological assessment (IME) services, which are separate from treatment. IME reports are written for insurers, lawyers, tribunals, and the Medical Panel, not as part of the worker's clinical treatment.
Fitness-for-work and return-to-work psychological assessments, which support employer accommodations and graduated return-to-work plans.
Individual therapy for adults whose work-related psychological injury is not under a WorkSafe claim, or who want continuing therapy beyond the WorkSafe pathway.

Why Behavioural Edge Psychology

Dr Sarah Fischer is the Principal Psychologist of Behavioural Edge Psychology. She holds a PhD in Psychology and a Master of Psychology (Organisational), and is AHPRA-endorsed in organisational psychology. Her clinical work concentrates on the psychology of professional roles, complex trauma, and the practical intersection of therapy with the WorkSafe and TAC schemes in Victoria. She has worked with workers across a wide range of industries, from frontline emergency services and healthcare through to legal, executive, and high-stakes regulated professional roles.

The practice operates from Caulfield South and St Kilda, with telehealth available throughout Victoria for workers whose work or recovery makes in-person attendance difficult.

Frequently asked questions

Are you a WorkSafe-approved treating psychologist?

Yes. Behavioural Edge Psychology is registered as a WorkSafe-approved treating provider for psychological services in Victoria.

Can I see a psychologist before my WorkCover claim is accepted?

Yes. WorkSafe Victoria provides provisional payments for psychology and medical treatment for the first 13 weeks from claim lodgement. This means treatment can begin immediately while the claim is being assessed.

Do I need a GP referral?

For WorkSafe-billed sessions, a referral from your GP, case manager, or treating doctor is required as part of the standard claim process. The referral letter typically identifies the relevant DSM diagnosis and the recommended treatment.

Will I have to pay out of pocket?

No. Psychology sessions for workers with accepted WorkSafe claims (or under provisional payments) are billed directly to WorkSafe, not to the worker. Specific scenarios where a gap may apply are discussed at the time of booking.

What if my claim is rejected or disputed?

Treatment can continue on a private basis. Medicare Better Access rebates apply where the worker has a current Mental Health Treatment Plan from their GP. Many disputed claims are eventually accepted on review or at conciliation, so continuing treatment during the dispute period is often clinically and practically appropriate.

Do you provide independent psychological assessments (IME) for WorkSafe?

Independent psychological assessment is a separate service from treatment, with separate fee arrangements and a different clinical role. Information on this service is available on the independent psychological assessments page.

Can I be seen via telehealth?

Yes. WorkSafe Victoria funds telehealth psychology sessions on the same basis as in-person sessions. Telehealth is available across Victoria.

What diagnoses do you treat under WorkSafe?

Common presentations include post-traumatic stress disorder, complex post-traumatic stress, adjustment disorder, major depressive episode, anxiety disorders following workplace incidents, and vicarious trauma in emergency services, healthcare, and legal sector roles.

Call to action

Refer a worker or book an initial appointment.

Phone 03 8771 4315
Email sarah.fischer@behaviouraledgepsychology.com
Consulting rooms in Caulfield South and St Kilda. Telehealth available throughout Victoria.