APS Member Groups

News: 1 September 2010

To date we have had over 1,500 practitioners register for WorkCover NSW workshops. The Psychologists and Counsellors Regulatory Framework commenced on 1 January 2010. In order to become a WorkCover treatment provider it is necessary to have an approval number issued by WorkCover. Psychologists, counsellors and mental health social workers who meet the WorkCover approval criteria are to attend a mandatory full day workshop within six months of receiving a provisional approval number. Payment of the $170 registration must be in advance. All treatment providers must have an approval number in order to continue treating injured workers under the NSW Workers' Compensation System and to be able to invoice insurers and receive payment.

Applications for provisional approval as a treatment provider should be made to WorkCover NSW. All enquiries regarding Approval Numbers should be directed to Provider Services Branch, 1800 801 905. The form can be downloaded at:

• http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/medicalhealthcare/Alliedhealthpractitioners/Psychologists/Pages/default.aspx

All workshops are APS endorsed for 7 Generalist CPD Points; APS Code 10-27. 

As at 1 September 2010 there have been 37 workshops held at Moore Park, Rushcutters Bay, North Ryde, Port Macquarie, Penrith, Central Coast, Ballina, Kingscliff, Orange, Queanbeyan, Newcastle, Wollongong, Campbelltown, Coffs Harbour and  Albury. More workshops are being scheduled as approval numbers are issued with post codes being analysed and matched. The Bankstown workshop scheduled for 12 October 2010 is designed for those in the South west and Southern parts of Sydney at Rydges which is conveniently located to motorways. We are gradually reducing the available workshops as the majority of providers complete the training. Workshops will continue on an ongoing basis through 2010-2011. Subject to numbers further workshops will be held regionally such as Newcastle and/or Central Coast and it is proposed to hold one in conjunction with the APS NSW Convention on 17 October.

The workshops listed below are on the APS Calendar of Events. To subscribe please go directly to the specific event by date and location (Metro NSW or Regional NSW) and scroll down that page to register online OR scroll down this page to the orange button "Register online" then complete your details on the first page and select your workshop.

NOTE: You must have a WorkCover Provider Number and be able to pay by credit card. See below for other arrangements.

Further details of venue, presenters and workshop times are listed for each workshop on the APS Calendar of Events entry even if fully booked, enter the date and location NSW Metro or NSW Regional.

Please note the cancellation policy, reproduced below, that you agree to when registering.

If you miss out on a registration due to the workshop being fully booked or are unable to attend on the date,  please contact, Agnes Levine, Project Manager, APS WorkCover NSW Training, by email a.levine@psychology.org.au, to be placed on a waiting list, there are frequent cancellations and transfers.

Bookings are to be made online and workshops do fill rapidly after publication. 

If you are unable to register online with a credit card or wish to pay by cheque/money order, you can request a registration form from Agnes Levine at a.levine@psychology.org.au

Cancellation Policy/Term & Conditions

Please note: Cancellations up to 28 days prior to the workshop you are registered for will receive a full refund. Cancellations 28-14 days prior will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations within 14 days of a workshop will not be refunded other than for 'exceptional, unforeseeable circumstances'; however, you may nominate an alternative attendee. All cancellations must be given in writing.

Workshop numbers are limited and they will fill up fast. However, if there are insufficient numbers in the workshop listed above, the APS reserves the right to cancel the activity and all monies will be refunded.

Please note: If the workshop is full, no payment will have been asked for at the end of the registration process and you will not be registered for the event. 

New MAA guidelines for providing services to clients with CTP claims

The Motor Accidents Authority of NSW (MAA) is a statutory corporation that regulates the NSW Motor Accidents Scheme. The MAA has released a new publication: A guide for psychologists and counsellors to providing treatment in the NSW Motor Accidents Scheme. These guidelines have been developed by the MAA in consultation with the Australian Psychological Society and Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurers and a group of psychologists and counsellors who have worked in the CTP scheme. Designed primarily for use by practising psychologists and counsellors, the guidelines provide a framework for the provision of psychological and counselling services under the Motor Accidents Compensation Act.

The MAA is committed to encouraging early and appropriate treatment for people who have been injured in motor accidents, and to providing guidance for health professionals working in the scheme. The guidelines aim to promote effective communication between practitioners and insurers to ensure injured people obtain appropriate, cost effective treatment leading to the best possible outcomes. Their use will also facilitate timely approval of services and payment of accounts. The MAA has provided training to CTP insurer staff in the application of the guidelines and the treatment principles.

The guidelines are based on Treatment principles for the provision of psychological and counselling services which were developed in consultation with relevant industry stakeholders and in collaboration with WorkCover NSW. The Treatment Principles will be familiar to those who have completed the WorkCover NSW training program which has now been delivered by the APS to almost 1500 psychologists and counsellors.

Copies of the guide, incorporating the treatment principles, template forms and sample plans can be downloaded at the MAA website by following the link to A guide for psychologists and counsellors or by contacting the MAA’s Claims Advisory Service on 1300 656 919.

APS NSW State Convention 2010 - Registrations open mid-August

Practising Psychology in Changing Times

Saturday 16 October 2010

Workshops 15 & 17 October 2010

Sydney Masonic Centre - 66 Goulburn Street, Sydney

Save the date now in your diaries and watch this page for updates!

NSW State Committee