NSW WorkCover Issues Paper Released

NSW Minister for Finance & Services, Greg Pearce, released an issues paper on 23 April and announced a parliamentary committee. This heralds a major reform of WorkCover in response to the scheme's deficit of over $4 billion. The paper and appendices can be accessed at http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/newsroom/Pages/WorkersCompensationIssuesPaper.aspx

The impact on allied health treatment providers is unknown, however further announcements on proposed changes are expected  before the State Budget on 12 June 2012.

APS NSW WorkCover Questionnaire Results

•  Download here (215KB, PDF)

News: 4 May 2012

It is over two years since the WorkCover NSW Psychologists and Counsellors Regulatory Framework commenced on 1 January 2010 and the APS commenced delivery of mandatory training workshops. 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 full day workshop within six months of receiving a provisional approval number. Payment of the $176 registration must be in advance. The workshop is APS endorsed for 6.5 hours of Generalist CPD.

New WorkCover Fees from 1 January 2012

• Worker Compentation (Psychology Fees) Order 2012 

Treatment Providers deactivated

From 1 May 2012 WorkCover will again deactivate, those treatment providers who failed to complete the mandatory training within the 6 months from the time of receiving their approval numbers.  Once deactivated, they are unable to provide treatment or invoice insurers for services; and any injured workers they have been treating will need to be transitioned to a new service provider. WorkCover has advised affected providers of their proposed deactivation.  They can however be re-activated if they attend the mandatory workshop.

Applications for provisional approval as a treatment provider should be made to WorkCover NSW not the APS. All enquiries regarding Approval Numbers should be directed to Provider Services Branch, 13 10 50 or provider.services@workcover.nsw.gov.au. The form can be downloaded at Psychologist / counsellor WorkCover approval

As at 23 April there have been 65 workshops held at Moore Park, Rushcutters Bay, North Ryde, Port Macquarie, Bankstown, Penrith, Central Coast, Ballina, Kingscliff, Orange, Queanbeyan, Newcastle, Wollongong, Campbelltown, Coffs Harbour and Albury. Over 2,200 psychologists, counsellors and mental health social workers have completed the training.

The APS is gradually reducing the available workshops as the majority of providers meet the training requirements. Workshops will continue on an ongoing basis through 2012 at 2-3 monthly intervals and will only be offered in Sydney based venues as remaining numbers, including new entrants as providers, do not justify further regionally based workshops.

The workshops listed below are in the APS Calendar of Events and spaces are limited. To subscribe please go directly to the specific event by date and location Metro 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 or have already sent your application to WorkCover 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. 

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

Bookings are to be made online and workshops 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.

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.  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.

The APS has obtained a ruling that clarifies that there is no GST payable on the psychological treatment of injured workers under the NSW Workers' Compensation System. Full ruling at  ATO update on GST arrangements with third party payers 

Agnes Levine
Project Manager
APS WorkCover NSW Training
Email a.levine@psychology.org.au

Phone: 0421 839 381

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 released a publication: A guide for psychologists and counsellors to providing treatment in the NSW Motor Accidents Scheme in 2010.

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.

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.

NSW State Committee

The State Committee will meet on 12 February 2012 and is seeking expressionsof interst from members for the position of Newsletter Editor. Please contact either the Chair or Secretary for further information.

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