WorkSafe Vic Newsletter 12.08.24

The Victorian WorkCover scheme has changed, impacting how psychologists support injured workers.

Understanding the changes to mental injury claim eligibility and a worker’s eligibility for weekly payments beyond 130 weeks is essential.

Mental injury eligibility changes

• Mental injury redefined: Mental injury now refers to an injury that causes significant behavioural, cognitive, or psychological dysfunction, and is diagnosed by a medical practitioner according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
• Amended eligibility criteria: Mental injuries must meet the new definition to qualify for compensation.
• Focus on employment contribution: Employment must be the predominant (main) cause for compensation eligibility in primary mental injury claims.
• Exclusion for stress and burnout: Compensation is not granted for mental injuries primarily caused by stress or burnout from usual work events, except in cases of exposure to traumatic events.

The above changes only apply to new mental injuries that occurred on, or after 31 March 2024.

Diagnosing a mental injury

Psychologists cannot provide a diagnosis of a mental injury for the purposes of the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 (WIRC Act).

A mental injury diagnosis for a WorkCover claim must be provided by a medical practitioner - general practitioner (GP) or a psychiatrist.

As a psychologist, you can provide GPs or psychiatrists with a recommendation on any behavioural, cognitive or psychological dysfunction and the patient’s mental injury diagnosis in accordance with the DSM.

Whole person impairment changes

New requirement for continued weekly payments after 130 weeks:

Workers must have a whole person impairment (WPI) of 21 percent or more, in addition to the existing work capacity test.

This only applies to claims that reached 130 weeks on, or after 31 March 2024.

As part of this review process, you may be asked to provide information about a workers injury and/or capacity to work. 

Support for workers

Victorian workers will still be eligible for up to 13 weeks of provisional payments for mental health treatment and support services, even if the claim is rejected. 

Provisional payments for mental injuries cover the cost of GP treatment, development of an action plan to support recovery and can include payments for psychologists, counsellors, psychiatrists, and the cost of medication.  

The cost of facilitated discussions is also covered to support workers to identify and address barriers to return to work with their employer.  

More information

Workers no longer entitled to weekly payments after 130 weeks can continue to access additional support, to give them the best chance of getting back to work. This includes occupational rehabilitation.

More information

Resources for psychologists

Mental injury eligibility – Practice directive

Information about mental injury eligibility under the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013.

Access directive

Determining if employment is the predominant cause

Information about how predominance is determined.

Visit website

Scheme modernisation webpage

More information is now available on our website including a recording of the webinar, explainer videos and information sheets.

Visit website

Frequently asked questions

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs). If you have more questions please contact us:  
via email here

Download FAQs

Changes to the Psychology services policy

Following consultation with treating psychologists and industry stakeholders, we've introduced a new Psychology services guideline from 1 July 2024. The changes to the guidelines aim to improve service access, increase flexibility and improve outcomes for injured workers.

Changes to the service guidelines include:

• new item codes with greater flexibility over consultation length
• new treatment planning and review forms
• clarification of the approval process for extended consultation lengths
• an additional case conferencing type.

New treatment planning form

Download form

New treatment review form

Download form

More information

For more information on the new forms and process, please visit our website.

If you have any questions, email WorkSafe’s Provider team at [e-mail]