Workers compensation
Chiropractors help workers recover from injuries by treating neuromuscular disorders, with an emphasis on treatment through manual adjustment and/or manipulation of the spine and guide workers to transition to a self-managed program.
COVID-19 update: SIRA has introduced a number of changes to help medical, allied health practitioners and injured people during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include:
- Telehealth services so that treatment consultations can occur via video or over the telephone
- Find out more information about the changes to certification for workers compensation.
- Updated our Fees Orders and Workers compensation guidelines to remove the requirement for insurer pre-approval for many treatment services delivered by telehealth.
In brief
Chiropractors are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and approved by us to provide treatment and facilitate a safe and durable recovery at work.
Chiropractors must be approved by us (issued a provider number) to deliver treatment services in the NSW workers compensation system.
Please read this information on the Allied Health Recovery Request (AHRR) before you use this form for the first time. All SIRA approved chiropractors must submit an AHRR when seeking pre-approval for treatment services.
A workers compensation guide for allied health practitioners provides essential information regarding the delivery of treatment services in the NSW workers compensation system. We also strongly recommend you view our 15 minute webinar on the Allied Health Practitioner Framework.
The workers compensation guidelines provides additional information on how the claims process works, and what type of payments and expenses may be available.
You might need to know about the Certificate of Capacity.
Forms you might need:
- Allied health recovery request (interactive version) is used to request treatment services
- Allied health recovery request (word version) if your computer can't open up the interactive version
- Application for SIRA Workers Compensation approval (interactive version)
- Application for SIRA Workers Compensation approval (static version) if you can't open the interactive version
Publications you might need
- Information on the Allied Health Recovery Request
- 2018 Physiotherapy, Chiropractic and Osteopathy Fees Order
- 2019 Physiotherapy, Chiropractic and Osteopathy Fees Order
- 2020 Physiotherapy, Chiropractic and Osteopathy Fees Order
- 2020 Physiotherapy, Chiropractic and Osteopathy Fees Order No 2
- 2020 Physiotherapy, Chiropractic and Osteopathy Fees Order No 3
- Guideline for approval of treating allied health practitioners
- Workers compensation guidelines
- Guide to completing the certificate of capacity (for medical practitioners)
- Workers compensation guide for allied health practitioners
Fees and invoicing
Get treatment approval first
If the insurer denies liability, or declines a treatment request because it does not meet 'reasonably necessary' criteria, the insurer is not responsible for payment of accounts.
So before treating your patient please confirm they have submitted a workers compensation claim, and that you have approval from the insurer to start treatment.
The fees orders provide a maximum fee for services provided to a worker. You can't exceed the maximum fees stated in the Fees Order.
All fees you can charge are listed in the relevant fee order below:
- 2020 Physiotherapy, Chiropractic and Osteopathy Fees Order No 3 effective 17 April 2020
- 2020 Physiotherapy, Chiropractic and Osteopathy Fees Order No 2
- 2020 Physiotherapy, Chiropractic and Osteopathy Fees Oder
- 2019 Physiotherapy, Chiropractic and Osteopathy Fees Order
- 2018 Physiotherapy, Chiropractic and Osteopathy Fees Order.
When invoicing, we have a payment system that requires itemised invoices. This system enables consistent data collection from service providers and insurers and ensures accurate payments.
What your invoices will need to include
- worker's first and last name, and claim number
- payee details
- ABN
- name of the medical practitioner or service provider who provided the service
- SIRA workers compensation approval number or medical practitioner's Health Insurance Commission provider number (where applicable)
- date of service
- SIRA workers compensation payment classification code or AMA item number where applicable. Refer to either the claims technical manual for:
- service cost for each SIRA workers compensation payment classification code or AMA item number and service duration (if applicable)
- date of invoice (must be on the day of or after last date of service listed on the invoice)
To prevent delays in payment, these details will need to be provided on all invoices.
Invoices should be submitted within 30 calendar days of the service being provided.
Send your invoices to the worker’s insurer.
Do I need a SIRA provider number?
Yes. If you're a chiropractor you must have a SIRA provider number to provide treatment services to workers in the NSW workers compensation system.
Did you know
Did you know? All allied health practitioners formerly approved by WorkCover NSW are now deemed to be approved by SIRA. Their provider number remains the same.
The SIRA provider number is specific to the allied health practitioner and must be provided on all tax invoices and requests to the insurer. Services must not be delivered by any other person using the allied health practitioner's provider number.
You are not required to obtain a new provider number for each different location where you deliver services or if you change your employment. However, you must notify SIRA of any change in you contact details within 14 days by email to compliance.info@sira.nsw.gov.au.
How do I get a SIRA provider number?
Review the guideline for approval of treating allied health practitioners and then complete the application form
If you meet the appropriate qualifications and requirements, you must satisfactorily complete the three-part allied health practitioner online training course. This is to ensure all practitioners working within the NSW workers compensation system are:
- appropriately skilled to help workers achieve a safe and durable recovery at/return to work, and
- aware of requirements for the delivery of services in the system.
The online training program is administered by the Personal Injury Education Foundation (PIEF) and costs $300 (GST-exempt). To access the training click here.
Once you have successfully completed the online training, you download and complete the application form and submit with all relevant documents to compliance.info@sira.nsw.gov.au.
Please note: you must obtain confirmation from us that your SIRA provider number is active before delivering treatment services.
What about practitioners approved prior to 1 April 2015?
If you have previously completed the mandatory face to face training and obtained WorkCover approval you are not required to complete this training. We do however encourage you to do the training as it provides practical information regarding the delivery of services in the current NSW workers compensation system, which has changed significantly since the face to face training was conducted. Part 3 of the online training is now available for allied health practitioners who have previously completed the face-to-face workshops.
When you register and enrol, you will need to pay the course cost of $140.
Further information
Independent consultants (peer reviews)
Independent consultants are approved by us to provide independent peer review of, and advice, to allied health practitioners regarding injury management.
If you would like the assistance of an independent consultant visit independent consultants.
Where required, you must participate in a review by an independent consultant as outlined in the guideline for approval of treating allied health practitioners.
Provider/assessor search
You can find a workers compensation provider/assessor here.