SIRA allied health practitioner approval for workers compensation

Key information

The following treating allied health practitioners must be approved by SIRA to provide specified treatment or services in the NSW Workers Compensation Scheme:

accredited exercise physiologists
chiropractors
counsellors
osteopaths
physiotherapists
psychologists.

Note: Massage therapists and clinical neuropsychologists assessing people with a claim in the Workers Compensation Scheme do not require SIRA approval.

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Approval requirements

The conditions for SIRA approval can be found in the Workers compensation guidelines for the approval of treating allied health practitioners.

How to obtain SIRA approval

To obtain and maintain your SIRA approval, you must:

Be appropriately qualified

Under section 60(2C)(e) of the Workers Compensation Act 1987, some allied health practitioners who require SIRA approval must hold the following qualifications.

Exercise physiologists must be accredited with Exercise & Sports Science Australia
Chiropractors, osteopaths, physiotherapists and psychologists must have general registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Counsellors must meet one of the following criteria:
- A full clinical member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
- An accredited mental health social worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers
- A level 3 or 4 member of the Australian Counsellors Association.

Successfully complete the SIRA allied health practitioner online training

Allied health practitioners who require SIRA approval must complete the SIRA Allied Health Practitioner Introductory Training Program.

The online training program is administered by the Personal Injury Education Foundation and you can access it via the SIRA AHP NSW Learning Portal.

The program structure is:

Part 1 takes around 2 hours to complete.
Part 2 takes around 2 hours to complete.
Part 3 will take up to 3 hours to complete.

Submit your written application

Complete the application to become an approved provider. SIRA will provide notification of its decision within 21 days of receipt.

Where SIRA declines approval, we will advise you of the reasons for the decision in writing, any waiting period before you can re-apply and the reasons for that waiting period.

Additional requirements

Telehealth, billing and invoicing

If approved, you must comply with the following parts of the Guidelines for the Provision of Relevant Services (Health and Related Services):

Part 2: Requirements for telehealth services
Part 5: Billing requirements for the provision of relevant services under the workers compensation legislation
Part 6: Invoicing requirements for relevant services under the workers compensation legislation (excluding pharmaceutical services)

Ahpra registration

Health providers must maintain registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). This registration confirms that they meet the national standards for practice and are recognised as a qualified health professional.

Allied health practitioner approval number

If approved, you will receive a unique SIRA workers compensation approval number, which cannot be used by others and is valid across each location you work and your details will be added to the list of SIRA approved practitioners. The active SIRA approval period is the same as the AHPRA registration.

You must notify SIRA in writing within 7 days of any changes to your listed details.

Decision to decline, suspend or revoke approval

If an allied health practitioner does not meet or adhere to the requirements and conditions of approval outlined in the Workers compensation guidelines for the approval of treating allied health practitioners, SIRA may decline, suspend or revoke their approval.