COMCARE / COMMONWEALTH WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Comcare Psychologist Support Across Australia
Meyer Institute accepts enquiries about psychology treatment for work-related psychological injury or illness under eligible Comcare and self-insured-employer pathways. Claim status, approval, clinical suitability and billing arrangements must be confirmed before treatment.
Australia-wide telehealth
Melbourne appointments
Direct billing when approved
Psychology Treatment Plans and claim communication
Funding and treatment decisions are made by Comcare, the relevant self-insurer or claims administrator. Meyer Institute is an independent psychology practice and does not provide legal advice.
Already approved, waiting for a decision, or unsure where to start?
APPROVED CLAIM AND PSYCHOLOGY APPROVED
Send your claim number, written approval and case manager details. We will check the approved service, billing pathway and appointment options before confirming treatment.
CLAIM ACCEPTED BUT PSYCHOLOGY NOT YET CONFIRMED
Send your claim and referrer details. We can identify the information normally needed to request psychology treatment approval, but the final decision remains with the claims manager.
CLAIM PENDING, NOT LODGED OR UNSURE
You are welcome to enquire. A workers' compensation claim generally requires a medical certificate from a legally qualified medical practitioner. Treatment undertaken before written funding approval may not be reimbursed.
What is Comcare psychology support?
Comcare administers workers' compensation for many Australian Government employees under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRC Act). Some employers are licensed to self-insure and manage claims directly or through another claims administrator.
When a work-related psychological condition is accepted and psychology treatment is approved, reasonable treatment costs may be funded. Meyer Institute can provide assessment, evidence-based treatment, progress monitoring and claim-related treatment planning within the psychologist's treating role.
Where written approval and billing details are confirmed, Meyer Institute can invoice the responsible claims administrator directly for approved services. We will confirm the funding arrangement before your first appointment.
Who may be covered by Comcare or the SRC Act?
Coverage may include employees of Australian Government agencies and statutory authorities, together with employees of organisations that hold a Commonwealth self-insurance licence. ACT Government claims may be administered through EML or another nominated pathway.
If you are unsure, ask your employer, HR team, return-to-work contact or claims manager which workers' compensation scheme applies. Commonwealth employment does not always mean that Comcare directly manages the claim.
Official link label: Check Comcare claim eligibility and coverage
What psychology treatment may Comcare fund?
For Comcare-managed claims, Comcare states that it can fund an initial five psychology sessions of up to 60 minutes where treatment is related to the accepted work injury or illness. A Psychology Treatment Plan is required when more than five sessions are needed, when there has been a treatment gap of more than 12 months, or when the person changes psychology clinics.
Ongoing treatment should be clinically justified, evidence based and linked to measurable improvement in function, participation, self-management and recovery. Consultations longer than 60 minutes require prior approval. Self-insured employers and other claims administrators may use different approval processes, so written confirmation is important.
Comcare does not pay missed-appointment or cancellation fees. Meyer Institute's cancellation policy may apply if an appointment is changed without sufficient notice.
Support for work-related psychological injury and distress
Work-related psychological injury can affect sleep, concentration, confidence, relationships, daily functioning and the ability to feel safe at work. The claims process itself can also add pressure. Support may be appropriate for:
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workplace stress, anxiety or panic symptoms
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trauma symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
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depression, low mood and loss of confidence
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adjustment disorder and difficulty adapting after injury
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distress associated with workplace conflict, bullying or harassment allegations
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sleep disruption, hypervigilance or intrusive memories
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psychological effects of chronic pain, fatigue or reduced capacity
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fear or distress connected with a return to work
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loss of role, identity, routine or independence after injury
A practical, evidence-based treatment approach
Treatment begins with a careful assessment of symptoms, functioning, work demands, current capacity, strengths, barriers and goals. The treatment plan is developed collaboratively and reviewed using relevant outcome measures and functional indicators.
Depending on the person's needs, clinical suitability and the treating psychologist's scope, therapy may draw on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), trauma-focused approaches, EMDR, sleep interventions, pain-management strategies, emotional regulation skills and graded return-to-activity or return-to-work planning.
With consent, the psychologist can communicate with the GP, claims manager, rehabilitation provider or other treating professionals when this supports coordinated care. Treatment remains clinically independent and focused on the person's accepted condition and recovery goals.
How to start Comcare psychology treatment
1. REPORT THE INJURY OR ILLNESS — Follow your employer's reporting process as soon as reasonably possible.
2. SEE A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER — A GP or relevant specialist can assess the condition and complete the medical certificate or Certificate of Capacity required for a workers' compensation claim. Ask them to document recommended psychology treatment where clinically appropriate.
3. LODGE OR CONFIRM THE CLAIM — Commonwealth employees may lodge through Comcare. A self-insured employer or ACT Government pathway may be managed by the employer, EML or another claims administrator.
4. SEND MEYER INSTITUTE THE KEY DETAILS — Provide the claim number, claim status, treatment approval, case manager details, referral or certificate, and preferred appointment type. We will confirm the next administrative step before scheduling funded treatment.
First responders with PTSD: a simplified Comcare claim pathway may apply
A PTSD presumption may apply to specified Commonwealth or ACT Government first responders, including eligible AFP and Australian Border Force employees, firefighters, ambulance officers or paramedics, emergency services communications operators and members of an emergency service.
When all statutory criteria are met, the person's first-responder employment is presumed to have contributed significantly to the PTSD. This does not guarantee that every claim or treatment request will be accepted. The PTSD must be diagnosed in accordance with DSM-5-TR criteria, and a medical certificate from a legally qualified medical practitioner is still required even when a psychologist makes the diagnosis.
Read Comcare's first responder PTSD factsheet
Australia-wide telehealth and Melbourne appointments
Telehealth can make it easier to access consistent psychology support around work, reduced capacity, transport limitations or regional location. Meyer Institute offers telehealth appointments across Australia, including for eligible employees in Canberra and the ACT, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Darwin and regional communities.
In-person appointments are also available in Melbourne, subject to clinician availability and clinical suitability. Telehealth or in-person funding must be confirmed with the responsible claims administrator before treatment.
For GPs, case managers and rehabilitation providers
Meyer Institute accepts Comcare and SRC Act psychology enquiries from GPs, specialists, claims managers, workplace rehabilitation providers, employers, return-to-work coordinators, unions, legal representatives and other treating professionals, with the worker's consent.
Please provide the worker's contact details, claim number and administrator, accepted condition, written psychology approval, approved dates or session limits, billing contact, current medical certificate or referral, relevant risk information and the purpose of referral. Do not email unnecessary sensitive documents.
Ready to check the Comcare psychology pathway?
Complete the short enquiry and upload any referral or approval you already have. You do not need every document to make first contact. Meyer Institute will review the information, identify what is missing and explain the next administrative step before confirming an appointment.
Mobile 0423 811 994 | Phone 1300 778 515 | info@meyerinstitute.com.au
FAQs
Do I need an accepted Comcare claim before I contact Meyer Institute?
No. You can enquire if the claim is accepted, pending, not yet lodged or unclear. However, Comcare-funded psychology generally requires an accepted compensable condition and approval or confirmation from the responsible claims manager. Treatment undertaken before funding is confirmed may not be reimbursed.
Does Comcare automatically fund five psychology sessions?
Not automatically. For Comcare-managed claims, Comcare states it can fund an initial five psychology sessions of up to 60 minutes before a Psychology Treatment Plan is required. Claim liability, the relationship of treatment to the accepted condition and any approval requirements still need to be confirmed. Self-insured employers may follow a different process.
Do I need a GP referral?
A workers' compensation claim must be supported by a medical certificate from a legally qualified medical practitioner, such as a GP or relevant specialist. It is helpful for the certificate or referral to recommend psychology treatment. Ask your claims manager what is required for your particular claim.
Will I have an out-of-pocket fee?
Where written funding approval and billing details cover the approved service, Meyer Institute can generally invoice the responsible claims administrator directly. We will confirm the arrangement before your first appointment. Unapproved services, services outside the approved period or cancellation fees may remain payable by the client.
Can I use telehealth?
Comcare publishes psychology telehealth service codes. Telehealth remains subject to clinical suitability and approval by the responsible claims administrator. Meyer Institute provides Australia-wide telehealth and Melbourne appointments.
What happens after five sessions?
If further treatment is clinically indicated, the psychologist completes a Psychology Treatment Plan with goals, interventions, outcome measures, progress indicators and the proposed treatment period. Further treatment is subject to the claims manager's decision.
What if I am changing psychologists or have not attended for more than 12 months?
For Comcare-managed claims, a Psychology Treatment Plan and confirmation that treatment relates to the work injury are required when changing clinics or returning after a treatment gap of more than 12 months. Confirm the process with your claims manager before the first appointment.
Can a psychologist diagnose PTSD for the first responder presumption?
Comcare's first responder factsheet states that an eligible psychologist can diagnose PTSD in accordance with DSM-5-TR criteria. A medical certificate from a legally qualified medical practitioner is still required to support the workers' compensation claim.
Does Comcare pay cancellation or non-attendance fees?
No. Comcare states that it will not pay non-attendance or cancellation fees. Meyer Institute's cancellation policy may apply, so please provide as much notice as possible when changing an appointment.
Can Meyer Institute provide reports?
Meyer Institute can complete Psychology Treatment Plans and appropriate treatment communication. Other reports should only be prepared when clinically appropriate and formally requested or approved. Independent medico-legal assessment is separate from treatment and requires specific instructions, scope and funding approval.
Is Meyer Institute part of Comcare?
No. Meyer Institute is an independent psychology practice. Comcare, the self-insurer or the relevant claims administrator makes claim, funding and payment decisions.
Can Meyer Institute advise me about whether my claim should be accepted?
No. Meyer Institute can explain the psychology referral and treatment process, but it does not provide legal advice or decide claim liability. Speak with Comcare, your employer, claims manager or an appropriately qualified adviser about claim rights or disputes.
Start a Comcare Psychology Enquiry
This form takes about 3–5 minutes. Uploading documents is optional for first contact. Please provide only a brief description of the work-related difficulty; you do not need to recount the incident in detail.