Can I claim for psychological injury at work?
A psychological injury at work may raise a workers compensation enquiry, but the answer depends on the work history, medical evidence, capacity, insurer position and applicable rules. It should not be dismissed just because it is not visible.
Permanent impairment assessment
How permanent impairment is assessed for Primary psychological injury and secondary psychological symptoms
NSW workers compensation does not assess secondary psychiatric or psychological impairment as permanent impairment. Primary psychological impairment is assessed under the NSW psychiatric impairment method and is not combined with physical WPI.
What injuries can happen to this body part?
- Primary psychological injury alleged to arise from workplace conduct, traumatic exposure, harassment, bullying or excessive work demands
- Secondary depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance or adjustment symptoms following a physical injury
- Psychological symptoms affecting treatment, work capacity or weekly payments even where they are not assessed as secondary WPI
- Mixed psychological and physical claims requiring care so physical WPI and primary psychological impairment are not improperly combined
Symptoms and findings that matter
- Whether the psychological condition is primary or secondary
- Diagnosis, treatment history and function at MMI
- Work, social and daily functioning domains used by the NSW psychiatric method
- Whether physical and psychological claims are being improperly combined
- Whether reform, causation or reasonable management action issues require legal advice
What investigations are usually relevant?
- Treating specialist report and final impairment assessment at maximum medical improvement
- Imaging, pathology, audiology, ophthalmology, respiratory, nerve or functional testing that fits the body system
- Operative reports, discharge summaries, rehabilitation records and objective clinical measurements where relevant
How WPI is assessed for this body part
- NSW workers compensation does not assess secondary psychiatric or psychological impairment as permanent impairment. Primary psychological impairment is assessed under the NSW psychiatric impairment method and is not combined with physical WPI.
- The NSW Guidelines replace AMA5 Chapter 14 for psychiatric and psychological disorders. Secondary psychological conditions arising from another work injury do not receive a permanent impairment assessment in NSW workers compensation.
- The assessor should explain maximum medical improvement, the body-system chapter, the method selected, any NSW modification, and why the objective findings fit that method.
How movement affects the assessment
- ROM is not a psychological impairment method.
- Psychological symptoms can still be important for treatment, work capacity and weekly payment disputes even where secondary psychological symptoms are not assessed as WPI.
NSW psychological impairment rules
Primary onlyPermanent impairment assessment for psychiatric and psychological disorders is required only where the primary injury is psychological.
Secondary psychological injuryNo permanent impairment assessment is made for secondary psychiatric or psychological impairment arising from another work-related physical condition.
Separate from physical WPIPrimary psychological impairment is assessed separately from physical impairment and is not combined with physical WPI.
Diagnosis not enoughThe rating must be based on a recognised psychiatric diagnosis and functional assessment. The diagnosis alone is not the rating.
Practical WPI examples
- Depression after a back injury may be important for treatment and capacity, but it is generally secondary and not assessed as permanent impairment.
- A primary psychological injury from alleged workplace bullying may require a different legal and medical assessment path.
- Psychological symptoms can still affect work capacity disputes even where they are not assessed as secondary WPI.
Evidence checklist
- A clear diagnosis and the body area being assessed
- Records showing the condition has reached maximum medical improvement, if that is the issue
- Specialist reports, imaging reports and treating notes relied on by the assessor
- Objective findings on examination, not only symptoms described by the injured person
- A work and treatment chronology explaining the injury, treatment, surgery and recovery path
- Any previous injury, degeneration, congenital issue or non-work cause that needs apportionment considered
- Psychiatrist report for WPI assessment
- GP mental health records
- Psychologist or psychiatrist treatment reports
- Medication history
- Work capacity certificates
- Functional evidence about social, work and daily living impact
What usually does not increase WPI
- Assuming a scan result automatically gives a WPI percentage
- Confusing pain, disability or inability to work with permanent impairment
- Ignoring maximum medical improvement before arranging an assessment
- Using an AMA5 table without checking whether the NSW Guidelines modify or replace it
- Double counting the same impairment through two methods when the Guidelines require one method
- Assuming secondary psychological symptoms can be added to physical WPI
- Combining primary psychological impairment with physical impairment
- Using generic PIRS language without explaining primary-versus-secondary injury
- Treating diagnosis alone as the WPI rating
Legal review note
- Psychological injury pages should be legally reviewed because NSW primary psychological injury reforms and reasonable management action issues may apply.
Assessment source
Assessment source: The NSW Guidelines replace AMA5 Chapter 14 for psychiatric and psychological disorders. Secondary psychological conditions arising from another work injury do not receive a permanent impairment assessment in NSW workers compensation.
This section is source-backed general information. It is not a WPI assessment and is not legal advice.
Related injury and claim pages
Need a practical claim check?
If an impairment percentage, medical assessment or insurer decision is affecting your NSW injury claim, send the decision or report for a practical review. This is general information only and does not guarantee any result.
Request a free claim checkCommon accident contexts
Psychological injury evidence often depends on context: workplace events, traumatic accidents, harassment, sustained stressors or the mental impact of a physical injury. The history needs to be specific and supported.
- Work injury claims involving psychological symptoms connected to work events or work conditions
- Car accident and CTP matters involving trauma, anxiety, sleep or mood changes after a crash
- Public liability incidents involving traumatic events or psychological symptoms after injury
- TPD claims where psychological symptoms affect sustainable work capacity
Symptoms and treatment records that may matter
Treatment records may discuss anxiety, low mood, trauma symptoms, sleep disturbance, panic symptoms, concentration issues, medication, therapy or work capacity. A treating practitioner should assess symptoms and treatment needs.
Evidence to keep
For psychological injury, records should show the relevant events or stressors, treatment history, capacity changes, medication or referrals where relevant, work impact and insurer correspondence.
- GP, psychologist, psychiatrist, hospital, therapy, medication and referral records where relevant
- Workplace, accident, insurer, police, event or incident records
- Employer correspondence, rosters, leave records, payslips and capacity documents
- Centrelink, income protection, workers compensation, CTP or TPD documents if relevant
Ask which claim pathway may applyHow the injury may affect assessment
Psychological symptoms can affect work attendance, concentration, sleep, relationships, treatment, daily routines and ability to sustain work. Claim documents should explain function and capacity rather than relying only on labels.
Common claim problems
These issues do not decide the outcome by themselves, but they are common reasons a claim needs careful evidence and chronology.
- Broad statements without a clear chronology or treatment history
- Insurer questions about what caused or contributed to symptoms
- Work capacity disputes where symptoms are not linked to functional limits
- TPD evidence that describes diagnosis but not sustainable work capacity
Mistakes to avoid
Psychological injury claims need calm chronology and records. Unsupported broad statements are usually less helpful than dates, documents, treatment history and functional impact.
- Assuming psychological injury does not count
- Waiting too long before seeking medical review or support
- Sending emotional explanations without supporting documents
- Ignoring insurer letters or review dates
Claim pathway
How injury evidence is usually organised
This is a general pathway only. The documents, decision-maker and timing can change depending on the facts and claim type.
- 1
Injury or incident
Start with where and how the injury happened: road accident, workplace incident, public or private place, or a longer-term disability situation.
- 2
Medical treatment
Get appropriate treatment and keep certificates, referrals, scans, reports and notes about how symptoms affect work or daily life.
- 3
Evidence and chronology
Organise incident records, photos, witness details, wage records, claim numbers and correspondence in date order.
- 4
Insurer or super fund
The pathway may involve a CTP insurer, workers compensation insurer, public liability insurer or superannuation trustee/insurer.
- 5
Assessment or dispute
The insurer or fund may request material, assess treatment or work capacity, make a decision, or issue reasons that need a careful response.
- 6
Resolution or next decision
The practical outcome may be approval, payment, treatment support, further evidence, review, dispute steps or another decision point.
Documents and records
Injury evidence to organise early
The useful records depend on how the injury happened, when symptoms were recorded and how treatment or work capacity changed.
- Date, location and short description of the injury event
- Medical certificates, reports, scans, treatment records or hospital documents
- Employer, insurer, police, incident or venue records where relevant
- Photos, witness details, dashcam or other supporting material if available
- Income, superannuation, work capacity or leave records where relevant
- Letters, emails, claim numbers and decisions already received
Common questions
Injury evidence questions
Short general answers only. The right next step depends on the facts, dates and documents.
Can I claim for psychological injury at work?
A psychological injury at work may raise a workers compensation enquiry, but the answer depends on the work history, medical evidence, capacity, insurer position and applicable rules. It should not be dismissed just because it is not visible.
Can psychological injury be relevant to TPD?
It can be relevant if the evidence addresses policy wording, treatment history, function and work capacity. Diagnosis alone may not answer the TPD question.
Which claim type might apply?
That depends on how the injury happened. The same injury can involve CTP, workers compensation, public liability, TPD or more than one pathway. Get advice if the pathway is unclear.
