02 March 2023
ReturnToWorkSA – SA’s state insurer - is consulting with PACFA over its proposed new mental health category, which would include a counselling fee schedule and policy.
While PACFA Clinical practitioners can provide counselling services to injured South Australian workers under ReturnToWorkSA’s mental health support, currently there is no counselling-specific fee schedule or policy.
The proposed fee for counselling under the mental health category is $162.90 per hour and $138.30 per hour travel time. The policy sets out eligibility guidelines for counsellors and psychotherapists to register with ReturnToWorkSA, as well as expectations to focus on work injury-related support and goals.
Under the policy PACFA Clinical members who have completed ReturnToWorkSA’s online module for mental health professionals would be able to register with ReturnToWorkSA.
The consultation period ends on 10 March, and the new mental health category is expected to begin from 1 July 2023.
We welcome the proposal for counselling to have its own fee schedule and policy. As well as our partnership with ReturnToWorkSA, PACFA has negotiated recognition for eligible PACFA members with WorkSafe Victoria, Workcover Qld and the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) in NSW.
View more information about PACFA’s partnerships with work-related injury schemes in these states.