Posted on 14 Aug 2026
Is it worth making a WorkCover claim for psychological injuries?
By Slater and Gordon
When we think of workplace injuries, we usually picture slipped discs, fractured wrists, or physical accidents. But what happens when the injury is invisible? If severe bullying, chronic overwork, or a traumatic event at work has left you dealing with anxiety, depression, or PTSD, your ability to earn a living and enjoy life can take a massive hit.
If you are currently sitting on the fence wondering, "Is it actually worth making a claim for a psychological injury?" the short answer is that is depends on your situation.
The requirements are much more detailed than if you had a physical injury and the process varies for each state. Your outcome and process are going to be unique to you, so you have to keep that in mind.
Put your mental health first
Your mental health is just as valuable as your physical health. It can get you much needed breathing room from a toxic work environment. For example, in Victoria and NSW, if your claim is successful, it can cover:
Funding for psychiatrists, psychologists, medication, and rehabilitation.
Up to 95% of your regular income if you need to take time off work to heal (state dependent).
You may even be entitled to permanent impairment or common law damages in some cases.
The battle isn’t over
While you absolutely should pursue what you are entitled to, it’s important to be realistic because proving psychological injury can be difficult. Proving that work was the predominant cause of your mental injury isn’t easy. Our personal lives can impact our work and vice versa – and what you have to prove to the insurer is that your work is the main thing caused it, not something else external.
Unlike a broken arm, which shows up clearly on an X-ray, mental health injuries are complex and harder to prove. Unfortunately, insurers aren’t known to be the easiest to deal with. Insurers will look into your past medical history and these assessments might not feel fair. The process can feel deeply personal and, at times, invasive.
Explore your options
If you're thinking about WorkCover for your situation, it’s worth understanding the process before you jump in. No, you’re not expected to become a lawyer overnight (even with the help of AI). But you can get advice and explore your options to help you get the help you need. We can help you to get the right medical evidence and meet strict deadlines.
Frequently asked questions
A psychological injury is a diagnosed mental or psychiatric disorder (like depression, anxiety or PTSD). It must be diagnosed by a medical practitioner and in most states, work must be the predominant or significant cause of the mental health condition for you to make a WorkCover claim.
Generally, to qualify for a WorkCover psychological injury claim, you’ll need to show that work was the main or predominant cause of your condition. Causes can include:
Exposure to bullying or harassment
Traumatic incidents at work
Chronic overwork or unsafe workloads
If bullying, unreasonable pressures, or trauma at work predominantly caused your condition, you may have a valid WorkCover psychological injury claim.
It’s similar to making a WorkCover claim for physical injuries and has overlapping steps:
Tell your employer about the injury and how work contributed
See your GP for diagnosis and a workers compensation certificate
Lodge a workers compensation claim form and include medical evidence.
Yes, you may also be entitled to make a claim through superannuation insurance policy. This can happen alongside your WorkCover claim.
The contents of this blog post are considered accurate as at the date of publication. However the applicable laws may be subject to change, thereby affecting the accuracy of the article. The information contained in this blog post is of a general nature only and is not specific to anyone’s personal circumstances. Please seek legal advice before acting on any of the information contained in this post.