The State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) regulates insurance for:
• Workers compensation
• Motor accidents CTP
• Home building compensation
There are several SIRA approved insurers who coordinate the rehabilitation services.
Latest News
On 27 May 2022 SIRA published in the government gazette that the
fees order for exercise physiology would change with the implementation of a session-based fee for initial and subsequent consultations and the introduction of a new item code for Consultation C. They further advised that if it is clinically appropriate for the practitioner to provide the more comprehensive Consultation C treatment sessions after 1 August 2022, the practitioner will be required to submit an AHRR to the insurer with documentation of relevant evidence based standard outcome measures to assist the insurer in their review. iCare have advised that they have been working with the treatment leads around ensuring the Case managers have the knowledge and information to assess AHRRs in preparation for the introduction of Consultation C code in the fee schedule on August 1.
Here is a link to access information about
Consultation C.
The workers compensation fees orders do not apply to services delivered for persons injured and eligible for compensation under the CTP (including Lifetime Care) scheme. The CTP scheme does not set maximum fees for allied health treatment services. These fees are agreed between the insurer and practitioner. Although some insurers use the workers compensation fees as a proxy/guide, they are not legislated in the CTP scheme.
How do I register?
Treatment Services
To be eligible to provide EP treatment services you need to obtain a provider number by:
- Hold current AEP accreditation with ESSA.
Note: You will need your ESSA accreditation number for your SIRA application
- Complete the SIRA Allied Health Practitioners Training Program. This is a mandatory three-module course delivered by the Personal Injury Education Foundation (PIEF) and costs $107 per module. ESSA CPD points (3 points per module, 9 maximum) are available upon successful completion.
- Complete the SIRA Allied Health Practitioner Application Form.
Note: This must be submitted to SIRA
Workplace Rehabilitation Services
To be eligible to provide workplace rehabilitation services, an individual MUST:
- Be an AEP with ESSA AND
- Have completed a course that includes all Workplace Rehabilitation elements (See list below)
- Request a certificate and letter of support from ESSA. Please email [email protected].
Once eligible, the AEP must be employed by a SIRA approved workplace rehabilitation provider to be able to provide workplace rehabilitation services.
What services can I provide?
Exercise Physiology Treatment Services
AEPs can provide exercise physiology (i.e. clinical) treatment services to help a worker recover following a workplace injury on referral from a GP or insurance case manager.
When you receive a referral, you must contact the insurer before your first appointment with the worker to confirm:
- Their claim has been accepted;
- They are eligible for payment of medical and related expenses; and
- The insurer agrees treatment is reasonably necessary.
You must submit an Allied Health Recovery Request (AHRR) Form when seeking pre-approval for treatment services.
Services can include:
- Individual exercise interventions
- Group exercise sessions
- Education sessions
- Telehealth – you must consider the appropriateness of this mode of service delivery on a case-by-case basis. Telehealth services require pre-approval from the insurer and must be consented to in advance by all parties involved - the worker, the allied health practitioner and the insurer.
Workplace Rehabilitation Providers
Workplace rehabilitation providers are organisations accredited to deliver workplace rehabilitation services to help injured workers return to work. They have employees (e.g., AEPs) who have the qualifications, experience and expertise appropriate to provide timely intervention, with services based on the assessed need of the worker and the workplace.
Services include:
- Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE)
- Workplace Assessments (WPA)
What do I charge, and how do I bill?
Services are paid for by the SIRA approved insurer.
You must charge fees that do not exceed the maximum outlined in the Accredited Exercise Physiologist Fees Order. This is updated annually.
GST applies to these services. Fees listed are GST exclusive.
Your invoices must include:
- Worker's first and last name, and claim number
- ABN and payee details
- Your name and SIRA provider number
- Date of service
- SIRA workers compensation payment classification code and service costs
- Date of invoice (must be on the day of or after last date of service listed on the invoice)
Travel costs require pre-approval from the insurer.
What else do I need to know?
- SIRA does not generally support the use of pool or gym programs for work related injuries.
- Allied health practitioners do not have approval to enter a workplace to provide treatment services for a worker (not applicable for workplace rehabilitation providers).
- Interstate allied health practitioners providing treatment services to a NSW worker outside of NSW do not need to be approved by SIRA, or complete the NSW allied health practitioner online training. They must adhere to the NSW workers compensation system requirements.
- Allied health practitioners can bill for video consultations (telehealth services).
Who do I contact with questions?
What's New?
*Update on certificates of capacity/fitness (April 2020). Unfortunately ESSA has not been successful in its advocacy efforts proposing AEPs are included in any legislative amendments enabling a second or subsequent Certificate of Capacity/Fitness as part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 emergency plan. ESSA is committed to continuing to advocate for AEPs and will advise as soon as there is an update.
Resources
Approved Professional Development
|
Course Name
|
Years Available
|
|
Australian Catholic University
|
|
Occupational Assessment and Rehabilitation Unit
|
2019-current
|
|
Exercise & Sport Science Australia / Southern Cross University
|
|
Workplace Rehabilitation
|
March 2013 – September 2017
|
2023 Information
Course Offering 1: Commenced January 2023. Enrolments are now closed.
Course Offering 2: TBC.
Courses are run online with two days required on campus (ACU Strathfield campus, Sydney). If you would like to enrol or have further questions please contact [email protected] .
Approved Universities
|
University
|
Course Code
|
Course Name
|
Campus
|
Graduating Cohorts
|
|
Australian Catholic University
|
MCEP
|
Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology
|
Strathfield
|
2016-2026
|
|
Banyo, Fitzroy
|
2019-2026
|
|
Charles Sturt University
|
4717EP
|
Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology
|
Bathurst
|
2017-2023
|
| Curtin University |
MC-CEXPHY |
Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology |
Perth |
2020-2024 |
|
Deakin University
|
H743
|
Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology
|
Burwood
|
2019-2023
|
|
Edith Cowan University
|
M90
|
Bachelor of Science (Exercise & Rehabilitation Science)
|
Joondalup
|
2021-2025
|
|
Federation University
|
PJ4
|
Graduate Diploma of Clinical Exercise Physiology
|
Ballarat
|
2016-2019
|
|
PJ9
|
Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology
|
Ballarat & Mt Helen
|
2020-2024
|
|
Flinders University
|
MCEP
|
Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology
|
Bedford Park, Sturt and Tonsley
|
2020-2024
|
|
Griffith University
|
4157
|
Graduate Diploma of Exercise Science
|
Gold Coast
|
2017-2019
|
|
1604
|
Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology
|
Gold Coast
|
2020-2024
|
| James Cook University |
118804 |
Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology |
Townsville |
2022-2023 |
|
La Trobe University
|
HMEPB
|
Master of Exercise Physiology
|
Bendigo
|
2019-2024
|
| Murdoch University |
M1325 |
Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology |
Murdoch |
2022-2023 |
|
Queensland University of Technology
|
XN51
|
Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology
|
Kelvin Grove
|
2020-2024
|
|
XN52
|
Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology: Honours
|
Kelvin Grove
|
2020-2024
|
|
Southern Cross University
|
1207247
|
Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology
|
Lismore
|
2016-2024
|
|
Gold Coast
|
2019-2024
|
|
University of Canberra
|
266JA
|
Bachelor of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation
|
Bruce
|
2019-2023
|
| University of Newcastle |
40243 |
Master of Exercise Physiology |
Ourimbah |
2022-2023 |
|
University of New England
|
BCEP
|
Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology
|
Armidale
|
2016-2025
|
|
University of New South Wales
|
3871
|
Bachelor of Exercise Physiology
|
Sydney
|
2016-2022
|
|
University of Queensland
|
BClinExP-Hons
|
Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology: Honours
|
St Lucia
|
2020-2025
|
|
University of South Australia
|
IBCP
|
Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology
|
Adelaide
|
2019-2024
|
|
University of Southern Queensland
|
BSEH-CEP
|
Bachelor of Sport and Exercise: Honours – Clinical Exercise Physiology
|
Ipswich
|
2018-2023
|
|
University of Sydney
|
ExPhys
|
Master of Exercise Physiology
|
Camperdown
|
2021-2025
|
|
University of Tasmania
|
54C
|
Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science with Clinical Honours in Exercise Physiology
|
Launceston
|
2020-2024
|
| University of Western Australia |
73520 |
Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology |
Crawley |
2022 -2023 |
| CM018 |
Combined Bachelor of Science: Double Major in Sport Science, Exercise and Health / Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology |
Crawley |
2022 -2023 |
|
University of Wollongong
|
851-2
|
Bachelor of Exercise Science and Rehabilitation
|
Wollongong
|
2016-2023
|
|
2612
|
Graduate Diploma in Exercise Rehabilitation**
|
Wollongong
|
2016-2022
|
|
434
|
Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology**
|
Wollongong
|
2016-2023
|
|
** Students completing these courses MUST have completed the University of Wollongong undergraduate course.
|
|
Victoria University
|
AMEP
|
Master of Clinical Exercise Science and Rehabilitation
|
Footscray
|
2020-2024
|
**All ESSA accredited courses are eligible for SIRA accreditation from 2023
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Updated May 2023
