Health providers and services

A medical expert is defined under the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1986 as a provider who is registered with the relevant registration board in South Australia or in any other relevant jurisdiction if the services are delivered outside of SA, in one of the following disciplines:

• medical practice (including general practice, specialist, physician and psychiatry)
• dentistry
• psychology
• optical
• osteopathy
• physiotherapy
• chiropractic
• podiatry
• occupational therapy
• speech pathology.

The types of services and scale of charges payable by WorkCover for delivery of services in SA are published in the Government Gazette. For access to all current fee schedules click here.

WorkCover's claims agent Employers Mutual or self-insured employers may also make referrals to medical experts for services such as:

• activities of daily living
• functional capacity evaluations
• graduated return to work programs
• job analyses
• worksite assessments
• vocational assessments
• driver assessments
• driver rehabilitation programs.

If you are interested in receiving referrals from Employers Mutual for delivering any of these services, register your interest by completing the application below:
Registration: Medical expert rehabilitation services

A list of currently registered driver assessors is attached below:
Accredited driver assessment and driver rehabilitation provider listing

Acupuncture treatment can only be provided by a legally qualified medical practitioner or other medical experts such as physiotherapists, chiropractors and occupational therapists. Treatment must be given by needle method only. A number of qualified providers have agreed for their details to be made available for injured workers.
Acupuncture provider listing

Gymnasium (land-based exercise) and remedial massage services
Gymnasium and remedial massage services are classified by WorkCoverSA as authorised classes of costs. Generally this means that the provision of such services are supported, but must be considered for appropriateness on a case by case basis.

For land-based exercise or massage services, it is preferred that such services are provided by a medical expert. However, it is recognised that at times, non-medical experts may deliver such services. Where land-based exercise or massage services are sought from non-medical experts, it is expected that the injured worker obtains a referral from a medical expert prior to incurring these services.

It is the responsibility of the referring medical expert to monitor and evaluate the ongoing benefit and need for such services to ensure they are providing the injured worker with value in terms of increasing function and/or return to work. Where possible, such services should form part of Rehabilitation and Return to Work Plan.

When referring an injured worker to a non-medical expert, the referrer must ensure the non-medical expert is appropriately qualified. The minimum qualification level for non-medical experts is:

Non-medical gymnasium providers (for the provision of land-based exercise programs)

• Diploma in Fitness from a recognised training organisation

Non-medical remedial massage providers (for the provision of massage services)

• Diploma in Remedial Massage from a recognised training organisation

Qualifications over and above these standards (such as Exercise Physiology or Bachelor of Applied Science, human movement for land-based exercise providers) are appropriate, provided a topic in rehabilitation has been completed as part of these qualifications.

Confirmation of appropriate qualification can be demonstrated by the provision of training certification or registration/membership with an accrediting body or association (as there are various levels of membership with accrediting bodies or associations, the non-medical expert provider should demonstrate membership corresponding to diploma level). 

A fee schedule and guideline outlining the appropriate item numbers, charges and expectations for both non-medical expert groups is available. As with any services incurred by injured workers, payment for such services will be considered on a case by case basis.

Gymnasium provider fee schedule and guidelines (effective 1 January 2012)
Remedial massage fee schedule and guidelines (effective 1 January 2012)

Aquatic therapy services
Aquatic therapy services can only be delivered by a medical expert such as a physiotherapist.

Gymnasium and Aquatic (pool) facilities
Any gymnasium or pool facility that is approved by the relevant South Australian Local Government for public use can be used for the delivery of aquatic and/or gymnasium services.

Aquatic and gymnasium facility fee schedule and guidelines (effective 1 January 2012)