How to Know if You Have a Psychological Injury Due to Work

Recognising a work-related psychological injury can be difficult because symptoms overlap with everyday stress or personal life challenges. Yet knowing when to seek help and potentially support, is vital for wellbeing and recovery.

Signs Your Psychological Injury May Be Work-Related

According to Safe Work Australia, workers’ compensation can cover psychological conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression when work is a significant contributing factor.

Here are some signs your psychological distress may be work-related:

1. Symptoms Started or Worsened After Work Events

If your feelings of anxiety, fear, sadness, panic, or other symptoms began after a specific incident (e.g., violence, harassment, trauma) or gradually with work conditions, this may indicate a connection.

2. Symptoms Persist and Impact Function

To be considered a mental injury under WorkCover, symptoms must cause significant behavioural, cognitive, or psychological dysfunction — meaning they significantly interfere with daily life, work, or relationships.

3. Symptoms Are Not Solely Personal

A connection between work factors and your psychological symptoms, such as unrealistic demands, workplace violence, bullying, harassment or traumatic exposures, can suggest a work-related injury.

Seeking Professional Assessment

A medical practitioner (GP or psychiatrist) diagnosis is required to satisfy WorkSafe Victoria’s legal criteria if you intend to pursue a WorkCover mental injury claim.

Health professionals can help identify whether:

• your symptoms meet diagnostic criteria

• your condition significantly impairs your functioning

• your symptoms are likely linked to work conditions

Talk to Your GP Early

If you suspect a psychological injury, speaking with your GP as soon as possible is advisable. A GP can:

• Provide a medical diagnosis as per clinical guidelines

• Issue a Certificate of Capacity (CoC)

• Initiate a WorkCover claim if appropriate

When to Consider a WorkCover Claim

You might consider lodging a WorkCover claim if:

• A medical professional diagnoses a compensable mental injury.

• Your symptoms began or worsened due to work conditions.

• You are unable to perform your work duties because of psychological dysfunction.

🔗 Safe Work Australia provides guidance on psychological injury compensation eligibility.

FAQ – Is It Work Related?

Q: Can normal workplace stress be compensable?
A: Generally not, unless it leads to significant dysfunction and arises out of extraordinary workplace events.

Q: Do personal life stressors affect eligibility?
A: Personal factors may be considered; compensation focuses on work being a predominant cause.

Q: Who decides if it’s compensable?
A: WorkSafe Victoria (or its agent) assesses eligibility based on medical evidence.

Before you go…
The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as professional advice. It is not a substitute for personalised medical, psychological, legal, or workplace advice. Laws, policies, and eligibility criteria may change and vary between individuals. We encourage readers to seek official guidance from relevant authorities (such as WorkSafe Victoria or Safe Work Australia) and support from qualified professionals before making decisions based on this information.