Counsellors NZ is currently unavailable for ACC-funded services. You can still use the information below to understand the current Sensitive Claims Service and discuss your options with an approved ACC provider.

ACC’s Sensitive Claims Service provides fully funded support, treatment and assessment for people affected by sexual abuse or assault. You do not need to have a physical injury, report the event to Police, or tell anyone beyond what is needed to access support.

The pathway is designed to move at a safe pace. The exact services and hours approved depend on your circumstances, clinical needs and ACC’s decisions.

Who can access support

Where an event happened outside New Zealand, eligibility may depend on whether you were ordinarily resident in New Zealand at the relevant time. This is determined under section 17 of the Accident Compensation Act 2001 and ACC’s individual assessment. There is no blanket rule that a person is disqualified simply because they were away for six months or more.

Ordinary residence can involve citizenship, permanent residence or qualifying visa status, together with the statutory requirements. Because this is a legal eligibility question, an ACC provider or ACC should confirm how the law applies to your circumstances.

Getting started and early supports

The process normally begins with a named service provider who explains the service, obtains consent, explores your needs and lodges an Engagement Form with ACC.

Getting Started: up to 2 hours for the initial appointment or appointments, eligibility discussion, consent, needs exploration and Engagement Form.
Early Supports: up to 4 hours for the lead service provider to meet with you and gather information, plus up to 2 hours to prepare the Early Supports Plan for ACC.

These are hour-based allocations, not a fixed number of counselling sessions. If more time is needed for ACC to make a cover decision, the correct client consent form is ACC8532, Consent for cover timeframe extension – client.

Two pathways for determining cover

Cover and Wellbeing Plan

Where clinically appropriate, a lead service provider can submit a Cover and Wellbeing Plan to help ACC determine cover for Unspecified Trauma or Stressor Related Disorder. This pathway does not require an independent assessor or a separate meeting with an external specialist.

The current templates are ACC8534 for adults and ACC8535 for children and young people. The lead service provider can access up to 4 hours to meet with the client and gather information, including feedback, plus up to 2 hours to complete the plan.

Specialist Cover Assessment

A Specialist Cover Assessment is the formal clinical assessment used when this pathway is needed. It replaces the former term “Supported Assessment” and is not limited to a single two-hour appointment.

The Named Assessment Provider can use up to 6 hours to meet with the client, gather information and provide feedback.
Up to 10 hours is available to complete the Specialist Cover Assessment report for ACC.
Where the assessor is a different person, the Lead Service Provider can use up to 10 hours to support the client before, during and after the assessment until ACC makes its cover decision.

Support after cover is accepted

The previous annual allocation of up to 48 therapy hours has been replaced by Tailored Support to Wellbeing packages. Hours can be used across appropriate providers and services to meet the client’s recovery goals.

Package A: up to 80 hours over a maximum of 24 months.
Package B: up to 100 hours over a maximum of 24 months.
A second Package B allocation may be approved where further support is required. A Treatment Review is required before support beyond two Package B allocations.

The maximum allocation is not automatically used in every case. The requested hours and duration should match the client’s needs and recovery goals.

Telehealth and online appointments

ACC does not impose an absolute ban on using telehealth for assessments. Telehealth may replace an in-person consultation when it is clinically appropriate, meets the equivalent standard of care, and telehealth-specific risks can be safely managed.

The provider must consider safety, privacy, clinical risk, communication needs, accessibility, cultural needs and the suitability of the technology.
Both the client and provider must be physically present in New Zealand when the ACC telehealth service is delivered.
An in-person appointment may still be recommended where it is safer or clinically preferable for the individual client.

Mandatory outcome measures

For clients aged 4 and above, both a primary and a secondary outcome measure are compulsory and must be submitted through ACC’s online outcome-measures system.

The primary measure is EQ-5D.
The secondary measure is HoNOS or Hua Oranga, selected according to the client’s age and circumstances. HoNOS is required for children and young people aged 4 to 15.
Measures are requested after the Engagement Form, generally every 6 months, every 3 months for Short-term Support to Wellbeing, and at completion of services.
The measures are normally due within 15 business days of ACC’s request. The same selected secondary measure should be used throughout services.

Confidentiality and informed support

Sensitive Claims providers must work in a safe, respectful and confidential way. You should be told what information is being collected, why it is needed, and what will be sent to ACC. You can ask your provider to explain any form, assessment, report or outcome measure before you agree to proceed.

This page is a general guide and does not replace ACC’s current contract documents, operational guidance or an individual cover decision.

Official sources: ACC Sensitive Claims Service Operational Guidelines, ACC telehealth criteria, ACC support after sexual abuse or assault, and section 17 of the Accident Compensation Act 2001.