An Australian Psychological Society survey conducted in January of 1,190 members nationwide examined the impact of recent Federal Government funding cuts of subsidised psychology sessions from 20 to 10 per year for millions of Australians and burnout levels within the profession has found:
Previous APS analysis in February 2022 found psychologists working 17 unpaid hours each week while being paid for just 23 hours. By comparison, GPs work an average of 5 unpaid hours each week.
APS President Dr Catriona Davis-McCabe urged the Federal Government to act decisively saying “cutting $100 million from a broken system and replacing it with nothing isn’t the answer.”
“Many patients will rely on their credit card instead of their Medicare card due to these cuts, while many more will be forced to ration or unsafely stop treatment altogether.”
Nurses, paramedics, police, psychologists and allied health workers continue to call for the reinstatement of the 20 subsidised psychology sessions program in accordance with the government’s own independent review.
Dr Davis-McCabe also stressed that “greater access and affordability of mental health care starts with growing the workforce and must be prioritised.”
The Federal Government is meeting 35% of its workforce target for psychologists, the largest shortfall in the mental health sector. Despite this, each year thousands of would-be psychologists can’t finish their studies due to a lack of public university funding.
“Psychologists remain dedicated to their patients, but workplace demands are unsafe and unsustainable.”
“Mental illness is Australia’s leading chronic illness, but current figures will soar if we don’t act urgently.”
“Psychology isn’t just about making people feel better, it’s about helping people become employable, stay in work, keep families together, let people live with dignity and save lives.”
“The economic and health case for reform couldn’t be clearer.”
The Productivity Commission has found targeted investment in mental health would save the Federal Budget $18 billion per year in health, welfare and court costs.
The APS believes the Federal Government should also:
- Boost perinatal care and adopt a 1:500 psychologist to student ratio at all primary and high schools.
- Create a ‘youth mental health safety net’ to ensure people 16-24 years old can access affordable care.
- Replicate GP regional relocation incentives for psychologists to expand access to areas in most need.
- Getting patients treated faster by removing GP referral requirements for the first 3 sessions, and
- Allow the 8,000 provisional psychologists the ability to provide services under Medicare.
ENDS
For more information, or to arrange an interview call the APS Media team on 03 8662 3358 / 0435 896 444, or email. Find the APS Media team on X: @AustPsych
The APS is the largest professional organisation for psychologists in Australia, representing more than 25,000 members. The APS is committed to advancing psychology as a discipline and profession. It spreads the message that psychologists make a difference to people’s lives, through improving psychological knowledge and community wellbeing.