The APS is the leading association for psychologists in Australia.
It supports members in the critical work they do across private practice, the health sector, education, business, government and not-for-profit organisations. It’s a 24,059 member force for good in Australian society.
Professional groups
198 member groups offer Australian psychologists the opportunity to band together with peers, via events, professional development, forums and online communities. These include 42 Branches, three Divisions, eight State Committees, nine Colleges, and 51 Interest Groups, all sustained by volunteers and supported by APS National Office.
Expert connections
Thousands of events each year enable APS members to meet, share expertise and collaborate to promote the discipline and profession. Regular member group forums and advisory groups bring members together from across the diverse field of psychology and the country to shape the work of the APS.
Research and information
The APS equips members with the latest research and professional advice and information to promote best-practice services for the community. Landmark publications and impact-ranked journals, professional guides and resources underpin this work.
Professional tools and resources
In this fast-evolving sector, psychologists rely on the resources, advice, information, CPD logging, peer consultation networks, supervisor registers, professional indemnity insurance discounts and range of member services offered by the APS to support professional excellence.
Advice and support
New practice resources guides addressed important issues in the provision of psychological services including managing legal requests for client files, subpoenas, and third party requests for psychological reports. Brochures on compensable care, practice contingency plans and tendering to Primary Health Networks were also developed and circulated as part of the APS work to address emerging issues in the industry.
Highlights in 2018
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- The new APS Advisory Council convened in May, following the completion of a major governance review in 2017. More than 55 members gathered in Melbourne to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the diverse field of psychology and to help to set the agenda for the APS and psychology as a whole.
- The APS website and its flagship psychology publication InPsych were rethought, redesigned and relaunched, to improve the communication of psychology information and updates across its membership. The new website features easier-to-access and more up-to-date professional information, practical new tools such as Resource Finder, a more sophisticated search facility and a greatly enhanced public information section. InPsych’s new flexible format and modern design allows for the publication of more research, diverse professional reflections and coverage of a wider range of psychology topics.
- The APS developed education and training resources to support the transition of sole trader and small business private mental health clinicians into the mental health care commissioning models being developed by Primary Health Networks. This was funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Health.
- The dedicated Professional Advisory Service, a service unique in Australia, responded to more than 9,800 calls and emails on issues such as working with children of separated parents, contracting arrangements, boundaries, confidentiality, responding to subpoenas, and Medicare issues. The Member Assistance Centre responded to thousands more on issues such as national registration, training pathways, and advocacy for study pathways.
- New Interest Groups devoted to Testing and Assessment in Psychology, Sleep Psychology and Clinical Hypnosis were established, bringing the total number of these groups to 51. APS Interest Groups bring together researchers and practitioners to pool knowledge and increase collaboration in important areas of emerging interest in psychology.
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