The APS has raised concerns about human rights, including those of clients receiving psychological services, and of marginalised groups, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, asylum seekers and refugees, and LGBTIQ+ individuals and groups. We highlight the established links between human rights, material circumstances and psychological health.
The APS supports psychologists to promote equity and the protection of people’s human, legal, and moral rights. This is guided by:
- The APS Code of Ethics which reflects psychologists’ commitment to respect the rights and dignity of people and peoples, propriety, and integrity. The Code is complemented by sets of ethical guidelines, including guidelines on the provision of psychological services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, children and older adults, amongst others.
- The universal declaration of ethical principles for psychologists (2008), which explicitly recognises that psychology as a science and a profession functions within the context of human society. As such, psychology has responsibilities to society that include using psychological knowledge to improve the condition of individuals, families, groups, communities and society.
- The Australian Human Rights Commission which is an independent statutory organisation leading the promotion and protection of human rights in Australia.