Professional practice

August 2015 | Caroline Long, Dr Hollie Wilson, Lee Brient, Professor Lynne Magor-Blatch

Just over 40% of Australians either smoked daily, drank alcohol in ways that put them at risk of harm, or used an illicit drug in the previous 12 months; 3.1% engaged in all three of these behaviours.2013 National Drug Strategy Household SurveyAlcohol is implicated in over 60 diseases and...

August 2015

Psychologists frequently choose to use their psychological skills on a pro bono or voluntary basis for a variety of reasons, such as wanting to ‘give back’ to the community, assisting those less fortunate, or to enhance their retirement. Examples of pro bono psychological services...

August 2015 | Dr Rebecca Mathews

While some members may be reluctant to work with the media, others will already be engaged with the media as spokespeople, writers and even as presenters. The media offers many potential benefits for raising community awareness of psychology, increasing government awareness of particular services...

August 2015

The APS Professional Advisory Service frequently receives calls from members unsure if relationship counselling is an allowable use of a Better Access Medicare item. It is important to note that the intent of the Better Access initiative is to provide evidence-based treatment to people with a...

August 2015

Changes to the English language skills registration standards for health professionals registered under AHPRA, including psychologists, were introduced from 1 July 2015. The registration standard has been reconfigured so that all applicants for initial general registration must use one of four...

June 2015

The psychological services provided by psychologists to their clients frequently involve complex dynamics within an inherent power differential and amid discussion of sensitive and emotionally-laden material. For this reason, Australian psychologists’ services are governed by the APS Code...

June 2015

The purpose of the Better Access initiative is to enable Medicare-funded treatment of mental illness in the community, and services provided are expected to comply with the allowable psychological treatment interventions for clients with eligible mental disorders. Guidance from the Department of...

June 2015

The APS Professional Advisory Service has experienced an increasing number of enquiries around contracting issues for services provided in private practices. Members have been asked to sign contracts that include clauses that appear unfair and may not align with psychologists’ obligations...

June 2015

Preparation of reports on psychological services that have been provided are an integral part of psychologists’ work. However, psychologists are increasingly being requested to provide other documentation, letters and certificates, and have sought APS guidance about whether and how to...