Professional practice

December 2014

It has come to the APS’ attention that a number of larger psychology businesses have introduced the practice of requiring ‘trailing fees’ from contracted psychologists who have left the practice. The term trailing fees refers to the situation where a previously contracted...

December 2014

The Federal Government has recently announced that psychologists who provide Medicare Focused Psychological Strategies (FPS) items are no longer required to undertake 10 hours of FPS-related continuing professional development (CPD) in order to maintain their Medicare Provider status. This change...

October 2014

Psychologists running their own businesses inevitably come up against the issue of clients not paying their fees on time for a variety of reasons, such as illness, loss of job, sudden travel or dissatisfaction with the service. Psychologists are usually sympathetic to the financial difficulties...

October 2014 | Dr Louise Roufeil

The National Registration and Accreditation Scheme was introduced four years ago and brought in sweeping changes to the regulation of registered health professions, which includes psychologists. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) was given responsibility for the...

October 2014 | Professor Anthony Love

As part of their record keeping practices in the digital age, many psychologists are now scanning written notes, storing them electronically, and then seeking to shred the original version. Several members have contacted the APS asking for reassurance about whether this practice is considered...

October 2014 | Dr Louise Roufeil FAPS

Most psychologists are aware of the legal, professional and organisational imperatives to keep adequate records documenting psychological services that have been provided. While the focus tends to be on recording the delivery of professional psychological services with clients, little attention...

August 2014

The care of infants and young children after their parents separate has been fraught with controversy since amendments to the Australian Family Law legislation in 2006. Under this law, when separated parents legally share parental responsibility, they – or courts making decisions on their...

August 2014 | Dr Rebecca Mathews

The first anniversary of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in July this year has provided a timely opportunity to review the impact, implications and challenges of the roll-out of the Scheme across trial sites for consumers and for service providers, particularly psychologists. The...