APS member poll shows cost remains the biggest barrier to care

Following recent member feedback about waitlists, we conducted a member poll in July to better understand the current challenges you and your clients are facing.  

The cost-of-living crisis is impacting members and clients significantly. Our poll revealed that 73% of you are concerned about client barriers to access, with 44% listing cost as the top perceived barrier. This is consistent with the recent APS National Mental Health Survey of 2038 Australians, where 75% of respondents ranked cost in their top three barriers to care. 

The Australian Bureau of Statistics' (ABS) Patients Experience Survey echoes these findings, showing a 40% increase in the number of the most socio-economically disadvantaged Australians who cited cost as a reason for delaying or avoiding psychological services in 2022-23. 

According to our July member poll, 55% of members reported improved waitlists, 30% indicated no change and 15% observed worsening waitlists. We’re concerned that waitlists are reducing because people are unable to afford to see a psychologist, thereby masking the true demand for services. As psychologists, we know that there are people who are untreated and undertreated and think this may be getting worse not better.  

Alarmingly, 31% of members reported not being able take on new clients for assessment and/or intervention, while 34% of members indicated that clients wait one month to access treatment. 49% of members reported waitlists of two to four months and 18% noted waitlists of five months or longer. 

Additionally, many respondents (64%) reported working between 5 and 20 unbillable hours each week.  

While we secured $91 million in workforce funding in the 2023/24 Federal Budget, we know much more is needed for our members to work safely and receive appropriate recognition for the services they provide to the Australian people. 

Our extensive list of advocacy submissions can be found here.  

We are deeply grateful and inspired by the members who have provide feedback on these issues. We value this feedback enormously and remain dedicated to addressing these challenges with you through robust advocacy and support initiatives.