APS Response to the Psychology Board of Australia Code of Conduct Consultation

The APS recently provided feedback to the Psychology Board of Australia (the Board) regarding their proposed update to the code of conduct that applies to all psychologists registered in Australia. The Board code of conduct will apply to all registered psychologists and once implemented will replace the APS Code of Ethics (2007). The Board is aiming to align the psychology code of conduct as closely as possible with the other National Scheme codes.

Our feedback to the Board included a number of recommendations to further refine the proposed code to provide a clearer roadmap for ethical practice to ensure client safety and greater confidence for psychologists around making ethical decisions. We consider this particularly important for early career psychologists. In addition, the APS recommended:

• Appropriate and relevant guidelines to accompany the proposed code of conduct including the implications of different contexts of practice (e.g., in rural and remote areas),

• Greater clarity around negotiating changes from the current Code of Ethics, and

• The need for training and education to inform currently practicing psychologists about the new code of conduct.

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