Response to the Review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) welcomed the opportunity to make a submission to the Review to inform the Expert Panel recommendations to the Education Ministers about reforms that can drive better student outcomes ahead of the renewal of the National School Reform Agreement (NSRA).

In the submission, we commended the Expert Panel's recognition of the crucial role of enhancing student mental health and well-being in shaping a more equitable and improved education system. Drawing on the APS Psychologists in Schools Position Statement, we identified more school-based psychologists as a strong return on investment towards ensuring children and young people are able to thrive during and beyond their schooling years. We noted that:

• Wholistic, timely and integrated psychological support to help to address mental health and wellbeing and other psychosocial vulnerabilities is essential during the school years and will yield substantial benefits for individuals, families, communities and the national economy.
• Psychologists based in schools have a unique profile of training and skills. When supported to work to their full scope of practice, school-based psychologists can support students, educators and schools to improve student outcomes and ensure a better and fairer education system.
• A ratio of at least 1 psychologist to 500 students would enable psychologists in schools to work alongside school personnel to develop robust whole-school approaches and incorporate evidenced-based programs that support all students' mental health, developmental and learning needs as well as provide targeted support and early intervention for struggling students.
• The APS has solutions for quickly growing the school psychology workforce to the required levels, such as the supported deployment of the provisional psychology workforce in schools.

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