2022/23 annual summary

Psychology in 2022/23

A report from the Chair

Education and training reform

The Psychology Board of Australia publicly consulted on updated competencies for general registration as a psychologist in Australia, as part of the broader program of work on education and training reform.

By updating the core competencies for registration, we can ensure they are contemporary and we can be confident that psychologists are properly trained and qualified to safely and effectively deliver services into the future.

Our consultation proposed the following improvements:

• updating the eight core competencies to ensure they continue to be relevant, contemporary and aligned with the current Australian accreditation standards and international best practice
• placing a greater emphasis on professional reflexivity, deliberate practice and self-care
• emphasising culturally safe care with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, families and communities
• better addressing the diversity in the Australian community by requiring psychologists to show sensitivity and respect when working with diverse clients, colleagues and other people they encounter.

During the consultation period we hosted two national webinars and attended several events hosted by professional psychology associations that aimed to help the profession and public to understand the changes.

We would like to thank the many individuals, organisations and professional associations who provided feedback on our public consultation paper. Once we have reviewed and incorporated the feedback, we will publish an advance copy of the Professional competencies for psychologists on our website at least 12 months before they come into effect.

Developing a code of conduct

Our expert advisory group prepared a preliminary draft of the Board’s Code of conduct for psychologists. This draft incorporated research and development from the past year, including user testing, and the expert group’s advice on issues specific to psychological practice.

We also carried out preliminary consultation with targeted stakeholders. Following this, we will release the draft code for public consultation, and invite psychologists, stakeholders and the community to provide feedback.

National committees

In December, the Board established national committees to support the management of registration and notifications. The committees replace the regional board structure that has been in place since the start of the National Scheme.

These national committees are:

• Psychology Registration and Compliance Committee
• Psychology Notifications Committee: Assessment
• Psychology Notifications and Compliance Committee
• Psychology Immediate Action Committee.

The Board delegates functions to the national committees so they can make decisions about individual practitioners. This includes deciding whether a practitioner is suitable to be registered and whether to take action against a practitioner when a notification is made about them.

The Board would like to acknowledge the work of Ahpra staff and committee members to ensure the transition to the new structure went smoothly.

Ms Rachel Phillips, Chair