Code of conduct for psychologists released

25 Nov 2024

Advance copies of the Psychology Board of Australia’s Code of conduct for psychologists have now been published on the Board website, twelve months ahead of its implementation on 1 December 2025.

This is the first regulatory code of conduct developed by the Board, since it adopted the Australian Psychological Society’s Code of ethics (the APS code) as the code of conduct and ethics for the profession when the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme started in 2010.

The code builds upon extensive research and evidence collected in the development of the shared Code of conduct released in 2022 and has been informed by a wide-ranging public consultation carried out in 2023. A total of 131 submissions from psychologists, stakeholders and the general public were received during this consultation. The public consultation report and submissions can be found on our past consultations webpage.

Some key aspects of the code include:

• embedding cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in line with changes to the National Law,
• applicability across the diversity of psychological practice settings,
• complementing the changes to the general registration competencies for psychologists, and
• greater consistency within the National Scheme through alignment with the shared Code of conduct.

Board Chair Rachel Phillips said the Board-authored code of conduct sets out the professional standards that represent the core requirements of safe and effective psychology practice in Australia.

‘This code of conduct addresses the nuances of psychological practice and provides greater detail for what the Board expects of psychologists. It’s a resource that, by establishing consistent and evidence-based standards, will contribute to the culture of professionalism in psychology.’

Ms Phillips said the code would also provide the public with a guide to help them understand what behaviours they can expect from a psychologist.

‘Public safety is our priority. The code reinforces that psychologists have a duty to be ethical, trustworthy, and to act in the best interest of their clients.’

The APS code will continue to be used during this transition period until the Board-authored code of conduct takes effect on 1 December 2025. Compliance with the APS code will remain a requirement of registration as a psychologist in Australia during this period.

For more information

• Visit the Code of conduct page on the Board’s website
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia)
• To make an online enquiry complete our web enquiry form
• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200