Australian Psychological Society

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) is Australia's leading association for psychologists in Australia, with more than 25,000 members. APS works to improve the lives of Australians through psychology, working in diverse settings and sectors around the country. APS helps the community to understand and access psychology via education, advocacy, and evidence-based practice.

Australian Psychological Society

APS logo
Formation	1966
Headquarters	Level 11, 257 Collins Street Melbourne, Australia
Membership	25,000
CEO	Zena Burgess
President	Dr Sara Quinn
Website	psychology.org.au

Membership

APS offers several membership grades. Each grade has specific requirements, which are generally based on an applicant’s level of tertiary education in psychology. Applicants must be qualified in, or be studying, psychology programs accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).  

The APS Code of Ethics

The Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics was adopted by the organisation in 2007, and by the Psychology Board of Australia in 2010. The Board has developed its first regulatory code of conduct, which will come into effect on 1 December 2025.

APS Presidents

The following have been Presidents of the Australian Psychological Society.^[1]

President	Term	Psychology Board of Australia Area of Endorsement(s)
Dr Sara Quinn	2024-2026	Clinical
Catriona Davis-McCabe	2022-2024	Counselling
Tamara Cavenett	2020–2022	Clinical
Ros Knight	2018–2020	Clinical, Counselling
Anthony Cichello	2016–2018	Clinical, Counselling, Health
Mike Kyrios	2014–2016	Clinical
Tim Hannan	2012–2014	Clinical, Clinical Neuro, Forensic, Health, Educational & Developmental, Sport & Exercise
Simon Crowe	2010–2012	Clinical, Clinical Neuro, Forensic
Bob Montgomery	2008–2010	Clinical, Health, Forensic
Amanda Gordon	2006–2008	Clinical, Health
Amanda Gordon	2004–2006	Clinical, Health
Paul R. Martin	2002–2004	Clinical, Health
Paul R. Martin	2000–2002	Clinical, Health
Bruce J. Crowe	1998–2000	Organisational
Bruce J. Crowe	1996–1998	Organisational
Barry J. Fallon	1994–1996
Kevin McConkey	1993–1994
Susan Kelly	1992–1993
Frank D. Naylor	1991–1992
Barry McGaw	1990–1991
John K. Collins	1989–1990
Gordon V. Stanley	1988–1989
Leon Mann	1987–1988
Donald McNicol	1986–1987
Daphne M. Keats	1985–1986
Malcolm B. Macmillan Ian Waterhouse	1984–1985	Clinical
Clive Williams	1983–1984
Ian K. Waterhouse	1982–1983
Michael C. Knowles	1981–1982	Organisational
Ronald C. King	1980–1981
Kenneth C. Gray	1979–1980
Norman T. Feather	1978–1979
Peter Sheehan	1977–1978
A. George Owens	1976–1977
George Singer	1975–1976
Alastair Heron	1974–1975
Alexander M. Clarke	1973–1974
Ronald W. Cumming	1972–1973
Mary C. Nixon	1971–1972
Aubrey J. Yates	1970–1971
John A. Keats	1969–1970
Sydney H. Lovibond	1968–1969
Alex (Tim) J. Marshall	1967–1968
Ross H. Day	1966–1967
Richard A. Champion	1966

Journals and Events

APS publishes science journals with the latest research in psychology, and the conceptual and policy issues affecting the field. These include the Australian Journal of Psychology, Australian Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Educational and Developmental Psychologist and The Australian Community Psychologist. APS promotes and facilitates psychology-related events, including the APS Festival of Psychology and APS Psychology Career Expo.

Education and training

APS has nine colleges representing different areas of practice. The Colleges support practice standards and quality assurance, organise education and training, and information sharing with members. The Colleges include: Clinical Neuropsychologists, Clinical Psychologists, Community Psychologists, Counselling Psychologists, Educational and Developmental Psychologists, Forensic Psychologists, Health Psychologists, Organisational Psychologists and Sport and Exercise Psychologists.

Registration requirements are determined by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme. 

General registration requires a minimum six-year sequence of education and training. This typically includes a four-year Board-approved accredited sequence of study in psychology, followed by one of the below pathways. 

Fourth-year graduates can choose from:

• The higher degree pathway, which is an approved postgraduate degree accredited at the fifth and sixth year level (eg. two-year Masters) or higher (eg. three or four year Doctorate), or
• The 5+1 internship pathway. This requires you to pass the national psychology exam before applying for general registration.

Psychologists must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia, and meet the Board's registration standards, in order to practise in Australia.

See also

• American Psychological Association
• Australian Counselling Association
• Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia
• Psychologists Board of Queensland

Notes