|
AAPi’s Pre-Budget Fight for Psychologists and Access to Care
Australia’s mental health system is increasingly defined by a two-tier reality: the two-tier system that has split the psychology profession and the two-tier system for clients. Those who can afford care get it, and those who cannot are left waiting, deteriorating, or going without support altogether. For psychologists, this two-tier system is felt just as acutely. In unsustainable gap fees, inequitable Medicare rebates, workforce bottlenecks, and growing moral injury.
This is the context in which AAPi has lodged a strong, evidence-based Pre-Budget Submission for the 2026–27 Federal Budget, calling for decisive action to end the two-tier mental health system and restore fairness, access, and respect for psychology as an essential health profession.
AAPi’s submission is grounded in what members tell us every day. Clients are delaying or avoiding care because they cannot afford out-of-pocket costs. Clients cannot access the number of sessions to improve. Psychologists are feeling undervalued. Provisional psychologists are locked out of Medicare and employment opportunities. Rural and regional communities remain underserved. Meanwhile, psychologists are absorbing the emotional, ethical, and financial burden of holding together a system that is failing the people it is meant to support.
To dismantle the two-tier system and restore equitable access to care, AAPi is calling on the Federal Government to act on the following priorities:
AAPi’s key 2026–27 Budget recommendations
- Increase the Medicare rebate for the clients of ALL psychologists
- Increase Medicare Better Access from 10 to 20 sessions per year for people with higher psychological support needs, ensuring care is based on clinical need rather than capacity to pay
- Expand Medicare eligibility to provisional psychologists, immediately increasing workforce capacity, reducing waitlists, and strengthening early-career training pathways
- Introduce rural and regional psychology workforce incentives, including expansion of the Workforce Incentive Program, to address longstanding maldistribution
- Increase Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) for psychology training and align CSP costs across psychology pathways to remove inequitable financial barriers
- Expand eligibility for the Commonwealth Prac Payment to address placement poverty and support students to complete required training
- Fund structured graduate and placement programs across all Commonwealth-funded mental health services, including Medicare-funded services, headspace, youth and perinatal programs
- Commit funding to the implementation of psychology training pathway reforms, with appropriate transition supports for students and providers.
Together, these reforms are designed to end the two-tier system, tackle cost, capacity, and workforce sustainability simultaneously. These priorities are underpinned by strong evidence, including our shared research with the McKell Institute, which confirms that unmet need, affordability barriers, and workforce shortages are driving worsening mental health outcomes and escalating social and economic costs.
For AAPi members, this submission is a clear line in the sand. We are advocating for a system that does not force psychologists to choose between ethical care and financial survival, and that does not lock Australians out of psychological support based on income or postcode. In the lead-up to the Federal Budget, AAPi will continue to push relentlessly. Engaging directly with government, building cross-sector support, and amplifying the collective voice of psychologists nationwide.
For us, ending the two-tier system is not optional. And AAPi will not stop until meaningful change is delivered.
|
Medicare Mental Health Check In concerns as access gaps persist
AAPi President Sahra O’Doherty’s opinion piece on the shortcomings of the proposed Medicare Mental Health Check In was published in the Sunday Herald Sun.
Sahra argued that many people experiencing mental ill health are unlikely to complete an additional check due to the nature of their condition, and that delays in access to care can have serious consequences. She highlighted that pushing people further down the system increases distress and often results in crisis becoming the point of entry to care, placing additional pressure on already overwhelmed emergency departments.
"Australia does not have a digital engagement problem. It has an access problem. People cannot afford to see psychologists early enough, often enough, or for long enough, to recover from what ails them."
She concluded by calling for a simple, evidence-based solution: properly funded access to psychologists, both in person and via telehealth, through Medicare.
|
The line between work passion and obsession
AAPi Vice President Dr Katrina Norris was featured in Body and Soul, discussing the fine line between healthy work passion and obsession. She explained how over-prioritisation of work can disrupt work-life balance, impact mental and physical health, and strain relationships.
|
Back-to-school tips for high schoolers
AAPi Director Daniela McCann was featured across News Corp newspapers, including the Courier Mail and Daily Telegraph, sharing strategies for students and parents as they start or return to high school - including the first Year 7 cohort affected by the under-16s social media ban. Daniela encouraged face-to-face socialising, joining clubs or sports, and modelling positive communication and conflict resolution at home. For neurodivergent students, Daniela recommended visual timetables, sensory aids, and predictable routines, alongside open conversations to help children navigate new environments, greater independence, and the challenges of puberty.
|
Why catching up with friends feels harder than it used to
AAPi President Sahra O’Doherty featured in this Body and Soul article exploring why adult friendships now take so much effort to maintain. The piece examines how busyness, decision fatigue, productivity culture and constant digital coordination have squeezed spontaneity out of social lives, making catch-ups feel more like work than connection. Sahra noted that when social plans require excessive negotiating and planning, even enjoyable activities can feel like a chore, contributing to cancellations, social fatigue and the growing appeal of staying home instead.
|
Parents’ gender expectations and the nurture gap
AAPi Director Rachel Samson was interviewed on ABC Radio Perth to discuss a concerning emerging trend around gender disappointment and the growing preference for girls. Rachel spoke about how gender stereotypes shape the way boys and girls are nurtured from before birth, and the longer-term impacts this can have on emotional development, behaviour, and mental health outcomes across childhood and adolescence.
Rachel’s commentary was also published as an editorial in The Australian.
|
|
The Federal Government has confirmed a three-month delay to the rollout of its flagship Thriving Kids program, which was originally scheduled to commence on 1 July 2026, and will now begin on 1 October 2026.
The program is designed to “take pressure off” the National Disability Insurance Scheme by providing early supports for young children with mild-to-moderate developmental delay and autism. Following a National Cabinet meeting, the government confirmed the delay was to allow additional time for implementation.
The Federal Government has committed $2 billion to Thriving Kids, including $1.4 billion for delivery by states and territories. While the program will begin later this year, full implementation is expected to be completed by 1 January 2028.
While AAPi understands the importance of getting implementation right, delays and design uncertainty create real risks for psychologists, children and families, particularly when changes intersect with broader NDIS reforms and existing access pressures.
In the lead-up to the revised start date, AAPi will be actively advocating for a Thriving Kids system that genuinely improves access to early intervention without undermining psychology, fragmenting care, or creating gaps between mainstream services and the NDIS.
Our advocacy priorities include:
- Ensuring psychologists have a clear, protected role within Thriving Kids
- Preventing scope creep and delivery by under-qualified providers
- Safeguarding clinical judgement, referral integrity and continuity of care
- Protecting client choice and timely access to evidence-based psychological support
AAPi will continue to engage with the government and keep members informed as further details emerge. We remain firmly focused on securing the best possible system. One that supports children and families, protects the profession, and does not compromise access to appropriate psychological care.
|
|
Members often ask how they can help shape the way psychologists are regulated and supported. One meaningful way to influence the quality, safety and fairness of the profession is by applying for a vacant practitioner role with the Psychology Board of Australia.
There are currently several paid positions available nationally across three committees, focused on registration, notifications and compliance. These roles give practising psychologists the opportunity to bring real-world clinical insight to regulatory decision-making, with meetings held online and a commitment of around one to two days per month.
Appointments commence in August 2026 and are open to registered psychologists practising in Australia. Applications from diverse backgrounds and communities are strongly encouraged.
Find out more and apply:
|
|
SIRA has announced a 4.57% indexation increase to the NSW Workers Compensation (Psychology and Counselling Fees) Order, effective from 1 February 2026. The same indexation will also apply to the Independent Consultant Fees Order.
Importantly, while consultation fees are now expressed in 5-minute pro-rata increments, this does not represent a change to the maximum payable amount. Rather, it is a clarification intended to support flexible session lengths and align with existing pro rata arrangements for report writing and case conferencing, without implying a default 60-minute consultation.
SIRA has also advised that group/class intervention fees will not be indexed in 2026. This decision follows a jurisdictional comparison showing NSW group intervention fees remain 31–54% higher than those in other states. SIRA has indicated this will be reviewed again as part of the 2026 annual indexation process, with a view to possible changes in 2027.
The updated fee orders took effect on 1 February 2026. Members can find a detailed guide to the SIRA change on our website here.
AAPi met with Ms Sue Dawson and her team last week regarding the independent review into how SIRA regulates health providers in the NSW personal injury schemes. The Review examines SIRA's current regulatory practice to improve compliance, collaboration, and outcomes. We raised issues that members had communicated to us regarding how the scheme is run, how providers are registered, and how to improve the system for psychologists and outcomes for those assisted through the scheme. We will also follow up with some written advice to be considered as part of the review. If you have anything that you believe needs to improve within SIRA regulation, please reach out to Amanda at amanda@aapi.org.au and let us know.
Further information on the Review can be found here.
|
|
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is seeking experienced providers to deliver an Embedded Wellbeing Program of psychological services to approximately 1,000 staff, particularly those in roles at high risk of vicarious trauma. The program aims to mitigate risks associated with working with traumatised participants, promote evidence-based practices to prevent vicarious trauma, and support staff to thrive in a demanding work environment. Submissions are now invited for the provision of these services.
Submissions due by 2pm ACT local time, Monday 16 February 2026.
|
|
Sexual health issues are common in the perinatal period and can have a significant impact on parents’ mental wellbeing. This free, 45-minute course supports healthcare providers to better understand changes to sexual health during pregnancy and early parenthood, strengthen confidence in having sensitive conversations with parents, recognise the links between sexual and mental wellbeing, and know when and where to refer families for additional support
You can also explore a range of other perinatal mental health courses on PANDA’s Learning Hub.
|
|
Newest featured listings on the AAPi Marketplace include:
|
NSW: Tertiary Health Study Subsidies – Applications Now Open
NSW Health has opened applications for the 2026 Tertiary Health Study Subsidy Program, offering up to $12,000 for eligible health students and graduates who commit to working with NSW Health for 5 years. Subsidies are available to students commencing eligible study and to recent graduates, with funding able to be used for fees, technology, travel and other study-related costs. Psychology (Master’s level leading to registration) is among the eligible qualifications.
|
|
|
|