It's been another busy week for AAPi, with advocacy occurring across multiple fronts including NDIS reform, Better Access, veteran services, workforce issues, regulatory reform, and the ongoing protection of psychologists' scope of practice.

While much of our work happens behind the scenes, every meeting, submission, letter and consultation is focused on ensuring psychologists have a strong voice wherever decisions affecting the profession are being made.

AAPi has been actively representing psychologists in discussions with governments, departments, regulators and key stakeholders across Australia.

WorkSafe Victoria

AAPi met with WorkSafe Victoria to discuss matters of importance to psychologists working within the Victorian workers compensation system. Discussions included WorkSafe's current priorities, issues being raised by psychologists, and opportunities to improve outcomes for both practitioners and injured workers. We also received updates regarding clinical panel activities and broader return-to-work priorities. One issue discussed was members' reports of a recent increase in approaches from lawyers seeking full client notes. WorkSafe Vic advised that their previous advice, found here, remains correct and that they are available to assist members in working through these issues when they face these types of requests. 

Better Access Working Group

AAPi continues to advocate strongly regarding the administrative burden created by the recent Better Access referral requirements. As members know, many psychologists have reported significant time spent correcting referrals with incorrect or missing session numbers, following up referrers and navigating administrative barriers that add little clinical value while reducing time available for client care.

AAPi sits on the Department's Better Access Working Group and recently presented our member survey findings directly to the Department of Health, the University Research team evaluating the impact of the recent changes, the AMA, RACGP and other key stakeholders. We continue to push for practical solutions that reduce unnecessary administrative burden on psychologists.

Department Presentation on Chronic Disease Management and Direct Referrals

AAPi attended a Departmental presentation regarding the Medicare Review Advisory Committee's Chronic Disease Management Review and Direct Referral Review. We are working closely on these reviews and their potential implications for psychology access pathways and referral arrangements.

Thriving Kids

AAPi met with the Tasmanian Department of Premier and Cabinet to discuss the implementation of the Federal Government's Thriving Kids initiative. As this significant reform progresses, AAPi continues advocating for meaningful involvement of psychologists and ensuring children and families can access appropriately qualified mental health professionals when support is needed.

NDIS

AAPi remains heavily engaged in ongoing NDIS reform discussions, including the recent legislative changes and broader workforce issues. We continue to advocate for:

• Appropriate recognition of psychologists within the scheme;
• Fair and sustainable pricing arrangements;
• Improved access for participants;
• Better workforce planning; and
• Protection of service quality and continuity of care.

We know many members remain concerned about the future direction of the NDIS and we are ensuring psychology remains represented at every available consultation and policy forum.

Supporting Veterans

AAPi is continuing to work alongside other allied health peak bodies regarding the proposed DVA allied health caps. Our advocacy is focused on achieving separate treatment caps for mental health and physical health services. We are advocating for a dedicated psychology allocation so veterans can continue accessing psychological treatment without mental health supports competing against physical healthcare needs within the same funding limit.

TGA Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Advocacy

AAPi's work on the TGA's psychedelic-assisted therapy decision continues. We are currently awaiting the outcomes of Freedom of Information requests lodged with the Therapeutic Goods Administration, the Psychology Board of Australia and Ahpra. These requests seek greater transparency regarding the advice and decision-making processes that led to the current arrangements. At the same time, AAPi's legal team is finalising legal advice regarding potential next steps. AAPi remains concerned about the broader implications of endorsement-based restrictions that exclude many appropriately trained and competent psychologists from participating in emerging areas of practice.

Psychology Board Education and Training Reform

The Psychology Board's consultation on its proposed Education and Training Redesign has now closed. AAPi received substantial member feedback and lodged a detailed response outlining concerns about workforce impacts, qualification standards, provisional registration arrangements, and future pathways into the profession. We expect further discussions with the Psychology Board in coming weeks and understand there will be additional consultation opportunities. We will continue keeping members informed as the process progresses.

Advocacy is not always about major legislative reform. Sometimes it involves challenging the small pieces of misinformation that can slowly become accepted as fact.

This week, members alerted AAPi to a NSW Health intellectual disability factsheet which stated that intellectual disability in children under 18 could only be diagnosed by a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist. Many members rightly raised concerns that this statement incorrectly excludes registered psychologists who are appropriately trained and competent to undertake these assessments. AAPi promptly contacted the relevant department requesting that the information be corrected and that education be provided regarding psychologists' scope of practice. These restrictions affect employment opportunities, service delivery, public understanding of psychology and, ultimately, client access to care. AAPi remains committed to challenging misinformation and ensuring that decisions affecting psychologists are based on competence, training, and evidence.

From national consultations and regulatory reform to correcting inaccuracies on government websites, AAPi works every day to protect and advance the interests of psychologists. These activities collectively shape the environment in which psychologists work, build their careers and deliver care to clients.

Thank you to the members who continue to raise issues, provide feedback and support our advocacy efforts.

Now is the time to support the association that is working for all psychologists. Every member strengthens our ability to advocate, challenge misinformation, influence policy and ensure psychology has a strong and united voice at the decision-making table.

The Australian Government and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing have announced a significant update to the new Medicare Assignment of Benefit requirements that were due to commence on 1 July 2026.

Following extensive feedback from stakeholders, including concerns about the administrative burden associated with the new arrangements, the Department has confirmed that regulatory amendments will be made to support a 12-month transition period.

Verbal assignment of benefit will continue to be permitted for all bulk billed patients, in all settings, during the transition period.

This will provide additional time for health providers and software vendors to adapt to the new requirements while reducing the risk of disruption to patient care and practice operations.

The Department has also advised that it will use the transition period to explore further regulatory and legislative options to reduce administrative burden while maintaining the integrity of Medicare.

The Department has also progressed regulatory amendments introducing an "enduring" Assignment of Benefit option for certain groups of patients from 1 July 2026.

The continuation of verbal Assignment of Benefit arrangements during the transition period is expected to provide welcome relief to psychologists concerned about the practical implications of the new requirements.

The Department is continuing to update its Frequently Asked Questions to provide practical guidance on the Assignment of Benefit changes and has advised that further information will be released once the regulatory amendments are finalised.

The Department has also indicated that its compliance approach during the transition period will focus on education and prevention, recognising that providers are adapting to a significant change in administrative requirements.

AAPi welcomes the Department's recognition of stakeholder concerns and the decision to introduce a transition period. We know many members have been worried about the practical implementation of these changes and the potential administrative burden on psychology practices.

AAPi will continue to engage with the Department to advocate for practical, workable solutions that minimise administrative burden while supporting compliance with Medicare requirements. We will keep members informed as further details become available.

Further information here.

Not able to join us on the Gold Coast this October? You don’t have to miss out on the valuable insights and learning! We’re excited to introduce a new way to experience the AAPi 2026 National Conference - with Digital On-Demand Registration now available.

Take advantage of special early bird pricing for digital-on-demand conference registration until 30 June 2026, and secure access to the recordings for all main conference sessions. Recordings will be available on the website after the event, allowing you to catch up at a time that suits you from the comfort of home or work.

Explore the program and register today.

Worth noting: Registrations purchased before 30 June are tax deductible for the current financial year!

Concerns over new TGA regulations for therapy using MDMA and psilocybin

AAPi Executive Director Tegan Carrison featured in Channel 7 coverage this week, raising concerns that new psychedelic-assisted therapy primary psychotherapist role. She described the decision as “profoundly concerning, both professionally and from a patient safety perspective.”

AAPi's concerns were also featured in a Croakey article on the topic, where Tegan said TGA-developed guidelines for access to MDMA and psilocybin under the Authorised Prescriber scheme “ignore the expertise of the psychology profession” and continue to restrict primary therapist roles to those with clinical endorsement and other non-psychology professions. These endorsement-based restrictions are not evidence-based and are contributing to workforce shortages, increased costs, professional substitution and reduced access to care.

Submissions have reopened for the NSW Legislative Council select committee inquiry into foundational and disability supports available for children and young people in NSW. The Committee tabled its interim report on 20 February 2026, and the NSW Government tabled its response on 20 May 2026, alongside developments including the commencement of procurement for the Thriving Kids program under the National Agreement on Foundational Supports, with services expected from October 2026.

In response to these developments, the select Committee is seeking a second round of submissions from stakeholders to inform its final report, with submissions open until 18 September 2026.

AAPi will be making a submission to the inquiry and we welcome input from members to inform our response, as well as encouraging our members to make their own submissions.

Significant changes to the NSW workers compensation scheme will come into effect on 1 July 2026, introducing new eligibility requirements and entitlement thresholds for primary psychological injury claims. Key reforms include a higher Whole Person Impairment threshold for some ongoing compensation entitlements, more defined categories for psychological injury claims, and an increased focus on early evidence and return-to-work outcomes. Psychologists involved in assessment, treatment or reporting for workplace-related psychological injuries should review the changes and ensure clinical records remain clear, contemporaneous and clinically grounded, as documentation may play an increasingly important role in the claims process.

Read AAPi's full update here.

Funding to Improve Autism Understanding Across Youth Justice System

The Australian Government has awarded $643,853 to Reframing Autism over two years to deliver autism-informed training and resources for youth justice workers, including police, court staff, legal professionals and custodial workers. Funded through the National Autism Strategy, the initiative aims to improve understanding of Autistic young people and support more inclusive and appropriate responses across the justice system, with training and resources expected to reach around 6,000 youth justice staff nationwide.

VIC: Thriving Kids Victoria Launch

The Victorian Government has announced that Thriving Kids Victoria will begin rolling out from October 2026, providing a new system of supports for children aged eight and under with developmental delay or autism who have low to moderate support needs. The program will be introduced in stages, with the full range of supports expected to be available by January 2028. Children with permanent and significant disability or high support needs will continue to access support through the NDIS.