Media release

01 Nov 2013

The Australian Psychological Society and the Psychology Board of Australia have released a Joint Statement on the future of Accreditation.

Australian Psychological Society (APS) and Psychology Board of Australia (National Board) Joint Statement on the future of Accreditation - 1 November 2013

The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council’s (APAC) future membership constitution and governance have been considered by representatives of the National Board and the APS, and an ‘in-principle’ understanding between the participants has been reached.

The respective Boards of the National Board and APS have each agreed (subject to formal documentation) to the following changes:

Membership

The membership of APAC will now consist of three members, the APS, The Heads of Departments and Schools of Psychology Association (HODSPA) and a nominee of the National Board. This change is designed to vest ownership of APAC in each of these three stakeholders in equal proportions.

Directorship

The Constitution of the Board of APAC will be made up of 12 Directors as follows:

1. The APS shall nominate three psychologists, and one community member with expert knowledge, skills and experience in business or finance. 
2. The National Board will nominate three psychologists, and one community member with expert knowledge in the law. 
3. The HODSPA will nominate three academics with expertise in psychology, and one community member with expert knowledge, skills and experience in education and training.

Of the three psychologists nominated by APS, and the three academics with expertise in psychology nominated by HODSPA, only one shall be entitled to hold any office (including the office of Director) in, or be employed by, APS or HODSPA. The National Board nominees will not hold any office in the National Board.

No person shall serve as a Director of APAC for a cumulative total exceeding six years, and terms will be for a maximum of three years.

The changes to the composition of the Board of APAC are designed to give each of the relevant stakeholders a voice in the running of APAC and minimise any perceived conflict of interest from nominated Board members.

The APS and National Board have undertaken an extensive dialogue about the governance and operations of APAC over the last 24 months. The changes outlined above, from each of their perspectives, represent a sensible manner in which the activities of APAC can be openly and transparently conducted in the future. It is anticipated that an amended constitution will be adopted and a new Board appointed in early 2014, when the National Board will move to re-appoint APAC as the accrediting body for psychology to the end of June 2018.

"The APS has a 40-year history in accreditation and welcomes bringing the Heads of Psychology Schools, who have specific expertise, into partnership with the APS and the National Board in this refreshed APAC,” said Professor Lyn Littlefield, Executive Director of the APS.

"These changes will ensure APAC meets the needs of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme and it is a measure of the strength of the working relationship between the Board and the APS that we have agreed to a clear, constructive and independent future for psychology accreditation,” said the Chair of the Psychology Board of Australia, Professor Brin Grenyer.

Further information

For Psychology Board of Australia media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200

For Australian Psychological Society media enquiries: 0438 518 778

Download a PDF of this Media release - Australian Psychological Society (APS) and Psychology Board of Australia (National Board) Joint Statement on the future of Accreditation - 1 November 2013 (50.0 KB,PDF)