Media Releases

TGA locks out 70% of psychologists from psychedelic therapy

AAPi says the recent TGA recommendation that prevents 70% of psychologists from conducting psychedelic-assisted therapy ignores the expertise of the psychology profession.

Mental health invisible in this year’s Budget

The peak body for all psychologists says mental healthcare has again been abandoned in this year’s Federal Budget.

NDIS reforms: Collaboration critical to getting assessments right

AAPi's comments in response to the proposed NDIS reforms announced by Minister Mark Butler today, in particular to the planned introduction of standardised functional capacity assessments.

Targeting people with psychosocial disabilities is a dangerous narrative

AAPi is deeply concerned over recent reports that the Federal Government is targeting the NDIS’s $6bn spend on mental health supports, with approximately 65,000 participants potentially impacted.

‘Act now’: Psychology workforce set to fall dangerously short

AAPi says the psychology workforce outlook is grim, with a new study forecasting the workforce in health settings will fall almost 30% short of meeting anticipated demand by 2038.

Young Australians turning to AI for mental health help

AAPi says the data on mental health in the 2026 NSW Youth Week Poll shows that mental health services are not affordable for those who need it.

Fuel crisis widening mental health access gap

Australia’s fuel crisis is widening existing gaps in access to psychological care in rural and remote communities, with a peak psychology body calling for an urgent review into National Disability Insurance Agency’s travel cuts.

Telehealth changes limiting access to mental healthcare

AAPi is calling for an urgent review of Medicare telehealth changes that are creating barriers to access mental health care.

Thriving Kids model is risky and leans on families

The peak body for psychologists has warned that the proposed Thriving Kids model is risky, as it shifts responsibility for early identification of developmental delays to a non-clinical, non-health workforce.

Mental health support for people impacted by the Bondi attack

AAPi extends its deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the horrific tragedy in Bondi last night.

Mental health of bushfire victims must be supported through Medicare

With bushfire season upon us, the peak body for all psychologists is calling on the Federal Government to activate permanent Medicare item numbers to support people in need of mental health services as a result of natural disasters.

Navigating the social media ban for teens: advice for families

As young teenagers and their parents prepare for the introduction of the social media ban for under-16s, AAPi is offering practical advice to help families navigate the challenging transition.

New patient data shows mental health care remains inaccessible

AAPi warns that without urgent Medicare reform, Australians will keep delaying vital psychological care due to cost and access barriers.

Provisional Psychologist support welcome but future psychologists need urgent help

The Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPi) warns that 1,500 new federally funded internships are insufficient to bolster the mental health workforce, urging the government to also provide paid placements and Medicare rebates.

Report card shows failure to invest in community mental health, say psychologists

AAPi says the fact that emergency departments continue to be overwhelmed with mental health cases demonstrates a system-wide failure.

Peak psychology body supports HSU call for allied health paid placements

The peak body for all psychologists fully supports calls by the Health Services Union to extend paid placements to all allied health students, which includes psychologists.

Funding gaps failing Australian children

AAPi is urging the Federal Government to provide greater funding for psychological assessment and intervention services to support children’s developmental needs.

Mental health care goes beyond the GP and must be a national priority

The peak body for all psychologists, the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi), says Medicare rebates must be increased.

Panadol claims creating stigma around autism says psychology body

AAPi says claims by the US President that the use of Tylenol (Panadol in Australia) during pregnancy increases the risk of autism in children are unfounded and causing unnecessary distress and confusion within the community and in expectant parents

Government must fix Medicare rebate to help Ramsay Health patients

AAPi says yesterday’s confirmed closure of 17 Ramsay Health psychology clinics across the nation will result in more than 100 psychologists losing their jobs, leaving thousands of clients without vital help by September.

Mental health report card evidence of a failing system

The National Mental Health Commission's 2024 Report Card reveals that more than 1in 5 Australians have delayed seeing a mental health professional due to cost.

Peak psychology body says paid placement scheme essential for allied health

The peak body for all psychologists fully supports the proposed paid placement scheme for all allied health students, put forward by MPs David Pocock and Dr Monique Ryan in Parliament today.

NDIS decision to reduce fees for psychologists

The NDIS decision to reduce fees for psychologists in Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory, and Tasmania is a backward step that will threaten service viability and access for Australia’s most vulnerable people.

NDIS decision to halve provider travel fee from 1 July 2025

Peak body for all psychologists, The Australian Association of Psychologists Inc. (AAPi) is deeply concerned by the NDIS’s decision to halve the provider travel fee for therapy services, effective from 1 July 2025.

Psychology body supports ADHD reform - but calls for psychologists to be included

AAPi supports the NSW government's move to allow GPs to upskill to provide more support for patients with ADHD, but would like to see the important role of psychologists in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment acknowledged.

Cost the major barrier to psychological care

A survey by a peak psychology body into Federal election priorities around mental health has found cost is the major barrier to accessing services.

Psychologists slam Budget for abandoning mental health

2025-26 FEDERAL BUDGET RESPONSE

NSW workers’ compensation reforms diminish real experience of employees

AAPi says the NSW government's approach to workers’ compensation reforms diminishes the real experiences of employees who have been psychologically injured at work.

Mental health of cyclone victims must be supported through Medicare

AAPi says mental health services required as a result of Cyclone Alfred (and other natural disasters) should be made available as permanent item numbers under Medicare, with the ability for people to self-refer directly to a psychologist.

Government turns back on 25000 patients and experts

More than 25,000 mental health patients and psychology experts from nine peak agencies have presented a petition to Health Minister Mark Butler.