ASP feedback to the psychology board of Australia

On behalf of the Australasian Society for Psychophysiology (ASP) the ASP Executive Committee recently lodged a formal submission to the Psychology Board of Australia's public consultation on the proposed redesign of the psychology higher education pathway. The proposed redesign seeks to streamline the pathway to general registration by introducing a single, five-year professional degree designed to increase workforce capacity and simplify training.

While ASP recognises the need to address workforce shortages and improve access to psychology training, the Society does not support the proposed model in its current form. The Executive's response highlights concerns that the redesign places insufficient emphasis on preserving psychology's scientist–practitioner foundations and risks weakening Australia's long-term research capacity.

"Workforce reform should increase capacity while preserving the scientific foundations that distinguish psychology as an evidence-based discipline."

The submission argues that reducing the duration and qualification level of training may inadvertently diminish research literacy, scientific reasoning, and opportunities for students to engage in independent research. The Society also warns that the proposed changes could reduce progression into honours and higher degree research programs, ultimately affecting the future pipeline of researchers, supervisors, educators, and academic leaders.

The submission calls for stronger safeguards to ensure that reforms designed to meet immediate workforce needs do not come at the expense of the discipline's scientific foundations. ASP encourages the Board to explicitly consider the impacts of the proposed redesign on research training, interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and the long-term sustainability of Australia's psychology research ecosystem alongside workforce outcomes.

If you would like to read the full submission written by the ASP Executive Committee you may access it here.