The new Code of conduct for psychologists

The Psychology Board of Australia introduced a formal Code of conduct on 1 December 2025. The new Code is now in effect alongside the previous standards detailed in the APS Code of Ethics. The Council will now use the new Code of conduct when assessing conduct that has occurred since 1 December 2025.

The Code of conduct was developed after the Psychology Board concluded that having its own code would support more effective and consistent regulation. The Code’s introduction brings psychology in line with other registered health professions. It is designed to reflect standards expected by both members of the profession and the wider community.

The most significant change is the transition from ethical principles set out by the Code of Ethics to explicit standards contained in the Code of conduct. The Code of conduct uses prescriptive language that requires specific behaviour and clearly sets out that breaches of the code may be subject to regulatory action.

This more clearly delineates what is acceptable practice and makes it clear that the standards have been established to ensure the protection of the public and that compliance will be monitored. These changes are a deliberate move toward a higher standard of care in the profession of psychology.

Key changes 

New broad principles

• Practitioners should reflect on how their own cultural values influence their practice, to help mitigate bias and unintended impacts.
• Practitioners should consider the needs and cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural people.
• Practitioners should understand the psychological risk factors on their own health, and ensure practices are in place to avoid their health impacting on their services.

Detailed requirements under existing APSE Code of Ethics principals

• Physical contact must have a clear evidence-based indication.
• Practitioners must decline providing psychological services to associates of current and former clients (unless specific circumstances have been determined in peer supervision).

The Code of conduct has additional, specific expectations of conduct not included in the APS Code of Ethics. These changes introduce new obligations that may not be standard practice for some practitioners. The Council encourages practitioners to read the new Code of Conduct and understand how it differs from the Code of Ethics.

The Psychology Council of NSW supports the transition to a more comprehensive and structured set of obligations. This new framework provides greater certainty to psychologists and the community, facilitates better regulation, provides better protection to the public, and will ultimately improve the quality of services offered by psychologists in New South Wales.

Read the Code of conductopen_in_new