The new Psychology Code of Conduct: what it means for your practice

11 November 2025

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the new Psychology Code of Conduct, you’re not alone. There has been a lot of talk in the industry, and for many psychologists, it has triggered a mix of confusion, worry, and “where do I even start?” Let’s walk through what has changed.

The new Code of Conduct, released by the Psychology Board of Australia, replaces the APS Code of Ethics as the primary regulatory standard for psychologists and comes into effect from 1 December 2025.

You might notice that it’s a little more practical, more risk-aware, and a lot clearer in how things are worded, but the core values remain the same:

• Safe, ethical, client-centred care

• Boundaries and professional conduct

• Informed consent and clear communication

• Confidentiality, supervision, and ongoing learning, and

• Cultural safety and trauma-informed approaches.

What’s different?

The Board has made expectations more explicit, particularly around:

• Documenting risk and consent more clearly

• Regularly reviewing client consent

• Working with multiple clients (e.g. families, couples)

• Keeping supervision records

• Staying within scope and competence

• Managing digital/telehealth service delivery, and

• Embedding cultural safety into daily practice.

Here’s the good news: you’re probably already doing most of what’s required. Now, it’s just about aligning your documentation and systems to reflect it.

Align your practice (without the stress)

Here’s a checklist and our suggestions to help you move forward.

1. Review your consent process and timeline

The new Code of Conduct places stronger emphasis on ongoing consent, especially as situations change over time. Most practitioners we’ve spoken with are considering setting a 12-month consent review, which is fine, but it can be tricky to track per client.

✅ Pro tip: Choose a fixed review date once a year (e.g. 1st June) to review and update all client consents together. This is also a great time to review your fees and update documentation.

2. Update consent forms for couples and family work

If you offer couples or family therapy, take a moment to review Section 4.10: Simultaneous Services in the new Code.

✅ Pro tip: Ensure your consent documentation covers:

• Who the ‘client’ is (individuals vs. the relationship)

• How confidentiality is managed between parties, and

• What happens if individual sessions occur within a couple/family context.

It’s all about clarity and avoiding confusion down the line.

3. Create a risk and consent documentation template

The Code encourages psychologists to document how risk is assessed and managed, and not just what the outcome was.

✅ Pro tip: Simple ways to do this:

• Add a section to your notes for documenting risk considerations

• Include any consultations with supervisors/colleagues, and

• Record the rationale behind your decisions.

This doesn’t have to be complicated; it’s about showing your thought process.

4. Revisit boundaries and dual relationship policies

There is clearer language in the Code around avoiding dual relationships and documenting decisions where they’re unavoidable.

✅ Pro tip: Action step:

• Add a note in your clinical records when dual roles are present (e.g. regional communities), and

• Document any supervision or peer consultation you’ve had around these issues.

5. Audit your supervision and CPD records

Competence and scope are now framed as regulatory responsibilities. If you're expanding your practice, that needs to be supported by CPD and/or supervision.

✅ Pro tip: Take 10 minutes to:

• Review your CPD log

• Document any new modalities or services you’ve added, and

• Record how you’re staying supported (supervision, training, mentoring).

6. Review your telehealth and digital practice policies

The Code includes clear expectations around informed consent for telehealth, platform security, and explaining service limitations.

✅ Pro tip: Check that your consent and intake process covers:

• What telehealth is (and its limitations)

• Emergency procedures, and

• Platform privacy and risks.

7. Embed cultural safety into documentation

There is greater emphasis on culturally safe, participant-centred care in the new Code.

✅ Pro tip: Consider:

• Including a section in your assessment/intake for cultural considerations

• Documenting any adjustments made based on cultural needs, and

• Adding a short cultural safety reflection to your supervision notes.

Additional Code of Conduct updates you’ll want to keep an eye on

1. Stronger expectations around supervision documentation

It’s not enough to just attend supervision anymore. The Code encourages psychologists to:

• Record supervision sessions (dates, topics discussed)

• Document how supervision helped address risks, competence, or boundary concerns, and

• Use supervision proactively when expanding into new areas of practice.

🟡 Optional Action: Add a simple supervision log to your practice system, whether it’s a Word document, spreadsheet, or dedicated form.

2. Emphasis on trauma-informed, person-centred care

This is new language in the Code, and while many clinicians already practise this way, the Code now:

• Encourages reflection on power dynamics

• Suggests adapting consent and risk processes to suit client needs, and

• Reinforces client involvement in safety planning and care decisions.

🟡 Optional Action: Consider adding a sentence to your consent/intake form that invites collaborative care or acknowledges client autonomy.

3. More clarify around working with third parties (e.g. parents, carers, NDIS, referrers)

The new Code highlights:

• Your responsibility to communicate clearly with third parties (when appropriate and lawful)

• Being transparent about what information will/won’t be shared, and

• Gaining consent when information is to be passed on.

🟡 Optional Action: Double-check your consent form clearly outlines how third-party communication is managed and when it applies.

4. Research and teaching expectations (if applicable)

If you are involved in research or teaching:

• Research must comply with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, and

• You must document how you protect participants, gain consent, and manage risk.

🟡 Optional Action: Review teaching or research consent forms to ensure they align with ethical requirements (skip this if not relevant).

5. Complaints and remediation

The Code includes clearer information on:

• What to do if a complaint is made

• Expectations around honest, cooperative participation in investigations, and

• Being open to remediation or additional education when needed.

🟡 Optional Action: Familiarise yourself with the Code’s complaints section. And remember, this is about transparency and fairness, not punishment.

Need help?

You can read the full Code and access official resources here: Psychology Board Professional Practice Standards

If you’re a client of Virtual Vibrance and need assistance with any of these updates, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Reminder: This blog is general in nature and doesn’t take your unique practice into account. Please seek tailored legal, professional, and/or ethical advice to ensure your alignment with the Psychology Board of Australia’s Code of Conduct.