Your School Psychologist (SP) Advisory Group met with union industrial staff on 7 May 2026 for our quarterly meeting at PSA House. Consistent themes discussed and reinforced in the PSA member meeting held on 4 June 2026, include:
- more role mobility
- guidelines on the application of the new Professional Competencies
- targeted SP Professional Learning that can be done on pupil-free days including during the school vacation periods
- making the guidelines on protecting students from Self Harm compulsory training for School Principals so the whole school staff understand the obligations
Matters for DoE/PSA Consultation
Flexible Working Hours Agreement
Negotiations for a new flexible working hours agreement are continuing.
As part of these discussions, the PSA is advocating that all principals be required to undertake compulsory training on the flexible working hours entitlements of School Psychologists. We still hear from members in some schools that their flexible working hours and flex leave conditions are poorly understood and/or being misinterpreted by the principal or are being delegated to School Administrative and Support Staff (SASS).
To be clear, your flex sheet is your record of hours, not a school sign-in/sign-out sheet and your Senior Psychologist Education (SPE) is your supervisor for the purposes of your flexible working hours, not a SASS staff member.
Filling vacancies – SP mobility without having to relinquish your SP role:
We’ve picked up a common frustration about the lack of role mobility for SPs in comparison to your School Counsellor (SC) colleagues. Members have conveyed they want clear guidance on how to access vacant positions in other schools, which School Counsellors appear to readily access through the teaching staff ‘transfer’ system. To be clear the Government Sector Employment (GSE) Act 2013 under which School Psychologists are employed, does contain provisions to re- ‘assign’ a GSE role from one location to another. It is used often by the department when it suits, such as during restructures.
The PSA advocates on your behalf at the JCC meetings that these provisions are being underutilised to fill SP vacancies, including appointing SPs who sit in current talent pools. The PSA has requested to be provided with a procedural document for SP recruitment and mobility, that does not preferentially utilise the Teachers Staffing Agreement for transfers, before making roles visible to SPs.
We expect to receive this draft documentation for consultation in due course.
New competencies from 1 December 2025
The PSA wrote to the department in August 2025 and again in February 2026, after the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) announced new Professional Competencies would apply from 1 December 2025. We sought consultation in advance about updating the DoE Professional Practice Framework (PPF).
We have been advised that planning is underway for a comprehensive update of the PPF in 2026, to incorporate the new competencies, however we note this work appears to be extending into 2027. The PSA continues to seek consultation on this matter via the JCC meetings and will keep members informed when draft documents are provided.
We recently received written confirmation from the department that this work is still in its early stages; together with a review of the Advanced Certification process which has been operating for 5 years. The department has formed working parties to scope the review and provide advice. Once substantive proposals are developed, the PSA will engage in consultation and provide further feedback.
School vacation periods
We know many of you are working during the school holidays. It is considered reasonable to provide a general overview of your planned work during this period. This can include acknowledging that time-out from students represents a good opportunity to undertake professional learning and pay some attention to the new competency of Self Care. We remind you that you may work remotely during the vacation period, including from a regional office or from home. If you are directed to work onsite, a risk assessment must have been completed beforehand for this to be supported.
Looking ahead
The School Psychologist Advisory Group remains committed to engaging with members and ensuring School Psychologists have a strong collective voice.
Keep an eye out for the Term 3 Member Meeting invitation, and encourage your colleagues to attend, participate, and stay connected through the PSA.
PSA staff