Psychology Board of Australia Complaints and Notifications Explained
A notification to the regulator is stressful for any psychologist. This guide explains how concerns about psychologists are handled in Australia — who deals with them, what the Psychology Board can do, and how the process usually unfolds.
Key takeaways
- Concerns about psychologists are notifications, managed by Ahpra on behalf of the Psychology Board of Australia in most of the country.
- In NSW the Psychology Council of NSW handles them; in Queensland concerns go first to the Office of the Health Ombudsman.
- Boundaries and multiple relationships, confidentiality, consent and report quality are common triggers.
- The Board is a public-protection regulator — most notifications close without restricting registration.
- Preserving records, taking advice and showing insight are the keys to responding.
Who regulates psychologists?
The Psychology Board of Australia regulates psychologists, working with Ahpra under the National Law. Ahpra manages concerns on the Board’s behalf; the Board decides the outcome. In New South Wales concerns are handled by the Psychology Council of NSW (with the Health Care Complaints Commission), and in Queensland they go first to the Office of the Health Ombudsman.
What leads to a notification?
Common concerns in psychology include boundary and multiple-relationship issues, confidentiality and privacy breaches, consent and record-access disputes, report-writing and assessment quality, scope-of-practice and competence questions, and mandatory-reporting matters. Anyone can raise a concern, and mandatory notification duties apply.
What happens next?
The Board assesses the concern — usually within around 60 days — and generally invites your response. It may then close the matter, seek more information, refer it to a health or performance pathway, investigate, or, only where the public faces a serious current risk, take immediate action.
Possible outcomes and responding well
Outcomes range from no further action to a caution, conditions or, in serious cases, referral to a panel or tribunal. To respond well: preserve your records, take advice from your indemnity insurer or professional association before responding, meet every deadline, and demonstrate genuine insight. See our umbrella guides on what an AHPRA notification is and how to respond.
Related CPD courses
Prepare and respond with confidence using CPD designed for Australian practitioners:
CPD courseDealing with a Complaint or Investigation Professionally CPD courseFitness to Practise for Healthcare Professionals CPD courseInsight for Fitness to Practise CPD courseRemediation for Fitness to PractiseContinue the Psychology Board series
Professional Boundaries and Dual Relationships in Psychology Confidentiality and Record Keeping for PsychologistsFrequently asked questions
Who manages complaints about psychologists?
In most of Australia Ahpra manages notifications on behalf of the Psychology Board. In New South Wales it is the Psychology Council of NSW, and in Queensland concerns go first to the Office of the Health Ombudsman.
How long does an assessment take?
The Board generally aims to complete a preliminary assessment within around 60 days; matters that proceed to investigation take longer.
Can I keep practising during a complaint?
In most cases yes. Registration is only restricted where the Board takes immediate action to address a serious, current risk to the public.
Should I take advice before responding?
Yes — contact your professional indemnity insurer or professional association before responding, and preserve your records.
What helps most in a response?
Genuine insight into what happened and evidence of the changes you have made are often the most influential parts of a response.
This article is general information for education and CPD purposes. It is not legal advice and does not create a practitioner–adviser relationship. If you have received a notification, seek advice from your professional indemnity insurer, your union or professional association, or an independent lawyer experienced in health practitioner regulation. Healthcare Ethics Courses is an independent education provider and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of Ahpra or any National Board; regulator names are used for reference only.