The Australian Educational and Developmental Psychology Association

07/05/2026

AEDPA's first peer-reviewed publication is out today, and we could not be more proud 🤗

"What practitioners consider core now: a Delphi consensus on educational and developmental competencies" is published open access in the Educational and Developmental Psychologist journal.

Led by AEDPA Research Coordinator Dr Elly Quinlan alongside founding directors Dr Jake Kraska, Dr Simone Gindidis, and Kate Crosher, the study asked 46 Australian and New Zealand practitioners what competencies matter most for Educational and Developmental Psychologists right now.

The result: 32 consensus competencies spanning neurodevelopmental practice, neuroaffirmative approaches, geropsychology, cultural safety, strengths-based strategies, and more.

With the Psychology Board of Australia currently reviewing the psychology training pathway with a view to later review Area of Practice Endorsements, this research couldn't be more timely. It's designed to inform training, supervision, CPD, and service planning across our field.

🔗 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20590776.2026.2667796

29/04/2026

Four advocacy fronts. One newsletter. Zero polite backing down.

Our April AEDPA newsletter is here, and it covers the PsyBA Higher Degree Redesign submission, our response to misrepresented ADHD assessment data, interim NDIS co-signing guidance, and our next steps on the Pearson pricing crisis.

If you are an Ed&Dev Psychologist, this one is for you 🤘🏻

Four advocacy fronts. One newsletter. Zero polite backing down. Our April AEDPA update is here, and it covers the PsyBA Higher Degree Redesign submission, our response to misrepresented ADHD assessment data, interim NDIS co-signing guidance, and our next steps on the Pearson pricing crisis. If you a...

15/04/2026

The Psychology Board of Australia has released its consultation paper on the Higher Degree Pathway redesign.

This is a major proposal that would significantly reshape how psychologists are trained in Australia.

Here are some of the key changes on the table:

One pathway to general registration.
A single five-year degree would replace the current six-year training sequences, with practical training beginning in Year 2. Notably, the proposed degree is AQF Level 8 (honours equivalent), meaning a master’s would no longer be required for general registration.

Student registration replaces provisional registration.

Areas of Practice Endorsement uncoupled from initial training. A standalone post-registration master’s (coursework plus supervised practice over two years) would replace the current registrar program.

Supervised practice would occur in “industry accredited” workplaces, shifting regulatory oversight of AoPE training toward industry demand.

A Bachelor of Psychology Assistance as an early exit after Year 3, with further discussion flagged around a possible “psychology assistant” workforce.

Non-registration pathways preserved. Psychology majors for dual degrees or research careers would continue but would not require APAC accreditation.

We recognise the scale and implications of these proposed changes for students, educators, supervisors and the broader profession.

AEDPA will be reviewing the paper closely and sharing a more detailed response in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, we want to hear from you:
👉 What stands out?
👉 What opportunities or concerns do you see?

We will provide information shortly on how members can contribute to AEDPA’s formal submission.

🔗 Read the full consultation paper: https://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/News/Current-Consultations.aspx

🔗 Read AEDPA’s first submission: https://aedpa.org/positions-advocacy

This section highlights AEDPA’s official submissions to government inquiries, policy reviews, and other consultations. Our submissions reflect the evidence, expertise, and perspective of Educational and Developmental Psychologists, aiming to inform decision-making and promote positive outcomes for...

09/04/2026

Building bridges across cultures 🌏🤝

Working with parents is vital, but let’s be honest, it can be complex. Join us for a live, 90-minute workshop with the incredible Joanna Zhu, Clinical Psychologist and founder of Melbourne Chinese Psychological Services.

We’re diving deep into:
✨ Delivering sensitive feedback across cultures.
✨ Engaging with reluctant or overwhelmed families.
✨ Strengthening the parent–student–school triad.

This session is designed to give you the practical tools and confidence you need for culturally responsive practice.

🔗 https://aedpa.org/event-6461059
📅 28 April 2026
🕔 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM AEST

⚠️ IMPORTANT: This session is LIVE ONLY. It will not be recorded, to protect the privacy of the discussion and encourage open dialogue. So, grab your coffee and join us in real-time to get the most out of Joanna’s expertise!

05/04/2026

Not all chocolate is created equal. Same goes for training pathways.

This Easter, while you're deciding between the hollow egg and the properly filled one, AEDPA is having similar conversations with the Psychology Board of Australia.

The PsyBA's review of psychology training pathways is underway, and the question on the table is essentially this: how do we create a pathway that is efficient without being hollow? That simplifies without stripping out the substance?

For Educational and Developmental Psychologists, the filling matters. The depth of training that leads to Ed and Dev endorsement (the lifespan development, the advanced understanding and contribution to research, the psychometrics, the systemic thinking) is not bureaucratic padding. It is the point.

AEDPA is actively in these conversations, advocating for reform that is genuinely good for the profession and the communities we serve, not just faster on paper.

We want the good stuff. Not the hollow version 🐰
Happy Easter from AEDPA. We'll be back advocating on Tuesday.

26/03/2026

Supervision is meant to make us better clinicians. So why does the research say it's barely moving the needle?

Join AEDPA on April 7 for another live 90-min workshop with Dr Daryl Chow, one of the leading voices on deliberate practice and clinical expertise. That's right - this is Daryl's second time presenting for AEDPA in as many months because we love learning from him so much!

He isn't going to validate the status quo. This workshop is to help supervisors and supervisees build a framework that actually translates into better outcomes.
Don't miss out!

When: 7 April 2026 12:30 PM AEDT
Where: Online
Register: https://aedpa.org/event-6595775

10/03/2026

⏰ Happening TOMORROW ⏰

Work with complex or neurodivergent presentations that don’t fit neatly into a manual? This AEDPA PD with Dr Joseph Sakdalan focuses on therapist responsivity: how to stay evidence-based and flexible when clients’ needs are layered, dynamic, or non-linear.

✔ practical, real-world examples
✔ respectful of difference
✔ ideas you can use immediately in sessions

Last chance to register ⏳
👉 www.aedpa.org/event-6570982

07/03/2026

Educational & Developmental Psychology is powered by women.
The theme of International Women’s Day 2026 is to remind us that when women invest in their profession and in each other, the whole system benefits.

Today we’re celebrating some of the incredible women shaping our field, including the dedicated AEDPA Board, who volunteer their time to advocate for the profession and the communities we serve.

When women in Ed & Dev give their knowledge, their leadership, and their voice, our whole profession gains.

Swipe to meet the women helping shape the future of Educational & Developmental Psychology in Australia 💙

05/03/2026

🎓 Are you a psychology student passionate about learning, advocacy, and making a real difference in the profession?

The AEDPA Student Internship is now open!
This is your chance to:
✨ work on real projects in media, events, advocacy, or administration and operations
✨ build your professional portfolio
✨ earn a letter of recognition
✨ get mentorship from experienced Ed & Dev psychologists
✨ be featured at an AEDPA CPD event

📅 12-month commitment, monthly online meetups, big impact 👩‍💻👨‍💻
🗓 Applications close 11:59pm March 31, 2026

👉 Submit your EOI here: forms.gle/bV3dJ9wwBu4up5pn6

If you’re serious about psychology and want fun, skills, and experience, this is for you 💡

02/03/2026

Last-minute legends, this one’s for you!

Join us tomorrow for an unmissable professional development session with Daryl Chow:practical, evidence-based, and directly relevant to real-world psychological practice.

Spots are still open, but not for long ⏳
🔗 www.aedpa.org/event-6570785

23/02/2026

📣 AEDPA Live Online Event:11 March 2026 📣

Neurodiversity-Affirming DBT-Informed Program for Autistic Clients
with Dr Joseph Allan Sakdalan

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) has been extended beyond its original populations to support a range of clinical groups. However, typical behavioural approaches can inadvertently prioritise camouflaging or masking in autistic clients - something many clinicians now recognise as a risk for burnout and diminished wellbeing. 

In this practical and thoughtful workshop, Dr Joseph Sakdalan shares how he and colleagues adapted DBT concepts into a neurodiversity-affirming group program that meets client needs while respecting lived experience and strengths. 

🕠 When: 11 March 2026, 5:30 PM AEDT
💻 Where: Online (recorded, but live recommended)
📌 Register: https://www.aedpa.org/event-6570982

✅ Great PD opportunity for Educational and Developmental Psychologist, psychologists, supervisors, registrars and clinicians interested in inclusive, evidence-informed practice.