The APPA is the national alliance of postgraduate psychology Placement Coordinators across Australia. Its members include Placement Coordinators and senior program representatives from Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited postgraduate psychology programs and it is affiliated with all psychology placement-related consortiums including:
- NSW-ACT Psychology Placement Consortium (NAPC)
- Victorian University Placement Coordinators Network
- Organisational Psychology Placement Alliance (OPPA)
- Australian Neuropsychology Alliance of Training and Practice Leaders (ANATPL)
- Western Australia Clinical Psychology Placement Consortium
- South Australia University Placement Allocation Committee (UPAC)
- Consortium of Brisbane Externship Coordinators
The focus of APPA is to maintain high standards of postgraduate psychology training by developing strong placement capacities within Australia. It provides guidance around issues pertaining to psychology placements, including best practices and interpretation of guidelines. APPA also facilitates the sharing of resources and information between postgraduate psychology training programs.
Postgraduate Psychology program types represented by APPA include:
- Professional Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Clinical Neuropsychology
- Education and Development Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Organisational Psychology
- Sports Psychology
- Community Psychology
APPA works collaboratively with key stakeholders, including:
- Psychology Board of Australia, Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)
- Heads of Departments and Schools of Psychology Association (HODSPA)
- Australian Psychological Society (APS)
- Australasian Association of Psychology Training Clinics (AAPTC)
In addition to an active national listserv, APPA members meet twice a year to discuss national issues relating to psychology placements and training competencies. It also runs a Mentoring Program to support Placement Coordinators who are new to their roles.
APPA also convenes specific Working Groups (WG) to examine current issues and provide recommendations on placement matters. These groups include:
- Australian Postgraduate Logbook WG
- Direct Client Activities WG
- Payment for Placement WG
Resources:
- Advice on Postgraduate Psychology Placement Supervision Requirements (April 2021)
- Guidelines for Incorporation of Simulated Learning Activities in Postgraduate Psychology Training (January 2021)
- Recommendations for Australian Postgraduate Psychology Practicum Logbooks (October 2021)
- Guidelines for Direct Client Activities (June 2023)
- Use of Workplace and Paid Placements in Postgraduate Psychology Training: Issues and Recommendations (February 2024)