NATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
What ethical codes must be upheld as a psychologist? - Answers :Health Practitioner
Regulation National Law
Psychology Board of Australia Standards and Policies
Home state/ territory legislation
What matters does the Psychology Board of Australia handle? - Answers :Registration/
special titles, developing standards, codes, and guidelines, handles notifications/
complaints and disciplinary action.
What are the Psychology Board of Australia's Standards of practice? - Answers
:Continuing Professional Development
Criminal History Sufficiently Clean
English Language Skills
Registration Pathways (provisional/general)
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Recency of Practice
Specialist endorsements
What are the CPD requirements of a registered Psychologist? - Answers :30 hours per
year including 10 hours Peer consultation
Maintain a CPD portfolio of previous 5 years
Have a self developed learning plan
How many years must lapse before an individual with 4th year qualifications is required
to undertake refresher training before being granted provisional registration? - Answers
:10
When might a psychologist be required to make a mandatory report regarding a fellow
practitioner? - Answers :Practicing while intoxicated
Inappropriate sexual conduct
Placing the public at risk
What are the limitations on advertising of services for psychologists? - Answers :No
false or misleading claims.
No use of testimonials.
No encouragement of unnecessary use of services.
Is the APS Code of Ethics considered necessary to follow under National Standards? -
Answers :Yes. It has been adopted as the Psychology Board of Australia's official code
of ethics.
,What are the three main principles of the APS Code of Ethics? - Answers :1. Respect
for the rights and dignity of people and peoples.
2. Propriety
3. Integrity
What are the key concepts of (Respect for rights and dignity of people and peoples? -
Answers :Legal and moral rights
Dignity
Participation in personal decisions
Justice
Respect
Informed consent
Privacy
Confidentiality
Access to personal information
How do the ethical standards Respect and Justice apply to practicing with indigenous
individuals under the APS guidelines? - Answers :-Be aware of cultural issues such as
intergenerational trauma and discrimination.
-Ensure decisions made about client are made collaboratively.
-Awareness of value systems and authority structures.
-Provide indigenous community resources (e.g. interpreter)
-Respect wishes to consult with indigenous specific resources.
-Awareness of best practice guidelines in research and practice settings
How do the ethical standards surrounding informed consent apply to practicing with
indigenous individuals under the APS guidelines? - Answers :-Understand related
language and cultural issues.
-For minors understand that several Indigenous community members may be
responsible for legal guardianship.
-Without the capacity to provide informed consent, it is sought from family and
community.
How does the ethical standard "Competence" apply to practicing with indigenous
individuals under the APS guidelines? - Answers :-Ensure sensitivity to cultural and
contextual factors.
-Seek guidance from community elders where possible.
- Services delivered in culturally competent manner (consider training).
-Consider personal biases for each client
-Document culturally relevant information
-Consider intracultural differences
-Always assess for suicide risk and work with community
-Consider impact of culture on test norms and intervention fit.
,How do Testing and Assessment issues apply to practicing with indigenous individuals
under the APS guidelines? - Answers :-Consider if the test has been tested and normed
for indigenous populations.
-Consider the impact of cultural beliefs and experiences on test results.
-Be respectful of traditional customs and communication styles
-Consult with more experienced psychologists and indigenous community members
about issues.
-Ensure the test results are not used outside of their intended purpose.
What should be included in a psychologists CPD learning plan? - Answers :Identified
learning needs
Activities to meet learning needs
Anticipated outcomes
Achieved outcomes
What factors will be considered in a Criminal history check of those applying for
registration in Australia/ - Answers :Gravity of offences and likelihood of future threat to
patients
What is the minimum level of cover required by the board for Professional Indemnity
Insurance? - Answers :$2 million per claim
When must a psychologist have Insurance? - Answers :When registered regardless of
whether work is volunteer based or paid.
Retroactive cover when no longer working.
What do the Recency of Practice standards dictate? - Answers :In the past 5 years you
must have:
Practiced at least 250 hours as a psychologist.
Or Completed a Board approved program of study
Or Completed a Board approved internship.
What is dictated regarding the use of Social Media for Psychologists? - Answers
:Ensure protection of confidentiality.
Do not post unsubstantiated claims (Advertising)
Testimonies may not be used.
What governing body is able to include or remove practice locations of psychologists
from the national register? - Answers :Psychology Board of Australia
What considerations are necessary for Research with indigenous individuals under the
APS guidelines? - Answers :-Communication between researchers and Indigenous
community, families, and participants.
-Follow NHMRC guidelines for Aboriginal/TSI research.
-Research is conducted and interpreted in collaboration with interested indigenous
parties.
, -Report and give credit to all contributors (indigenous).
What do the APS guidelines for Provision of psychological services in the area of
mental health for indigenous populations dictate? - Answers :-Accredited psychology
courses require teaching on indigenous matters.
-Educators respect the life experiences and knowledge of Indigenous academics and
community elders.
-Professional development in this area includes development of cultural competence.
-Use of cultural safety frameworks which indicate that health is imbedded in cultural,
social, historical and political contexts.
What are the APS guidelines regarding the use of Therapeutic Averse Procedures?
(And what are they?) - Answers :E.g. behaviour therapy including punishments.
These should only be used after a thorough assessment that the benefits outweigh the
risks, and with client or guardian consent.
What are the APS guidelines regarding confidentiality? - Answers :-Confidentiality
protects the rights and dignity of clients and maintains a good name for the profession.
-There may be legal, organisational, or ethical matters which prevent a psychologist
from upholding confidentiality.
-Limitations of confidentiality should be explained to clients.
-In the event that informed consent is not possible it should be sought through a
guardian instead.
What are the APS guidelines regarding disaster relief? - Answers :-Psychologists clarify
with clients and agencies the nature of their role.
-Psychologists provide contextually and culturally appropriate psychological services
and seek adequate supervision and support.
-Psychologists liaise with local organisations so that support may be implemented by
local staff.
-Psychologists make suitable referrals for clients' ongoing needs.
What do the APS ethical guidelines surrounding finances dictate? - Answers :-
Psychologists are clear with their clients about fees.
-The interests of the client are first priority for the psychologist over financial or
organisational gain.
- Psychologists do not accept a commission for referring a client.
-Psychologists do not exploit clients or other professionals with whom they work.
What are the relevant roles a psychologist might have in a forensic context? - Answers
:-Treatment providers in correctional settings.
- Evaluators: e.g. assess individual/family functioning.
-Advisors: Inform lawyers of psychological knowledge.
-Mediators; Impartial third party to resolve disputes.
-Consultants: explain practical implications of research, assessment, and opinions of
psycho-legal experts.
ANSWERS
What ethical codes must be upheld as a psychologist? - Answers :Health Practitioner
Regulation National Law
Psychology Board of Australia Standards and Policies
Home state/ territory legislation
What matters does the Psychology Board of Australia handle? - Answers :Registration/
special titles, developing standards, codes, and guidelines, handles notifications/
complaints and disciplinary action.
What are the Psychology Board of Australia's Standards of practice? - Answers
:Continuing Professional Development
Criminal History Sufficiently Clean
English Language Skills
Registration Pathways (provisional/general)
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Recency of Practice
Specialist endorsements
What are the CPD requirements of a registered Psychologist? - Answers :30 hours per
year including 10 hours Peer consultation
Maintain a CPD portfolio of previous 5 years
Have a self developed learning plan
How many years must lapse before an individual with 4th year qualifications is required
to undertake refresher training before being granted provisional registration? - Answers
:10
When might a psychologist be required to make a mandatory report regarding a fellow
practitioner? - Answers :Practicing while intoxicated
Inappropriate sexual conduct
Placing the public at risk
What are the limitations on advertising of services for psychologists? - Answers :No
false or misleading claims.
No use of testimonials.
No encouragement of unnecessary use of services.
Is the APS Code of Ethics considered necessary to follow under National Standards? -
Answers :Yes. It has been adopted as the Psychology Board of Australia's official code
of ethics.
,What are the three main principles of the APS Code of Ethics? - Answers :1. Respect
for the rights and dignity of people and peoples.
2. Propriety
3. Integrity
What are the key concepts of (Respect for rights and dignity of people and peoples? -
Answers :Legal and moral rights
Dignity
Participation in personal decisions
Justice
Respect
Informed consent
Privacy
Confidentiality
Access to personal information
How do the ethical standards Respect and Justice apply to practicing with indigenous
individuals under the APS guidelines? - Answers :-Be aware of cultural issues such as
intergenerational trauma and discrimination.
-Ensure decisions made about client are made collaboratively.
-Awareness of value systems and authority structures.
-Provide indigenous community resources (e.g. interpreter)
-Respect wishes to consult with indigenous specific resources.
-Awareness of best practice guidelines in research and practice settings
How do the ethical standards surrounding informed consent apply to practicing with
indigenous individuals under the APS guidelines? - Answers :-Understand related
language and cultural issues.
-For minors understand that several Indigenous community members may be
responsible for legal guardianship.
-Without the capacity to provide informed consent, it is sought from family and
community.
How does the ethical standard "Competence" apply to practicing with indigenous
individuals under the APS guidelines? - Answers :-Ensure sensitivity to cultural and
contextual factors.
-Seek guidance from community elders where possible.
- Services delivered in culturally competent manner (consider training).
-Consider personal biases for each client
-Document culturally relevant information
-Consider intracultural differences
-Always assess for suicide risk and work with community
-Consider impact of culture on test norms and intervention fit.
,How do Testing and Assessment issues apply to practicing with indigenous individuals
under the APS guidelines? - Answers :-Consider if the test has been tested and normed
for indigenous populations.
-Consider the impact of cultural beliefs and experiences on test results.
-Be respectful of traditional customs and communication styles
-Consult with more experienced psychologists and indigenous community members
about issues.
-Ensure the test results are not used outside of their intended purpose.
What should be included in a psychologists CPD learning plan? - Answers :Identified
learning needs
Activities to meet learning needs
Anticipated outcomes
Achieved outcomes
What factors will be considered in a Criminal history check of those applying for
registration in Australia/ - Answers :Gravity of offences and likelihood of future threat to
patients
What is the minimum level of cover required by the board for Professional Indemnity
Insurance? - Answers :$2 million per claim
When must a psychologist have Insurance? - Answers :When registered regardless of
whether work is volunteer based or paid.
Retroactive cover when no longer working.
What do the Recency of Practice standards dictate? - Answers :In the past 5 years you
must have:
Practiced at least 250 hours as a psychologist.
Or Completed a Board approved program of study
Or Completed a Board approved internship.
What is dictated regarding the use of Social Media for Psychologists? - Answers
:Ensure protection of confidentiality.
Do not post unsubstantiated claims (Advertising)
Testimonies may not be used.
What governing body is able to include or remove practice locations of psychologists
from the national register? - Answers :Psychology Board of Australia
What considerations are necessary for Research with indigenous individuals under the
APS guidelines? - Answers :-Communication between researchers and Indigenous
community, families, and participants.
-Follow NHMRC guidelines for Aboriginal/TSI research.
-Research is conducted and interpreted in collaboration with interested indigenous
parties.
, -Report and give credit to all contributors (indigenous).
What do the APS guidelines for Provision of psychological services in the area of
mental health for indigenous populations dictate? - Answers :-Accredited psychology
courses require teaching on indigenous matters.
-Educators respect the life experiences and knowledge of Indigenous academics and
community elders.
-Professional development in this area includes development of cultural competence.
-Use of cultural safety frameworks which indicate that health is imbedded in cultural,
social, historical and political contexts.
What are the APS guidelines regarding the use of Therapeutic Averse Procedures?
(And what are they?) - Answers :E.g. behaviour therapy including punishments.
These should only be used after a thorough assessment that the benefits outweigh the
risks, and with client or guardian consent.
What are the APS guidelines regarding confidentiality? - Answers :-Confidentiality
protects the rights and dignity of clients and maintains a good name for the profession.
-There may be legal, organisational, or ethical matters which prevent a psychologist
from upholding confidentiality.
-Limitations of confidentiality should be explained to clients.
-In the event that informed consent is not possible it should be sought through a
guardian instead.
What are the APS guidelines regarding disaster relief? - Answers :-Psychologists clarify
with clients and agencies the nature of their role.
-Psychologists provide contextually and culturally appropriate psychological services
and seek adequate supervision and support.
-Psychologists liaise with local organisations so that support may be implemented by
local staff.
-Psychologists make suitable referrals for clients' ongoing needs.
What do the APS ethical guidelines surrounding finances dictate? - Answers :-
Psychologists are clear with their clients about fees.
-The interests of the client are first priority for the psychologist over financial or
organisational gain.
- Psychologists do not accept a commission for referring a client.
-Psychologists do not exploit clients or other professionals with whom they work.
What are the relevant roles a psychologist might have in a forensic context? - Answers
:-Treatment providers in correctional settings.
- Evaluators: e.g. assess individual/family functioning.
-Advisors: Inform lawyers of psychological knowledge.
-Mediators; Impartial third party to resolve disputes.
-Consultants: explain practical implications of research, assessment, and opinions of
psycho-legal experts.
