Member Resources

Additional information on key resources - including student information and the Study Group Network - is provided in a series of related pages - please review the list of links on the left. 

APS Peer Consultation Network (Victoria)

During 2000 the foundations were laid for a Victorian Peer Consultation Network. Amanda Allan and Wendy McDonald shared a vision and a determination to establish a means by which members at all levels of the APS could be brought together for professional development and ongoing supervision. In January 2001, the cluster groups were formed and became operational. These function in –

  • Brighton,
  • Canterbury,
  • Carlton,
  • Caulfield,
  • East Bentleigh,
  • East Burwood,
  • Eltham/Montmorency,
  • Essendon,
  • Frankston,
  • Geelong,
  • Kew,
  • Melbourne CBD,
  • Mildura,
  • Morwell,
  • Northcote/Preston,
  • South Blackburn/East Burwood,
  • Spotswood,
  • St Kilda,
  • Strathmore,
  • Wangaratta and
  • Williamstown.


The aim of these groups is to provide a network by which all APS members can feel connected within the profession - a difficult goal in the past for newcomers and for those employed in isolated practices. Practitioners across the board benefit from sharing ideas as well as being able to access regular professional development at minimal or no cost. Groups are autonomous and at liberty to organise meetings to suit their needs and interests.

While this initiative is not designed to fulfil the needs of psychologists for the purpose of PRBV registration, each hour of Peer Consultation is eligible for one generalist point under the APS College guidelines. The National Office of the Australian Psychological Society has embraced the concept of the Network and has taken over administration nationwide. It has developed Peer Consultation Network Guidelines to assist in the establishment of new groups. These booklets may be obtained by contacting National Office. Anyone proposing a new cluster group needs to study these Guidelines and can obtain a copy through David Stokes at the National Office.

The Victorian Network is advertised on the Victorian website and also in the State Newsletter. The editor of the Newsletter is Eva Gory and she will insert the details of your group subject to approval from the Victorian State Committee.  Further details can be obtained via Bronwyn Fowles from the APS National office (8662 3300).

Information Sharing authorised by the Children, Youth and Families Act.

The Children, Youth and Families Act came into force on 23 April 2007. It provides the legislative base for a reformed system of child protection and family services.

It continues to be possible for people to make a report to Child Protection where they believe a child is in need of protection, and doctors, nurses, teachers, and police continue to be mandated to report physical injury or sexual abuse. In order to promote prevention and early intervention it is also now possible for people to make a referral (confidentially if necessary) to one of the new family service intakes known as Child FIRST being established over the next two years. During 2007-2008 these referrals can be made directly to a family service in those parts of the state where a Child FIRST team has yet to be established.

There are many other innovations in the legislation, including that:

  • Reports and referrals can be made in relation to unborn children where the concern relates to the child's wellbeing after it has been born;
  • The decisions and actions of Child Protection, community services (family services and out of home care services) and the Childrens Court will need to be consistent with childrens best interests, which are clearly defined in the Act;
  • Amongst other things, childrens best interests are defined in terms of the need to promote their healthy development by meeting their needs for safety, stability, and family and community connection; and
  • Community services will need to comply with standards and will be independently assessed.

Further information on the reforms can be found at: http://www.office-for-children.vic.gov.au/ecec.

The Children Youth and Families Act also provides for information sharing in certain circumstances. Disclosing personal information about other people is generally governed by the Information Privacy Act. Aside from where there is consent and in some other limited circumstances, the Information Privacy Act also authorises disclosure where it is authorised by other legislation. The Children, Youth and Families Act authorises professionals, including registered psychologists, to disclose information about vulnerable children and their parents and families, and in certain very limited circumstances actually requires disclosure.

Psychologists may have clients who are children or young people (under 17 for the purposes of the Children, Youth and Families Act). They may also have clients who are the parents of vulnerable children. Where a referral is made to Child FIRST, or where a report is made to Child Protection and when there is protective intervention, psychologists - like other professionals who come into contact with vulnerable children and their families - may be asked to provide information to assist in completing assessments and making plans to promote a child's safety and wellbeing. The Department of Human Services has produced guidance to help you determine whether and when you are authorised to disclose information. There is a leaflet specifically produced for psychologists, and also a more detailed guide produced for several professional groups.

Both of these publications can be accessed at: www.office-for-children.vic.gov.au/every-child-every-chance/library/publications/publications.

If you have problems downloading these documents and wish to order hard copies, please email your request.