About us
Meet the team and APAC Board to learn about what we do here at APAC
Who we are
The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) Ltd is an independent quality and standards organisation. We develop and review the standards for accreditation of psychology programs of study and are appointed by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) as the higher education accreditation authority for the psychology profession.
APAC accredits more than 1000 programs of study across 43 higher education providers including Australian university programs delivered in Malaysia, Dubai, Vietnam and Singapore. APAC has 36 certified expert assessors on its register who contribute to APAC’s program of assessments and advisory work.
Governance
The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council Ltd is a not-for-profit public company limited by guarantee. Under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS), we are the appointed accrediting authority for psychology in Australia pursuant to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009 (National Law).
The Council is appointed under an agreement with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and reports regularly to the PsyBA.
Our Vision
To improve societal wellbeing through ensuring high-quality education and training in psychology.
Our Purpose
To set, maintain and assess against standards for education and training in psychology.
Our Values
- Accountability: We hold ourselves accountable for our actions and decisions. We take responsibility for our work, ensuring our decisions meet the highest standards and align with APAC’s goals.
- Collaboration: We foster a collaborative environment where teamwork and partnership are at the core of our success. We achieve greater results by working with stakeholders and valuing all contributions.
- Respect: We treat everyone respectfully and with dignity, fostering an inclusive and professional work environment. Our commitment to professionalism ensures that we act with courtesy and integrity in all our interactions.
- Transparency: We believe in maintaining open processes and honest communication. Transparency in our operations builds trust and allows us to learn from our successes and challenges.
These values are the foundation for a positive organisational culture, guiding behaviour, decision-making, and interactions within APAC and with external stakeholders.
Constitution
APAC’s constitution provides the framework for how it operates. It outlines the system of governance, the powers of the APAC Board of Directors (APAC Board), and the rights and obligations of its members. APAC’s constitution is a public document.
Our Strategic Plan
View our Strategic Plan (PDF).
Complaints
If you would like to raise a complaint about a registered psychologist, you can do so via the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) or via the National Health Practitioner Ombudsman (NHPO) in your state. Complaints related to psychology programs should be directed to the relevant Higher Education Provider(s) (HEPs) through their formal grievance procedures.
APAC follows Ahpra’s Management of complaints relating to accreditation functions under the National Law. Complaints concerning (i) accreditation outcomes, (ii) systemic complaints or (iii) complaints specifically regarding APAC should be made to APAC in writing using the Concerns About an Accredited Program form. We are committed to handling complaints in a fair and transparent manner and aim to acknowledge all complaints within 7 working days. Please view APAC’s Complaints Policy for further information.
Upcoming Meeting Dates
Please view upcoming APAC Board and sub-committee meeting dates.
What we do
Develop and maintain standards for the education and training of psychologists for approval by the PsyBA.
Assess higher education providers’ (HEP) psychology programs of study to determine whether they meet the approved Accreditation Standards.
Monitor HEPs’ accredited psychology programs of study to ensure they continue to meet the approved Accreditation Standards.
Provide advice and consultation to the PsyBA, governments, and other bodies on matters of education and training relevant to the psychology profession and discipline.
Meet the Board
APAC Board of Directors
John is an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the School of Psychological Science at the University of Western Australia and at the School of Psychology at the University of Adelaide. Previously, he has been the Chair of APAC, Chair of HODSPA and Head of the School of Psychology at the University of Adelaide.
John is an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the School of Psychological Science at the University of Western Australia and at the School of Psychology at the University of Adelaide. Previously, he has been the Chair of APAC, Chair of HODSPA and Head of the School of Psychology at the University of Adelaide.
He is a Fellow of the Psychonomic Society and a member of the Association for Psychological Science, the International Association of Applied Psychology, the Cognitive Science Society, Society for Mathematical Psychology and the Australasian Mathematical Psychology Society.
John obtained his PhD in 1984 from the University of Western Australia. He has since worked at the University of Western Australia, the University of Queensland, the University of Adelaide, Murdoch University and Edith Cowan University.
His research is focused on cognitive psychology, human memory, reasoning, decision-making, cognitive modelling, mathematical psychology and methodological issues in human experimental psychology. He has published more than 80 peer-reviewed scientific papers and one book.
Mary is the Dean People and Resources for the College of Education, Psychology, and Social Work at Flinders University, South Australia.
Mary is the Dean People and Resources for the College of Education, Psychology, and Social Work at Flinders University, South Australia. Mary has worked for many years in academia, primarily at the University of Adelaide and the University of the Sunshine Coast. She also spent several years as the inaugural Manager of Science and Education at the Australian Psychological Society in Melbourne.
Mary is a previous member of both the Board and the Accreditation Assessment Committee (AAC) for the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. With a background in psychology, Mary is also endorsed in clinical and health psychology. Her research interests and funding received focus on improving the mental health of adults and promoting well-being in the community.
Andrew was appointed the foundation Chair of Intellectual Property at Melbourne Law School in 2002, having held academic appointments at the University of Cambridge, Duke University and the University of Toronto.
Andrew was appointed the foundation Chair of Intellectual Property at Melbourne Law School in 2002, having held academic appointments at the University of Cambridge, Duke University and the University of Toronto.
He is admitted to the legal profession in Australia, England and Wales and engages in professional practice as a lawyer, a registered trade marks attorney, an accredited mediator and a qualified arbitrator.
A graduate of the AICD Company Directors Course, Andrew has served on governance, regulatory and advisory boards for more than 25 years. He is currently a Director of Abacus Learning Centre Ltd and the Chair of the Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Board.
Melissa is an experienced academic and leader in psychology education. She is currently the National Discipline Lead for psychology programs in the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Notre Dame Australia.
PhD, MPsych (Clinical), GC Tertiary Education (Management), GC (Tertiary Teaching), BA (Psych) (Hons)
Melissa is an experienced academic and leader in psychology education. She is currently the National Discipline Lead for psychology programs in the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Notre Dame Australia.
Before this Melissa held the role of Associate Dean (Psychology and Criminology) at Edith Cowan University (ECU).
She has also held other leadership roles in psychology education including the inaugural course coordinator of the Graduate Diploma and Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) at ECU, Master of Professional Psychology at both ECU and Curtin University, and the Director of Teaching and Learning in the School of Psychology and Speech Pathology at Curtin University.
Melissa has also held roles on national committees related to psychology education and training, including the APS College of Clinical Psychologists, APS Division of Education, Research and Training, APS Psychology Education Interest Group and the Psychology Board of Australia National Psychology Examination Committee.
She has substantial experience in professional accreditation as a member of the APAC Accreditation Assessment Committee (AAC) and member of the Australian Dietetics Council Assessment Committee.
Melissa has a professional background as a clinical psychologist working with children and adolescents. She teaches and supervises postgraduate psychology students and her research interests focus around psychology education, including competency development and assessment and psychology trainee wellbeing.
Mark is a recently retired Senior Finance Executive with expertise across a broad range of finance and commercial areas.
Mark is a recently retired Senior Finance Executive with expertise across a broad range of finance and commercial areas. He has extensive skills in accounting/finance, internal controls, strategy development, planning and systems development and implementation. Mark worked with Rio Tinto for over 30 years in various senior management roles, leading global finance teams.
Robert retired from the position of Deputy Executive Director (Academic) of the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications in 2019. Before going to Hong Kong in 2010 he was the Deputy Director of the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority.
Robert retired from the position of Deputy Executive Director (Academic) of the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications in 2019. Before going to Hong Kong in 2010 he was the Deputy Director of the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) with responsibility for registration of vocational and higher education providers and the accreditation of vocational, higher education and senior secondary qualifications.
Prior to working at the VRQA, Robert was the Director of the Victorian Qualifications Authority and a Director in the Victorian Auditor General’s Office (VAGO) with responsibility for performance audits of TAFE Institutes and universities. Before joining VAGO Robert was an Assistant General Manager with the Victorian Department of Education with responsibility for the triennial review program for Victorian government schools. Robert is also currently a member of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority Board.
Kaye is a highly accomplished businesswoman and a leader in the health sector. She is an endorsed clinical and counselling psychologist, consultant and business coach to psychologists, in-demand speaker and trainer and has held national roles in psychology regulation and professional standards.
Kaye is a highly accomplished businesswoman and a leader in the health sector. She is an endorsed clinical and counselling psychologist, consultant and business coach to psychologists, in-demand speaker and trainer and has held national roles in psychology regulation and professional standards.
She built a successful group psychology practice in Williamstown, Victoria, which she sold in 2018. Her leadership resume includes Deputy Mayor of a country city council, NED in the Primary Care and Social Welfare sectors, first female President of the Psychologists Board of Victoria, co-founder of the first Centre against Sexual Assault established outside Melbourne more than 30 years ago.
She was appointed to the first Psychology Board of Australia and was instrumental in the process of establishing national standards for the psychology profession. More recently, she has been appointed to clinical governance roles in primary health networks, has undertaken reviews of various private practice and NFP agencies and mentored and coached psychology practice directors nationally. She is a Board approved supervisor and was the foundational trainer for the supervisor training program at the APS.
She is the lead author of Fit for Practice: Everything you wanted to know about starting your own psychology practice in Australia but were afraid to ask (published November 2016, co-authored with Professor Bruce Stevens and Dr Phil Watts) and more recently Creating Impact: The four pillars of private psychology practice (published 2022, co-authored with Nathan Castle, Daryl Chow, Aaron Frost and RaeLynn Alvarez Wicklein).
She is an Associate Professor of Psychology, Deakin University, and is assisting in the devising of new Master level clinical psychology training programs for registered psychologists.
A Registered Psychologist with Endorsement in Clinical Psychology, Jillian works in private practice and is a long-standing employer and board-approved supervisor of psychologists, across the career span.
A Registered Psychologist with Endorsement in Clinical Psychology, Jillian works in private practice and is a long-standing employer and board-approved supervisor of psychologists, across the career span. Jillian’s areas of clinical interest include perinatal and infant mental health, developmental trauma and neglect, traumatic brain injury, emergency services and veteran mental health.
An experienced Company Director and Graduate of the AICD, Jillian has held corporate and clinical governance roles in primary care, including as a Director of a Primary Health Network. In 2018 Jillian was appointed to the Medicare Review Taskforce’s Mental Health Reference Group and continues to consult with government and other stakeholders in the mental health and primary care sector.
Jillian is currently the national health policy Chair of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists. She is a Director of the Blue Knot Foundation and President of the Applied Neuroscience Society of Australasia.
Gene is the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Programs and Partnerships) at the Queensland University of Technology. A Registered Psychologist with Endorsement in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Gene’s background as a professional ballet dancer has seen her work in both private practice and with organisations across the elite sport, corporate and performing arts sectors.
Gene is the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Programs and Partnerships) at the Queensland University of Technology. A Registered Psychologist with Endorsement in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Gene’s background as a professional ballet dancer has seen her work in both private practice and with organisations across the elite sport, corporate and performing arts sectors.
She is currently an Advisory Member of the Psychology Board of Australia’s Code Expert Advisory, a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society, a Board Member of CIRCA, a Group Management Committee Member of the Committee for Brisbane, a Non-Executive Advisory Board Member of b.partners, an Assessor and Mentor for Arts QLD, a member of the Mental Health Working Group for the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS), and current Chair of the Queensland Universities 2032 Games Engagement Committee.
Gene previously served on a range of boards and committees including as Practitioner Member of the Queensland Board of the Psychology Board of Australia, National Chair – Australian Psychological Society College of Sport and Exercise Psychologists, Non-Executive Director of the Queensland Ballet and President of Ausdance National. Her research interests focus upon the application of, and research into, performance psychology and performance enhancement.
Meet our AAC members
Accreditation Assessment Committee
Judith Gullifer is a senior academic, registered psychologist and experienced leader, currently serving as the Deputy Head of School (Education) and Senior Director of Education at the Monash School of Psychological Sciences.
Judith Gullifer is a dedicated senior academic, registered psychologist, and experienced leader in higher education and regulatory bodies. She currently serves as the Deputy Head of School (Education) and Senior Director of Education at the Monash School of Psychological Sciences.
With expertise in academic governance, quality assurance, compliance, curriculum development, and student support, Judith has contributed to shaping policies and standards in psychology education. She is committed to fostering high teaching standards, supporting research, and enhancing student learning experiences.
A published author and recipient of the Charles Sturt University Vice Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence, Judith is passionate about professional development and mentoring the next generation of psychologists. She holds a Ph.D. and a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours, First Class).
Rachel Dryer is an Associate Professor and Head of Discipline for Psychology at the Australian Catholic University. She is also the Indigenous Perspective Coordinator in the School of Behavioural and Health Science (Strathfield campus).
Rachel Dryer is an Associate Professor and Head of Discipline for Psychology at the Australian Catholic University. She is also the Indigenous Perspective Coordinator in the School of Behavioural and Health Science (Strathfield campus).
Rachel is a registered psychologist with research expertise in psychological assessment and health psychology with a focus on women’s perinatal and postnatal wellbeing. She has published numerous scientific manuscripts in leading international journals such as Journal of Affective Disorders, Psychological Assessment, Assessment, and Child Abuse & Neglect. Two of her recent book publications include Pregnancy-related anxiety: Theory, research, and practice (published as part of the Routledge Series in Women’s Mental Health) and Perinatal care and considerations for survivors of child abuse: Challenges and opportunities (Palgrave MacMillan).
She and her research colleagues have also developed the Pregnancy-related Anxiety Scale (PrAS), a psychometrically sound measure to screen for the presence of this distinct form of anxiety experienced by pregnant women. This scale has now been translated and adapted for use in Germany, Indonesia, Turkey and Ghana.
Rachel has taught various subjects across undergraduate, honours and postgraduate psychology coursework programs. She commenced as an APAC Assessor in 2022.
Tony Machin is a psychological scientist and organisational researcher who was in academia for three decades at the University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba.
Tony Machin is a psychological scientist and organisational researcher who was in academia for three decades at the University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba.
He received the APS Distinguished Contribution to Psychology Education Award in 2021. This award recognised his significant contribution to psychology education in Australia, which includes several key roles that involves developing psychology education programs, assisting with accreditation and quality assurance of psychology education programs and advancing the status of psychology education in Australia.
His current research interests include understanding the way that students balance their work and study, and measurement of psychological literacy.
Meredith McKague gained her PhD from the University of Melbourne in 2005 and has been an academic and teaching specialist within the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences since 2007.
Meredith McKague gained her PhD from the University of Melbourne in 2005 and has been an academic and teaching specialist within the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences since 2007.
Her research interests focus on the cognitive processes involved in language and bilingualism, reading, learning and memory. She is a leader in academic innovation within the University of Melbourne and designs curricula for undergraduate psychology that promotes learner agency, engagement and wellbeing.
As an allied member of the Australian Indigenous Psychology Association (AIPEP) community of practice, she is also passionate about the decolonisation of the psychology curriculum. Her work with APAC brings together her experience in quality assurance of learning and teaching within universities and her passion for promoting excellence in training experiences for students of psychology.
Liz Jones is a Professor and Head of Department of psychology at Monash University Malaysia, which offers APAC-accredited undergraduate and honours courses in psychology.
Liz Jones is a Professor and Head of Department of psychology at Monash University Malaysia, which offers APAC-accredited undergraduate and honours courses in psychology.
She was previously Director of organisational psychology training at Griffith University for 12 years delivering Masters, DPsych and PhD programs. She also established and was Director of the Work and Organisational Resiliency Centre (WORC).
She is a registered psychologist in Australia and Board approved supervisor. She has been an Assessor for APAC since 2016 and served six years on the AAC from 2017 to 2022.
She is an internationally recognised expert in intergroup communication, in health and organisational contexts. She also researches stigma, life transitions and workplace stress.
She is also a Fellow and past President of the international Association of language and Social Psychology and is currently an Executive member of the Asian Association of Social Psychology.
Erin O’Connor teaches capstone and placement classes at QUT and is a Deputy Student Ombudsman.
Erin O’Connor teaches capstone and placement classes at QUT and is a Deputy Student Ombudsman.
After completing post-doctoral training at the University of Minnesota, Erin worked as a psychologist in private practice and as learning design consultant in universities and secondary schooling.
She has received a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning, the APS Early Career Teacher Award, two QUT Vice-Chancellor’s Performance Awards and two nominations for the QUT David Gardiner Teacher of the Year Award.
Her areas of interest include adult learning and decision-making; community program evaluation and participatory research; and consumer psychology. Erin is a Senior Fellow and an Associate Fellow (Indigenous) of the Higher Education Academy.
Emma Little is an Associate Professor in Psychology at Australian Catholic University and is the National Postgraduate Psychology Coordinator as well as the Coordinator of the Master of Psychology (Educational & Developmental) program.
Emma Little is an Associate Professor in Psychology at Australian Catholic University and is the National Postgraduate Psychology Coordinator as well as the Coordinator of the Master of Psychology (Educational & Developmental) program.
Emma has more than 20 years’ experience working as a psychologist in a range of settings including schools and private practice. She is the author of a book and is also active in the media on topics related to Educational and Developmental psychology and is a consultant on the Raising Children website content.
Emma is Fellow of the Australian Educational and Developmental Psychology Association.
Bruce Watt is a Forensic and Clinical Psychologist, employed as an associate professor with Bond University.
Bruce Watt is a Forensic and Clinical Psychologist, employed as an associate professor with Bond University.
Commencing his career researching interventions with incarcerated violent offenders, he has subsequently investigated family-based interventions for antisocial youth, predictors of juvenile violent recidivism, and community correlates of violence and psychopathy.
He has taught various subjects across undergraduate, honours and Masters of Psychology programs, and is former Head of School for Bond University Psychology.
Dr Watt commenced as an APAC Assessor in 2019 and joined the AAC in September 2024.
Meet our Assessors
APAC Assessors
Lauren Breen is a professor of psychology at Curtin University and a registered psychologist with endorsement in community psychology.
Lauren Breen is a professor of psychology at Curtin University and a registered psychologist with endorsement in community psychology. She completed a Graduate Certificate in Education (Tertiary Teaching) more than 20 years ago.
In 2003, she was part of a team awarded an Australian Award for University Teaching for their work on student retention. In 2019, she became a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society.
Lauren is known internationally for her research on the psychology of grief and loss across the lifespan and its intersection with mental health. She has delivered keynote presentations around the world (e.g., USA, Scotland, Indonesia, Ireland, and Singapore) and her TEDx talk “Six myths about grief to bust for yourself, and your loved ones” has achieved over 50,000 views.
Edited with Carrie Traher, her book The Routledge International Handbook of Child and Adolescent Grief in Contemporary Contexts was published in 2024. Lauren’s career objectives are to conduct high-quality research and facilitate the development of future health professionals for the benefit of the community.
Eric Brymer specialises in researching the reciprocal nature of health and wellbeing from nature-based experiences, and performance in extreme environments.
Eric Brymer specialises in researching the reciprocal nature of health and wellbeing from nature-based experiences, and performance in extreme environments.
He holds a PhD in Psychology and Education, a Master’s degree in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology and postgraduate degrees in Higher Education and Business. He is an endorsed sport and exercise psychologist.
Debra is a clinical psychologist and physiotherapist, a national award-winning scholar and an experienced and collaborative higher education and research consultant.
Debra is a clinical psychologist and physiotherapist, a national award-winning scholar and an experienced and collaborative higher education and research consultant.
In a diverse career spanning more than 40 years, Debra has achieved a record of excellence in teaching, research, and leadership. She has practised in the public and private sectors and held academic appointments including Director of Clinical Psychology, Head of School, and Vice-Chancellor’s Executive Strategy Advisor.
Debra’s knowledge and expertise in higher education has led to service with the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and as an Appointed Specialist with the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ).
Currently, she is an APAC Assessor, a Member of the Panel of Experts for the Papua New Guinea Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST), and an Appointed Specialist to the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) Register of Experts.
In her current practice, Debra delivers Telehealth clinical psychology services to older adults, is an Adjunct Professor in Psychology at the University of New England (UNE), and a Non-Executive Director on the Board of UNE Partnerships. If not at her desk, you may find Debra hiking in a national park somewhere.
Chien Hoong Gooi is a Clinical Psychologist and an Education Focused Senior Lecturer in the University of New South Wales’ School of Psychology.
Chien Hoong Gooi is a Clinical Psychologist and an Education Focused Senior Lecturer in the University of New South Wales’ School of Psychology.
He is the Director of the UNSW Master of Psychology (Clinical) program and currently chairs the Australian Psychology Placement Alliance (APPA). He is also the founding chair of the NSW-ACT Psychology Placement Consortium (NAPC).
Chien Gooi’s education interests include the assessment of postgraduate psychology competencies and governance processes associated with practicum training. He has been actively involved in the development of national guidelines in the areas of simulation-based education, practicum log books, paid placements and the definition of direct client activities.
He also coordinates the national Placement Review network, which offers online practicum competency assessment tools for Clinical Psychology (VMAT-CYPRS) and Master of Professional Psychology (PCAM) program candidates.
Chien is also a Supervisor Trainer under the UNSW Forensic Psychology Clinic group. In addition, he provides training on supervision and deliberate practice to clinicians in NSW Department of Health and NSW Department of Education. Chien is the recipient of the prestigious 2023 Australian Psychological Society Outstanding Accredited Supervisor of the Year Award.
Chelsea Hyde is a Senior Lecturer in Educational Psychology at the University of Melbourne and Course Coordinator of the Master of Psychology (Educational & Developmental) program.
Chelsea Hyde is a Senior Lecturer in Educational Psychology at the University of Melbourne and Course Coordinator of the Master of Psychology (Educational & Developmental) program.
Chelsea is an endorsed Educational and Developmental psychologist, board approved supervisor and an accredited supervisor masterclass training provider.
Chelsea has more than 15 years’ practical experience working as a psychologist within government, Catholic and independent school systems in Victoria and Queensland across both regional and metropolitan areas.
Chelsea is a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society and committee member of the College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists. Chelsea also has a developed media profile, provided regular comment on current issues for school students.
Emily Johnson is a Clinical Psychologist and the Deputy Director of Psychology and Specialist Services at Monash Health. Emily is a board-approved supervisor and a board-approved supervisor masterclass training provider.
Emily Johnson is a Clinical Psychologist and the Deputy Director of Psychology and Specialist Services at Monash Health. Emily is a board-approved supervisor and a board-approved supervisor masterclass training provider.
Emily has worked in public mental health for 18 years. In her clinical work, she has focused on therapeutic and systemic interventions with people with personality disorders, with a particular interest in iatrogenesis.
Emily commenced as an APAC Assessor in 2023.
Chris Kilby is the Associate Head of School for Learning and Teaching at The Cairnmillar Institute. Chris employs innovative teaching strategies for online and face-to-face classes in statistics and research methods that focus on problem-focused learning, emotion-focused learning and narrative-based learning.
Chris Kilby is the Associate Head of School for Learning and Teaching at The Cairnmillar Institute. Chris employs innovative teaching strategies for online and face-to-face classes in statistics and research methods that focus on problem-focused learning, emotion-focused learning and narrative-based learning.
His approach to teaching was acknowledged nationally in 2021 through his receipt of the APS Early Career Teacher award. In terms of research, Chris is fascinated by how two people can undergo the exact same stressful situation and yet respond to and experience that situation differently.
Suzanne McLaren is a Professor of Psychology at Charles Sturt University and a registered psychologist with health psychology endorsement.
Suzanne McLaren is a Professor of Psychology at Charles Sturt University and a registered psychologist with health psychology endorsement.
Suzanne has had many roles in her 28-year academic career, including being the Head of Psychology, Program Co-ordinator at Doctoral, Masters, and Honours levels, Associate Dean of Research, and Chair of a University Research Committee. She has taught a range of subjects across all levels of study, with a keen interest in ageing, health, and LGBTIQA+ psychology.
Suzanne’s broad research interest is in resilience, particularly understanding the processes by which risk and protective factors influence mental health among older adults and LGBTIQA+ adults. Within this resilience framework, her recent research has focused on how a sense of belonging, self-compassion, and hope are protective against depression and suicidality.
Her research includes developing implementing and evaluating psychological interventions aimed at decreasing depression and suicidality among these two high-risk populations.
Melissa O’Shea is a non-Aboriginal Clinical Psychologist and academic living and working on Wadawurrung Country (Geelong, Australia). She has a passion for the integration of complementary and Indigenous approaches within Western psychological practice including yoga and nature-based therapies.
Melissa O’Shea is a non-Aboriginal Clinical Psychologist and academic living and working on Wadawurrung Country (Geelong, Australia). She has a passion for the integration of complementary and Indigenous approaches within Western psychological practice including yoga and nature-based therapies.
She holds qualifications in Clinical Psychology (PhD, Monash University, 2002), Clinical Leadership (MCL, Deakin, 2018) and yoga philosophy and teaching (YTT-500 hours, 2019).
She currently holds an Associate Professor appointment at Deakin University and leads postgraduate training in Clinical Psychology, recently awarded a citation for outstanding contributions to student learning (Universities Australia, 2023).
Her work is also focused on the development of health and academic partnerships that support research translation, including with Meli (previously Barwon Child Youth and Families) and Barwon Health.
She has led innovative pilot research including the complementary use of yoga and Forest Therapy in mental health care and research exploring clinician attitudes to the inclusion of biophilic (Nature) design and lifestyle medicine in mental health service design.
She is also a member of the Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Association (AIPEP). Her work with Aboriginal organisation, Wayapa Wuurrk, aims to promote the role of Indigenous knowledges in mental health and wellbeing practice in Australia for children, adults and families.
Professor Julie Ann Pooley is the Associate Dean Psychology, Counselling and Criminology in the School of Arts and Humanities at Edith Cowan University.
Professor Julie Ann Pooley is the Associate Dean Psychology, Counselling and Criminology in the School of Arts and Humanities at Edith Cowan University.
Julie Ann has over a decade’s experience in middle management and leadership positions. She has extensive experience in teaching in both the undergraduate and postgraduate psychology programs in Australia and internationally. She is a passionate tertiary educator that has won several University and National Teaching Awards.
Julie Ann’s research spans areas of stress, resilience, and posttraumatic growth within the contexts of transition and disasters. Resilence research stems from her Phd research on Community Resilience in Disaster Communities and includes projects on women, adults and children in many contexts.
As a result Julie Ann has supevised many students at all levels and has authored many books, chapters and articles. In addition, Julie Ann has been involved in and directed many research consultancies, projects and given workshops and presentations locally, nationally and internationally.
Andrea Reupert is the Head of the Educational Psychology and Counselling School in the Faculty of Education at Monash University.
Andrea Reupert is the Head of the Educational Psychology and Counselling School in the Faculty of Education at Monash University.
Having spent nine years as a school psychologist in Victoria and Queensland, Andrea has accumulated more than two decades of experience working in various university settings, including G08 and other universities.
In addition to her work with the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, Andrea is a psychology and counselling expert for the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). She also holds a specialist appointment for psychology and counselling programs for the Hong Kong Council of the Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ).
Other previous educational leadership positions include serving as the inaugural course leader for the Master of Professional Psychology program and Director of Psychology Programs, both at Monash.
As the Editor in Chief of Advances in Mental Health, she is internationally recognised as a research expert in the promotion of mental health and wellbeing. She is committed to inspiring students and contributing to the field of psychology through innovative research, effective pedagogy and curriculum development.
Petra Skeffington (she/her) is a Clinical Psychologist and academic based in Boorloo-Perth. She has completed additional training in teaching and learning in higher education and holds the rank of Senior Fellow with the Higher Education Academy (now Advance HE).
Petra Skeffington (she/her) is a Clinical Psychologist and academic based in Boorloo-Perth. She has completed additional training in teaching and learning in higher education and holds the rank of Senior Fellow with the Higher Education Academy (now Advance HE).
Petra is known for her clinical and research interest in trauma, including the aetiology of trauma-related pathologies, PTSD prevention, treatment-resistant presentations and innovative approaches to healing. She also conducts research relating to hearing voices, First Nations and effective training practices when teaching therapy skills.
Petra has been an APAC Assessor since 2023.
Mark Wiggins is Professor of Organisational Psychology at Macquarie University.
Mark Wiggins is Professor of Organisational Psychology at Macquarie University.
He gained his PhD in Psychology from the University of Otago, New Zealand in 2001. He is a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society and a Registered Psychologist in Australia with an endorsed area of practice in Organisational Psychology.
He was previously the Course Director of the Master of Organisational Psychology at Macquarie University and continues to teach units in professional practice and human factors.
Mark’s research interests lie in the assessment and development of skilled performance, particularly in the context of cognitive skills such as diagnosis, sensemaking, and situation assessment. Together with his students, he developed the EXPERT Intensive Skills Evaluation (EXPERTise 2.0) software which has been used to assess the diagnostic skills of practitioners across a range of contexts.
He has led a number of national and international research projects in domains including transportation, energy transmission and distribution, medicine, and software engineering. Mark has been an APAC Assessor since 2019.
Keong Yap is an associate professor and the Deputy Head of School in the School of Behavioural and Health Sciences at the Australian Catholic University (Strathfield Campus, NSW).
Keong Yap is an associate professor and the Deputy Head of School in the School of Behavioural and Health Sciences at the Australian Catholic University (Strathfield Campus, NSW).
He is a registered psychologist with clinical psychology endorsement and a board-approved clinical supervisor. He holds a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from the University of Melbourne and a PhD from UNSW.
He has more than 20 years of experience as a clinical psychologist working in public and private mental health settings. He has taught into undergraduate and postgraduate psychology programs since 2007 and previous roles include a clinical placement coordinator at Monash University, the psychology clinic director at RMIT University, and the National Postgraduate Psychology Course Coordinator at ACU.
His research interests are in obsessive-compulsive and related disorders and transdiagnostic approaches. Keong has been an APAC Assessor since 2022.
Meet the team
Chief Executive Officer
David is an experienced higher education and public sector transformation and development leader, with more than 30 years of experience in leading change and growth.
David believes in the potential of people and has built a career focused on future possibilities while respecting the past. He is dedicated to equity, access, and quality, regardless of an individual’s birthright. David is a passionate and experienced higher education and public sector transformation and development leader.
With over 30 years of experience leading change and growth, he has held senior roles in Australian higher education, including Chief Operating Officer at universities, Chair of the Universities Australia Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Corporate) group, and Director of the South Australian Department of Education. In these roles, he was responsible for higher education, independent school funding, statutory bodies, and external stakeholder engagement. Previously, David was CEO of one of a few fully funded Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) NGOs, collaborating with local partners in South, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Africa.
Originally from Southern Africa, David and his family moved to Australia in 1999. During the apartheid years, he was a national student leader and activist, later leading a rural education NGO for six years – a role recognised by President Nelson Mandela with a Presidential Education Award. David also led the South African parliamentary transformation and reform program, supporting the transition of the newly democratic South African parliamentary system, funded by the European Union.
David holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education (Adult Education).
Company Secretary
Russell is a governance executive with over three decades of experience in corporate governance, risk management, assurance and strategy development from prior roles in consulting, aviation, research and the financial services sectors.
Russell is a governance executive with over three decades of experience in corporate governance, risk management, assurance and strategy development from prior roles in consulting, aviation, research and the financial services sectors. Aside from being a C-suite executive, Russell has had concurrent non-executive director roles in the sustainability, water and waste management sectors.
As a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, Russell is committed to ensuring directors and staff develop their governance competencies through advice, training and mentoring. In valuing independence integrity and trust, he builds strong business relationships and team capabilities through facilitation, mentoring and thought leadership leading to robust and sustainable governance frameworks for business success.
When not renovating houses with his partner, he is playing golf, reading the latest crime novel or walking Daisy the cavoodle.
APAC team
Joshua is an agile communications and public affairs specialist, having held various senior roles across financial services, higher education and the third sector in the United Kingdom.
Joshua is an agile communications and public affairs specialist, having held various senior roles across financial services, higher education and the third sector in the United Kingdom. He brings a wealth of experience to APAC across communications and marketing, policy and research, change management and media relations.
Alongside his professional experience, Joshua is a vocal campaigner for social justice and equality having held various non-executive director roles across both community engagement and membership-based organisations. His community work saw him become the youngest recipient of the Young Achiever of the Year Award at the Birmingham Awards in 2015, a Bank of England Scholar in 2016, and a baton bearer for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games for services to the care-experienced community during his time as President of the Guild of Students, University of Birmingham.
In his spare time, Joshua enjoys meditation, theatre and exploring all that Melbourne has to offer.
Sara brings a wealth of experience in accreditation and education quality assurance to APAC, having recently served as Associate Director of Accreditation at the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) for 8 years.
Sara brings a wealth of experience in accreditation and education quality assurance to APAC, having recently served as Associate Director of Accreditation at the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) for 8 years.
In this role, Sara oversaw the accreditation and monitoring of nursing and midwifery education programs in addition to delivering signature projects, such as the ANMAC risk-based accreditation framework, policy stakeholder evaluation portfolio and Midwife standards for practice.
Sara holds a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education, Graduate Diploma of Midwifery, Bachelor of Nursing and Masters of Midwifery.
Stephanie joined APAC in May 2020 as our Senior Accreditation Officer and was promoted to Deputy Accreditation Manager in October 2022. She took on the role of Acting Accreditation Manager in October 2024.
Stephanie joined APAC in May 2020 as our Senior Accreditation Officer and was promoted to Assistant Accreditation Manager in October 2022. She took on the role of Acting Accreditation Manager in October 2024.
From facilitating and coordinating assessments, through to looking at ways to improve the quality and efficiency of APAC’s accreditation activities, Stephanie brings a wealth of experience from the education sector to her role here at APAC.
Stephanie’s previous experience includes leadership positions at higher education providers in the areas of student experience, administration, welfare and operations. With a focus on the improvement of student engagement and satisfaction scores, Stephanie achieved great results and contributed significantly towards the improvement of student support services.
Stephanie is adaptable and compassionate, committed and values integrity and responsibility. In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys painting, keeping fit through boxing, travelling, hiking and photography.
Olga joined APAC in December 2022 as our Senior Accreditation Officer.
Olga joined APAC in December 2022 as our Senior Accreditation Officer. Olga completed legal, pedagogical and economics higher education study courses in Australia and overseas.
Before joining APAC Olga was providing a high level of administrative support at the nation’s largest not-for-profit health, aged care and education services providers. She also worked for immigration services firms specialising in student, family, humanitarian and professional migration visa services.
Olga’s work background and legal training has given her a strong eye for detail and a customer-focused empathetic approach to her work.
Olga enjoys travelling both locally and internationally and loves her Tonkinese cat Chai. When time permits, she loves to do dance classes, take long walks and is a regular at the gym.
Alana started at APAC as our Accreditation Administrator after working at the Australian Dental Council for five years.
Alana started at APAC as our Accreditation Administrator after working at the Australian Dental Council for five years. As the Assessments Coordinator, Alana’s duties were to manage the initial stage of the assessment process for candidates seeking registration as a dentist in Australia.
Alana previously enjoyed roles within education, working at Evocca College and Tintern Schools in administration. Alana holds a Diploma in Business Administration and enjoys progressing her skills in this field, particularly around communication.
Outside of work, Alana loves spending time with her family, watching sport, particularly AFL (Go Saints) and the NBL – thankfully Melbourne United make ups for her ‘not so successful’ football team.
Kavitha is responsible for database management, business process optimisation and statistical analysis and reporting.
Kavitha is responsible for database management, business process optimisation and statistical analysis and reporting. She oversees the management and development of APAC’s databases, ensuring data integrity and accuracy while working closely with IT teams to maintain and update systems. Kavitha also leads training initiatives to help the team effectively use database tools.
With a focus on business process improvement, Kavitha identifies areas for enhancement and implements solutions that streamline operations and reduce risks.
Kavitha has a strong interest in human behaviour and psychology, which helps her understand motivations, navigate dynamics and guide stakeholders toward achieving organisational goals. She fosters positive relationships and ensures smooth communication between APAC and external partners. Kavitha also contributes to quality improvement projects and works on developing risk-based approaches in accreditation assessments.
Anna joined APAC to work on strategic projects, including developing and implementing a risk-based approach to regulatory decision-making.
Anna joined APAC in October 2023 to work on strategic projects, including developing and implementing a risk-based approach to regulatory decision-making. Anna specialises in strategy, project management and delivering data insights and has worked in different sectors, including higher education, government, and not-for profit.
Before joining APAC, Anna led the strategy for learner retention at Federation University and designed and managed programs to improve student support and retention. She has also worked as a strategy analyst at Victoria University, an analyst and research fellow at Melbourne University, and higher education consultant in strategy and planning.
In her spare time, Anna is glued to the screen whenever there is a tennis match.
Connie joined APAC in April 2024 as an Accreditation Officer. She has a background within the further education sector in both the United Kingdom and Australia, beginning her career as an ICT and eBusiness diploma teacher.
Connie joined APAC in April 2024 as an Accreditation Officer. She has a background within the further education sector in both the United Kingdom and Australia, beginning her career as an ICT and eBusiness diploma teacher.
She was then promoted into various management roles in compliance, learning support, initial assessment – literacy and numeracy, assistive technologies and more recently learning management systems.
Outside of work, Connie enjoys live music, theatre and comedy shows and regularly takes advantage of Melbourne’s amazing food scene. She also loves taking her two young sons out to family fun places and enjoying the fantastic Melbourne culture.
Stephanie is a graduate of Monash University and Australian Catholic University, holding a Master of Public Policy and a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology and History).
Stephanie is a graduate of Monash University and Australian Catholic University, holding a Master of Public Policy and a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology and History).
Her research skills enable her to analyse complex societal issues and contribute to evidence-based policy recommendations.
Passionate about understanding societal dynamics, she strives to apply her academic insights to real-world challenges, ensuring that her work supports informed decision-making and positive policy outcomes.
Our Committees
As part of APAC’s governance arrangements and accreditation responsibilities, the APAC Board has established a series of committees. These help APAC fulfil its strategic goals and meet its legal obligations.
The APAC Board appoints a Chair and sets out terms of reference for each committee. Each committee makes recommendations to the APAC Board.
Finance, Risk and Audit Committee
The role of Finance, Risk and Audit Committee (FRAC) is to advise the APAC Board on the discharge of its corporate governance responsibilities to exercise due care, diligence and skill in relation to:
- risk management
- the Company’s auditors, including their independence
- the integrity of financial reporting of the company and its compliance with applicable policies, laws and regulation
- the maintenance of sound internal control systems
- any other matter referred to FRAC by the Board
Accreditation Assessment Committee
The Accreditation Assessment Committee (AAC) is a standing committee of the APAC Board.
The AAC is composed of experienced and trained accreditation assessors who provide expert accreditation assessments, accreditation reports and recommendations and advice to the APAC Board on a broad range of matters concerning teaching, learning and competency in psychology.
The AAC is advisory to the APAC Board, which reports its accreditation decisions to the PsyBA.
Nominations Committee
The Nominations Committee (NC) is to propose candidates for appointment to the Board. In doing so it will enable the Board to comprise Directors with a variety of skills and experience who act in the best interest of the organisation. The function of the Committee are to:
- reference the APAC Directors Skills Matrix contained in this document as they determine appropriate candidates for appointment to the new Board based on expertise required
- undertake a simple form Expressions of Interest (EOI) process to enable a broad canvass of potential candidates and including current Directors of APAC who wish to have an Appointed Director role to be fairly considered. The process is to be supported by the Company Secretary
- provide nominees in writing to the APAC Board to be Elected Directors of the new Board. In doing so, use the Skills Matrix as guidance on preferred composition and explain any major deviation from it in writing as part of the provision of nominees for election
- make best use of the corporate resources of APAC through the Company Secretary, to ensure the coordination of interviews, venues and communications to candidates is properly undertaken
- provide an initial point of reference for potential candidates to engage with APAC on the positions that may be available to them.
Advisory Committee
As stipulated in Section 9.1 of the APAC Constitution, the role of the Advisory Committee is to provide advice to the APAC Board in relation to the fulfilment of the company’s purpose, namely: to advance health, education and social and public welfare, by developing accreditation standards for higher education in psychology and supporting the implementation of those accreditation standards. This Advisory Committee is yet to be established.
Annual reports
Following the conclusion of each financial year, APAC publishes an annual report to provide updates on its operations, accreditation activities and an overview of its accredited programs.
APAC Annual report 2023 – 2024
APAC Annual report 2022 – 2023
APAC Annual report 2021 – 2022
APAC Annual report 2020 – 2021
APAC Annual report 2019 – 2020
APAC Annual report 2018 – 2019
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