AI as a digital competency: Psychology Board of Australia
Huge News!
The Psychology Board has released a new fact sheet on Digital Competency, which, for the first time, directly addresses the use of AI. The implications of this development are significant for the field of psychology. Read on to learn exactly how this affects the use of AI in the psychological space.
You can access the newly released fact sheet here: https://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/Standards-and-Guidelines/Professional-practice-standards/Professional-competencies-for-psychology.aspx
These are based on professional competencies which ‘are in effect from 1 December 2025.’
There are specific competencies alluded to as relevant to digital literacy:
Competency 6.4: “Effectively uses the most appropriate form/s of communication for the client and context; and is aware of the limitations of each mode of communication, including both face to face and digital health practice.”
Also note Competency 2.1 – 2.10: “Practises ethically and professionally. Competency 2 addresses the legal and ethical use of digital health to practice safely and within the boundaries of professional competence.”
The fact sheet states that digital health as including ‘any use of AI in psychological practice.’ Although not specifically referring to AI, there is the suggestion of a basic level of digital capability: “We expect that all psychologists will have a foundational level of understanding so they can meet the minimum threshold professional competency.” Although there does appear to be some flexibility,
“There is no set way to meet this competency. Practitioners should use their professional judgement when applying the professional competencies for psychologists to ensure they can sufficiently demonstrate them in their role and workplace as relevant to their scope of practice.”
The fact sheet also suggests that if you identify digital competence [in AI] as a learning need, it includes:
“investigating the opportunities and challenges for using artificial intelligence (AI) in psychology practice”
“seeking advice from a digital health champion in identified areas of your practice”
The fact that the Psychology Board have identified the importance of AI and included it in the competencies is a huge win for AI in the psychological space. This indicates that understanding the use of AI in psychology may be considerable as a legitimate skill . We look forward to continuing to support psychologists by running further events such as the webinar on the legal considerations in the use of AI with Ashlee Provis (Special Counsel), available for download. See: https://bit.ly/psychailegal
I am also running an AI Basics Webinar on Thursday 22 Aug at 7pm (AEST), whereby I’ll be teaching:
Ethical issues
Psychological application of AI with a range of tools.
Conducting a needs analysis
Addressing the areas you addressed that you wished for me to cover in our poll.
You can join here: https://bit.ly/aibeginps
After Thur Aug 22, this event will be accessible as a recording. If you haven’t already, you’re welcome to join our AI Facebook page for more exciting events, tips and strategies: https://bit.ly/psychaifb
David Lopis is also available for consulting to support you to bring AI into your psychological work. Contact david@psychologysquared.com.au