Until recently, registrars learned under the APS Code of Ethics. As of 1st December 2025, the new Code of Conduct applies, with explicit competencies shaping expectations for psychologists at all stages of practice.

This means these are the standards of the future profession. Some of the most important shifts include:

• Reflexivity as a competency – building self-awareness into every stage of practice.
• Outcome monitoring – routinely checking effectiveness and client experience.
• Cultural safety – not just knowledge, but accountable practice.
• Systemic awareness – understanding how broader organisational and social contexts shape client wellbeing.

As a registrar, you don’t need to “unlearn” old ways of working. You have the advantage of embedding the new expectations from the start. This sets you up for a career that is aligned with best practice and regulator expectations.

It’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed, but this is also an exciting time. You are the first wave of psychologists to build your professional identity fully within this new framework. That makes you uniquely well-positioned to thrive.

At Benchmark Psychology, our Psychology Registrar Endorsement Program (PREP) is designed with these changes in mind. We’ll walk with you every step of the way, ensuring you feel not just compliant, but confident.  As a bonus our PREP registrars get access to our comprehensive courses on the new Code.