Global Developments in Ethics Relevant to Psychology

Australia

The Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA), which since 2010 regulates psychologists in Australia, recently published a Code of Conduct.  The PsyBA will use the code to regulate all Australian psychologists from December 1, 2025. The code will co-exist with the Australian Psychological Society’s (APS) Code of Ethics, which the APS as a professional body will use to govern its members.

United States

The Ethics Code Task Force (ECTF) of the American Psychological Association has been developing an updated Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. A draft of the code went out for a 90-day public comment period which closed March 19, 2025, which will be followed by a series of upcoming revisions. The current draft is comprised of four components: an introduction, eight principles, a section on the relationship between the principles and standards, and ten sections of standards. The draft is designed to be more expansive than the current code by also highlighting groups, organizations and communities, and is directed toward psychologists in all professional settings. New and emerging areas are included such as a section on technology and individual standards in areas such as international research, interdisciplinary responsibilities, self-assessments, digital health research, and third-party observation of testing, among others. The ECTF welcomes comments during the public comment period.