Psychology workforce development

Supporting workforce development and education for psychologists working in Victoria’s public mental health and wellbeing sector

Statewide Psychology educators

The CMHL Psychology Educator Team consists of a Principal Psychology Educator (Grade 5) and a Psychology Educator (Grade 4). Together, they support workforce development and education for psychologists working in Victoria’s public mental health and wellbeing sector. They also contribute a psychological perspective to the Collaborative Centre’s broader workforce initiatives.

Statewide Psychology educator activities

The Psychology Educators deliver psychology-specific workforce development and education activities, aligned with the priority areas identified in the 2023 scoping report conducted by the Centre for Mental Health Learning (a summary and report can be found further down on this page).

Collaborative Centre Psychology training and events

The Collaborative Centre’s psychology educators provide high-quality professional development opportunities for psychologists in Victoria’s public mental health sector. Our training and events focus on enhancing clinical expertise, staying up to date with best practice, and fostering a strong professional community.

Professional development opportunities are announced throughout the year, so check our website regularly for updates.

Go to events

Psychology Supervisor Connect and Reflect Sessions

The Psychology Supervisor Connect and Reflect sessions are designed to support endorsed psychology supervisors in enhancing their clinical supervision practice. Each session will focus on a key topic related to clinical supervision, providing valuable insights and practical strategies to improve supervisory relationships and outcomes.

For more information and to register, see the session details below:

Details to come

Psychology Communities of Practice (CoP)

Communities of Practice provide valuable opportunities for psychologists in Victoria’s public mental health sector to connect, share knowledge, and support each other in their practice. These meetings foster collaboration, learning, and professional growth.

Psychology Educator Community of Practice

The Psychology Educator Community of Practice offers a dynamic space for educators to collaborate, exchange insights, and enhance their professional practice.

Psychology Educators interested in joining can email Sika Turner.

sika.turner@vccmhw.vic.gov.au

Psychology Mental Health Inpatient Setting Community of Practice

The Psychology Inpatient Setting Community of Practice supports psychologists working in mental health inpatient settings. Meetings provide a forum to discuss shared challenges, exchange practical strategies, and enhance psychological care in inpatient environments.

Psychologists in inpatient mental health settings can express interest via the form

Inpatient CoP EOI form

Download our CoP psychologists in inpatient settings annual snapshot

Inpatient snapshot pdf

Statewide Psychology Educator Network

Statewide Psychology Educator Meetings

These meetings are held bimonthly, providing a space for networking, resource-sharing, and exploring collaboration opportunities among Principal Psychology Educators across Victoria.

Principal Psychology Educators interest in joining can email Sika Turner.

sika.turner@vccmhw.vic.gov.au

Statewide Psychology Workforce Development and Education Scoping Report

The Statewide Psychology Educator roles commenced in July 2023 with the Centre for Mental Health Learning (CMHL). The Statewide Psychology Educators undertook a scoping project between July to October 2023 to determine psychology workforce development and education needs.

Download psychology report

Summary of the Statewide Mental Health Psychology Workforce Scoping

As of 2023, a total of 927 psychologists work in Victorian public clinical area mental health services, predominantly in part-time roles (total 669 full time equivalent).

Psychologists are mostly employed in clinical roles (85%) and in community mental health settings (69%).
Psychologists are employed in both discipline-specific (53%) and generic (47%) roles.
Almost a third of the psychology workforce is employed in specialty services, statewide services or specialty roles (n=329).

Scoping identified current psychology workforce development priorities as:

Organise specialised psychology events including for psychological assessment, low-prevalence disorders, trans-diagnostic approaches and psychological principles in treating complex mental health presentations, including focus on training across the lifespan.
Promote leadership opportunities through statewide programs, the statewide psychology training calendar and sector-wide initiatives.
Communities of Practice for specialised psychologists (e.g., IPUs, psychology educators) to foster knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Improve collaborative practices with Lived Experience Workforces
Support early career education and psychology registrar programs, including support for supervisors.
Provide statewide supports to MHWSs where there are gaps in resources and supports around education and workforce development needs (i.e., regional and rural psychologists in MHWSs).

Download scoping poster

The CMHL Workforce Development and Education functions transitioned to the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing in July 2025.