ABSTRACT
School psychological services in Australia represent a blend of British and American influences as well as the unique influence of an emerging Australian culture. Colonized by Great Britain one century after the American colonies, Australia retains the pioneering spirit of a growing nation. Australia is the sixth largest country in the world, about the size of the continental United States, with a population of only 16 million (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 1986). Over 70% of the people live in modern metropolitan areas along the coasts. The remaining people are scattered in small settlements and large cattle or sheep farms in the interior regions of the continent known as the outback. Living conditions in the outback are difficult. Families must be self-sufficient, as the nearest neighbors may be hundreds of kilometers down a dirt track. Traveling to schools is impractical for many children, who must either board in city schools or learn by correspondence and “school-of-the-air.” The stark contrast between urban and outback regions presents a real challenge to the provision of school psychological services.
