ABSTRACT
Despite the high demand for educational and developmental psychologists in Australia, limited awareness and understanding of the field is an ongoing issue. Other issues include a national undersupply of educational and developmental psychology accredited master’s programmes, challenges with health care rebate systems, the effects of COVID-19 restrictions, long waitlists for services, and an ageing population of qualified professionals. Advancement in technology, on the other hand, has paved the way for increased delivery of online counselling, and the potential for electronic assessment and interventions through biofeedback or artificial intelligence tools, virtual reality, and other online applications. Emerging trends in the field include evidence-based practice, practice-based evidence, Indigenous psychology, a focus on transdisciplinary collaborations, perinatal mental health, prevention, and well-being. Moreover, the role of educational and developmental psychologists is not specific to school contexts, with career paths in HealthTech and EduTech, as climate change activists, geropsychologists, or even social media influencers.
