Organisational Psychologists

About Organisational Psychologists

Organisational psychologists seek to understand the complex relationships occurring in workplaces in order to enhance organisational effectiveness, productivity and individual wellbeing.

Organisational psychologists apply psychological principles and methods to understand and influence work behaviour and attitudes, and organisational structures. Organisational psychology encompasses the disciplines of industrial and organisational (I/O) psychology; work psychology; occupational psychology; personnel psychology; human resource management and development; ergonomics, and vocational psychology; managerial psychology including coaching; and consumer psychology.

Organisational psychologists have completed a minimum of six years full-time university training, including postgraduate study in a recognised organisational psychology training program, plus further supervised practice.

The APS College of Organisational Psychologists

Membership of the APS College of Organisational Psychologists is restricted to psychologists who have completed specialised training and have experience in organisational psychology. To remain a member of the College, practitioners are required to undertake regular professional development activities in the area of organisational psychology.

All practising psychologists are legally required to be registered with the Psychologists Registration Board in their state or territory. This is to ensure that they meet specified standards of competence and ethical practice.

For further information, see the APS College of Organisational Psychologists website.

Skills of Organisational Psychologists

Organisational psychologists have knowledge and skills in the following areas:

Selection and assessment

• Devising selection criteria and assessing individual knowledge, skills, abilities, interests, personality characteristics and management potential; and
• Developing, administering and validating selection, classification and promotion processes for employees in all types of jobs.

Job analysis

• Systematically identifying the tasks, duties, work behaviours (knowledge, skills and abilities or competencies) for a specific job.

Training and development

• Analysing training needs, designing and delivering technical and strategic training programs, and evaluating the effectiveness of such programs.

Career development and coaching

• Assessing career potential and exploring career options;
• Devising development and succession plans;
• Providing advice, support and assistance in the transition to a new job; and
• Providing ongoing assistance to individuals to manage and improve their job performance and career development.

Organisational development and change management

• Analysing organisational structures, systems and cultures to identify opportunities for change;
• Designing, implementing, facilitating and evaluating improvement programs; and
• Maximising individual, group and organisational satisfaction, effectiveness and potential.

Attitude surveys and research on workplace issues

• Designing, conducting and reporting the results of research and surveys which identify the impact of work-related factors on employee experiences and organisational outcomes.

Performance development and review

• Designing, implementing and evaluating development programs, performance appraisal schemes, and performance management programs.

Wellbeing, conflict, stress and work adjustment

• Identifying factors associated with commitment, involvement, the work-home interface and satisfaction with job, career and rewards; and
• Assisting with stress management, conflict management and mediation.

Occupational health and safety

• Examining the causes of accidents and assisting with the introduction of measures to reduce their frequency of occurrence; and
• Assisting in the policy formulation, design and operation of employee assistance, rehabilitation, stress management and health maintenance programs.

Program evaluation

• Evaluating programs and practices (such as selection, training, quality improvement and employee assistance programs) by studying changes in individual, group and organisational functioning and effectiveness.

Consumer behaviour and marketing

• Assessing consumer preferences and decision-making processes; and
• Developing market segmentation strategies.

Advisory and advocacy regarding workplace issues

• Advising government, management, employees and unions on social psychological aspects of industrial relations, personnel and occupational health and safety.

Finding an Organisational Psychologist

To locate an organisational psychologist call the APS Psychologist Referral Service on 1800 333 497 or email referral@psychology.org.au.