Best practice guidelines

APS Ethical Guidelines on co-ordinated disaster response, pro bono, or voluntary psychological services  

Australian Guidelines for the Treatment of Adults with Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

The Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health developed these guidelines in consultation with trauma experts from a range of disciplines, as well as people affected by trauma. These guidelines provide practical recommendations applicable in all healthcare settings.

APS tip sheets

APS tip sheets inform clients about a range of psychological issues and how psychologists can help. They are a useful resource for private practitioners and other health professionals, especially GPs.

Useful links and resources

Disaster Response Network (DRN)

The Disaster Response Network (DRN) is a national network of psychologists who have a special interest and expertise in working with individuals and communities affected by disasters and emergencies in Australia as well as those working to assist them. 

Psychosocial Support in Disasters web portal

This web portal provides health professionals working with disaster-affected individuals and communities with a step-by-step guide to disaster response and the psychological implications at each stage from preparation through to response and recovery.  

Psychological First Aid: Field Operations Guide

Developed by the National Center for PTSD, PFA is an evidence-informed modular approach for assisting people in the immediate aftermath of disaster and terrorism: to reduce initial distress, and to foster short and long-term adaptive functioning.

Mental health and primary care resources

Developed by the Australian Child & Adolescent Trauma, Loss & Grief Network (ACATLGN, these guidelines were designed to assist general practitioners and health professionals working in primary care after the disaster of the Victorian bushfires. There are relevant to other natural disasters where there is where people are exposed to life-threatening stressors and losses.

IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings

The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC ) issues these guidelines to enable humanitarian actors to plan, establish and coordinate a set of minimum multi-sectoral responses to protect and improve people’s mental health and psychosocial wellbeing in the midst of an emergency.